India, Oct. 4 -- The Nashik Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority (NTKMA) commissioner Shekhar Singh on Saturday said that at least five lakh international tourists and devotees are expected to visit Nashik and Trimbakeshwar during the next year's Kumbh Mela.

Although the flag hoisting of the mela would take place on October 31 this year, both at Nashik and Trimbakeshwar, the peak period for the event is between July and September next year when three "Shahi Sans" (royal baths) will be organised.

According to the commissioner, the footfall of devotees would be around 8 crore in Nashik and 4 crore in Trimbakeshwar during the peak period of Kumbh.

"We are planning to set up help desks at airports in Nashik, Mumbai, Delhi and other cities in...