President Murmu Unfurls Dharma Dhwaja In Nashik

The Trimbakeshwar ceremony was attended by Sringeri Peeth Shankaracharya Vidushekhara Bharati and several saints, seers and heads of various akharas, as well as senior leaders, including Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar. Both ceremonies featured Vedic chants, the blowing of conch shells and worship of the Godavari. The flags bear religious and astrological symbols associated with the Kumbh tradition.

The state government is undertaking infrastructure development and making arrangements for sanitation, traffic management and security for the 12-yearly religious congregation, which is expected to draw millions of devotees from across the country and abroad.

Apart from the Deputy Chief Ministers, Union Minister of State for Ayush and Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav, Maharashtra Cabinet Ministers Girish Mahajan, Chhagan Bhujbal, Gulabrao Patil, Dadaji Bhuse, Jaykumar Rawal, Sanjay Savkare, Narhari Zirwal and Nitesh Rane, among others, attended the ceremony. Several prominent saints from various akharas, including Jagadguru Shri Ramanujacharya Narendraacharya Maharaj, Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Shri Mahant Ravindrapuri Maharaj and other spiritual leaders, were also present at the ceremony. Saints and devotees from different traditions gathered at Ramteerth to witness the historic occasion. The rituals were conducted by Satish Shukla and Chandrashekhar Panchakshari of the Purohit Sangh.

The Simhastha Dharma Dhwaja features several auspicious symbols of the Shri Ganga-Godavari tradition, each carrying special significance. The Amrit Kumbh (pot of nectar) represents immortality, liberation and divine feminine power. The Om symbol signifies positivity, the entire universe and omnipresence, while the sacred syllable ‘Shri’ symbolises victory and auspiciousness. The 12 silk tassels on the flag represent social unity and collective strength, while one bell and three small bells (ghungroos) symbolise sacred sound and the cosmic resonance of the universe, known as Brahma Naad. The other side of the flag features a crocodile, the traditional vehicle of the Godavari, along with the auspicious symbols of the Sun and the Moon.

Every ritual during the ceremony was performed with deep devotion, preserving the sanctity of Indian religious traditions and the auspiciousness of Vedic culture. President Droupadi Murmu first offered oblations into the sacred yajna kund. The holy flames rising from the sacrificial fire, accompanied by the chanting of Vedic hymns, created a spiritually charged and auspicious atmosphere. Thereafter, the President performed the ceremonial worship of the life-giving Godavari and paid obeisance to the Dharma Dhwaja (religious flag). Amid the chanting of sacred mantras by priests, she unfurled the Dharma Dhwaja, marking an auspicious moment. As the flag soared into the sky, the sound of conch shells echoed across the surroundings of Ramteerth. The sacred rituals of offering oblations into the yajna, worshipping the Godavari, worshipping the flag and hoisting the Dharma Dhwaja lent a strong religious foundation to the commencement of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.

The Simhastha Kumbh Mela festivities commenced at Trimbakeshwar on Saturday with the ceremonial hoisting of the religious flag at the sacred Kushavarta Tirtha on the banks of the Godavari. The Chief Minister and Sringeri Peeth Jagadguru Shankaracharya Vidhushekhara Bharati were present on the occasion, along with several sadhus and mahants. Fadnavis welcomed the assembled religious leaders, followed by the reception of the Shankaracharya. The ceremony began with the ritual worship of the Godavari, followed by Sankalp Vidhi and prayers for the well-being, peace and prosperity of all living beings. Ganesh puja and Vedic chants marked the subsequent rituals.

Mr Fadnavis performed the ceremonial worship of the flagpole, followed by the ritual worship of the Dharma Dhwaja and the flag pennants. Sringeri Peeth Jagadguru Shankaracharya Vidhushekhara Bharati also offered prayers to the religious flag.

With the commencement of Simhastha, Jupiter’s entry into the zodiac sign of Leo is considered an important astrological alignment in the tradition of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. Against this backdrop, the hoisting of the Dharma Dhwaja holds special religious significance and marks the commencement of the Simhastha festivities. The flag is regarded as a symbol of the Kumbh’s mythological traditions, the sanctity of the Godavari and religious faith.

With the ceremonial hoisting of the flags at Ramteerth and Trimbakeshwar, the state government is gearing up to make arrangements for the upcoming Kumbh Mela. Infrastructure development, sanitation, traffic management, security and civic amenities are among the key areas being addressed to facilitate the movement and stay of the large number of pilgrims expected to visit Nashik and Trimbakeshwar. Divisional Commissioner Dr Praveen Gedam, Simhastha Kumbh Mela Authority Commissioner Shekhar Singh, Nashik Municipal Commissioner Manisha Khatri, District Collector Ayush Prasad and other senior officials were present at the event.