Kushavarta Tirth in Trimbakeshwar Closed for Renovation: What Pilgrims Need to Know

If you are planning a trip to Trimbakeshwar this month, note this first: Kushavarta Tirth is closed to pilgrims. The kund has been shut since 30 September for renovation ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh.

Kushavarta is the sacred kund in Trimbak where the Shaiva akhadas take their Amrit Snan. It is the main bathing site on the Trimbakeshwar side of the Kumbh. The NTKMA plan expects about 0.75 crore people in Trimbak on an Amrit Snan day, which is why the kund is being prepared now.

What work is being done

The renovation includes: - draining the kund - conservation of the old stone steps - a water filtration plant - heritage lighting

The State Archaeology Department is leading the work. The renovated kund is to be inaugurated on 31 October 2026, the same day as the Dhwajarohan, when flags go up at Kushavarta and at Ramkund in Nashik at 12:02 PM.

The NTKMA Kumbh Mela Plan also lists a new Dhwaja Stambha (flag pole) at Kushavarta, to be ready before 31 October.

When does it reopen?

The sources give slightly different dates, so here are both:

• Collector Ayush Prasad, who is also vice-chairman of the Kumbh Mela Authority (NTKMA), said on record that the closure runs from 30 September to 30 October. This was reported by the Times of India on 29 September.
• Lokmat Times reported on 4 October that the kund will reopen on 31 October.

In practice, the difference is one day. Since the renovated kund is to be inaugurated on 31 October, the safest plan is not to count on bathing at Kushavarta before then. No official notice with exact reopening hours has been published yet.

Devotees unhappy over Pitru Paksha timing

Lokmat Times also reported that devotees are unhappy that the kund is closed during Pitru Paksha, the fortnight of rituals for ancestors.

What this means for pilgrims

• Do not plan a dip at Kushavarta before 31 October. The kund is closed from 30 September.
• 31 October will be a busy day. It is the day of the Dhwajarohan and the kund's inauguration. President Droupadi Murmu, the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Ministers are expected at the flag hoisting, though it is not yet clear which venue the President will attend. Access may be limited around the ceremony. Road and traffic orders for the day have not been published yet.
• Check before you travel. Reopening dates and timings can change. Ask locally or follow official NTKMA updates before you set out.
• Looking ahead: Kushavarta is where the Trimbakeshwar Amrit Snans will be held in 2027, on 2 August, 31 August and 12 September. Two new ghats are also being built in Trimbakeshwar for the Kumbh, with a March 2027 target.

For more on Trimbak, see our Trimbakeshwar Kumbh 2027 guide. For all key dates, see the Kumbh dates page, and for bathing sites, our ghats guide. You can also read about the Dhwajarohan programme on 31 October.

We will update this post when an official reopening notice is issued.