Nashik (Marathi: नाशिक) [1][2] is a city in the state of Maharashtra in Western India. This is an ancient holy city. Some archaeological sites state early human settling evidence from at least five years. It is a city of pilgrimage for many Hindus.
The place is important for Hindu rituals for the afterlife offerings. It is also one of the four locations of the Kumbha Mela festival.
Nashik is one of the world's holiest Hindu cities. Kumbhmela is held here once in 12 years along with four other cities in India. Lord Rama along with Lakshmana and Sita spent 14 years of his exile at Tapovan near Nashik. The city came under the rule of Mughal in 16th century and was renamed Gulshanabad. Then it comes under Peshwa of Maratha Empire in 1818. City is also noted for its participation in freedom struggle. Freedom fighters like Veer Savarkar and Anant Laxman Kanhere were born in Nashik.
The name of the Nashik has been changing since long time as per different rulers. It is believed the name "Nashik" was derived after the incident in Ramayana when Lakshman (Sri Ram's brother) chopped off the nose of Surpanakha (Ravan's sister). One school of thoughts states that Nashik is combination of nava shikha - nine summits. It was also named as Gulshnabad by Muslim rulers which is immediately revolted by the residents. It was spelled incorrectly by British administration, as Nasik but eventually changed to Nashik as present.
Nashik is also known in India as a landing city for travelling to Shirdi and Trambakeshwar which hosts one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.
It is believed that during ancient times, during transportation, the drops of Amrit fell into the Brahma-Kund at Trambakeshwar. This makes it one of the most popular religious travel destinations of India.
Nashik is also known as a transit station for devotees going to Shirdi, residence of Sai Baba (90 Kilometres from Nashik).
Nashik is fairly cosmopolitan city. Marathi is the official language of the city. This is the most common language spoken on the streets, most people may partial understand Hindi and English.
Attitudes in Nashik are liberal. The city used to be very traditional and conservative, but now is an open-minded culture and is gradually developing city.
Nashik is known for it's art and literature contribution. Nashik has one of the biggest public libraries.
MovieShri Dadasaheb Phalke - the founder of the Indian Film industry comes from Nashik. He started movie making in India with the on mythological character “Raja Harishchandra” in 1913. This was the first movie in India. He made 95 movies and 26 short films in the span of 19 years, till 1932 in Nashik.
Music Pt. Vishnu Digambar Paluskar was from Nashik, wrote books on classical Indian music. He reinvented notation system suitable to Indian classical music. He also composed notations for the national anthem of India. Another famous patriotic song “Sare Jahanse Achha” is also composed by him.
Literature - Bahinabai Chaudhary was a poetess who made poems in spoken Marathi. It was a flawless creation in ample. Once her son realised the value of her poems he started writing it down. Her poems is an invaluable treasure of Marathi literature. The poems reflect real day-to-day life in a rural setting describing the beautiful effects of nature on her life. She also state the philosophy of life in simple humble words.
Mr V V Shirwadkar alias “Kusumagraj” in a career spanning five decades starting in pre-independence era, he wrote 16 volumes of poems, three novels, eight volumes of short stories, seven volumes of essays, 18 plays and six one-act plays.
Vasant Kanetkar was a stage drama writer in Marathi language. He wrote 40 three-act plays, all of which were performed on the professional stage. Many of his plays became high commercial successes. He has been credited with rejuvenating the Marathi theater when it was in decline, the age of Sangeet Natak --stage musicals—having had come to an end.
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar re-wrote Indian history from a patriotic point of view. His works are in Marathi language, Saha Soneri Pane (Six golden pages in the History of Hindu Nation) - explaining six Indian empires and their extent. He wrote two books in English named "Hindutwa" and "Hindupadapadshahi" on the history of Marathas. Two of his poems famous are Sagara Pran Talamalala and Jayostute sung by Lata Mangeshkar.
The climate of Nashik is very pleasant. Nashik has three distinct seasons: summer, monsoon and winter. Summers are typically hot with maximum temperatures ranging from 35 to 42°C. The warmest month in Nashik is generally April as compared to the rest of the Deccan Plateau where it is May. November is normally a very pleasant month.
Nashik does not get very hot. Even during the peak of summer, the air is cool and standing under a tree can give respite form the heat. However, as sunlight can be intense leading to skin tan and sun-burn, be sure to carry and use sunscreens (above SPF-30).
The nights in Nashik are significantly cooler than most other parts in this region owing to its high altitude.
