Simhastha 2028 Ujjain: A First Planning Guide for Families
Simhastha 2028 in Ujjain is scheduled to run from 27 March to 27 May 2028, with the main bathing days (Shahi Snan and Parva Snan) proposed for 9 April to 8 May. The exact snan dates have not been confirmed in the official sources we could find, so plan around the window and keep your travel flexible. Because crowds will be very large, the best time to plan your stay is now.
This is a first planning guide for families, written with warmth and honesty: what is known, what is still unknown, and what we would do if our own parents were coming. Please read the dates as a starting point, not a promise.
What Simhastha is, in plain words
Simhastha is the Kumbh Mela of Ujjain, held on the banks of the Shipra (also spelt Kshipra). The last one was in 2016, so 2028 is the next. For a family, it means a long mela period when millions come to bathe in the river, see the akharas (orders of sadhus) and visit the temples of the city.
If you are travelling from abroad, think of it as the city's biggest gathering, where the whole town becomes part of the pilgrimage. Many families come for one or two bathing days; others come for a quiet week and avoid the peak days altogether.
Dates known so far
The overall window
Madhya Pradesh government statements, reported in June 2026, say the event is scheduled to run continuously from 27 March to 27 May 2028. A 2024 report on the state's action plan gives the same range.
Shahi Snan and Parva Snan
Shahi Snan means the royal bath, when the akharas go to the river in procession, and Parva Snan is a bathing day on an auspicious date for everyone. A 2024 Daily Pioneer report says 3 Shahi Snan and 7 Parva Snan are proposed between 9 April and 8 May 2028. It was a proposal at that time, and it does not list individual dates.
Why we are not giving you exact dates
Some travel websites list specific dates, but the lists we found disagree with each other, and none points to an official notice. Rather than guess, we will say it plainly: the individual snan dates are still to be confirmed by the Ujjain administration and the akharas. We will update this guide when they are published.
How big will the crowds be?
The latest government projection, reported in June 2026, is around 40 crore devotees over the whole event. Figures keep changing, so treat all of them as projections, not a count. Spread over two months, it still means busy roads, long queues and full stays on most days.
One planning number is useful. For Mahakaleshwar, a September 2025 report says arrangements are being made for around one lakh devotees a day, and that if more arrive, the administration will provide accommodation and allow darshan the next day.
Nearby places will be busy too
The same report says an estimated 15 to 20 per cent of Ujjain's visitors may also go to Omkareshwar. If that is on your list, read our Omkareshwar guide and plan it for a quieter day.
What the city is building
The state has said projects worth more than Rs 25,000 crore are under way in and around Ujjain. The Deccan Chronicle report lists about 29 km of new ghats on both banks of the Shipra, a six-lane Ujjain-Indore highway that is nearing completion, 22 new bridges and a central digital command centre for crowd and traffic monitoring.
For you, this means access should improve, but you should still expect road closures and diversions near the river and the temple on big days. Please read our travel page for how families usually reach Ujjain.
How we would plan a family visit
Choose your kind of trip
- A bathing-day trip: you want the snan itself. Expect to leave very early, walk a fair distance and stay close to your group. This is not ideal for very young children or frail elders.
- A quiet mela-week trip: you come on non-peak days, bathe at a calmer hour, see the temples and take in the atmosphere. This is what we suggest for most families.
- A trip with elders: choose a base within easy reach of the temple, keep one activity a day and have a plan B for transport.
Small things that help
Carry ID for everyone, a printed copy of your booking, medicines, a water bottle and comfortable footwear. Agree a meeting point with your family in case phones do not connect in a crowd. If you plan Bhasma Aarti, read our Mahakaleshwar guide first; permits and timings may change during Simhastha, so check the official temple site.
For a taste of how festival weeks feel in the city, our Kartik and Hari-Har Milan guide is a gentler preview.
Why to book early
Two reasons. First, rooms near the temple and ghats are limited, and families who want a base within easy reach will all be looking at the same few dates. Second, once the snan dates are announced, the best-placed rooms for those days will go first.
