1,400 Acres Designated For Sadhugram in Nashik Kumbh

mumbai: Around 1,400 acres of land will be allocated to set up a Sadhugram in Nashik to provide accommodation to sadhus from various akharas across the country during the Simhastha Kumbh Mela scheduled to be held between 2026 and 2028.

In 2015, when the last Kumbh Mela was held in Nashik, nearly one crore devotees visited and the festival lasted for 58 days. However, the 2026 Kumbh Mela will start on October 31 next year and will be spread over a period of 22 months and end on July 24, 2028. Five times more devotees are likely to attend the Kumbh Mela compared to last time.

According to state officials, the 377-decare area has already been designated as a no-development zone. While Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has acquired 94 acres of land, 283 acres are planned to be acquired permanently. The remaining 775 acres will be rented temporarily during the Kumbh Mela.

Development works worth Rs 5.657 billion will be undertaken in Nashik for the upcoming Kumbh Mela by the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority, NMC and Government of Maharashtra. The groundbreaking ceremony of the works was held by Prime Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday.

Fadnavis said special efforts should be made to ensure arrangements for devotees, security and planning of Parvsnan and Amritsnan and to give devotees the experience of spirituality which is the essence of this festival.

The CM said that during the development work, emphasis was given on repairing roads, highways, drinking water networks, preserving the sanctity of Godavari river, creating beautiful ghats, revitalizing old temples and preserving the ancient form of Godaghat. He expressed confidence that these development works will change the face of Nashik and provide support to the all-round development of the city.

Acting CM Eknath Shinde said, “All aspects like Sadhugram, sanitation system, sanctity of Ramkund and Kushavarta are being taken care of. Care is being taken to ensure that the arriving devotees do not face any inconvenience.”

In connection with the Kumbh Mela, major projects have been undertaken in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar for the construction of comprehensive infrastructure facilities, strengthening of security system, sanitation, management, facilitation of transport system and modernization of religious tourism facilities.