Simhastha 2028 Dates & Schedule
Complete guide to all dates, timings, and schedule for Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2028 in Ujjain. March 27 – May 27, 2028.
Vikram Samvat 2085 · Sacred Bathing Calendar
Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2028
सिंहस्थ कुम्भ मेला — स्नान तिथि कैलेंडर, उज्जैन
March 2028
चैत्र शुक्ल पक्ष
Festival Opens · Chaitra Navratri Begins
NAVRATRI DAY 1
BRAHMACHARINI
CHANDRAGHANTA
KUSHMANDA
SKANDAMATA
KATYAYANI
April 2028
चैत्र → वैशाख
Ram Navami · First Shahi Snan · Akshaya Tritiya
KALARATRI
DURGASHTAMI
NAVRATRI ENDS
FIRST ROYAL BATH
BAISAKHI
VAUTHINI EKADASHI
PITRU TARPAN
AKSHAYA TRITIYA
SHANKARACHARYA JAYANTI
May 2028
वैशाख → ज्येष्ठ
Second & Third Shahi Snan · Festival Closes
MOHINI EKADASHI
PRADOSH SNAN
Buddha PurnimaSHAHI SNAN — 3
FINAL ROYAL BATH
SUN ENTERS TAURUS
APARA EKADASHI
Complete Snan Schedule — Simhastha 2028
| No. | Date | Tithi | Type | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 27 March 2028 Monday | Chaitra Shukla Pratipada चैत्र शुक्ल प्रतिपदा | Festival Opens | Mela begins. Chaitra Navratri commences on the same day. |
| 1 | 9 April 2028 Sunday | Chaitra Purnima चैत्र पूर्णिमा | Shahi Snan 1 | First Royal Bathing. All 13 Akharas take the sacred dip in procession on the Kshipra. |
| 2 | 20 April 2028 Thursday | Chaitra Krishna Ekadashi वैथिनी ऐकादशी | Parva Snan 1 | Vauthini Ekadashi — a major Vaishnava observance with fasting and river bathing. |
| 3 | 24 April 2028 Monday | Vaishakh Amavasya वैशाख अमावस्या | Shahi Snan 2 | New moon — Pitru Tarpan day. Second Royal Bathing with Akhara processions. |
| 4 | 27 April 2028 Thursday | Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya अक्षय तृतीया | Parva Snan 2 | Akshaya Tritiya — one of the most auspicious dates in the Hindu calendar. |
| 5 | 29 April 2028 Saturday | Vaishakh Shukla Panchami वैशाख शुक्ल पंचमी | Parva Snan 3 | Shankaracharya Jayanti — birth anniversary of Adi Shankaracharya. |
| 6 | 5 May 2028 Sunday | Vaishakh Shukla Ekadashi मोहिनी ऐकादशी | Parva Snan 4 | Mohini Ekadashi — considered among the most meritorious Ekadashis of the year. |
| 7 | 6 May 2028 Monday | Vaishakh Shukla Trayodashi प्रदोष व्रत | Parva Snan 5 | Pradosh Vrat — sacred to Lord Shiva. Evening bathing and worship on the Kshipra. |
| 8 | 8 May 2028 Wednesday | Vaishakh Purnima · Buddha Purnima वैशाख पूर्णिमा | Shahi Snan 3 | Final and grandest Royal Bathing. Vaishakh full moon — also observed as Buddha Purnima. |
| 9 | 15 May 2028 Wednesday | Vrishabh Sankranti वृषभ संक्रान्ति | Parva Snan 6 | Sun's transit into Taurus — a solar Sankranti bathing occasion. |
| 10 | 19 May 2028 Sunday | Vaishakh Krishna Ekadashi अपरा ऐकादशी | Parva Snan 7 | Apara Ekadashi — believed to absolve sins and grant liberation to ancestors. |
| — | 27 May 2028 Monday | Jyeshtha Shukla Tritiya ज्येष्ठ शुक्ल तृतीया | Festival Closes | 62-day Simhastha Mahaparva concludes. Final prayers and dispersal of pilgrims. |
Note: Official confirmation from the Madhya Pradesh Government is expected in 2027.
Shahi Snan Dates 2028 - Main Bathing Dates
The three Shahi Snan (Royal Bath) dates are the most auspicious and heavily attended days during Simhastha Kumbh Mela. These are the primary dates when millions of pilgrims perform sacred bathing in the Shipra River.