The average rainfall is approx 550 mm. The city often receives local and heavy thundershowers with heavy downpours in June, which brings down the temperature. The rainy season can sometimes be gloomy, with cloud cover for days together.
Winters are generally dry and day temperatures can be as low as 24 - 28°C and temperatures at night as low as 5 - 8°C.
Nashik is 180 Kilometres from Mumbai (Bombay). There are frequent buses to Nashik from Dadar in Mumbai. It takes 4 to 5 hours by road. If you are not around Dadar, you can still take buses from Borivali (a key place on Western Railway Line) OR Thane (a key place on Central Railway Line). Also, a suburban railway (CR) to Kasara can be taken from few suburban railway stations beyond Dadar (like Kurla, Thane or even beyond). Once at Kasara, there are loads of connecting buses to Nashik and many other places, along with ample number of share-taxis (INR 50-60 per adult passenger, but with cramped sitting). (Kindly note there is no taxi service available in the late night. You can get held up after reaching Kasara Railway Station till the next morning)
Trains called 'Panchavati Express' and 'Godavari Express' also ply daily between Mumbai and Nashik. Word of caution, Nashik is on Central Railway line and Dadar Station is a sort of junction place for Central Railway and Western Railway, so make sure that you are at right side of the station (that is, East-side for Central Railway). There is also a daily train service between Pune and Nashik. It may be noted that the Railway Station (called "Nasik Road") is about 10 Kilometres away from the main city. However, there are sufficiently frequent services of buses, auto-rickshaws, shared-taxis etc are available at fairly low fares.
Kingfisher Red, the country's low-cost airline, started daily flights between Mumbai and Nashik (2 at present- April 2009). These fly from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Domestic Airport (Mumbai) to Nashik Ozar airport (which is about 25 km from Nashik city).
A rented car is the best option to move around the city. There is also a Nashik Darshan bus every day which shows you around the important tourist attractions in Nashik otherwise regional public transport service is also quite nice. Get the ticket for Nashik Darshan bus a day in advance to avoid inconvenience. Alternately you can take cheap and good auto rikshaws.
taxiGUIDE.in (Nashik Car Rental), ☎ +91 888 023 4455 (support@taxiguide.in), [3]. Inquiry: 7am to 11pm. Nashik Car Rental services on taxiGUIDE.in - a Chauffeur Driven Car Rental service in 75 Cities in India.Fares start from Rs.1300 for full day local & Rs.8.75/km for Outstation. edit
Sita Gufaa - Caves where Lord Ram and Sita worshipped Lord Shiva during their exile. The shivlinga is still present at that same spot. It is believed that Ravana kidnapped Sita from this place.
Tapovan - Tapobhumi, Shurpanakha's nose fell here, Tasty Guavas, try them out.
Panchavati - The most sacred place on Earth.The place where five sacred Banyan trees are still present. All important temples are located in this area.
Kalaram Temple - An important temple and landmark in panchavati area.
Ganga Ghat - Ramkunda, Panchavati
Mineral Museum (Gargoti Sangrahalaya) - Sinnar , Nashik . very precious different types of stones you can see here .
Pandav Leni - Pandav Caves. located on Nashik- Mumbai highway near Pathardi phata.
Phalke Smaarak - Excellent views, landscape, musical fountain, video songs, Buddha smaarak, water park. located on foot of Pandav Caves hill. A reliable place where most of the people in nasik spend their weekend evenings.
Jain Mandir - has a 12 ton Panchdhatu idol of Bhagwan Mahavir. located at Vilholi on Nashik- Mumbai highway.
Veda Mandir - located on Trimbak road.
Chambhar Leni - Temple of Bhagwan Mahavir on a hillock inside a cave. Located on Dindori Road.
Muktidham - big temple, picnic spot located at Nashik Road
Bhaktidham - a temple. located on Peth Naka
Someshwar - temples, picnic spot, boating , waterfall. located on Gangapur road.
Sundarnarayan Temple
College Road - happening place in Nasik. Malls, Restaurants, Shopping, Multiplex, Bliss Juice Bar, McDonald's, Cafe Coffee Day.
Sula Wines - Winery offers tour and wine tasting
Navshya Ganpati - A temple situated on banks of Godavari River, very scenic views
Deolali Camp Cantonment Board, Artillery centre - Deolali camp's, Lahawit market is for shopping, Deolali South has Khandoba temple hill, golf course, sun rise & set point as well.
Tarangan , Trimbak Road . This planetarium is named after late shri Yashwantrao Chavan and was recently inaugurated by President Mrs Pratibha Patil. Daily 3 shows are conducted 13.30 in English, 15.30 in Hindi and 17.30 in Marathi.
