Nashik sets Guinness World Record with mass conch shell blowing

In Nashik, Maharashtra, 517 devotees set a new Guinness World Record by blowing conch shells simultaneously for five minutes and 30 seconds. The event, held at the Devmamledar Yashwant Maharaj ground near the Godavari River, surpassed the previous record of 303 participants set in New Jersey, USA, in 2019.

Organizers utilized certified conch shells sourced from Chennai for the ceremony. The initiative was conducted to mark the upcoming Singhst Kumbh Mela, a major Hindu religious gathering held every 12 years. The flag hoisting ceremony for the Kumbh Mela is scheduled for October 31 at Ramkund, with President Droupadi Murmu invited to attend.

The Kumbh Mela is expected to run from October 31 until July 24, 2028. Authorities estimate that between 80 million and 100 million devotees will visit Nashik, with an additional 40 million expected in Trimbakeshwar during the event period.