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Nashik-
Down the Centuries
Mythology has it that Rama, the King of Ayodhya, made Nashik his temporary abode
during the 14 years of his exile as per his
father’s wishes. The renowned poets Valmiki, Mahakavi Kalidas and Bhavabhooti
have paid rich tributes to Nashik in many of
their works. In Kritayuga, Nashik was Trikantak, Janasthan in Dwaparyuga and,
later in Kaliyuga it became Navashikh or Nashik.
Nashik has always
been the epicenter of commerce
and trade. Ptolemy, the famous philosopher,
has made a mention of Nashik in 150 BC
leading Nashik researchers to believe that
it was probably the country’s largest
market place. From 1487 AD this prosperous
province came under the rule of the Mughals
and was known as Gulchandbad. Emperor Akbar
lived in Nashik and has written extensively
about it in Ein-e-Akbari. During the reign
of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Nashik was known as
the ‘land of the brave’.
Nashik Darshan
Much of Nashik’s attractiveness lies in
its proximity to the world famous pilgrimage
center of ‘Shirdi’. Every day thousands
of tourists flock to the holy city of Nashik
because of its many attractions and numerous
places of interest.
Ramkund
This holy tank is 27 meters by 12 meters and
was built in 1696 by Chitra Rao Khatarkar.
It is believed that Ram and Sita used to
bathe in this tank during their exile. It is
in this holy water - kund that every Hindu
wishes his or her ashes to be immersed so as
to attain ‘ moksha’ or liberation of the
soul. The ashes of numerous personalities
such as Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira
Gandhi, Y.B. Chavan and others have been
immersed at Ramkund.
Mukidham Temple
This famous temple is located near Nashik
station, just 7 kilometers from the city.
The Muktidham Temple is pure white, the
colour of holiness and peace. Extra white
Makrana marble tiles were used to build this
Temple, which has a very unusual
architecture.
Unique to this Temple are the eighteen
chapters of the Geeta written on the walls.
After visiting this Temple, every Hindu
feels that he has visited the four Dhams
(holy centers) in India.
Kalaram Temple
This temple was built in 1794 and has an
architectural design similar to the
Trimbakeshwar Temple. It was the brainchild
of Gopikabai Peshwa. The temple is 70 feet
in height and was built with black stone
from the mine of Ramsej Hill. There is a
gold-plated, copper peak on the temple,
which looks beautiful by day and night. The
icons of Ram, Sita and Laxman are sandy
black and lavishly adorned with many
ornaments. The temple is surrounded by
several smaller temples such as the Vitthal
Temple, Ganpati Temple and Maruti Temple.
Shirdi
122 kilometers from Nashik is the abode of
Maharashtra’s revered saint Sai Baba of Shirdi. Popularly known as the ‘child of
God’, Sai Baba preached tolerance towards
all religions and the message of universal
brotherhood. While little is known about his
early life, Sai Baba is generally believed
to be the incarnations of Guru Dattatraya.
Every activity in Shirdi revolves around the
vast temple complex dedicated to Sai Baba.
Devotees start queuing up in the early hours
of dawn to catch a glimpse and seek the
blessings from the life-size statue of Sai
Baba. Although pilgrims pour in throughout
the week to seek blessings at Shirdi,
Thursday, which is especially holy to Sai
Baba, is marked by special ‘pujas’ and
‘darshans’ of Baba.
After attending the ‘aarti’ (prayer with
devotional flames) performed by the priests
and catching a glimpse of the statue of Sai
Baba, there are other places associated with
the life of the Baba, which the devotees
make it a point to visit. There are the
Dwarkamani mosques where Baba used to
mediate and sleep on alternate nights. Next
to the mosque is a corridor where the ‘dhuni’
or ‘eternal flame’ burns day and night.
Other places of tourist's interest are the Gurusthan, the Khandoba Temple, Shani
Mandir, Narsimha Mandir, Changdev Maharaj
Samadhi and the Sakori Ashram; there are
various ‘Dharamshalsa’ (rest houses for
pilgrims) and ‘Khanavals’ (public eating
rooms) which provide accommodation and food
at nominal rates to everybody. There are
budget as well as luxury hotels for the more
affluent tourists.
Sai Baba is truly a universal saint as he
attracts people from all over, irrespective
of caste and creed, to come together in a
spirit of peace and harmony.
Saptashringi Devi
Temple
55 kilometers from Nashik, at ‘Wani’, is
the temple of goddess Saptashringi. As one
approaches the temple, a huge rocky hill
stands out prominently.
This is the Saptashringi hill, ‘Sapta’
means seven and ‘Shring’
means pinnacle. The Goddess Saptashringi is
supposed to be self-manifested. Also known
as ‘the Goddess possessing eighteen
weapons in eighteen hands’. she is
positioned as if ready to fight the demos.
Apart from the temple, even the journey to
this point is extremely interesting. One the
way, to the left is the famous Maharashtra
Engineering Research Institute (MERI). Then
there is a Seetakund at Mhasrul village,
where Seta, wife of Lord Rama used to bathe,
the entire ambience is serene and the
atmosphere, delightful. The destination
brings to life many stories about the
battles between the gods and the evil forces
and how the Hindu gods took various
incarnations to help and protect the people.
Lonar
Legend has it that the Devi Kamalja killed a
ferocious demon Lonasur at the spot but the
scientific explanation for this unique
depression is no les spectacular.
Attempts to date the crater have placed it
at approximately 50,000 years when the
meteorite that created the crater is said to
have collided with the earth at the spot.
The Lonar crater is the only one of its kind
in the world. It has the distinction of
being the only natural impact crater in
basalt rock.
Visitors to Lonar are amazed at the little
oasis of life in the womb of the crater,
around the edge of the lake.
The approach road meanders gently down from
the rim of the crater like a lazy serpent,
unfolding pleasant views at every bend. The
lake is rimmed by cool forests of tall trees
and fruit orchards.
The Temple Complex
Constructed in the Hemadpanti style,
these temples, which lie in ruins now, may
once have been a hub of activities. Lord Narasimha, Lord Ganesha and Renukadevi are
some of the deities who are still worshipped
in this ancient place.
Amidst the ruins of the Shiv Temple are a
mahadevlings and a vedashanta, said to have
been built by shukracharya. The Devi Temple,
a tall structure with a high stone plinth
rises out from among the trees at the edge
of the lake.
Not far from the head of the ravine is a
comparatively unknown Daitya Sadan or Abode
of Demons, locally known as the Swamy Mandir.
Spend a lazy day exploring these temples,
let these graceful relics from a bygone age
transport you to another age.
Best time to visit; October - March.
How to get there
By Air: Nearest airport is Aurangabad 122
kilometers.
By Rail: Malkapur on the Bombay-Bhusawal
line.
By Raod: Bombay- Lonar 600 kilometers.
Aurangabad - Lonar 145 kilometers.
Lonar-Buldhana 95 kilometers. Lonar-Mehakar
Taluka 23 kilometers.
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