Northern area of Ramkund, spot for holy dip, to remain closed for two months

Nashik: The civic body has imposed a two-month ban on the entry of devotees, residents and vehicles into the northern zone of the Ramkund area till July 16, starting Saturday, to facilitate ongoing infrastructure works ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.The restriction covers the stretch from Holkar Bridge onwards in the northern section of the historic Ramkund, where extensive construction and beautification under the ₹111-crore Ram Kal Path project is underway.“The works related to the development of the ₹111-crore Ram Kal Path are being carried out at a fast pace to ensure completion before the flag-hoisting ceremony scheduled in Oct 2026. For this reason, the northern areas of Ramkund, starting from the Holkar Bridge, will be completely out of bounds for people, pilgrims, and vehicles until the work is finished,” a senior Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) officer said.The decision was taken to ensure the timely and safe completion of the riverfront development and ghat beautification works along the Godavari, a key site where pilgrims take holy dips during the Kumbh Mela and perform asthi vilay (immersion of ashes). The civic body aims to complete all projects before the flag-hoisting ceremony scheduled in Oct 2026.The order was issued by NMC commissioner Manisha Khatri after a meeting with the Nashik Purohit Sangh led by its president Chandrashekhar Panchakshari.With the northern bank closed, authorities and priests have made alternative arrangements for daily rituals.“According to our beliefs, we do not cross the river before the 10th-day rituals are completed, which is why these rituals are traditionally carried out on both the northern and southern banks. While the dome constructed in the southern area remains open, the northern side has been closed. Therefore, we will now be performing the rituals at the Old Vegetable Market and Yashwant Maharaj Patangan on either side of the Godavari,” Panchakshari said.He added that while initial rites will be conducted at these temporary locations, the final asthi vilay will continue at the main Ramkund.Satish Shukla, former president of the Sangh, said the organisation has requested the NMC to provide waterproof sheds and basic facilities at the new venues to prevent inconvenience to devotees during the monsoon while performing last rites.