Simhastha 2028, Ujjain’s Kumbh Mela on the Shipra (Kshipra) river, runs from 27 Mar to 27 May 2028. That period is official: the Madhya Pradesh government announced it in a press release on 5 Mar 2024, with three Amrit (Shahi) Snans and seven Parva Snans proposed between 9 Apr and 8 May 2028. The individual Amrit Snan dates are not officially notified yet, so every date below carries its status.
- Official: the mela period, 27 Mar – 27 May 2028 (MP government, 5 Mar 2024; restated in Apr 2025).
- Officially proposed: 3 Amrit Snans and 7 Parva Snans between 9 Apr and 8 May.
- Reported, not notified: Amrit Snans on 9 Apr, 23 Apr and 8 May. The panchang points to 24 Apr, not 23 Apr.
- Not published: Parva Snan and Peshwai dates, and any official app or portal.
Simhastha 2028 dates: official schedule
Every date that matters for planning, with its status as of 8 Oct 2026. Reported means the media carry the date and it fits both the official window and the panchang, but no government notification lists it.
| Date (day) | Event | Tithi | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Mar 2028 (Mon) | Simhastha begins | Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (Gudi Padwa) | OfficialMP govt, 5 Mar 2024 |
| Mar – early Apr 2028 | Akhada Peshwai processions (chhavni pravesh) | — | Awaiting notificationDates set by the akhadas |
| 9 Apr 2028 (Sun) | 1st Amrit (Shahi) Snan | Chaitra Purnima (Hanuman Jayanti) | ReportedWindow official; date reported |
| 13 Apr 2028 (Thu) | Mesha Sankranti: the Sun enters Aries | — | Calendar onlyAstronomical |
| 23 Apr (Sun) or 24 Apr (Mon) 2028 | 2nd Amrit (Shahi) Snan | Vaishakh Amavasya falls on 24 Apr (Somvati) | Awaiting notificationReported as 23 Apr; panchang says 24 Apr |
| 27 Apr 2028 (Thu) | Akshaya Tritiya (a Shahi Snan day in 2016) | Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya | Calendar onlyNot announced as a snan |
| 8 May 2028 (Mon) | 3rd (final) Amrit (Shahi) Snan | Vaishakh Purnima (Buddha Purnima) | ReportedWindow official; date reported |
| 9 Apr – 8 May 2028 | 7 Parva Snans | — | Awaiting notificationProposed; dates not published |
| 27 May 2028 (Sat) | Simhastha concludes | Jyeshtha Shukla Tritiya | OfficialMP govt, 5 Mar 2024 |
Last verified 8 Oct 2026 against the MP government release of 5 Mar 2024 (mpinfo.org) and Drik Panchang tithi timings (IST). We will update this table as soon as the Amrit Snan dates are notified.
What is official and what is only reported
The source is a 5 Mar 2024 release from MP’s Directorate of Public Relations: the Simhastha Mahaparva runs from 27 Mar to 27 May 2028, and 3 Shahi Snans and 7 Parva Snans are proposed between 9 Apr and 8 May. Mela Adhikari Ashish Singh restated the period in Apr 2025.
The individual dates (9 Apr, 23 Apr, 8 May) appeared in Hindi media in Apr 2025 without naming who had notified them. On the panchang, 9 Apr is Chaitra Purnima and 8 May is Vaishakh Purnima at sunrise: the two ends of the official window.
23 Apr is the problem. At sunrise it is Krishna Chaturdashi. Vaishakh Amavasya runs from 12:20 AM on 24 Apr to 1:16 AM on 25 Apr, making Monday 24 Apr a Somvati Amavasya, so keep both days free until the date is notified. Note too that government releases now say “Amrit Snan” rather than “Shahi Snan”.
The 7 Parva Snans (not yet notified)
Only the count is official: seven Parva Snans between 9 Apr and 8 May. The list circulating online (27 Mar, 4 Apr, 14 Apr, 19 Apr, 1 May, 5 May, 15 May) puts three dates outside that window. Festival days inside the mela, none of them announced as a snan, include Ram Navami (3 Apr), Mesha Sankranti (13 Apr), Akshaya Tritiya (27 Apr), Mohini Ekadashi (4 May) and Vrishabha Sankranti (14 May).
