What is Simhastha?
Ujjain's Kumbh, held when Jupiter enters Leo. The last was in 2016; the next after 2028 is in 2040.
Ujjain · 27 March – 27 May 2028
Your guide to Simhastha 2028
Once every twelve years, crores of pilgrims bathe in the Shipra at Ujjain. Plan your journey, find a place to stay, and know which dates are confirmed.
499
days until the mela opens
The three royal baths
Shahi Snan dates as reported. Final notification awaited.
9Apr
First Shahi SnanSunday, Chaitra Purnima. Akharas bathe first, from about 4 AM.
23Apr
Second Shahi SnanSunday. Some sources list 24 April; check before you book.
8May
Third Shahi SnanMonday, Vaishakh Purnima. The last royal bath.
Understand the mela before you go
The story, the calendar and the traditions of Ujjain's Kumbh.
Bathing calendar
Every snan date from 27 March to 27 May, with the source behind each one.
Akharas & rituals
The 13 Akharas, the Peshwai processions and the order of the royal bath.
Getting to Ujjain is getting easier
- Indore airport, about 55 kmDevi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport is the nearest. Allow about 1.5 hours by road to Ujjain.
- 125+ special trains plannedUjjain Junction has direct trains from Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Bhopal.
- New highways into UjjainIndore–Ujjain six-lane (NH52) and an Ujjain–Jaora four-lane are under way.
One day in Ujjain
- Bhasma Aarti, MahakaleshwarBook ahead on the temple's official site
- Holy dip at Ram GhatGo before the crowds build
- Harsiddhi TempleA short walk from Ram Ghat
- Kal Bhairav TempleAuto or e-rickshaw
- Evening aarti on the ShipraRam Ghat
From hotels to riverside tents
Hotels
In Ujjain and Indore. Rooms near the ghats and Mahakal fill first on Shahi Snan dates.
Dharamshalas & ashrams
Simple, affordable rooms run by trusts and community bodies, often near the temples. The Mahakaleshwar temple trust also lists Atithi Niwas rooms on its website.
Tent cities
The administration is planning tent cities next to the mela zones. Official booking has not opened yet.
Kalpvas camps
Stay a month on the riverbank with an Akhara or ashram, living simply.
The official tent-city portal isn't open yet. "Guaranteed" tent bookings sold today aren't official.
How preparations are going
About 129 projects under way, more than half complete
Media reports put the combined cost near ₹25,000 crore, with roughly 55–60% of the work done. Most construction deadlines fall between December 2027 and February 2028.
Source: Media reports, September 2026
Indore station upgrade unlikely to finish before the mela
The ₹412 crore Indore station project had reached about 8% against a target of 35%. Railway officials said site clearance and design delays make completion before…
Source: Western Railway (Ratlam division), via media
Railways plan more than 125 special trains and a new station at Pawasa
The Railway Board chairman reviewed works across Indore and Ujjain. Ujjain's yard remodelling is finished, so long-distance trains can use all eight platforms. Two new foot…
Source: Railway Board review, 6 Sep 2026
Plan your visit with us
Tell us your dates and group size. We reply on WhatsApp or email, usually within a day.
- Stays near the ghats, dharamshalas and group bookings
- Day-by-day plans for families and seniors
- Alerts when official dates change