After Prayagraj Maha Kumbh, now preparations for Nashik Kumbh, differences among Akharas over the name:

Preparations for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela to be held in Nashik, Maharashtra in the year 2027 have gained momentum after the visit of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on March 23, but differences have arisen over the name of this mega fair. During the Chief Minister's visit, representatives of the Trimbakeshwar Akharas had demanded that the festival be called Trimbakeshwar-Nashik Simhastha Kumbh Mela. However, during a recent meeting with officials at the Nashik Municipal Corporation headquarters, the leaders of the Nashik Akharas insisted that the name should be kept as Nashik Kumbh Mela.

Demand for more than 500 acres of land

The sadhus and mahants of the Nashik akhadas also demanded that they be included in the Simhastha Kumbh Mela Authority to be set up by the state government and that more than 500 acres of land be permanently reserved for the Kumbh. When asked about the name-related demands, Nashik District Collector Jalaj Sharma said, "The information related to the issue will be submitted to the government (after checking the records) and a decision will be taken as per their instructions."

Held between 14 July and 25 September 2027

The Kumbh Mela in Nashik district is expected to be held on the banks of the Godavari river between July 14 and September 25, 2027. It will be held after 12 years. Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Water Resources and Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan visited Trimbakeshwar to review the preparations for the Kumbh. He said, "The state government is positive about various demands of sadhus and mahants."

Those who attended the review meeting chaired by Mahajan included divisional commissioner Praveen Gedam, district collector Jalaj Sharma, Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad president Mahant Ravindrapuri Maharaj, Mahant Harigiriji Maharaj of Juna Akhada, Indramuniji Maharaj of Bada Udasin Akhada, Gopaldas Maharaj of Nav Udasin Akhada, Ajaypuri Maharaj of Mahanirvani Akhada, Ganeshanand Saraswati and Shankaranand Saraswati of Anand Akhada, among other dignitaries. The Akhada representatives said that new ghats should be built on the banks of the Narmada river in view of the narrow space in Trimbakeshwar, especially in the Kushavarta area. They said that new kunds should be constructed and facilities should be increased, which Mahajan approved in principle.