Panchkroshi Yatra during the mela
The Panchkroshi Yatra, a circuit of about 118 km around Ujjain’s four “dwarpal” Shiva temples (Pingleshwar, Kayavarohaneshwar, Bilkeshwar and Dardureshwar), is held in the Krishna paksha of Vaishakh (3–7 May in 2024). In 2028 that fortnight falls between 9 and 24 Apr, inside the mela, so expect the two to overlap. The yatra dates are not announced yet.
What is Simhastha? The Ujjain Kumbh explained
Simhastha is Ujjain’s Kumbh Mela, named for Jupiter (Brihaspati) in Simha (Leo), which comes round about once every 12 years. Ujjain is one of the four Kumbh cities, with Prayagraj, Haridwar and Nashik.
Why Ujjain: the amrit legend and Mahakal
In the Samudra Manthan legend, a drop of amrit fell into the Kshipra here, and the state’s stated goal for 2028 is a snan in Kshipra water only. Ujjain is also home to Mahakaleshwar, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. Our Ujjain and Mahakal darshan guide covers darshan, and our Bhasma Aarti booking guide covers aarti slots.
Jupiter in Leo, Sun in Aries: the Simhastha period
Ujjain’s Kumbh needs Jupiter in Leo and the Sun in Aries, in the month of Vaishakh. In 2028 the Sun is in Aries from 13 Apr to 14 May, hence the April–May bathing window. Two astrological calculators put Jupiter’s “Simhastha period” in Leo from 31 Oct 2026 to 24 Jul 2028, with a break in Virgo from 26 Nov 2027 to 28 Feb 2028. The opening day, 27 Mar 2028, is Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (Gudi Padwa).
Ujjain vs Nashik Simhastha: one cycle, two melas
Jupiter’s single pass through Leo produces two melas. Nashik–Trimbakeshwar spans almost the whole period, with its Amrit Snans in Aug–Sep 2027; Ujjain waits for the Sun to enter Aries. Our Nashik–Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela guide has the full Nashik dates.
| Point | Ujjain | Nashik–Trimbakeshwar |
|---|---|---|
| River | Shipra (Kshipra) | Godavari |
| Mela period | 27 Mar – 27 May 2028 | 31 Oct 2026 – 24 Jul 2028 |
| Amrit Snans | Proposed between 9 Apr and 8 May 2028 | Aug – Sep 2027 |
| Condition | Jupiter in Leo and Sun in Aries | Jupiter in Leo |
| Akhada split | By river bank: Shaiva at Datt Akhada Ghat, Vaishnava at Ram Ghat | By town: Vaishnava at Ramkund (Nashik), Shaiva at Kushavarta (Trimbakeshwar) |
| Jyotirlinga | Mahakaleshwar | Trimbakeshwar |
Last verified 8 Oct 2026.
For travellers from Indore and the rest of Malwa, Ujjain is the nearer of the two: Indore airport is 53 km away. If you want to attend both, Nashik’s royal baths come seven to eight months before Ujjain’s.
Simhastha 2016 vs 2028 in numbers
The last Simhastha in Ujjain ran from 22 Apr to 21 May 2016; the two before it were in 2004 and 1992, and the next after 2028 is due in 2040.
| Measure | 2016 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | 22 Apr – 21 May 2016 | 27 Mar – 27 May 2028 |
| Length | 30 days | 62 days |
| Shahi / Amrit Snans | 22 Apr, 9 May, 21 May | Three proposed, 9 Apr – 8 May; not notified |
| Visitors | An estimated 5–7.5 crore | 30–40 crore (govt projection, 2026) |
| Arrivals by train | About 20 lakh | About 1 crore expected (Railway Board) |
| Ghats | About 7 km | About 35 km (Chief Minister, Aug 2026) |
| Spending | ₹632.86 crore on infrastructure (Patrika) | Projects worth more than ₹25,000 crore (MP govt, Jun 2026) |
Sources: mpinfo.org releases (2024–26), Railway Board via PTI (Jun 2025), media reports for 2016. 2028 figures are projections. Last verified 8 Oct 2026.
Official footfall projections have climbed from about 12 crore (Jan 2024) to 30–40 crore in the Chief Minister’s 2026 statements, and the ghats are being built for nearly 4 crore bathers in 24 hours. Ujjain is already much busier since Mahakal Lok opened: about 8 crore visitors in 2025, against 60–70 lakh a year before, and more than 12 crore expected in 2026.
