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Nasik mingles the past and present

Nasik is a medley of the past and the present, and paves way to many fascinating forts and royally graceful temples that possess an aura of exuberance. This part of the terra firma is more than a dream destination for those who love to travel. The area hosts most of the industries located in Maharashtra, including the Security Printing Press of the government, the nation's currency printer. The hub of trade and commerce, Nasik was earlier the country's largest market.

The place was once famed as the land that produced the largest variety of fruits and vegetables, and is still labelled the 'green belt.' Nasik boasts of diverse tourist attractions, religious domains and nature at its bountiful best. This piece of land witnessed 14 years of exile suffered by a hero, the hero being the Lord Rama. The legendary king is said to have spent his years in exile in the forests here.

Tourist Attractions

Nasik stands close to Shirdi, a famous pilgrimage, where thousands cram in honour of Shri Sai Baba.

Ramkund is a sacred tank built in 1696 by Chitrarao Khatarkar, measuring 27 m/12 m. The Lord Rama and his consort, Sita, are believed to have bathed here during their years in exile. The holy kund also promises Moksha for people whose mortal remains are immersed here.

The Muktidham Temple stands near the station, about seven km off the city. The temple is built with pure white makrana marble tiles. Eighteen chapters of the Bhagwad Gita are etched on the walls of this temple.

The Coin Museum stands against the backdrop of Ajneri Hill. The Indian Institute of Research in Numismatic Studies was established in 1980 and is the only one of its kind in Asia. The history of Indian currency is researched and well-documented at the museum. The museum also has photographs, articles, line drawings, replicas, real coins and detailed analyses of various currency systems that existed in the India through centuries. The institute now hosts workshops to encourage numismatists.

The motif of the Kalaram Temple, built in 1794 by Gopikabai Peshwa, is analogous to that of the Trimbakeshwar Temple. This 70 ft structure was built with black stone extracted from the mines of the Ramsej hills. The copper roof of the temple is gold-plated and glows by day and night. The idols of the Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana look sandy black, and are decked with ornaments. Around this temple stand the smaller ones dedicated to Lord Vithala, Lord Ganesha and Lord Hanuman.

The 2000-yr-old Pandavleni caves, built by the Jain kings, stand on a tableland atop the Trivashmi hill. There are about 24 caves here which once sheltered Jain saints. The caves contain idols of the Buddha, the Jain Teerthankara Vrishabhdeo, Veer Manibhadraji and Ambikadevi and the icons of Bodhisatva. Jain disciples met in the caves here to receive sermons. The attractive water tanks here are skillfully chiselled out of rock.

Getting there:

By Road: Mumbai-Nasik 185 km via Thane-Kasara - Igatpuri, Ghoti NH-3. Pune-Nasik 202 km via Rajguru Nagar, Narayangaon, Sangamner NH-50. Asiad and Taxi service from Mumbai and Thane are also available.

By Rail: Nasik Road is a major stations on Central Railway (Mumbai-Nasik 188 km).

While at Nasik, you could put up at Hotel Pilgrim's Inn, MTDC Shirdi, Bhandardara or at Bhandardara Resort run by MTDC.

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