Bhavnath Mini Kumbh kicks off with religious fervour, flag ceremony held amid tight arrangements and vehicle restrictions

Mini Kumbh begins with chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’ at Bhavnath Temple, flag hoisted as annual fair opens; vehicles banned this year to manage crowd and ensure safety

Sacred chants mark start of Mini Kumbh at Bhavnath Temple, traditional flag raised; authorities impose vehicle ban during fair

Schedule of Major Events

Date	Event	Importance
Feb 11	Flag Hoisting & Damru Yatra	Official start of the Mini Kumbh.
Feb 12-14	Cultural & Folk Performances	Featuring artists like Maithili Thakur and Suresh Wadkar.
Feb 15	Mahashivratri Night	The grand peak of the festival.
Feb 15 (Midnight)	Royal Bath (Shahi Snan)	Naga Sadhus take a holy dip in the Mrugi Kund.

The five-day Bhavnath Mahashivratri Mela, declared a Mini Kumbh this year, commenced on February 11, 2026, at the foothills of Mount Girnar in Junagadh, Gujarat, drawing thousands of devotees on its opening day.

The spiritual celebrations began with the traditional Dhvajarohan (flag hoisting) ceremony at the historic Bhavnath Mahadev Temple, resonating with conch shells and chants of “Har Har Mahadev.” Anticipating an estimated 15 lakh pilgrims over five days, authorities have declared the Bhavnath area a complete vehicle-free zone from February 11 to 15, including restrictions on VIP and ministerial vehicles, to ensure smooth crowd management.

To assist elderly and दिवyang devotees as well as Naga Sadhus, special electric rickshaws have been deployed. In a first, a grand “Damru Yatra” featuring thousands of damrus was held, led by State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi and prominent saints. The mela, known for its spirit of “Bhajan, Bhojan, and Bhakti,” has also attracted sadhus from various Akhadas across India and spiritual leaders from abroad, reinforcing its growing national and global significance.