Nashik Kumbh: Skip Traffic, Board Chopper! Check Maharashtra's Helicopter Service Plan & Sites On Route

Last Updated:April 03, 2026, 06:35 IST

Inspired by Prayagraj Kumbh's hugely popular chopper services, Maharashtra hopes to replicate the success — and ease the inevitable road chaos — at Nashik.

Pilgrims heading to the Nashik Kumbh Mela will soon be able to travel between some of Maharashtra’s most revered pilgrimage sites by helicopter, as the state government readies an ambitious aerial tourism circuit ahead of the mega religious event.

When Will the Nashik Kumbh Mela 2025–2028 Begin — and How Long Will It Last?

The Nashik Kumbh Mela — also known as Simhastha Kumbh — is scheduled to begin in October 2025 and run through July 2028, spanning a period of approximately 20 months.

The event will see its biggest footfall during key bathing rituals: the Shahi Snan, Amrut Snan, and Nagar Pradakshina, when pilgrims from across India and the world converge on Nashik and the adjoining town of Trimbakeshwar on the banks of the Godavari river.

Why Is The Maharashtra Government Launching A Heli-Circuit?

With tens of millions of devotees expected to visit over the course of the Kumbh, road congestion in and around Nashik is set to become a significant challenge — particularly on peak bathing days.

To address this, and to enhance the overall pilgrim experience, the Maharashtra state tourism department has proposed a helicopter tourism circuit linking key pilgrimage and heritage destinations across western Maharashtra and Marathwada.

The move draws direct inspiration from the success of similar helicopter services operated during the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, where aerial connectivity proved popular among pilgrims seeking to avoid road gridlock.

As reported by Hindustan Times, the heli-circuit proposal was discussed during a high-level Kumbh Mela review meeting, signalling that it has the backing of senior officials at the state level.

Which Destinations Will Be Part Of The Helicopter Circuit?

The proposed heli-circuit will connect several prominent religious and heritage sites, all located within a roughly 150-kilometre radius of Nashik:

• Sai Baba Temple, Shirdi (Ahmednagar district) — one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in India, attracting lakhs of devotees every month

• Grishneshwar Temple, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar — one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva

• Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar — UNESCO World Heritage Sites drawing both pilgrims and tourists

• Bhimashankar Temple, Pune district — another of the 12 Jyotirlingas, nestled in the Sahyadri hills

As quoted by Hindustan Times, Principal Secretary for Tourism and Cultural Affairs Sanjay Khandare confirmed the rationale: “These destinations fall within a 150-km radius, making them ideal for aerial connectivity. We expect strong demand, particularly from pilgrims visiting Shirdi, as road congestion in Nashik during the Kumbh will be significant."

How Many People Are Expected At The Nashik Kumbh Mela?

The state government estimates that 90 to 100 lakh (9–10 million) devotees will attend the Nashik Kumbh Mela during its key ritual days alone.

Given that this is spread over a 20-month period with multiple major bathing dates, the total footfall across the entire duration of the Kumbh is expected to be significantly higher.

To prepare for this scale, the state and central governments are together investing over Rs 15,000 crore in infrastructure, logistics, and promotional activities for the event.

How Will The Helicopter Service Work — Pricing, Helipads and Operators

The helicopter services will be operated by private agencies, with pricing and shuttle schedules to be finalised through a competitive bidding process.

The state has not yet announced fare structures, but these are expected to be made public in the lead-up to the Kumbh’s commencement.

On the infrastructure side, district administrations across Maharashtra have been directed to ensure helipads are available close to major pilgrimage sites.

As a tourism department official told HT: “While most districts already have helipads, they must be located close to key temples and attractions. District authorities will identify land and develop the necessary infrastructure."

Helicopter Services At Other Pilgrimage Sites In India

Maharashtra is far from alone in offering aerial connectivity to pilgrimage destinations. Here are some other prominent religious sites across India where helicopter services are already available or well-established:

• Vaishno Devi, Jammu & Kashmir — One of the busiest pilgrimage sites in India, with helicopter services operating between Katra and Sanjichhat, cutting the trek time dramatically. Services are run by multiple private operators and are bookable through the Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.

• Kedarnath, Uttarakhand — Helicopter service to Kedarnath is among the most in-demand in the country, especially after the 2013 floods damaged road access. Choppers fly from Phata, Guptkashi, Sirsi, and Agastmuni helipads, making the journey achievable in minutes rather than the 16–18 km trek.

• Char Dham Circuit, Uttarakhand — Beyond Kedarnath, helicopter packages covering Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri are widely available, with operators offering single-day Char Dham darshan via air.

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Shirdi, Maharashtra

— Helicopter services to Shirdi from Mumbai and Pune already exist via private operators, adding to the significance of including Shirdi in the new Nashik Kumbh heli-circuit.

Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh

— Helicopter joyrides offering aerial darshan of the Tirumala hills are available, and TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams) has periodically operated or facilitated such services for elderly and differently-abled pilgrims.

Sabrimala, Kerala

— Helicopter services have been deployed during the peak pilgrimage season to transport injured or unwell pilgrims and for VIP access, with proposals for expanded services discussed periodically.

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Hemkund Sahib, Uttarakhand

— Helicopter services operate to this high-altitude Sikh pilgrimage site (at over 4,300 metres), making it accessible to elderly devotees who cannot undertake the steep trek.

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