Ujjain Simhastha 2028 master plan: what is being built
The MP government says projects worth more than ₹25,000 crore are under way in and around Ujjain, with Diwali 2027 as the deadline. Here is what matters to visitors, with the latest status we could find.
| Project | What it is | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| New ghats | 29.15 km on both banks; ₹778 crore | 7 km of ghats and 18.20 km of retaining wall done | 20 Jun 2026 |
| Kanh diversion duct | 30.15 km closed duct diverting the Kanh away from the Shipra; ₹919.94 crore | 8.15 km of tunnel excavated | Jun 2026 |
| Indore–Ujjain six-lane road | ₹1,692 crore widening | 80% complete; target 14 Jan 2027 (media) | Aug 2026 |
| Ujjain airport (Datana-Matana) | RCS-UDAN 5.2; 1,800 m runway for ATR-72s | Foundation laid 1 Nov 2025; clearance pending in mid-2026, readiness unconfirmed | Sep 2026 |
| Indore–Ujjain metro | About 45–47 km | Will not run before Simhastha 2028 | Apr 2026 |
| Rail | 7 stations upgraded; Naikheri–Chintaman Ganesh bypass line | 100+ special trains planned (Railways) | Sep 2026 |
| Command and control centre | AI crowd management and CCTV; ₹139.14 crore | In the works list; no official app yet | Apr 2026 |
| Ropeway to Mahakal | 1.76 km from Ujjain Junction | Target was Oct 2026; status unverified | Oct 2026 |
| Tent city and homestays | Tent city “on the lines of the Rann Utsav”; homestays within 100 km | Plan only; no booking open | 8 Oct 2026 |
Status from MP government releases (mpinfo.org) unless marked “media”; re-checked monthly. Last verified 8 Oct 2026.
Ghats, roads and why there is no metro
Besides the new ghats, about 8–9 km of existing ghats are being upgraded, and the Kanh duct and the Sewarkhedi–Silarkhedi project aim to keep the Shipra clean and flowing. A 12 km six-lane road linking the ghats will run as a BRT corridor during the mela. The Indore–Ujjain metro will not run before 2028.
Tent city, volunteers and the dropped “Kumbh city”
The plan includes more than 15,000 “Sevadut” volunteers, 22,500 police being recruited and the AI-based command centre. A land-pooling scheme for a permanent “Kumbh city” was withdrawn in Nov–Dec 2025 after farmer protests, so camp land will be taken temporarily, as in past Simhasthas.
Akhadas, Naga sadhus and the Amrit Snan at Ujjain
On each Amrit Snan day the akhadas process to the river and bathe first, in a fixed order. The public goes in after them; in 2016 that was around 7 AM.
The 13 akhadas
| Tradition | Akhadas | Bathing ghat |
|---|---|---|
| Shaiva (Sanyasi), 7 | Juna, Avahan, Agni, Niranjani, Anand, Mahanirvani, Atal | Datt Akhada Ghat |
| Vaishnava (Bairagi), 3 | Nirmohi, Digambar, Nirvani | Ram Ghat |
| Udasin, 2 | Bada Udasin, Naya Udasin | Slot to be announced |
| Nirmal, 1 | Nirmal | Slot to be announced |
In 2016 the akhada slots began between 3 AM and 5 AM on both banks. The 2028 timetable is not out yet.
Ram Ghat vs Datt Akhada Ghat: who bathes where
Shaiva akhadas bathe at Datt Akhada Ghat and Vaishnava akhadas at Ram Ghat on the opposite bank, a split that dates to a 1789 Peshwa order made after clashes. In 2016 both sides bathed at the same time for the first time. For 2028, each akhada gets at most 15 minutes per Amrit Snan, and the Kinnar Akhada will bathe with the Juna Akhada.
Peshwai (chhavni pravesh)
Before the first Amrit Snan, each akhada enters its camp (chhavni) in a procession with elephants, horses, chariots and Naga sadhus. The akhadas set these dates themselves; expect them between late March and early April.
How to reach Ujjain for Simhastha 2028 (via Indore)
Indore is the practical gateway: it has the nearest airport, the largest stock of hotels in Malwa, and direct rail and road links. Our Ujjain guide covers the everyday Indore→Ujjain options; here is what changes during the mela.
