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Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha

January 01, 1970

Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha is a Hindu religious mela held every 12 years in the Nashik district of Maharashtra, India. The name of the festival is also transliterated as Sinhastha or Singhastha. It is one of the four fairs traditionally recognized as Kumbha Melas, and is also known as Nashik-Trimbak Kumbha Mela or Nashik Kumbha Mela.

Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha
नाशिक-त्र्यंबकेश्वर सिंहस्थ कुंभमेळा
1989 Kumbh Mela at Nashik
Statusactive
GenreFair
FrequencyEvery 12 years
VenueBanks of Godavari river
Location(s)Trimbak and Nashik
CountryIndia
Previous event2015
Next event2027 2040
ParticipantsAkharas, pilgrims
Websitekumbhmela2015.maharashtra.gov.in

The fair involves ritual bathing on the banks of Godavari river, at the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple (in Trimbak) and the Ram Kund in Nashik. Until 1789, the fair was held only at Trimbak, but after a clash between Vaishnavites and Saivites, the Maratha Peshwa segregated the Vaishnavites to the Nashik city.

History edit

Origins edit

According to Hindu mythology, Vishnu dropped drops of amrita (the drink of immortality) at four places, while transporting it in a kumbha (pot). These four places, including Nashik, are identified as the present-day sites of the Kumbh Mela. The age of the Nashik-Trimbak Simhastha is uncertain, but its association with the kumbha myth is relatively recent, dating back to the 20th century. The Nasik District Gazetteer published during the 19th century does not mention the term "Kumbh Mela" to describe the local Simhastha fair.[1] The earliest extant texts that contain the name "Kumbha Mela" are Khulasat-ut-Tawarikh (1695 CE) and Chahar Gulshan (1789 CE). Both these texts use the term "Kumbh Mela" to describe only the Haridwar Kumbh Mela, although they mention the Simhastha fair at Nashik.[2] It appears that the Nashik Simhastha adapted the kumbh (and the name Kumbh Mela) from the Haridwar Kumbh Mela.[3] The Ujjain Simhastha, in turn, is an adaptation of the Nashik-Trimbak Simhastha: it began in the 18th century, when the Maratha ruler Ranoji Shinde invited ascetics from Nashik to Ujjain for a local festival.[4] As per Shiv Puran, brihaspati (Jupiter) enters Singh Rashi (Leo) every 12 years. The Kumbh mela is organized for same occasion.

Mughal era edit

The Khulasat-ut-Tawarikh (1695 CE) mentions the mela in its description of the Berar Subah, although it doesn't use the terms "Kumbh Mela" or "Simhastha" to describe it. It states that when Jupiter entered Leo or Simha (which happens once in 12 years), people from far away would come to Trimbak for a large gathering which was famous in all parts of the Mughal Empire.[5]

Maratha era edit

Until 1789, the fair was originally held at Trimbak, a town near the Nashik city. That year, a clash happened between Shaivite sanyasis and Vaishnavite bairagis over order of precedence of bathing, which indicated the status of the akharas. A copperplate inscription of the Maratha Peshwa claims that 12,000 ascetics died in this clash.[6] As a result, the Peshwa shifted the Vaishnavites' bathing place to Ramkund in the Nashik city.[4] The Shaivites continue to regard Trimbak as the proper location of the fair.[7]

British era edit

In 1861 and 1872, fights erupted at Trimbak, when some Nirmala sadhus attempted to walk naked in a procession, in imitation of a rival sect. Their rivals, as well as the British managers who wanted to keep peace, opposed them. The British administration proposed banning public nudity at the next Simhastha, but the proposal was opposed by the Naga sadhus and ultimately rejected by the British authorities.[8]

Independent India edit

When the Kumbh Mela was held in Nashik, India, from 27 July to 7 September 2003, 39 pilgrims (28 women and 11 men) were trampled to death and 57 were injured. Devotees had gathered on the banks of the Godavari river for the maha snaanam or holy bath. Over 30,000 pilgrims were being held back by barricades in a narrow street leading to the Ramkund, a holy spot, so the sadhus could take the first ceremonial bath. Reportedly, a sadhu threw some silver coins into the crowd and the subsequent scramble led to the stampede.[9][10]

In 2015, the Kumbha Mela was held at Nashik-Trimbak during July–September.[11]

With nearly 30 million devotees gathered in 2015, the mela gave a unique opportunity to test out a range of smart solutions. One of the projects conducted here was by MIT, called the "Kumbhathon", that tried to identify ways to improve crowd and civic management during intense periods of mass migration [12]

Dates edit

The Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha is held once in 12 years. The exact dates are determined according to a combination of zodiac positions: the mela ay be held when Jupiter is in Leo (Simha in Hindu astrology); or when Jupiter, Sun and Moon are in Cancer on lunar conjunction (Amavasya).[13]

The last fair was held in 2015; the next one will be held in 2027.

