Understanding Temporal Urbanism of Ghats of Godawari-[Kumbh Mela]

Abstract

“This research paper tends to develop guideline for the development of core infrastructure which will be built in Kumbh mela time. Thus, the ghat area will act as a centre for different cultural activities and will also promote various art forms and knowledge. The idea is to distinguish the transformative change in the city at festival time and normal time. And also, how it creates social spaces with in the city? Which can be used during festival time as well as normal time. Develop the public activities along the reverend infrastructure those become public gathering space and automatically use during Kumbh mela time and other time it become use for something else. If there is another way to think about river, if we look at the whole stretch of the river its cutting right through the heart of the entire city. So, we can think this site as the new public space or public land, where we are actually kind of focusing on energies along the river rather than look at the periphery. The process proceeds with thinking of stitching of all this ghats together so it become like a continuous thing on both the side. Which means creating a large public space to the city which is situated at the river front”

Introduction

• The Kumbh Mela is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, held every 12 years in Nashik, India, on the banks of the Godavari River.

• In 2015, the Nashik Kumbh Mela took place between July 14 – September 25, attracting an estimated 60 million pilgrims.

B. Key Religious and Cultural Activities

• Main Ritual: Holy dip (snan) in the Godavari River, believed to cleanse sins and bring spiritual merit.

• Other rituals: Religious discourses, processions, lamp lighting, devotional singing, and offering prayers.

• Pilgrims often journeyed on foot from across India, considering the journey itself a spiritual act.

C. Infrastructure and Management

• The Maharashtra government established temporary camps, sanitation facilities, and accommodations (especially for Akharas—sects of Hindu holy men).

• Pilgrims stayed in makeshift camps along the river.

• A dedicated mobile app (offline & online) was proposed to provide pilgrims with information about Nashik, Kumbh rituals, transport, health facilities, and lodging.

D. Challenges

• Massive crowds led to traffic congestion, overcrowding, strain on infrastructure, and environmental stress.

• Concerns included:

  • Waste management

  • Sanitation and hygiene

  • Water pollution

  • Public safety (stampedes, drowning, theft)

E. Temporal Urbanism and Environmental Impact

• The Kumbh Mela creates a temporary city (a form of temporal urbanism), transforming Nashik’s riverfront for religious purposes.

• This short-term urban expansion leads to:

  • Environmental degradation (e.g., polluted water, damage to ecosystems)

  • Overuse of public spaces

  • Safety hazards due to lack of permanent infrastructure

• The term "temporal urbanism" applies to many similar events (e.g., Ganesh Visarjan, Pandharpur Wari, Navratri) that result in short-term population surges and altered urban dynamics.

F. Role of Nashik & the Godavari River

• Nashik is a major pilgrimage city and also known as the "Wine Capital of India".

• The Godavari River holds immense religious significance and is central to various temporal activities:

  • Ganga Dussehra

  • Ganesh Visarjan

  • Boat rides

  • Nature walks and picnics

G. Conclusion

• The 2015 Nashik Kumbh Mela was a massive religious and social event, bringing both spiritual unity and urban challenges.

• It serves as a case study in managing temporary urbanism, emphasizing the need for:

  • Better planning and infrastructure

  • Sustainable waste and crowd management

  • Integration of digital tools (like mobile apps) for public awareness and convenience

• The event underscores the complex interplay between faith, space, environment, and urban planning in India.

Let me know if you'd like this turned into:

• A presentation

• A research abstract

• Infographic summary

• A comparison with other mass gatherings like Hajj or Pandharpur Wari

Conclusion

To address the environmental and safety concerns, it is necessary to implement sustainable solutions that balance the needs of the pilgrims and the local ecosystem. These solutions could include: 1) Development of proper infrastructure and waste management systems to reduce environmental degradation and improve the health and safety of the pilgrims. 2) Implementing a river conservation plan to maintain the ecological balance and improve water quality. 3) Promoting sustainable travel options, such as public transportation, to reduce the carbon footprint and congestion on the riverbanks. 4) Improving crowd management strategies to prevent stampedes and ensure the safety of the pilgrims. 5) Engaging local communities in the planning and implementation of the festival to ensure their needs are taken into account and to promote a sense of ownership and responsibility. In conclusion, the temporal urbanism of the Godavari River during the Kumbh Mela presents significant environmental and safety challenges, but it is possible to address these issues through sustainable solutions that balance the needs of the pilgrims and the local ecosystem

References

[1] https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2013/01/kumbh-mela-the-largest-gathering-on- earth/100438/ [2] https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/art-culture/pandharpur-wari-a-pilgrimage- with-many-emotions-101655812365512.html [3] https://www.indica.today/research/sacred-scapes-study-pandharpur-pilgrimage/ [4] https://textilevaluechain.in/in-depth-analysis/articles/traditional-textiles/chanderi- weaving-an-exclusive-art-of-india/ [5] https://rd.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-53556-2_93 [6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumbh_Mela [7] https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Kumbh+Mela%3a+Case+Study+In+Chaos+Attracts+ Harvard+Business+School.- a0318321213#:~:text=By%20the%20numbers%20alone%2C%20the%20Kumbh%20Mel a%20is,inability%20of%20governments%20to%20effectively%20address%20these%20p roblems. [8] https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2013/jan/15/kumbh-mela-festival-crowds- good-for-you [9] https://www.slideshare.net/s1a9t9y4a/dissertation-kumbh-mela-2019 [10] https://www.mapsofindia.com/my-india/events/nashik-trimbakeshwar-kumbh-mela-2015

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Ar. Triveni Shewale. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.