There is also a practical point on terms. Peak-festival stays usually carry stricter conditions. At AP Villas, Kumbh and Simhastha dates are booked on full advance and are non-refundable, while standard dates allow free cancellation up to 7 days before arrival. The exact policy is confirmed on WhatsApp, so please ask us before you pay. We would rather you know this now than be surprised later.
Where to stay near Mahakaleshwar for Simhastha
All five AP Villas are within 2 km of Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, and in-house guests get a complimentary Mahakal shuttle (up to 5 guests per trip). That matters a great deal when roads are crowded and elders are tired.
Rudrangan Suites: a calm base for a long mela
Rudrangan Suites opened in 2026 with designer finishes, premium linens and garden seating, a quiet corner after a long day in the crowds. It has 3 bedrooms and sleeps 6, from ₹5,200 per night. There is a lift and it is wheelchair friendly, and pets are welcome. The kitchen has an induction cooktop, microwave and mini fridge, so you can cook simple satvik meals. Check-in is at 10:30 AM and check-out at 9:30 AM, with a later check-out on request, subject to availability.
If your group is larger
- Divinestay: 3 bedrooms, sleeps 8, from ₹5,500 per night, with a private rooftop.
- Villa Aranya: 3 bedrooms, sleeps 8, from ₹5,800 per night.
- Om Shanti Stay: 2 bedrooms, sleeps 6, from ₹4,500 per night.
Across all five villas we can sleep up to 32 guests, so extended families can stay close together; please WhatsApp us to check availability. Our caretakers also explain the Bhasma Aarti booking process on your arrival evening. See all stays on our villas page, or reach us through the contact page.
Frequently asked questions
When is Simhastha 2028 in Ujjain?
It is scheduled to run from 27 March to 27 May 2028, according to Madhya Pradesh government statements reported in June 2026. The main bathing days are proposed between 9 April and 8 May. Individual Shahi Snan dates have not been confirmed in the official sources we found, so please check with the Ujjain administration before booking.
What is Shahi Snan?
Shahi Snan, meaning royal bath, is the procession of the akharas (orders of sadhus) to the river for the main holy dip of a Kumbh. Parva Snan is a bathing day on an auspicious date that is open to everyone. A 2024 plan proposed 3 Shahi Snan and 7 Parva Snan for Simhastha 2028.
How many people are expected at Simhastha 2028?
A June 2026 report quotes Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on around 40 crore devotees over the whole event. These are government projections and keep changing. The practical lesson is to expect heavy crowds, road diversions and very full accommodation throughout.
When should we book a stay for Simhastha 2028?
As early as you can, particularly if you want a base within walking distance of the temple and ghats, or need several rooms together. At AP Villas, Simhastha dates are booked on full advance and are non-refundable. WhatsApp us to confirm the exact policy and to check availability.
Is Simhastha suitable for elders and young children?
It can be, with careful planning. Choose non-peak days, stay close to the temple, keep one outing a day and avoid the main snan days. Our villas have a lift, are wheelchair friendly and offer a complimentary shuttle to Mahakaleshwar, which helps when walking is difficult.
Sources
- Deccan Chronicle: 40 crore devotees expected at Simhastha 2028 (27 June 2026)
- Free Press Journal: Simhastha 2028 security audit completed, 1 lakh devotees daily darshan (14 September 2025)
- The Daily Pioneer: Chief Minister reviews proposed action plan of Simhastha 2028 (2024)
- Ujjain Darshan: Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2028 (a private travel site; it gives no exact snan dates)
- Wikimedia Commons: Simhasth2016 Ujjain Snan1 (photo)
Timings, prices and dates change, especially on festival days. Please verify before you travel with the official temple or government site.
If Simhastha is calling your family to Ujjain, write to us with your likely dates and group size, and we will tell you honestly what is available and how to plan the days.
— Apoorv, Founder, AP Villas & Resorts