Nasik: With the blowing of the conch and chanting of mantras, the saffron flag was hoisted in Nasik, marking the beginning of the year-long Simhasta Kumbh mela.

Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi, along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde performed the 'dhwaja rohan' (flag hoisting) ceremony at holy Ramakunda on the banks of river Godavari at the auspicious 'muhurt' of 11.51 am (IST), coinciding with planet Jupiter's entry into the sign of Leo.

PTI