References edit

  1. ^ Maclean 2008, p. 89.
  2. ^ James G. Lochtefeld (2008). "The Kumbh Mela Festival Processions". In Knut A. Jacobsen (ed.). South Asian Religions on Display: Religious Processions in South Asia and in the Diaspora. Routledge. p. 70. ISBN 9781134074594.
  3. ^ Vikram Doctor (2013-02-10). "Kumbh mela dates back to mid-19th century, shows research". Economic Times.
  4. ^ a b Knut A. Jacobsen (2008). South Asian Religions on Display: Religious Processions in South Asia and in the Diaspora. Routledge. pp. 32–34. ISBN 9781134074594.
  5. ^ Jadunath Sarkar (1901). India of Aurangzib. Kinnera. pp. 51.
  6. ^ James Lochtefeld (2009). Gods Gateway: Identity and Meaning in a Hindu Pilgrimage Place. Oxford University Press. pp. 252–253. ISBN 9780199741588.
  7. ^ Vaishali Balajiwale (13 July 2015). "Project Trimbak, not Nashik, as the place for Kumbh: Shaiva akhadas". DNA.
  8. ^ Maclean 2008, pp. 128–129.
  9. ^ [usurped] The Hindu, 28 August 2003
  10. ^ "Holy man's gift blamed for 39 dead in stampede" The Guardian, 28 August 2003.
  11. ^ "10 million to gather for 2015 Nashik Kumbh Mela". Zee News. 18 October 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  12. ^ "From Waze for crowds to Uber for street food – MIT innovations at Kumbh Mela". July 2015.
  13. ^ Mela Adhikari Kumbh Mela 2013. "Official Website of Kumbh Mela 2013 Allahabad Uttar Pradesh India". Retrieved 24 November 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

Bibliography edit

  • कुम्भ मेला और साधु समागम- अमरत्व की खोज : बद्री नारायण एवं केदार नारायण पिल्ग्रिम्स पब्लिशिंग्स, (भारत) 2010, ISBN 978-81-7769-917-3
  • Kumbh Mela and The Sadhus – The Quest for Immortality; Authors: Badri Narain and Kedar Narain PILGRIMS PUBLISHINGS, (INDIA) 2010 ISBN 978-81-7769-805-3
  • Maclean, Kama (2008). Pilgrimage and Power: The Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, 1765-1954. OUP USA. ISBN 978-0-19-533894-2.

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kumbh Mela in Nashik.
  • Official website

