NASIK

Rich Historical town of Legendary Lord Rama, who spent some time of his exile in Nashik is a unique blend of civilization& modernization. This City of temples is one of the holiest places for Hindus inviting thousands of tourist every year. Scenic beauty of Sahyadri range of mountains merged with vineyards & agricultural yields (Highest in India) and a busy hub of industrial activities. With the onset of monsoons and the start of Kumbhmela, Nashik is a paradise for tourists with Historical Caves,Temples, holy rituals, museums, wet lands and lots more.

Getting Around

Air: Nearest airport is Nasik 39 kms.

Rail: TNearest railhead is on Nasik Road 44 kms on Central Railway and there are a number of convenient trains that connect to other cities and towns

Road: Bombay – Trimbakeshwar 180 kms. Nasik – Trimbakeshwar 28 kms. State Transport buses ply between Nasik – Trimbakeshwar frequently. A network of national highways links it to the other cities of Maharashtra. There are several private and state buses available between Mumbai/Thane and Nashik.

City Map of Nashik

Essential attractions in Nashik

Shree KalaRam Mandir:

This temple was built bylate Mr. Odhekar, a knight serving with Peshwas. There are great processions and utsav on Ramnavami, Dasara and Chaitra Padwa (Hindu new year day). The specialty of the temple is that it was built with black stones.The stones were brought from Ramshej 200 years ago. It took 23 lakhs of rupees and 2000 workers to build the temple in 12 years.This temple is situated at a distance of 3km from Central Bus Stand.

Artillery Centre:

Behind the Pandav Caves, is the biggest Artillery Center in Asia. This artillery center was shifted from Pakistan in 1947, and is now completing its 50th year. The Indian army's officers and soldiers are trained here. Training for 'Bofors Gun' is given here. The area is under military and is restricted for civilians.

NandurMadhmeshwar:

Through ceaseless efforts of Bombay Natural History Society, World Wildlife Fund and Forest Department of the Government of Maharashtra, this sanctuary which houses more than 220 species of birds, 400 species of vegetation, 24 species of fish and several smaller mammals came into existence along the Nandur Madhameshwar dam at the confluence of Godavari and Kadwa. Spread over the protected area of 10000 hectares, lies the core area of 1765 hectares, where the large variety of water birds,resident and migratory birds congregate in season. It is now counted as one of the important water fowl habitats in the region by the International Union of Conservation of Nature. Aptly called Maharashtra's Bharatpur developed since 1950 is favorite birdwatchers wetland area surrounded by fields of sugarcane, grape orchards. Large lake & islands abound with aquatic vegetation making it paradise for thousands of migratory birds, Ibises, Storks & variety of colorful water birds. The Madhmeshwar Temple on the river features prominently in Hindu mythology. Lord Ram is said to have killed the golden deer or Suvarnamrug at the spot where the temple stands today. The area around the lake is rich with fossils & visitors can find interesting pieces of these fascinating rocks scattered about. Ideal season to be here is from October to March.

Trimbakeshwar Temple :

Trimbakeshwar – one of the holy places of not only Maharashtra but the whole India is near Nashik. Trimbakeshwar is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India. The following verse shall explain the importance of this sacred place and the next one gives names of the Twelve Jyotirlingas in India.

This says that anybody who visits Tryambakeshwar attains salvation. There is no sacred place like Tryambakeshwar, no river like Godavari, no mountain like Brahmagiri etc. The reasons for its being so sacred are - Godavari river originates in this place, its a place of Tri-Sandhya Gayatri, the birth place of Lord Ganesha, a place of the first Nath of Nath Sampradaya consisting of Gorakhnath and others, a place where Nivrittinath was made to imbibe the holy knowledge by his Guru Gahininath, a place where Nivrittinath made his brothers and sister attain the self by his preaching. This is the holiest place to perform Shraddha ceremony. Nirnaya Sindhu – a religious book of Hindus, mentions that this place, where Sahyadri mountain and Godavari river exist is very purifying on the whole earth and is therefore very important for performing Shraddha ceremony.

Dhammagiri, Igatpuri:

Vipashyana International Academy is located at Igatpuri. It was established in 1976 The aim was to conduct Vipassana Courses for those in search of peace of mind and harmony. Known as Dhammagiri, it is located in Igatpuri, 40 kms away from Nashik City, on Bombay-Agra road.This world famous meditation centre offers techniques which relieve mental stress and promote inner peace. It is turning the wheel of time conversion from Kalchakra to Dharmachakra under the able guidance of Guruji Satyanarayan Goenka. A 10 day residential course at the centre, which is free of charge, ends with Bhavatu Saba Mangalam meaning May all beings be happy.