Visit Goda Ghat(Godavari river edge).
Trek in hills near to Nashik .
The Gangapur Dam - always crowded with youngsters.
The Dudhsagar Fall - near Gangapur Dam.
Stone Age Site - few km from Gangapur village.
Anjaneri Parvat near Trambakeshwar is well known for waterfalls during monsoon season.
Bird Sanctuary Nandur-Madhmeshwar near Niphad - a mesmerizing place for nature and bird lovers.
Trambakeshwar (One of the 12 Jyotirlingas), straight ahead on Trimbak road. This is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India and is the most sacred place in Nashik. Near by is also Brahma giri where lord Shiva performed tandav dance.
Nashik is famous for its silverware craftsmanship.
The old shopping centre of the city lies in the heart of the city at Main Road. Here you can get everything you need. A lot of upscale shops have mushroomed all over the city in recent years.
Saraf Bazar is place for silverware and ornaments.
Canada corner is always crowded with college going youngsters.
Mahatma Gandhi Marg is the hot shopping destination.
You'll get brands like Lee Cooper, RBK, Adidas, Woodlands, Van Heusen, Proline, Pepe Jeans, D&G, Levis, Provogue, Biba, Fabindia, Spyker and many more .
Leeve Dry Fruits (exclusive imported dry fruits, chocolate and spices), Shop No.3, Kaanchwala Avenue, Opp BYK College (Next to US Pizza), ☎ 0253-2232336, [4]. Shop which delivers Indian and imported dry fruits, chocolates and spices. They provide some rare dry fruits which are not available round the year.10-6000. edit
There are good restaurants all over the city.
Coffee Shops/Cafes on College Road: Bliss Juice Bar , Cafe Bollywood , 12 to 12 , Friendship , Cafe Coffee Day. 12 to 12 is good restaurant for western cuisines.
The most amazing dining experiences at Nashik are at Emerald Park Hotel. Jharoka serves some amazing Indian food comparable to the best in the country, Dhruva is the roof top barbecue and grill and also has a 24 hour cafe.
Bliss Juice Bar near Jehan Circle. Serves authentic Juices, 80 types of Coffees and Teas, Milkshakes, Smoothies, Sandwiches, Wraps, Pizzas, Burgers and Desserts among other things.
Three Sixty Degrees Coffee Shop, Talegaon, Nashik
Sanskruti,a must try place to know Maratha culture and best place to eat a Maharashtrian Thali served with freshly chulha coked items in a village envoirnment, Rs.150.00 per person in march 2013, approx. 12 kms from Nasik on Trymbak Road
Nesta Coffee Shop, Mumbai - Agra Road, Nashik
Thali: Hotel Panchavati Yatri, Hotel Samrat, Purohit, Rajdhani, Chetana dining hall(CBS)
Traditional Marathi Cuisine: Saheba, Mumbai Naka
Family Dining: Yahoo, Patang, and Purohit.
24 Hour restaurant : Sukh Sagar in Panchavati Hotel complex, Hotel Samrat CBS
Chinese : Seble Hotel , Trimbak road, Carnival College Road, 21st century, Sharanpur Road
If you want to eat something really tasty visit Kokni Darbar for delicious mughlai and North Indian food. The service is also very good.
One Should not miss the famous Krushnai Vada Pav ( an Indian burger served with chillies) at the Circle Cinema, The Shop located at Ashok Stumbh
Farmaish Restaurant , College Road
Spice N Tadka Family Restaurant , Bytco Point.
Rolls & Keema: Rolls Club - Near Bhosla Military School (towards the end of College Road).
Bon Appétit Restaurant - Pathardi Phata, Nashik
Missal: Vihar at Gangapur naka, A tapri near Raviwar Karanja (next to Pethe High School),Tushar on college road, Ambika near Panchvati Karanja, Sham-sundar Satpur MIDC,
Mama's Pav Bhaaji on College Road is a hot favourite of collegians. Mama's serves piping hot pav bhaaji and all kinds of chaat items.
Bikaneri Bhujiawalla on College Road.
Bhagvati's Chat: A famous chat joint near Kulkarni Garden on Sharanpur Road
Sagar Sweets on College Road and Gangapur Road is famous for sweets, namkeens, packaged food products, chat.
McDonalds on College Road, located just opposite Big Bazaar serves good burgers and draws a lot of crowd in the evenings.
Modern Cafe (formerly named as Parth) has good Marathi fare.
Salim's Tea at the corner of BYK Commerce College is a favourite hang-out of college students.
