The Holy City , Nashik ( Maharashtra )

One of the holiest pilgrimage places in India , Nashik is not only a  hub of ancient culture and history but also a modern , technologically  well developed centre for a number of Industries. 

It is one of the four holy centres of the Maha kumbh Mela held on the banks of the sacred Godavari every 12 years. 

Areawise, It's the fourth largest city in Maharashtra, with the holy river Godavari cutting it into 2 equal halves. 

The local and the official  language is Marathi.

But Hindi and English are  just as prevalent.

           source - maps of india.com

              Kalaram Temple ( nashik.gov.in )

         Dhammagiri ( nashik.gov.in )

It is home to innumerable temples , shrines and holy places due to its proximity to the Godavari.

Also ,it has been mentioned in the Holy Ramayana to be the place where Lord Rama had camped along with Sita Mata and Lakshman at Panchvati during his exile of 14 years.

Here the incident of cutting off the nose of Surpanakha, sister of Ravana, had been carried out by Lakshman on the orders of Lord Rama when she had first  tried to lure Lord Rama and then Lakshman. 

Naka means nose in Sanskrit and hence the name Nashik.

Sita Mata was consequently kidnapped by Ravana as an act of revenge.

Another pilgrimage place  related to the Ramayana,  being Anjaneri, the birth place of Lord Hanuman

          Ramkund ( nashik.gov.in )

Trimbakeshwar ( wikipedia )

Present day Nashik is a beautiful amalgamation of both ancient history , mythology, holy places and also a  home for a number of leading Industries, Vineyards , Wineries , Army training centres.

Being a tourist hot spot , it is dotted with beautiful hotels , lodges , villas alongside the budget hotels and Dharamshalas.

It lies in the lap of natural beauty with hills, waterfalls, forts, dams , forests and rivers.

The climate is conducive for the growth of grapes that has led to it  being the biggest centre of Vineyards and Wineries in India.

It is aptly called " The wine capital of India " 

          Pandav caves ( nashik.gov.in )

             Panchvati ( nashik.gov.in  )

The pleasant months to visit are October to March.

It is well connected by roads,railways as also the airways.

It's domestic airport is owned by HAL which uses it for testing, building, development and maintenance of planes for the Indian Air force.

Thus, the places to visit in Nashik include a wide range be it forts , river banks, museums, dams, waterfalls, caves , holy places, temples , vineyards.

Most travellers include in their itinerary the nearby Shirdi as well for a darshan of Shri Saibaba Temple.

        All religion temple , Tapovan

              ( Source - nashik.gov.in )

         Kumbh Mela ( wikipedia )

 

List of Tourist Places - Nashik City

1. Anjaneri Hills

2. Ahivant Gad

3. Artillery Museum

4. Arjun Adventure Park

5. Brahmagiri Hill

6. Coin Museum

7. Chamar Leni

8. Dudh sagar Falls 

9. Dugarwadi Waterfalls

10. Deolali Camp

11. Dhodap Trek

12. Dabhosa Waterfalls

13. Dhammagiri - Vipassana Centre

14. Fun World

15. Gangapur Dam

16. Harihar Fort

17. Jain Temple

18. Kapileshwar Temple

19. Kalaram Temple

20. Le Fromage

21. Main Bazaar

22. Mulher Trek

23. MuktiDham Mandir 

24. Mangi Tungi Temple

25. Nashik caves

26. Panchvati

27. Pandavleni Caves

28. Ramkund

29. Ramshej Fort

30. Sula Vineyards

31. Saptashrungi

32. Sita Gufa 

33. Salher Trek

34. Shubham Water World

35. Sundarnarayan Temple

36. Shagun Resort and Water Park

37. Shrine of Infant Jesus

38. Shree Kapaleshwar Mahadev Mandir

39. Shree Navshya Ganpati Mandir

40. Sinnar

41. Trimbakeshwar

42. Tringalwadi Fort

43. Vallonne Vineyards

44. Ved Mandir

45. York Winery and Tasting Room

46. Zonkers Adventure Park