Nashik District, Maharashtra

The district of Nashik is located in the Northern part of the state of Maharashtra.

Area - 15,582 sq.km / 6,016 sq.mi

Elevation - 700 meters / 2,300 feet

Population -  61,07,187 as per 2011 Census

Population rank in India - 11 th out of 640

District Headquarters -  Nashik city

Administrative Division - Nashik

Tehsils - 15

Villages - 1931

Languages Spoken - Marathi, Hindi, Urdu, Khandeshi, Kukna, Bhili

Geographical Borders -

North -  Dhule district, Maharashtra

South -  Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra

East - Jalgaon district, Maharashtra

West - Valsad and Navsari, Gujarat 

South East - Aurangabad district, Maharashtra

South West - Thane district, Maharashtra

North West - Dangs district, Gujarat

Primary Crops - Cotton, Wheat, Pulses, Groundnuts, Sugarcane, Oilseeds, Millet, Vegetables like Onion, Brinjals, Coriander, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Carrots etc

Water Sources - Rivers Girna, Daman Ganga, Darna, Kadva, Mosam, Godavari, Bhima, Vaitarna, Kashyapi, Darana

Natural Resources - Forest wealth, Rivers and Lakes 

Distance from 

• State Capital Mumbai - 200 km

• Pune - 228.6 km

How to reach :-

Via Airports -

• Mumbai Airport, 175 km

• Pune International, 130 km

Via Railways - Nashik railway station is well - connected with most major Indian cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, New Delhi etc

Via Roadways - MSRTC ( Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation ) runs various buses connecting Nashik with most cities in the State. Private cabs, rentals buses etc are also available. 

Unique Features of the District -

• More than half of the country's Vineyards and Wineries are located here 

• Major producer of Onion

• Silver ware and Silver Ornaments 

Best time to visit - October to February

The district of Nashik is the third largest district in terms of population in the state of Maharashtra.

It is also referred to as Mini Maharashtra as the climatic and soil conditions all over the state matches with some or the other region of Maharashtra.

Politically it was a part of the Bombay State from  the years 1947 to 1960. When the state of Maharashtra came into being, the Bombay State was divided with parts allocated to both Maharashtra and Gujarat state. Present day Nashik district became a part of Maharashtra.

Historically it has much religious significance for the Hindus. It has connection with Lord Ram, Sita Mata and Lakshman as they had spent a part of their 14 year exile in Panchvati. 

Agastya Rishi also resided in Nashik.

Anjaneri is the birth place of Lord Hanuman.

Holy river Godavari originates in the district near Trimbakeshwar range. It is also the largest river of India's peninsular region. 

One of the 12 Jyotirlingas, Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple is in Trimbak. 

The Kumbh Mela is held here every 12 years. 

Topographically, the western portion of the district is covered with the Sahyadri Ranges that run from the North to the South. Whereas, the eastern portion of the district lies on the Deccan plateau and hence is very much fertile and well - cultivated. About 56 % of the district land is under cultivation with the rest being hilly and / or covered with Forests. 

The weather and climatic conditions are conducive for the growth of superb quality grapes that has turned the district into a major producer of Wine with innumerable vineyards and wineries. 

The city of Nagpur is its biggest city followed by Malegaon.

Whereas the city of Yeola leads in the production of cotton goods and silk weaving.

The cultural, historical, economic, social and mythological importance of the district makes it one of the most visited districts in the State. 

Recommended reading - Nashik district Tourism 

Map - nashik.com

Igatpuri, Maharashtra

District - Nashik

Elevation - 600 metres / 1968.5 feet

Area - 15 sq.km.

Population - 31,572 as per 2011 Census

Languages Spoken - Marathi, Hindi and English 

Distance from - 

• Nashik - 45 km

•  Mumbai - 130 km

• Kasara - 19.7 km

• Pune - 254 km

How to reach -

• C.S.T to Kasara via the Mumbai Suburban Local trains, with Kasara being the last station. Buses and cabs are available to complete the rest of the journey by road.

• Igatpuri station is well connected to all major stations like Mumbai, Guwahati,New Delhi, Howrah etc 

By road - Mumbai - Agra NH - 3

When to visit - 

• June to September ( Monsoon season )

• December and January ( Winter season )

Where to stay :- Budget hotels, holiday homes, Luxury hotels, Resorts, Villas, Spas, Bungalows, Campsites

Popular for :-

• Trekking expeditions

• Rock climbing

• Rappelling 

• Water sports and camping 

• Vipassana meditation centre

• Natural beauty and pleasant climate

• Historical forts dating back to the Satavahanas

• Temples 

• Waterfalls, Rivers, dams, mountains and valleys

• Weekend getaway for families, couples and youngsters alike

Nestled in the western ghats of  Sahyadri ranges, surrounded by majestic mountains, with the highest peak in Maharashtra, Mt Kalsubai in the backdrop, Igatpuri is a very popular hill station and a vacation spot in the state of Maharashtra.

It is truly blessed with natural beauty in the form of mountains, valleys, ghats, rivers, dams, lakes, waterfalls, historical forts, lush and dense forests, varied flora and fauna.

In fact, Igatpuri station itself can be considered as a  tourist attraction due it being surrounded by mountains, scenic beauty and not to forget that its Batata Vada and pav as also idlis are famous for their delicious taste. 

Apart from the natural beauty, pleasant and cool climate, and a number of superb tourist places, Igatpuri is very famous for Dhammagiri, an International Vipassana Centre for learning meditation as per the teachings of Lord Gautam Buddha. It attracts thousands of disciples in a year. 

The other popular attractions are the trekking and hiking routes that are a challenge for both the novice and the experienced trekker and the adventure junkies.

Follow up post - List of tourist attractions in Igatpuri 

Dhammagiri Picture source - nashik.gov.in

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