January 01, 1970
nashik, trimbakeshwar, simhastha, hindu, religious, mela, held, every, years, nashik, district, maharashtra, india, name, festival, also, transliterated, sinhastha, singhastha, four, fairs, traditionally, recognized, kumbha, melas, also, known, nashik, trimbak. Nashik Trimbakeshwar Simhastha is a Hindu religious mela held every 12 years in the Nashik district of Maharashtra India The name of the festival is also transliterated as Sinhastha or Singhastha It is one of the four fairs traditionally recognized as Kumbha Melas and is also known as Nashik Trimbak Kumbha Mela or Nashik Kumbha Mela Nashik Trimbakeshwar Simhasthaन श क त र य बक श वर स हस थ क भम ळ 1989 Kumbh Mela at NashikStatusactiveGenreFairFrequencyEvery 12 yearsVenueBanks of Godavari riverLocation s Trimbak and NashikCountryIndiaPrevious event2015Next event2027 2040ParticipantsAkharas pilgrimsWebsitekumbhmela2015 wbr maharashtra wbr gov wbr in The fair involves ritual bathing on the banks of Godavari river at the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple in Trimbak and the Ram Kund in Nashik Until 1789 the fair was held only at Trimbak but after a clash between Vaishnavites and Saivites the Maratha Peshwa segregated the Vaishnavites to the Nashik city Contents 1 History 1 1 Origins 1 2 Mughal era 1 3 Maratha era 1 4 British era 1 5 Independent India 2 Dates 3 References 3 1 Bibliography 4 External linksHistory editOrigins edit According to Hindu mythology Vishnu dropped drops of amrita the drink of immortality at four places while transporting it in a kumbha pot These four places including Nashik are identified as the present day sites of the Kumbh Mela The age of the Nashik Trimbak Simhastha is uncertain but its association with the kumbha myth is relatively recent dating back to the 20th century The Nasik District Gazetteer published during the 19th century does not mention the term Kumbh Mela to describe the local Simhastha fair 1 The earliest extant texts that contain the name Kumbha Mela are Khulasat ut Tawarikh 1695 CE and Chahar Gulshan 1789 CE Both these texts use the term Kumbh Mela to describe only the Haridwar Kumbh Mela although they mention the Simhastha fair at Nashik 2 It appears that the Nashik Simhastha adapted the kumbh and the name Kumbh Mela from the Haridwar Kumbh Mela 3 The Ujjain Simhastha in turn is an adaptation of the Nashik Trimbak Simhastha it began in the 18th century when the Maratha ruler Ranoji Shinde invited ascetics from Nashik to Ujjain for a local festival 4 As per Shiv Puran brihaspati Jupiter enters Singh Rashi Leo every 12 years The Kumbh mela is organized for same occasion Mughal era edit The Khulasat ut Tawarikh 1695 CE mentions the mela in its description of the Berar Subah although it doesn t use the terms Kumbh Mela or Simhastha to describe it It states that when Jupiter entered Leo or Simha which happens once in 12 years people from far away would come to Trimbak for a large gathering which was famous in all parts of the Mughal Empire 5 Maratha era edit Until 1789 the fair was originally held at Trimbak a town near the Nashik city That year a clash happened between Shaivite sanyasis and Vaishnavite bairagis over order of precedence of bathing which indicated the status of the akharas A copperplate inscription of the Maratha Peshwa claims that 12 000 ascetics died in this clash 6 As a result the Peshwa shifted the Vaishnavites bathing place to Ramkund in the Nashik city 4 The Shaivites continue to regard Trimbak as the proper location of the fair 7 British era edit In 1861 and 1872 fights erupted at Trimbak when some Nirmala sadhus attempted to walk naked in a procession in imitation of a rival sect Their rivals as well as the British managers who wanted to keep peace opposed them The British administration proposed banning public nudity at the next Simhastha but the proposal was opposed by the Naga sadhus and ultimately rejected by the British authorities 8 Independent India edit When the Kumbh Mela was held in Nashik India from 27 July to 7 September 2003 39 pilgrims 28 women and 11 men were trampled to death and 57 were injured Devotees had gathered on the banks of the Godavari river for the maha snaanam or holy bath Over 30 000 pilgrims were being held back by barricades in a narrow street leading to the Ramkund a holy spot so the sadhus could take the first ceremonial bath Reportedly a sadhu threw some silver coins into the crowd and the subsequent scramble led to the stampede 9 10 In 2015 the Kumbha Mela was held at Nashik Trimbak during July September 11 With nearly 30 million devotees gathered in 2015 the mela gave a unique opportunity to test out a range of smart solutions One of the projects conducted here was by MIT called the Kumbhathon that tried to identify ways to improve crowd and civic management during intense periods of mass migration 12 Dates editThe Nashik Trimbakeshwar Simhastha is held once in 12 years The exact dates are determined according to a combination of zodiac positions the mela ay be held when Jupiter is in Leo Simha in Hindu astrology or when Jupiter Sun and Moon are in Cancer on lunar conjunction Amavasya 13 The last fair was held in 2015 the next one will be held in 2027 References edit Maclean 2008 p 89 James G Lochtefeld 2008 The Kumbh Mela Festival Processions In Knut A Jacobsen ed South Asian Religions on Display Religious Processions in South Asia and in the Diaspora Routledge p 70 ISBN 9781134074594 Vikram Doctor 2013 02 10 Kumbh mela dates back to mid 19th century shows research Economic Times a b Knut A Jacobsen 2008 South Asian Religions on Display Religious Processions in South Asia and in the Diaspora Routledge pp 32 34 ISBN 9781134074594 Jadunath Sarkar 1901 India of Aurangzib Kinnera pp 51 James Lochtefeld 2009 Gods Gateway Identity and Meaning in a Hindu Pilgrimage Place Oxford University Press pp 252 253 ISBN 9780199741588 Vaishali Balajiwale 13 July 2015 Project Trimbak not Nashik as the place for Kumbh Shaiva akhadas DNA Maclean 2008 pp 128 129 39 killed in Kumbh Mela stampede usurped The Hindu 28 August 2003 Holy man s gift blamed for 39 dead in stampede The Guardian 28 August 2003 10 million to gather for 2015 Nashik Kumbh Mela Zee News 18 October 2013 Retrieved 14 June 2014 From Waze for crowds to Uber for street food MIT innovations at Kumbh Mela July 2015 Mela Adhikari Kumbh Mela 2013 Official Website of Kumbh Mela 2013 Allahabad Uttar Pradesh India Retrieved 24 November 2015 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint numeric names authors list link Bibliography edit क म भ म ल और स ध सम गम अमरत व क ख ज बद र न र यण एव क द र न र यण प ल ग र म स पब ल श ग स भ रत 2010 ISBN 978 81 7769 917 3 Kumbh Mela and The Sadhus The Quest for Immortality Authors Badri Narain and Kedar Narain PILGRIMS PUBLISHINGS INDIA 2010 ISBN 978 81 7769 805 3 Maclean Kama 2008 Pilgrimage and Power The Kumbh Mela in Allahabad 1765 1954 OUP USA ISBN 978 0 19 533894 2 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kumbh Mela in Nashik Official website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nashik Trimbakeshwar Simhastha amp oldid 1167584719, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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