Experts Survey Nashik, Trimbakeshwar for Simhastha 2027 Signage Masterplan
Nashik, 23rd May 2026: Following an initial briefing meeting with Nashik Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Pradhikaran (NTKMA) recently, international wayfinding expert Mark Ross and Graphics Beyond co-founder Baarish Date spent the rest of the week visiting various areas in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar to study pilgrim movement patterns and infrastructure requirements for Simhastha 2027.
The team, along with NTKMA officials and department representatives, visited major pilgrim routes, ghats, parking areas, transit points and Sadhu Gram locations as part of the proposed scientific signage and wayfinding system for the Kumbh Mela.
Graphics Beyond, founded in 2002, has led over 850 wayfinding projects including Ram Mandir Teertha Kshetra and IIT Bombay. The firm has onboarded Mark Ross, co-founder of Australian design agency Dot Dash, who has worked on signage systems for the Sydney, Athens and Beijing Olympics and Paralympics.
Ross said the focus is on creating an inclusive and safe navigation system capable of handling a “sea of people” during the Kumbh Mela. He said detailed interactions were held with officials from police, healthcare, irrigation, MSRTC, railways, ASI and Nashik Municipal Corporation, while legacy drawings, route maps and planning data from the 2015 Kumbh were also reviewed.
“We are looking at this as a blank slate while learning from past experiences. The next step is to prepare analysis reports and diagrammatic studies to map visitor journeys and practical movement challenges,” Ross said.
Baarish Date said the aim is to create a signage system that works as a “silent guide” for pilgrims and improves movement across Nashik and Trimbakeshwar.
NTKMA Commissioner Shekhar Singh said scientific wayfinding planning would play a major role in crowd management, emergency response and pilgrim convenience during Simhastha 2027.
Joint surveys conducted in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar
Focus on scientific signage and wayfinding system
Olympic wayfinding expert Mark Ross involved
Study of pilgrim routes, ghats, parking and Sadhu Gram
Review of 2015 Kumbh legacy maps and route plans
Meetings with police, healthcare, irrigation, MSRTC, railways, ASI and NMC
Visitor journey mapping and diagrammatic studies next phase
Aim: Safe, inclusive and intuitive navigation for lakhs of pilgrims
