Simhastha Kumbh 2026-2028: Complete Snan Dates & Calendar

The Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela opens on 31 October 2026 with the Dhwajarohan, the ceremonial flag-hoisting, and is scheduled to close on 24 July 2028. In between come a small number of Amrit Snan (formerly called Shahi Snan) days when the akharas take their processions to the water, and a much larger number of parvani snan days that any pilgrim may observe. This guide sets out the dates the Maharashtra government has announced, flags where reports disagree, and explains how the bathing rules work.

The Announced Milestones

The schedule was fixed at a review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister in June 2025. It was reported that the Kumbh would start with a flag-hoisting at 12:02 PM on 31 October 2026 at Ramkund in Panchavati, with a corresponding ceremony at Trimbakeshwar, and end with the flag being lowered on 24 July 2028. A Nagar Pradakshina is listed for 29 July 2027.

Key Dates

Ramkund is the venue of the Dhwajarohan on 31 October 2026 and the Vaishnava akharas' Amrit Snan.

Where the Reports Disagree

The official release says that Trimbakeshwar holds its Kumbh baths on the same dates as Nashik. Some news reports, however, place the third bath at Trimbakeshwar on 12 September 2027, a day after Nashik, and one pilgrim-portal press release lists 11 September for the Vaishnava akharas at Nashik and 12 September for the Shaiva akharas at Trimbakeshwar. Until the authority publishes a final notification, treat 11-12 September as a two-day window and confirm your venue and date close to the time.

Amrit Snan Versus Parvani Snan

Amrit Snan days are the ones on which the akharas arrive in a procession (peshwai) and bathe in a prescribed order. The public is usually kept away from the akhara bathing area at that time and bathes later in the day. Parvani snan days are festivals and auspicious tithis such as amavasya, purnima and ekadashi on which devotees bathe on their own. A June 2025 report said that Nashik would see 44 auspicious bathing days during the Simhastha and Trimbakeshwar 53, though these counts may be revised. You do not need an Amrit Snan day to gain the merit of a Kumbh bath, and the quieter parv days are far easier on families and elders.

Practical Bathing Rules

• Bathe only in the marked bathing zones and during the hours announced for the public.
• Do not use soap or shampoo in the kund; pour water over yourself instead if you need to wash.
• Enter the water carefully; the steps are slippery and the current can be strong in the monsoon.
• Keep children and elders away from the deep end, and keep your group together.
• Follow the directions of police, lifeguards and volunteers, even if you have bathed here before.
• Dispose of flowers and offerings in the bins provided; do not throw them into the river.

On Amrit Snan days the akharas arrive in procession and bathe first, which is why the public bathes later in the day.

Planning Around the Calendar

All three scheduled Amrit Snan dates in 2027 fall in the monsoon, so read our weather and packing guide. Rooms and transport are scarcest in the 48 hours around each date; book early, arrive a day ahead and expect the pedestrian-only zones described in our road and parking guide. For the ritual meaning of the baths, see the Kumbh's religious significance page.

How to Keep This Calendar Current

Dates in a long event shift as authorities issue notifications, as the panchang is reconciled, and as weather affects arrangements. We update this article as soon as an official notice changes a date, and the "Updated" line at the top shows the last revision. For anything you will pay for, such as a non-refundable hotel booking, check the Kumbh authority's latest notice first. If you are travelling with a group, choose one person to track official updates and share them, so that nobody acts on an out-of-date forwarded message.

Why Dates Are Fixed By the Calendar and the Planets

A Simhastha is tied to the position of Jupiter (Brihaspati) in Leo (Simha) and to the sun and moon on particular tithis, which is why Nashik's festival comes about once every twelve years. The individual bathing days are chosen from the panchang, and the amavasya dates in the table above are the new-moon days that fall in the Hindu months of Ashadh and Shravan. Tithis can begin on one calendar day and end on the next, which is one reason that reports sometimes differ by a day. When in doubt, follow the date that the Kumbh authority publishes for the bathing.

Related guides: Snan dates and ghats · the akharas · Crowd management on Amrit Snan days