Nashik is a holy ancient city in the Indian state of Maharashtra, whose history can be traced back to the epic Ramayana. It is believed that the city derives its name from the act when Lord Lakshman cut the nose “nasika” of Ravana’s sister Surpanakha. Home to Panchavati, the place where Lord Rama stayed during his exile and the caves from where Goddess Sita was abducted Nashik has multiple places of interest for the pilgrim seeking spirituality and divinity. It is also one of the four designated holy destinations in India where the Kumbh Mela is organized. Located on the banks of River Godavari the city of Nashik attracts a number of devotees and pilgrims each year to its pious abode. When visiting the city make sure to seek the innumerable spiritual experiences that it offers in the form of various religious sites.
Some of the best temples to be visited while in Nashik City that the following article covers are as follows:-
The Kalaram Temple is one of the most visited religious sites and popular temples in Nashik. It is also one of the most revered temples in the state of Maharashtra. The temple houses a black coloured idol of Lord Rama. The colour of the idol is the reason behind the name of this temple. Apart from Lord Rama, the temple is also dedicated to Lord Lakshman and Goddess Sita. Back in history, there was also a massive protest that was held outside the temple lead by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The structure of the temple is beautifully crafted using black coloured stone with the peaks plated in gold. The entire structure of the temple is around 70-feet and the look is mesmerizing to the core. The magnificent structure got crafted in 12 long years involving 2000 workers as well as a lump sum of 23 lakhs. The stones used to craft the temple had been brought about200 years ago from Ramshej.
Visiting Hours – There are two different slots for visiting this temple– 6:00 AM to 12:00AM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Dress Code – No specific dress code but traditional attire is recommended
Time Required to Explore the Place – 1 Hour
Best Time to Visit the Temple -Ramnavami, Rath Yatra, and Ram Navratra are the festivals that the temple celebrates with a lot of enthusiasm.
Other Attractions – There are two smaller temples – Vithal Temple and Ganapati Temple located close to the Kalaram Temple. Popular Ramkund, as well as the beautiful Anjneri Hill, is also within a range of half a kilometre from the temple.
Kapleshwar Temple is one of the most ancient, important, and religious temples of Nashik, which is visited by devotees from all across the country especially Maharashtra. The temple is popular for depicting a story, a mistake that Lord Shiva made back in time. The story states that Lord Shiva once, by mistake, killed a cow. For the same, he had to take a dip in the holy Ramkund in order to cleanse himself of his deed. It is believed that he had come to Nashik all the way to perform the same ritual. After taking a dip he sat there to meditate. The temple was made on the same spot where he sat to meditate. There are also a number of smaller temples nearby, which you can visit while visiting the Kapleshwar Temple.
Visiting Hours – 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day
Dress Code – No specific dress code but an apt attire is recommended
Time Required to Explore the Place – 30 minutes to an hour
Best Time to Visit the Temple – Mondays as well as during the festival of Shivratri
Other Attractions – Kalaram Mandir and Ramkund are situated quite nearby
The Navshya Ganpati Temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesh. Nestled in Anandvalli, this temple is one of the most famous ones. The temple is located amidst lush green surroundings, on the banks of Godavari River. The visitors get to enjoy the picturesque landscapes of the region. The temple dates back to the reign of Peshva rule and owns a legacy of around 400 long years. Because of which it holds too much of historical significance. The Lord Ganesha idol that the temple houses is also popularly known as Navashya. It is believed that the wishes of all the devotees are answered in this temple.
Visiting Hours – 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM every day
Dress Code – Modest clothing is recommended
Time Required to Explore the Place – 1 to 2 Hours
Best Time to Visit the Temple – The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated here with utmost enthusiasm
Other Attractions -Sansthan Temple and Sri Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir lie in close vicinity
Located on the banks of River Godavari, the Ganga Godavari Temple is one of the popular temples located quite close to Ramkunda. The devotees visiting the temple also take a dip in the holy water of Godavari River. This temple gained popularity in 2015 when it opened its gates for thousands of devotees to mark the Simhastha Kumbh Mela held in the same year. To date, the temple opens its gates once in every twelve years that also coincides with the cycle of Kumbh Mela.
Visiting Hours – 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day
Dress Code – No specific dress code but an apt attire is recommended
Time Required to Explore the Place – 30 minutes to about an hour
Best Time to Visit the Temple –Kumbh Mela time
Other Attractions – There are various smaller temples located at the banks of River Godavari. Also, there are a number of shops located in adjoining locations.
