Thousands of devotees, saints and religious leaders attended the ceremonies. Authorities strengthened security, traffic management and crowd-control arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the celebrations. Nashik: President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday, October 31, hoisted the religious flag at Ramkund, marking the formal commencement of the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2026. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hoisted the flag at Kushavarta Tirtha in Trimbakeshwar.