Nashik, Oct 25 A collective ‘shankhnaad’ (conch-shell blowing) by 517 devotees on the banks of the Godavari in Nashik on Sunday created a Guinness World Records title, ahead of the flag-hoisting ceremony marking the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
Rishi Nath, senior adjudicator for Guinness World Records, announced the achievement at Devmamaledar Yashwant Maharaj Patangan, drawing cheers of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” from the gathering.
The previous record was of 303 people blowing conch shells simultaneously in New Jersey, USA, in 2019.
In Nashik, 517 participants from different age groups blew the shells for five-and-a-half minutes.
“Congratulations! You have set a new World Record,” said Rishi Nath.
The event was organised by the Nashik Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority (NTKMA) and the Anantvijay Shankhnaad Team of Gungaurav Trust. Specially certified conch shells were brought from Chennai for the programme, said organisers.
NTKMA Commissioner Shekhar Singh said the initiative would help connect the tradition with the auspicious beginning of the Kumbh Mela. A group of 251 participants will blow conch shells at the exact moment of the flag-hoisting ceremony on October 31.
Kumbh Mela and district guardian minister Girish Mahajan congratulated the participants, saying the event had showcased Indian culture, spiritual traditions and public participation to the world.
He appealed to Nashik residents to participate in the Kumbh Mela and welcome visiting devotees.
The Kumbh Mela flag-hoisting ceremony is scheduled for 12.02 pm on October 31 at Ramkund. President Droupadi Murmu has been invited to attend the event, where the Guinness World Record certificate will also be handed over, an official said.
The Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela, a mega Hindu religious congregation held once every 12 years in the twin holy towns, will take place from October 31, 2026, to July 24, 2028.
(PTI News)
