Nashik: In a remarkable and unusual sight not witnessed in nearly a decade, the sacred Ram Kund and Seeta Kund on the Godavari river have been completely dry for the past three to four days. This time, however, the dryness is not due to drought but because authorities have deliberately halted water release and drained the kunds to fast-track infrastructure work ahead of the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
Planned Intervention for Riverfront Beautification
Officials have stated that the drying of the kunds is a planned intervention linked to the ongoing Rs 145-crore Ram Kal Path project, which aims to upgrade and beautify the historic riverfront. This marks a sharp departure from 2016, when both kunds had run dry due to severe drought and depleted water levels in the Gangapur dam, forcing a suspension of water release into the Godavari.
"This time, the water release has been intentionally stopped, and water from both kunds has been drained to allow execution of the Ram Kal Path project in view of the upcoming Kumbh Mela," said environmental activist Devang Jani, underlining the contrast with the earlier crisis. "In 2016, the kunds had dried due to drought, when water levels in the dam had dropped significantly, and there was no release into the river."
Disruption of Religious Practices
The development has drawn the attention of devotees, as Ram Kund — one of Nashik's holiest sites — typically remains bustling with year-round rituals, including sacred dips by pilgrims and sadhus, especially during the Kumbh Mela held every 12 years. The temporary disappearance of water has disrupted routine religious practices and raised concerns among regular visitors. To facilitate construction, the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has enforced a two-month restriction on entry of devotees, residents and vehicles into the northern stretch of the Ramkund precinct until July 16. The restricted zone extends from the Holkar Bridge area, where large-scale construction activity is underway.
Funding and Timeline
Civic officials said the Centre has already sanctioned Rs 99 crore for the Ram Kal Path project, with the remaining funds to be shared by the state government and the municipal corporation. The project is considered critical to upgrading infrastructure before Nashik hosts millions of pilgrims during the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
Alternative Arrangements for Rituals
Recognising the religious sensitivity of the site, NMC has worked with the Ganga-Godavari Purohit Sangh to arrange for alternative locations for key rituals. It has been decided that the 10th-day post-funeral rites will now be conducted at the Old Vegetable Market area and Yashwant Maharaj Patangan on either side of the river.
Authorities said the temporary drying of Ram Kund and Seeta Kund is unavoidable and necessary to complete essential works within the deadline. They stressed that the measures are part of a larger effort to ensure the city is fully prepared to handle the massive influx of devotees expected during the 2027 Kumbh Mela.
