The preparations for Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027 are not just about managing crowds and upgrading infrastructure. In Nashik and Trimbakeshwar, work is also underway to protect the temples, kunds and tirthas that form the heart of the region’s religious landscape.The State Archaeology Department is currently carrying out conservation work at 16 heritage sites across the two pilgrimage centres, with an approved outlay of Rs 55.72 crore. The projects cover six sites in Nashik and 10 in Trimbakeshwar.The focus is on preserving these places as living heritage sites. Unlike monuments that are visited mainly for their historical value, many of these temples and sacred water bodies continue to be part of everyday religious life, drawing devotees throughout the year and much larger crowds during the Kumbh.The conservation work includes restoring old stone temples and samadhis, strengthening ageing structures and improving the areas around them. The aim is to protect the original character of these sites while making them safer and easier to navigate, particularly when the number of visitors rises sharply during the Kumbh.In Nashik, work is being carried out at several prominent heritage locations, including the Naroshankar Temple, Sundar Narayan Temple and Kashivishweshwar Temple, along with associated shrine complexes. Restoration of heritage walls and improvements to surrounding precincts are also part of the ongoing work.The projects are aimed at addressing structural issues in buildings that have stood for generations, while also improving access and movement for pilgrims. With large crowds expected during the Kumbh, the condition of the surrounding heritage precincts will be just as important as the conservation of the structures themselves.In Trimbakeshwar, a significant part of the conservation effort is centred around the region’s sacred water heritage. Work is underway at Kushavarta Kund, widely regarded as the symbolic source of the Godavari and a major centre of Kumbh rituals. Other sites being taken up include Bilva Tirtha, Prayag Tirtha, Indra Kund and the Gautameshwar temple and tank.These water bodies hold a special place in the religious traditions of the region. During the Kumbh, they become important gathering points for pilgrims, with ritual bathing and religious ceremonies drawing large crowds. Their conservation, therefore, is not only about protecting old structures but also about ensuring that these spaces can continue to serve their religious purpose.Most of the ongoing projects are expected to be completed between December 2026 and March 2027, ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.For Nashik and Trimbakeshwar, the conservation effort is ultimately about preparing for the future without losing sight of the past. The temples, kunds and tirthas being restored are not frozen pieces of history. They remain active parts of the region’s religious life, and the challenge is to preserve them while ensuring they can withstand the demands of one of India’s biggest pilgrimage gatherings.
