Introduction
Nasik has a personality and a spiritual charm of its own. Its proximity to
important pilgrimage sites like Shirdi and major cities like Mumbai and Pune
render it a desirable even more. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Rama
stayed here for some time during his exile for 14 years. Even earlier
religious poets like Rishi Valmiki and Mahakavi Kalidas too have offered
tributes to Nasik in their writings. Today, Nasik comes as a fine blend of
the classic and the contemporary. The city remains strewn with numerous
forts and temples. Over the last years, Nasik has also seen a lot
industrialization going on. However, the beauty and the identity of the city
never seems to be lost.
Location & Climate
The holy city of Nasik is located in the northern part of the state of
Maharashtra. Mumbai, the capital of the state, is 185 km from Nasik while
Pune is situated at a distance of 200 km from here. The climate of Nasik
equals that of Bangalore and Pune in terms of pleasantness. Summers are warm
and monsoons are slightly humid. Winters are not very cold. Though Nasik can
be visited anytime of the year, the most ideal time remains from November to
February.
Sightseeing
The scenic charm and the natural splendour of Nasik is the first sight to
behold. The spiritual and historical past of the city has gifted with many
temples and forts. Nasik also has museums displaying fascinating collections
of artifacts from the past.
» Ramkund : One of the holiest sites in Nasik,
Ramkund was built by Chitrarao Khatarka in 1696. It is believed that Lord
Rama and his consort Sita would bathe in this pond during the 14 years of
their exile. Hindus, even today, immerse the ashes of dead persons in order
to liberate the departed souls. And which is more, ashes of eminent
personalities like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi have also been
immersed in the Ramkund.
» Muktidham Temple : Yet another sacred site in
Nasik is the Muktidham Temple which is positioned close to Nasik Railway
Station. To the Hindu community, a single visit to this temple is as holy as
being equal to the visit of Char Dhams. The temple is built in Makrana
marble. One unique feature of the temple is that 18 chapters of the Geeta
are written on its walls.
» Kalaram Temple : 
A
brainchild of Gopikabai Peshwa, the Kalaram Temple is also a big draw for
devotees and tourists. The temples soars up to a height of 70 feet and is
built in black stone procured from the mines of Ramsej Hill. The temple
houses bedecked images of Rama, Sita and Laxman. The temple is further
surrounded by a number of temples including the Vithal Temple, Ganapati
Temple and Maruti Temple.
» Coin Museum : The Coin Museum or the Indian
Institute of Research in Numismatic Studies, which is one of its kind in the
whole of Asia, lies in the picturesque surroundings of the Anjneri Hill. The
museum displays an interesting collection of photographs, articles, line
drawings and real coins that give an insight into the history of numerous
currency systems that existed in India in the bygone eras.
Accommodation Options
Though Nasik does not have deluxe and luxury hotels, one can find a bunch
of budget accommodations. Mumbai, being a close destination, offers numerous
deluxe, luxury and economy hotels. However, you can choose to stay at one of
the following hotels in Nasik.
Hotels in Nasik
¤ Quality Inn Regency (3 Star)
¤ Panchavati Elite Inn (3 Star) |
¤ Hotel Panchavati (2 Star) |
Accessibility
Mumbai, at 185 km, is the closest international airport from Nasik. The
Santacruz Airport (Domestic) and the Sahar Airport (International) have
regular flights connecting to the key destinations of India and the world.
Nasik lies on the Central Railway route and a number of express trains link
the city with the major cities and towns of India. The Pune-Nasik Highway,
220 km from the city, provides good connectivity. Buses ply regularly
between Mumbai/ Thane and Nasik.
Ajanta Ellora Excursion 
Ajanta
Caves 