The renowned Jain Mandir is one of the largest temples of Nashik City. The temple boasts of a beautiful design and stunning architecture, which is worth exploring. The temple is one of those religious sites, which is dedicated to the saints of the Jain community. One can gain immense knowledge about the Jain Community by making a visit to this temple. The structure of Jain Mandir is a massive three-storeyed one. Although the city features a number of Jain temples, this one stands out amongst all. It features beautiful structures made up of marble as well as pink coloured sandstones, which make the temple stand out. The temple also features a Dharamshala where you can enjoy simple meals. The premises also features a big meditation hall. This temple is visited not only by members of the Jain community but tourists wanting to experience the beauty and sanctity of this religious site.
Visiting Hours –5:00 AM to 6:00 PM every day
Dress Code – No specific dress code but modest attire is recommended
Time Required to Explore the Place – 1 to 2 hours
Best Time to Visit the Temple – Diwali and Mahavir Jayanti
Other Attractions -Saptashrungi, one of the most popular tourist attractions of Nashik is located within a range of 2 kilometres.
The beautiful Muktidham Temple is situated in the suburb areas of the city. It is quite a popular religious site in the state of Maharashtra. The temple is dedicated to a number of gods of the Hindu Community. The temple complex is made up of concrete marble. There are pictures of almost all the several gods and goddesses of the Hindu religion here. Muktidham Temple is one of those rare temples that features various remains of the twelve Jyotirlingas of the country. The walls of the temple are also adorned by selective chapters of the holy text of Bhagwat Gita. It is also said that visiting this temple is equivalent to visiting a Char Dhaam.
Visiting Hours –6:00 AM to 7:00 PM every day
Dress Code – No specific dress code but modest attire is recommended.
Time Required to Explore the Place – 1 to 2 hours
Best Time to Visit the Temple – Visiting it during the time of Kumbh Mela is the apt time to visit it. Apart from this, the sunset hours are the best time to explore it.
Other Attractions – The beautiful Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple is located around seven kilometres away.
There are a number of temples dedicated to Lord Shiva in Nashik. Someshwar Temple is an example of such a temple that is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is the most prominent one among them all. It is nestled on the banks of Godavari River and is one of the holiest temples in the city. The temple also features an idol of Lord Hanuman. The surroundings of the temple are covered with lush greenery, which makes the ambiance even more beautiful and serene.
Visiting Hours – 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM every day
Dress Code – No specific dress code but modest attire is recommended
Time Required to Explore the Place – 30 minutes to about an hour
Best Time to Visit the Temple –During the festival of Shivratri
Other Attractions – Lying quite nearby are attractions like a boating club as well as a recreational park for kids.
The renowned Veda Mandir is another essential asset of Nashik. It is one of those rare religious sites of Maharashtra that imparts in-depth knowledge about Puranas, Vedas as well as rich Indian culture. This unique quality makes it quite a unique place to explore for all. It is considered to be a gem of the city and the ambiance is such that encourages learning for all. This place is an ideal one to unwind and relax where you can deeply meditate as well. The temple houses the idols of Lord Rama, Lord Lakshman as well as Goddess Sita. The development of the temple has been sponsored by some of the famous industrialists of Nashik. The entrance of the temple features glass panes as well as compositions of white marble.
Visiting Hours – 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM every day
Dress Code – No specific dress code but modest attire is recommended
Time Required to Explore the Place – 30 minutes to about an hour
Best Time to Visit the Temple – Ram Navmi and Janmashtami
Other Attractions – The original Purana Scripts are found here. One can get Vedic education here for absolutely no cost. The popular Thakkar Bazaar is located nearby. There are also Dharamshalas available here where one can reside.
The Naroshankar Temple dates back to the 18-century and is dedicated to Lord Sankara. It is nestled on the banks of Godavari River. The importance of the temple can be judged by the fact that it is popularly known as The Ganga of South India. The unique style of architecture of the temple is quite intricate and unique and is popularly referred to as ‘Maya Style’. The temple also features various carvings of animals such as elephants and monkeys. It is one of the must visit religious sites for all those who are visiting this city, you can also visit the best places of Nashik.
Visiting Hours –7:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day
Dress Code – No specific dress code but modest, neat, and clean attire is recommended.
Time Required to Explore the Place – About 1 to 2 hours
Best Time to Visit the Temple – During the festival of Shivratri
Other Attractions – SitaGumpha is located quite nearby that you might visit while nearby.
To conclude, Nashik city is dotted with various beautiful and ancient temples and religious sites for one to visit and explore. The spirituality of the city holds the power to cleanse both the body and soul of any visitor. Also, while on your visit you can relish some of the best Maharashtrian dishes, which are known for their taste and flavour profile. To avoid any sort of an inconvenience while already out on your trip, you can get all your bookings done in advance.
Happy Holidaying!!
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