Nashik Sets Guinness World Record With 517 Devotees Blowing Conch Shells

Nashik has set a Guinness World Records title after 517 devotees simultaneously blew conch shells on the banks of the Godavari river on Sunday, ahead of the flag-hoisting ceremony marking the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.

The achievement was announced by Rishi Nath, senior adjudicator for Guinness World Records, at Devmamaledar Yashwant Maharaj Patangan, amid cheers of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” from the gathering.

The previous record was set in New Jersey, USA, in 2019, when 303 people blew conch shells simultaneously. In Nashik, 517 participants from different age groups performed the traditional ‘shankhnaad’ for five-and-a-half minutes to establish the new record.

“Congratulations! You have set a new World Record,” Nath announced.

The event was organised by the Nashik Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority (NTKMA) in collaboration with the Anantvijay Shankhnaad Team of Gungaurav Trust. According to the organisers, specially certified conch shells were brought from Chennai for the programme.

NTKMA Commissioner Shekhar Singh said the initiative would help connect the traditional practice with the auspicious beginning of the Kumbh Mela. He added that 251 participants would 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 on the global stage. He also appealed to Nashik residents to take part in the religious congregation and welcome devotees visiting the city.

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 Records certificate will also be handed over, an official said.

The Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela, held once every 12 years in the twin holy towns, will run from October 31, 2026, to July 24, 2028.