Simhastha

Simhastha is a Hindu religious festival held in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India. Also known as Simhastha Mahaparva, it is a major edition of the Kumbh Mela tradition and centers on devotion to Shiva at the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple.

It occurs roughly every 12 years when the sun enters the zodiac sign Leo (Simha) according to Hindu astrology. The festival's dates are linked to specific auspicious days and lunar constellations. The Ujjain edition is one of the principal Kumbh Mela gatherings.

Ritual bathing is a central activity; pilgrims undertake a sacred dip in the Shipra River, believed to purify sins. The Mahakaleshwar temple is a focal site for darshan and special rites. Processions, devotional singing, discourses, and fairs accompany the bathing days.

Simhastha is among the world's largest religious gatherings, attracting millions of devotees from across India and beyond. It has significant cultural, religious, and social dimensions, reinforcing devotional practices, charitable activities, and regional identity.

Historically rooted in ancient Hindu tradition, the festival is organized through collaboration among temple authorities, city administration, and state agencies to manage safety, sanitation, and crowd management.