Nashik, Oct 31: President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday performed the 'dhwajarohan' (flag hoisting) ceremony to mark the commencement of the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
She hoisted the religious flag after performing rituals at Ramkund on the banks of the Godavari river in the presence of Maharashtra Governor Jishnudev Varma, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar as well as senior officials.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hoisted the traditional flag at a parallel ceremony in Trimbakehswar at 12:02 pm.
The rituals at Ramkund were performed by Purohit Sangh president Chandrashekhar Panchakshari and Simhastha Committee main trustee Satish Shukla. The CM hoisted the flag in Trimbakeshwar in the presence of Shrungeri Peeth Shankaracharya Vidhushekhar Bharti.
The President later went to Trimbakeshwar where she performed 'dhwajapujan (flag worship) at Kushavarta Tirtha. She also performed Gautami Ganga Godavari pujan, special Arghya offering and Godavari Aarti.
On the occasion, Murmu was presented with a 'tamrapat' (citation on a copper plate) on behalf of the Purohit Sangh. She later visited the Lord Trimbakeshwar temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, and performed puja. She was given a replica of the Trimbakeshwar temple by the temple trust.
The Simhastha Kumbh Mela Mahadhwaj Gram Parikrama took place on Friday. The 'parikrama' started from Tapovan Maidan, proceeded to Ramtirth Panchavati in the presence of saints-mahants and thousands of devotees, and concluded at Ramkund.
The Simhastha Kumbh Mela, which started on Saturday, will culminate 21 months later on July 24, 2028.
The first 'amrut snan' will take place on August 2 next year on Ashadh Somvati Amavasya. The second will be on August 31 on Shravan Amavasya, while the third will be on September 11 on Bhadrapad Shuddha Ekadashi.
While the September 11 'amrut snan' is traditionally observed by Vaishnav Akhadas, the Shaiv Akhadas will take part in the ritual a day later.
The Simhastha Kumbh Mela will conclude on February 27, 2028 in Trimbakeshwar, and in Ramkund on July 24, 2028.
Incidentally, the ancient Shri Ganga Godavari temple at Ramkund opened on Saturday after 11 years to coincide with the commencement of the Kumbh Mela.
The President will also attend the 'Goda Aarti' at Ramkund. As many as 6,657 tribals will perform the 'Goda Aarti' in her presence with the aim of setting a world record, officials said.
