The Nashik–Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh runs from 31 Oct 2026 to 24 Jul 2028. The Amrit Snans are on 2 Aug 2027, 31 Aug 2027, and 11 Sep 2027 (Nashik) / 12 Sep 2027 (Trimbakeshwar). On snan days private vehicles are kept out of Trimbakeshwar town. For a darshan trip from Pune (about 230 km), November 2026 to June 2027 on a weekday is the easiest window.
Dates checked against government and news sources on 15 Sep 2026 — see the sources at the end.
Key Dates at a Glance
| Date | What happens | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, 31 Oct 2026 | Flag hoisting (dhwajarohan) — the Simhastha opens | Ramkund, Panchavati (Nashik); ceremonies at Trimbakeshwar |
| Mon, 2 Aug 2027 | 1st Amrit Snan (Somvati Amavasya) | Nashik and Trimbakeshwar |
| Tue, 31 Aug 2027 | 2nd Amrit Snan (Shravan Amavasya) | Nashik and Trimbakeshwar |
| Sat, 11 Sep 2027 | 3rd Amrit Snan | Nashik (Ramkund) |
| Sun, 12 Sep 2027 | 3rd Amrit Snan | Trimbakeshwar (Kushavarta) |
| Mon, 24 Jul 2028 | Flag lowering — the Simhastha closes | Nashik and Trimbakeshwar |
Why Websites Show Different Kumbh Dates
Search for "Nashik Kumbh 2027" and you will find at least three different answers. They are all describing different slices of the same event:
The full Simhastha period runs from the flag hoisting on 31 October 2026 to the flag lowering on 24 July 2028 — roughly 21 months. This is the official religious period.
The bathing season is July to September 2027, when the three Amrit Snans happen and the akhadas are in residence. Many pages call this "the Kumbh" and stop there.
Older pages — including some encyclopaedia entries — still list 2027 as the end year. The closing date announced by the state is 24 July 2028.
What the Simhastha Is, and Why Trimbakeshwar Matters
The Kumbh at Nashik is called Simhastha because it is held when Jupiter is in Simha (Leo) — once every 12 years. The last one was in 2015. Unlike Prayagraj or Haridwar, it is split across two places on the Godavari: Nashik city, and Trimbakeshwar, about 30 km upstream, where the Kushavarta kund is revered as the river's source.
Trimbakeshwar is also one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which is why it draws pilgrims all year — and why the Kumbh makes it so crowded. Traditionally the Shaiva akhadas take their snan at Trimbakeshwar while the Vaishnava akhadas bathe at Ramkund in Nashik, which is why the third Amrit Snan falls on consecutive days in the two places.
Can You Drive to Trimbakeshwar During the Kumbh?
On ordinary days, yes — the road from Nashik to Trimbakeshwar stays open to cars, with heavier traffic and police diversions.
On Amrit Snan days it is a different story. The Nashik Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority has drawn up a three-tier parking plan that keeps private vehicles out of the Nashik city core and out of Trimbakeshwar town. Pilgrims park at outer lots — 26 of them planned around Trimbakeshwar — and ride shuttle buses the rest of the way. A new outer ring road around Nashik feeds these lots.
When Should Pune Pilgrims Visit Trimbakeshwar?
| Period | Crowd | Our advice |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2026 – Jun 2027 | Busier than a normal year, still comfortable | The best window for a darshan-focused trip. Go on a weekday morning. |
| Shravan Mondays & festival days | Very busy | Trimbakeshwar's most sacred days draw the largest gatherings, and the Kumbh adds to them. For a quieter darshan, choose another day. |
| Jul – Sep 2027 (ordinary days) | Very busy | The height of the mela season. Allow for long queues and traffic diversions around Nashik. |
| Amrit Snan days (± 1 day) | Peak — private vehicles restricted | These days belong to the holy dip. If darshan is your purpose, plan it for another day. |
If darshan — not the snan — is the reason for your trip, the months between the flag hoisting and the monsoon are your best chance. The state expects the 2027 Kumbh to draw several times the roughly 2.5 crore people who came in 2015, and the peak months will reflect that.
Darshan at Trimbakeshwar: What to Know
The Shri Trimbakeshwar Devasthan Trust lists darshan from 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM (checked 15 Sep 2026). There is a free general queue and a paid Donation Darshan for faster entry, bookable online on the trust's own site, trimbakeshwartrust.com, or at the temple counter. The trust has said it plans online passes for the Kumbh period — check its site before you travel, and book only through it; several look-alike sites sell "VIP passes".
Getting There from Pune
Trimbakeshwar is about 230–240 km from Pune by road — Pune to Sangamner and Nashik on the Pune–Nashik highway, then 28–30 km on to Trimbakeshwar. Allow 5 to 6 hours in normal traffic, and more on Kumbh weekends. That makes a same-day round trip a very long day; most families stay a night in Nashik. Our two-day Bhimashankar, Trimbakeshwar and Shirdi guide shows how that works, and the Trimbakeshwar darshan guide covers passes, dress code and pujas.
Tolls, parking and the driver's halt are included. We are a cab service — accommodation and darshan passes are arranged by you.
Sources
- ThePrint — Simhastha Kumbh to begin on 31 Oct (start date, Amrit Snans, 2028 close)
- Deccan Chronicle — flag hoisting on 31 Oct 2026
- Punekar News — three-tier parking plan
- Deccan Herald — expected crowd
- Shri Trimbakeshwar Devasthan Trust (darshan timings, donation darshan)
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Nashik–Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela start?
The Simhastha Kumbh formally begins with the flag-hoisting (dhwajarohan) ceremony on Saturday, 31 October 2026, at Ramkund in Nashik's Panchavati, with ceremonies at Trimbakeshwar as well. The main bathing season is July–September 2027.
What are the Amrit Snan dates for Nashik Kumbh 2027?
The three Amrit Snans are Monday 2 August 2027 (Somvati Amavasya), Tuesday 31 August 2027, and the third on Saturday 11 September 2027 at Nashik and Sunday 12 September 2027 at Trimbakeshwar.
When does the Nashik Kumbh end?
The Simhastha period closes with the flag-lowering on 24 July 2028, about 21 months after it opens. Some websites list only the 2027 bathing season, which is why you will see different end dates quoted.
Can I drive to Trimbakeshwar during the Kumbh?
On ordinary days, yes. On Amrit Snan days the Nashik Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority plans to keep private vehicles out of Trimbakeshwar town and the Nashik city core, with pilgrims parking at outer lots and taking shuttle buses. Final traffic orders are issued closer to each date.
Is Trimbakeshwar temple open during the Kumbh?
The temple stays open; the Shri Trimbakeshwar Devasthan Trust lists darshan from 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM. Expect far longer queues than usual, especially on Mondays, festival days and around the Amrit Snans. The trust has said it plans online darshan passes for the Kumbh period.
How far is Trimbakeshwar from Pune?
About 230–240 km by road via Sangamner and Nashik, roughly 5 to 6 hours. Trimbakeshwar is about 28–30 km beyond Nashik city.
Does Orbitmiles run Trimbakeshwar trips during the Kumbh?
Yes. Trimbakeshwar is part of our 2-day Bhimashankar, Trimbakeshwar and Shirdi package (from ₹11,499) and the 4-day Panch Jyotirlinga package (from ₹34,999), both fixed and all-inclusive of tolls and parking. If your date is on or near an Amrit Snan day, tell us when you book so the plan accounts for the vehicle restrictions.