Registration Extended for ‘Simhastha Mahakumbh Ganesh Mandal Competition’ to Encourage Wider Participation
Nashik, 10 September 2026: To enable wider participation of Ganesh mandals in the public outreach campaign for the upcoming Simhastha Mahakumbh Mela 2027, the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority (NTKMA) has extended the registration deadline for the ‘Simhastha Mahakumbh Ganesh Mandal Competition’. The registration deadline, earlier set for September 10, has now been extended to September 17, 2026.
The extension is aimed at providing more Ganesh mandals across Nashik and Trimbakeshwar with an opportunity to participate in the initiative and contribute to creating awareness about the Simhastha Mahakumbh Mela through the widely celebrated Ganeshotsav.
The competition has been conceptualised to use Ganeshotsav as a platform to take the spiritual, cultural, environmental and technology-led dimensions of the Simhastha Mahakumbh Mela to citizens. Through their decorations, thematic displays and community initiatives, participating mandals will be encouraged to engage citizens with the significance of the event and the role of the local community in its successful conduct.
Ganesh mandals from Nashik city and the Trimbakeshwar region can participate in the competition. The initiative will focus on strengthening Simhastha-related awareness at the local level while encouraging greater participation from citizens, youth and community groups.
Creativity over extravagance
The competition will place greater emphasis on creativity, innovation, citizen participation and sustainability rather than the scale or cost of decorations. This is intended to ensure that Ganesh mandals, irrespective of their size or resources, have an equal opportunity to participate and showcase their ideas.
The mandals will be evaluated on parameters including relevance to the Simhastha theme, creativity, quality of execution, citizen participation and impact of the initiative, as well as sustainability.
₹1 lakh prize in each of five categories
The ‘Simhastha Mahakumbh Ganesh Mandal Competition’ will have five major categories, with the winning mandal in each category receiving a prize of ₹1 lakh.
– Best Display Based on the Kumbh Concept – ₹1 lakh
– Best Spiritual Display – ₹1 lakh
– Best Eco-Friendly Ganesh Mandal – ₹1 lakh
– Best Use of Technology and Innovation – ₹1 lakh
– Best Social Initiative – ₹1 lakh
In addition, a Special Award of ₹2 lakh will be presented for an innovative and exceptional concept.
Six themes for creative participation
Participating Ganesh mandals can base their displays and awareness initiatives on six broad themes related to the Simhastha Mahakumbh Mela. These include the spiritual significance of the Mahakumbh Mela; the heritage of Nashik-Trimbakeshwar; technology and the Kumbh; a green and sustainable Kumbh; the Kumbh and the Akhadas; and service and dedication towards pilgrims.
The initiative seeks to leverage the public platform created by Ganeshotsav to familiarise citizens with the Simhastha Mahakumbh Mela, its cultural heritage and the role communities can play in the successful conduct of the event.
Registration open till September 17
Ganesh mandals interested in participating can now register until September 17, 2026. The registration form is available through the official Instagram handle of the Kumbh Mela Authority, ‘ntkma2027’, via a Google Form.
Competition guidelines, registration-related information and further announcements will also be shared through the same social media handle.