Saptshrungi Gad, Vani.:

Shree Saptshrungi Gad is situated at a distance of 60 km from Nashik.It is one of the most visited and religious places for pilgrims.As the temple is situated on a mountain, a regular bus service is provided from the foot of the mountain to the temple.

Shree Saptshrungi Devi, Vani. :

Saptashringa Garh is a place where Goddess Bhagawati dwells.It is one of the most important of the places of Goddesses in Maharashtra. Saptashringa signifies seven mountain peaks. Nanduri village is situated at the foot of the Saptashringa Gad. In front of the temple there stands Markandeya Rishi’s (sage) hill. The Saptashringa Gad is full of a variety of trees having medicinal worth. As per the story depicted in Ramayana, Hanuman carried the herbal medicine for wounded Laxmana from this hill. There are about 108 water reservoirs on the hill, known as Kundas. Vani is situated at a distance of 60 kms. away from Nashik.

Saputara: This famous hill station equipped with adequate facilities is on the border of Maharashtra & Gujrat State. Different hill points for sunrise & a sunset makes this ideal tourist destination.

Mukti Dham:

Muktidham temple is situated in Nashik Road. Built by Late Shri JayramBhai Bytco, is magnificient peice of architucture, made with marble from Makran in Rajastan, and by Rajastani scluptors. Unique to this temple are eighteen chapters of Geeta written on the walls. You can also see the replicas of all the twelve Jyotirlingas over here and also icons of all major Hindu Gods and Godesses. After visiting this temple one gets a feeling of visiting all the four Dhams in India. This temple is situated at a distance of 8 km from Central Bus Stand.

Shree Godavari Ramkund :

The most important place in Panchavati is Ramkund, which is at a distance of 1km from Central Bus Stand. It is so called because Lord Rama is believed to have taken bath there. In Hindu culture the body after dealth if dedicated to Fire and the ashes are then flown in to Godavari, Ramkund is the place where ashes are set free in the water.A dip in this sacred kunda is considered very religous. Situated nearby is Gandhi Lake (Talav) having a memorable monument made out of white marble, in memory of the Father of the Nation. The ashes were dropped in Ramkund after Gandhiji passed away on 30th January 1948.

Bhakti Dham :

Bhakti Dham is sitiauted near Dindori Naka, at a distance of 2km from Central Bus Stand. This place is renowned for various temples built in the premises and all religious rituals, pujas and vidhis are carried out in Bhakti Dham.

Shree Kapaleshwar Mahadev :

Situated at a distance of 1km from Central Bus Stand, this temple is one of the peculiar Mahadev Temples in Nashik.The most prominent aspect regarding this temple is there is no idol of Nandi in front ofLord Mahadev.Shravani Somvar(Monday) and Shivratri are the 2 days when pilgrims gather in large numbers in this temple

Shree Someshwar Temple, Gangapur :

This temple is on the way to Gangapur dam, at a distance of 8km from Central Bus Stand. This is a temple of Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman on the banks of river Godavari. The area is covered with greenery, with a pleasant climate. Tourists can take pleasure of swimming and boating in the river.Someshwar has been a favourite location for many a filmshootings. On the way to Someshwar, there is a village named Anandwalli. It is so named because Peshwas – Anandibai and Raghobadada, lived there for some time. The temple – Navasha Ganpati was built by them.

Sita Gumpha (Cave):

Sita Gumpha is at a distance of 2 km from Central Bus Stand. It is situated at the western side door of Kalaram Temple.Lord Rama’s wife, Sita dwelled at this place and King Ravan abducted her from this place. The Shiv linga that she worshiped is still there in the gumpha.There are five Banyan trees in this area and thus called “Panchvati”.

Pandav Caves(Pandav Lani) :

Pandav Lani is situated at a distance of 9km from Central Bus Stand.These are three mountain peaks of Anjinagiri mountain ranges.These caves were built by Jain Kings and are 2000 years old.The engravings inside the gumpha are believed to be of Pandavas of 17th Century and thus these caves are named as “Pandav Caves”. These historical caves created B.C.100 to 110 are located on a tableland on the Trivashmi Hill. Together, there are 29 caves & may be training center for Buddha worshippers. Icons of Bhagwan Gautam Buddha & Bodhisatva are wonderful crafted .During Jain regime B.C. 1000 to 1100 these were home to Jain saints. Inside the caves one can see idols of Buddha, Bodhisatva, Jain Tirthankar Vrishabhdeo, Veer Kapibhadra and Ambikadevi. The cave complex contains large caves which were the meeting places of the disciples, where sermons were preached. The caves were well designed with several water tanks chiseled into the rock.