Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Mela: A Distinct Voice
Among the four Kumbh sites, Nashik-Trimbakeshwar has some special features. Here, bathing takes place at two locations: Ramtirth in the Panchavati area of Nashik city and Kushavarta Tirth in Trimbakeshwar, about thirty kilometres away. By tradition, Shaiva sadhus bathe at Trimbakeshwar and Vaishnava sadhus bathe at Ramtirth in Nashik.
Nashik is a place linked with the Ramayana. During the forest exile, Shri Ram, Sita and Lakshman stayed at Panchavati on the banks of the Godavari. Trimbakeshwar is one of the twelve jyotirlingas, and the place of origin of the Godavari is near the Brahmagiri mountain. Therefore, in the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh, all these threads are seen together: the Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions, the memory of the Ramayana and the origin of the river. This feature sets it apart from the other Kumbh sites.