Expect maximum attendance on all three Shahi Snan dates. Arrive by 3-4 AM for better access. Crowds begin forming the night before.
These dates are projected based on Vedic astrological alignments. The final official dates will be confirmed by the Akhara Parishad.
1st Shahi Snan (Purnima)
April 9, 2028 (Sunday) Projected
- Best Time: Before sunrise (4:00-6:00 AM)
- Significance: Marks the official beginning of the most intensive bathing phase. Full moon amplifies potency.
- Crowd: 5-10 crore devotees expected
2nd Shahi Snan (Amavasya)
April 24, 2028 (Monday) Projected
- Best Time: Before sunrise (4:00-6:00 AM)
- Significance: New moon holds special significance for ancestral rituals. Ideal for Pitru Tarpan.
- Crowd: 8-12 crore devotees expected
3rd Shahi Snan (Vaishakh Purnima)
May 8, 2028 (Monday) Projected
- Best Time: Before sunrise (4:00-6:00 AM)
- Significance: Most auspicious day in Hindu calendar. Eternal spiritual merit and blessings.
- Crowd: LARGEST crowd (12-15 crore expected)
Overall Simhastha Event Dates - Full Duration
Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2028 spans 62 days from March 27 to May 27. This extended duration is the longest Simhastha in recorded history. Throughout this period, various auspicious dates present opportunities for pilgrimage.
| Event Phase | Start Date | End Date | Duration | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Simhastha Preparation | March 1, 2028 | March 26, 2028 | 26 days | Infrastructure setup, government announcements |
| Official Simhastha Period | March 27, 2028 | May 27, 2028 | 62 days | Main pilgrimage period with Shahi Snan dates |
| Post-Simhastha Closure | May 28, 2028 | June 27, 2028 | 31 days | Gradual decrease in pilgrims, cleanup phase |
Key Dates Timeline
Mesha Sankranti marks the astrological new year and the official beginning of Simhastha. Government inaugurates the mela, temporary structures open, pilgrim camps commence.
A secondary new moon astronomical event, significant for certain rituals and secondary bathing ceremonies.
Official end of Simhastha period. Gradual decrease in institutional support, though some pilgrims continue visits through June.
Parva Snan Dates 2028 - Secondary Bathing Dates
In addition to the three main Shahi Snan dates, there are seven Parva Snan (secondary bathing) dates throughout the 62-day period. These dates, while less crowded than Shahi Snan, still hold spiritual significance and offer meaningful pilgrimage opportunities.
Parva Snan Dates 2028
| Date | Crowd Level |
|---|---|
| April 20, 2028 | Light-Moderate |
| April 27, 2028 | Moderate |
| April 29, 2028 | Light |
| May 1, 2028 | Light-Moderate |
| May 13, 2028 | Light |
| May 17, 2028 | Moderate |
| May 25, 2028 | Light |
Why Choose Parva Snan Dates?
- Less Crowded: Allows for more comfortable and peaceful bathing experiences.
- Better Temple Access: Easier darshan at Mahakaleshwar and other sacred temples.
- Lower Accommodation Rates: Hotels and stays charge less during non-peak dates.
- Less Traffic: Significantly reduced traffic congestion and road closures.
- Spiritual Merit: All Parva Snan dates carry spiritual significance; merit is not exclusively reserved for Shahi Snan.
Astrological Significance
The dates of Simhastha Kumbh Mela are determined by specific celestial alignments in Vedic astrology. Simhastha occurs when Jupiter (Brihaspati) enters the Leo zodiac sign (Simha Rashi) - an astronomical event that happens once every 12 years.
- Jupiter (Brihaspati): In Leo throughout the entire 62-day period
- Sun (Surya): Transitions from Aries to Gemini
- Saturn (Shani): In Pisces (supporting spiritual growth)
- Venus (Shukra): In Taurus (enhancing devotion)
Planning Your Pilgrimage
For Maximum Spiritual Experience: Visit on Shahi Snan dates (April 9, April 24, or May 8). Plan your arrival 24+ hours in advance due to massive crowds.
For Comfortable Pilgrimage: Visit on Parva Snan dates for a more relaxed experience with better access to ghats and temples.
- Minimum: 3-4 days
- Comfortable: 7-10 days
- Complete: 14-21 days