Talk of the Town is a good place where you can get yummy Punjabi food.
Maharashtra Bhaandaar on College Road is your typical "Khau Ghar" offering all kinds of delicious, home-made snacks and sweetmeats, like Laddus, Chivda, Karanji, Shev, Chakli, Farsaan, pickles, sweets and what have you. Lovingly called "Ma. Bhaa" it offers everything you would find traditionally prepared in Marathi kitchens.
Thunder Point on College Road serves refreshing, delicious juices.
Kondaaji Chivda is very famous from Nashik.
Sweets:
Budha Halwai (Near Bhadrakali Temple) - Is legend itself in Nashik. People swear their Srikahnd and Jalebis. In fact, their new product lines like Chivada, Namkin, Samosas are excellent. Few products already been exported and well received by Customers.
Jalaram Sweets, College Road. Serves amazing chaats along with a range of sweets. One should not miss their Kachori and Khajur/Imli Chutney.
Goli Vada pav outlet at Sharanpur Road, College Road and Indira Nagar(OPP. Raj Sarthi Society.)
Subway @ college road
Dominos at college road and Nashik road
Smokin Joes near RYK college , Bytco Point
Shoukin bhel at Nehru garden. yummy tasty bhel!
Vijus Dabeli and sandwhich
Nandans Pani Puri and other chat on college road.
Brothers roll near akashwani tower.
Rim-zim Ice Gola near Nehru Garden
Little Italy, Sula Vineyards. Authentic Italian food at rates less than their other branches across the country served at Little Italy ad mist the beautiful landscape of Sula Vineyards.edit
Cafe Express, College Road
Carnival at College Road serves very good quality Chinese & Indian food.
Sayantara in Bhadrakali area, behind the fruit market. Famous for soft, tasty Sabudana vada.
Agrawal Bros K Mithaiwala, 63, Shalimar, Next to IMA (Shalimar Chowk). 8 am to 10 pm. Hot snacks, Sweets, Cold Drinks, Ice-cream. Checkout Our Special Samosaedit
Oriental Xpress, Shop No.3 & 4, Akruti hou. soc, behind Gurudwara, Nasik Road, (opp. J D C Bytco High School), ☎ 9960790272. 12. The Only Authentic Restaurant serving MOMOS, Chinese and Thai food. One of the regular hangouts of foreigners and young couples. There are branches of this restaurant in Nashik Road also.75. edit
Mehfil, Yashica Plaza, Govind Nagar, Mumbai Agra road, ☎ 0253 3247555, 9881181636. Fine ingredients, fresh meats, produce, herbs, delicate spices, an outstanding variety of traditional Indian dishes. Dishes are individually prepared mild, medium, spicy or hot.edit
Yolk, Patil Plaza (Canada Corner, College Road). Only cuisine made up with EGG. All dishes are made with Egg contents.edit
Missal is a hot and tasty curry dish from Maharashtra. Missal literally means 'Mix'. It is served with Pav (Indian name for baked bread). There are lots of variations to the cooking and the way it is served. It is mostly hot in taste.
Ambica Missal, Panchavati - a distinct taste of Black garam Masala made in a very traditional way.
Hotel Bhagwati, Panchawati Karanja
Hotel Sheetal, Old taxi Stand, CBS
Hotel Shamsunder, B Road, Satpur MIDC
Hotel Sudarshan, Makhamalabad, Nashik.
Hotel Tuljai, Opp college, College Road.
Hotel Tushar, Malaria Stop, College Road.
Raswanti Missal, Panchavati Karanja
Shelke Missal, Ravivar Karanja, opp Chandi Ganpati Mandir.
Maharashtra Hotel, Bytco Point, Nashik Road.
Hotel Vihar, Near K.V.N.Naik College, Gangapur Naka.
Nehru Garden, Near Sarda School.
Om Tea House, Near Bhadrakali Karanja, Bhadrakali.
White Lily now managed by Sarovar group of hotels. On Mumbai - Agra Highway, Cleanest with polite staff opp CIDCO Tel+912532378383, email: gmnpo@sarovarhotels.com
Trimbakeshwar - one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, 30 km from Nashik via Trimbak road.
Shirdi - Famous the world over for Sai Baba, but you have to have patience, as the queues can be infinitely long. About 90 km from Nashik. Frequent Volvo and ST buses are available.
Nanduri - Saptashringi Goddess - located 75 km from Nashik.According to Hindu tradition, the goddess Saptashrungi Nivasini dwells within the seven mountain peaks. (Sapta means seven and shrung means peaks.) It is
