Short answer: Go early, stay together, keep to the marked areas and follow the police and volunteers. Families, women and senior citizens should agree on a meeting point, carry ID and a phone number card, wear grippy footwear, avoid the peak hours and the most crowded bathing days if possible, and not hesitate to ask for help.
Before You Travel
- Share your plan and stay address with a family member who is not travelling.
- Book stay and transport early. See where to stay in our stay guide.
- Carry your regular medicines and a basic first-aid kit. Our packing list has the details.
- Check the updates page and official notices for crowd and traffic arrangements.
In a Crowd
- Agree on a meeting point and what to do if someone is lost, before you enter the crowd.
- Hold hands with children, or use a wrist band with a phone number. Younger children can wear a note in their pocket.
- Keep bags light and zipped, and keep valuables out of sight.
- If the crowd pushes, move with it and do not fight against the flow. Stay away from barriers and walls.
Tips for Women
- Travel in a group, and keep your phone charged.
- Use the changing rooms provided at the ghats, and keep belongings with someone you trust while you bathe.
- If you feel unsafe, move towards police personnel or volunteers and ask for help.
Tips for Senior Citizens and People with Health Conditions
- Choose a quieter day and the early morning. Avoid the peak crowd hours.
- Take rest breaks, drink water often, and avoid long waits in the sun or rain.
- Wet ghat steps are slippery. Use handrails, and keep someone close for support.
- Know where the nearest first-aid or medical point is, and ask the volunteers if you are unsure.
Bathing Safely
Bathe only in the marked areas and never when water is high or fast. Read our monsoon guide for how quickly the Godavari can rise, and learn more about Ramkund. The main bathing days are 2 August, 31 August, 11 September and 12 September 2027, which will be the most crowded. See the Amrit Snan guide and the schedule.