Governor Invited to the 31 October Flag Hoisting; President Likely to Fly In by Helicopter; Aarti Now Put at 6,559 Tribal Participants; Road Repairs Cleared at Trimbakeshwar

Three more pieces of the 31 October flag hoisting fell into place on 23 October: the Governor has been invited, there is more detail on how the President may travel, and Trimbakeshwar's last works are moving. Only the Governor's invitation is confirmed by an official release. The rest is reported.

This follows our report that President Murmu was invited and Shinde says she will attend (22 October).

Governor invited (CONFIRMED)

According to an official release from Lok Bhavan, Maharashtra (23 October), Kumbh Mela Minister Girish Mahajan met Governor Jishnu Dev Varma in Mumbai and invited him to the Simhastha Kumbh flag hoisting on 31 October 2026, to be held "in the presence of the President". Mahajan also briefed the Governor on the preparations and on how the 2015 Kumbh was managed. The Free Press Journal and ETV Bharat reported the same meeting.

The release does not say whether the Governor has accepted, or which venue (Nashik or Trimbakeshwar) he would attend.

The President's travel: three helicopters, as reported

The local channel Aapla Nashik 24 reports:

• President Droupadi Murmu is likely to come with three helicopters, probably flying in from Ozar airport.
• The Police Academy ground in Nashik is being checked as a landing site.
• After the ceremony she may visit Trimbakeshwar and may also attend the Godavari aarti.

The channel itself says the final itinerary is awaited. Rashtrapati Bhavan has not published her programme. Saamana (23 October) separately reports that a helipad is being prepared for the event.

Maha Goda Aarti: now 6,559 participants from seven talukas (REPORTED)

ETV Bharat, quoting Kumbh Mela Authority Commissioner Shekhar Singh, reports that 6,559 tribal people from seven talukas will perform the evening aarti on 31 October. They will stand from Ahilyabai Holkar bridge to Ramkund, with the Ramtirth Godavari Seva Samiti.

Sources differ

• At the 18 October NTKMA press conference, the figure was about 6,500 from 650 tribal villages. The new figure is 6,559 from seven talukas. These may be the same group counted more precisely, but no one has said so.
• ETV also quotes Singh saying 501 conch players will blow conches at the 31 October flag hoisting. NTKMA's 18 October announcement put the 501-conch world-record attempt on 25 October, near the Devmamledar grounds at about 6 PM. Sakal (6 October) said conch blowing would also be part of the 31 October programme. It is not clear whether the same 501 players will play again on 31 October. The 25 October Shankhnaad is still on. See our Shankhnaad guide.

Trimbakeshwar: last works before 25 October (REPORTED)

Nashik Calling (23 October) reports on a review by Collector Ayush Prasad, who ordered all pending works in Trimbak finished by 25 October:

• Electricity transformer (DP) shifting had been due by 20 October. It was delayed because the municipal council had not decided on the new sites. That decision was taken on Thursday 22 October.
• Drain and gutter works were due by Friday 23 October.
• 20 more sanitation workers, each with an ID card, have been put on duty at Kushavarta.
• Two extra generator sets have been arranged through the PWD and the irrigation department, so power stays on during the ceremony.

NMA clears road repairs around Trimbakeshwar temple (REPORTED)

The Free Press Journal (23 October) reports that the National Monuments Authority (NMA) approved road repairs around the Trimbakeshwar temple at a video-conference meeting with the Collector. The meeting also discussed waiting areas, restrooms and covered walkways for devotees, and the renovation of the Vidhi Bhavan. The report does not say that these other items have been approved, or give a timeline.

What this means for you

• Expect VIP movement on 31 October between Ozar, the landing ground, Ramkund and possibly Trimbakeshwar. Roads near these points may be held for short periods. Wait for the police notice.
• If you plan to go to Trimbakeshwar on 31 October, remember that darshan that day is limited to 3,000 pass holders, as we reported on 22 October.
• The aarti stretch from Ahilyabai Holkar bridge to Ramkund will be taken up by participants on the evening of 31 October. Plan to watch from a little further away.
• For the full programme and live updates, see our Dhwajarohan 2026 hub.