By air: via Indore airport (53 km)
Indore’s Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport (IDR) is 53 km from Ujjain by the official figure, or 60–90 minutes by road. Ujjain’s own airport isn’t confirmed for 2028, so fly into Indore.
By rail: Ujjain Junction and satellite stations
Ujjain Junction (UJN) is on the Ratlam–Bhopal and Indore–Dewas–Ujjain lines. During the mela, expect some trains to stop at satellite stations such as Chintaman Ganesh, Pingleshwar, Naikheri or Vikram Nagar, with walking or shuttle access to the mela, so check where your ticket ends. The Railway Board expects about 1 crore arrivals by train, against roughly 20 lakh in 2016, and the plan includes holding areas at stations and no last-minute platform changes.
By road: six-lane, parking and walking
In 2016, private vehicles were stopped at parking areas on the outskirts and visitors walked or took shuttles. Expect the same in 2028, with special traffic plans on Amrit Snan days. Adding Omkareshwar? Our Ujjain–Omkareshwar tour page has the distances and fares.
Where to stay for Simhastha 2028: Ujjain, Indore or a tent city
Ujjain rooms sell out early for a Simhastha, and no official accommodation is open yet. The options as of 8 Oct 2026:
| Option | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Ujjain hotels and dharamshalas | Being near the ghats and Mahakal | They sell out early |
| Indore as a base | Seniors, families, more hotel choice; 1–1.5 hours away | Daily commute; on snan days you park outside Ujjain |
| Government tent city | Staying inside the mela | Planned; no sites or booking yet |
| Homestays within 100 km | Budget stays with local hosts | Government scheme; no listings yet |
| Akhada camps and kalpvas | Devotees attached to an akhada | Arranged by the akhadas; not something we book |
No room rates yet: reliable 2028 prices don’t exist. Last verified 8 Oct 2026.
Our view from Indore: on a non-snan day, stay in Indore and drive in early. For an Amrit Snan day, stay in Ujjain the night before if you can find a room. For hotels near Mahakal, see our Ujjain guide.
Best days to visit Simhastha 2028 (and days to avoid)
- For the akhada processions: an Amrit Snan day (9 Apr and 8 May are reported; the second is 23 or 24 Apr). Arrive a day early.
- For a calmer dip and darshan: a weekday away from the snan days. Late March and early April are also cooler.
- With seniors or small children: avoid the Amrit Snan days and the days either side.
- Also busy: Akshaya Tritiya (27 Apr), a Shahi Snan day in 2016, and the likely Panchkroshi Yatra fortnight in the second half of April.
Book refundable stays until the snan dates are notified. Planning Bhasma Aarti too? Read our Bhasma Aarti booking guide before fixing dates.
Heat, storm and crowd safety tips for April–May
| Month | Average maximum | Record high |
|---|---|---|
| March | 34.9 °C | — |
| April | 38.9 °C | 45.2 °C |
| May | 40.9 °C | 46.0 °C |
IMD climate normals for Ujjain.
Heat. Bathe early, rest through the afternoon, cover your head and carry water and ORS.
Storms. Pre-monsoon storms do strike: on 5 May 2016 a thunderstorm at the mela killed seven people. If the wind rises, move away from tents, hoardings and temporary structures, and follow police announcements.
Crowds. The 2028 plan has separate entry and exit routes, holding areas and special traffic plans on snan days. Fix a meeting point, put a phone number in children’s and seniors’ pockets, and move with the crowd, never against it.
Official information only. As of 8 Oct 2026 there is no official app or portal; simhastha.org.in, ujjainmahakumbh.com and the “Ujjain Simhastha 2028” Play Store app are not government channels. Follow mpinfo.org and the Ujjain district website.
Plan your Simhastha 2028 trip with Traverse (Indore)
Our travel desk in Indore (est. 2014) can plan stays in Indore or Ujjain, cabs from Indore airport or station, a day that pairs the dip with Mahakal darshan, and an Omkareshwar add-on. We don’t sell darshan, Bhasma Aarti or VIP passes; book those only on the official Mahakaleshwar temple website.
Simhastha 2028: frequently asked questions
When is Simhastha 2028 in Ujjain?
Simhastha 2028 will be held in Ujjain from 27 Mar to 27 May 2028, a 62-day mela. The Madhya Pradesh government announced the period on 5 Mar 2024, and the mela officer restated it in Apr 2025. The three Amrit (Shahi) Snans and seven Parva Snans are proposed between 9 Apr and 8 May 2028.
What are the Shahi Snan (Amrit Snan) dates for Simhastha 2028?
They are reported as 9 Apr, 23 Apr and 8 May 2028, but these dates are proposed, not officially notified. The government has only said the snans fall between 9 Apr and 8 May. 9 Apr and 8 May match Chaitra and Vaishakh Purnima. For the second snan, the panchang puts Vaishakh Amavasya on 24 Apr, so keep both days free.
Are the Simhastha 2028 dates official?
Partly. The mela period, 27 Mar to 27 May 2028, is official, from a Madhya Pradesh government release of 5 Mar 2024. The same release says three Shahi Snans and seven Parva Snans are proposed between 9 Apr and 8 May. As of 8 Oct 2026, no government notification lists the individual snan dates.
What is the Ujjain Simhastha Kumbh?
It is the Kumbh Mela held in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, roughly every 12 years on the Shipra (Kshipra) river. It is called Simhastha because it falls when Jupiter is in Simha (Leo). Pilgrims, sadhus and the 13 akhadas gather for ritual baths. Ujjain is one of the four Kumbh cities, with Prayagraj, Haridwar and Nashik.
Why is Simhastha held in Ujjain?
Because, in the Samudra Manthan legend, a drop of amrit fell into the Kshipra at Ujjain, one of four such places. The Ujjain Kumbh is held when Jupiter is in Leo and the Sun is in Aries, in Vaishakh. The city is also home to Mahakaleshwar, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, which most pilgrims visit along with the dip.
When was the last Simhastha in Ujjain?
The last Simhastha in Ujjain ran from 22 Apr to 21 May 2016, a 30-day mela. Its Shahi Snans fell on 22 Apr (Chaitra Purnima), 9 May (Akshaya Tritiya) and 21 May (Vaishakh Purnima), and it drew an estimated 5–7.5 crore people. The next one after 2028 is due in 2040.
What is the Simhastha period?
It is the time Jupiter spends in Leo. By astrological calculators, the current period runs from 31 Oct 2026 to 24 Jul 2028, with a break while Jupiter is in Virgo from 26 Nov 2027 to 28 Feb 2028. Nashik’s Simhastha spans most of it; Ujjain’s mela is the Mar–May 2028 part, when the Sun is also in Aries.
Is Simhastha 2028 the same as the Kumbh Mela 2028?
Yes. The main Kumbh Mela of 2028 is the Ujjain Simhastha, held from 27 Mar to 27 May 2028, which the state government calls the Simhastha Mahaparva. The Nashik–Trimbakeshwar Simhastha also formally runs until Jul 2028, but its royal baths take place in 2027.
How is the Ujjain Simhastha different from the Nashik Simhastha?
Both belong to the same Jupiter-in-Leo cycle. Nashik–Trimbakeshwar runs from Oct 2026 to Jul 2028 on the Godavari, with Amrit Snans in Aug–Sep 2027. Ujjain runs from 27 Mar to 27 May 2028 on the Shipra, because it also needs the Sun in Aries. Nashik splits the akhadas between two towns; Ujjain splits them between two river banks.
What is the nearest airport to Ujjain for Simhastha?
Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore (IDR), 53 km from Ujjain by the official figure, or 60–90 minutes by road. An airport at Datana-Matana near Ujjain is being built under the UDAN scheme with a target of opening before Simhastha, but clearances were pending in mid-2026, so plan to fly into Indore.
Should I stay in Ujjain or Indore during Simhastha 2028?
Stay in Indore for more hotel choice, when travelling with seniors, or on a non-snan day; Ujjain is 1–1.5 hours away. Stay in Ujjain to reach the ghats early on an Amrit Snan day, but book early because rooms sell out. A government tent city and homestays within 100 km are planned, with no booking open yet.
Is there an official Simhastha 2028 app or registration?
Not yet. As of 8 Oct 2026, the Madhya Pradesh government has not launched an official Simhastha 2028 app, portal or registration, though it says apps for routes, parking and facilities will come. Websites such as simhastha.org.in and ujjainmahakumbh.com, and the “Ujjain Simhastha 2028” app on the Play Store, are not official.
Cover photo: Ministry of Culture, Government of India (PIB), GODL-India