We lived in Nasik from Sept.,1989 to May, 1992 and enjoyed our stay there. This is yet other developing city very near to Mumbai. It can be described as a delightful town, usually with crowds, Nasik is a combination of the past and the present. It paves way to many fascinating forts and graceful temples. Nasik was earlier the country's largest market. Satpur Industrial Estate is outskirts of Nasik adding prosperity to Nasik. There is a Security Printing Press of the government, the nation's currency printer ( can't avoid mention of Telgi case) Ok. let me tell you more about this place.
Widely held as the land that produces the maximum varieties of fruits and vegetables, Nasik is rightly labelled as the green belt area. Pimpalgaon Baswant village near Nasik is famous for grape gardens. Nasik's Kondaji Chiwda is quite famous as spicy item. Saputara is cool place near Nasik on Gujrath border. Nasik has a great diversity of tourist attractions, religious places and the nature at it's best. Nasik's land has witnessed 14 years of ''VANWAS'' (living in forests leaving Palace) suffered by Lord Rama (must be knowing Ramayana). The Lord spent his years of exile in the forests of this land.
PLACES WORTH VISITING-
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Ramkund-
Ramkund is a sacred tank. People state that Lord Rama and Sita used this tank for bathing during the years of exile. Hence, it is treated very holy. There is a common belief that if the ashes are immersed in the holy waters of this kund, moksha is easily achieved.
The Muktidham Temple-
The Muktidham Temple is located near the station, around 7 kms from the city. The temple has been built with pure white marble tiles making it a unique piece of architecture. The distinctive feature found here is that, eighteen chapters of the Bhagwad Geeta are written on the walls of the temple.
The Coin Museum-
The Coin Museum is positioned against the backdrop of the Ajneri Hill. It is the only of its kind in Asia. The museum houses a fine collection of researched and well-documented history of Indian currency. Also included in the collections are photographs, articles, line drawings, real coins and also a detailed analysis of the various currency systems that existed in the India from centuries. The Institute has now begun workshops to encourage the hobby of coin collection in the Indians.
The Kalaram Temple-
The Kalaram Temple, built by Gopikabai Peshwa, is another architectural specimen, pretty much similar to that of the Trimbakeshwar Temple. This 70 feet high structure has been built with black stone extracted from the mine of Ramsej Hill. The copper peak of the temple is gold-plated and looks ravishing by day and night as well. The idols of Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are sandy black decked with ornaments. This temple has various small temples dedicated to Lord Vithala, Lord Ganesha and Lord Hanuman.
Pandavleni caves-
The 2000-yr-old Pandavleni caves are located on a tableland atop the Trivashmi Hill. There are around 24 caves situated here. The caves lodge idols of Buddha, Jain Teerthankara Vrishabhdeo, Veer Manibhadraji and Ambikadevi and the icons of Bodhisatva. The interiors of the caves were popular meeting places for the disciples, where sermons were concerned. There are attractive water tanks that are very skillfully placed into the rock. Parents should take care of kids.
Shirdi-
Shirdi lies at a distance of 122 kms approximately from this place and is dedicated to Sai Baba. The place witnesses devotees lining up right from the wee hours in the morning to attain the blessings of Sai Baba. The darshan is available throughout the week, but Thursday is especially considered as holy for the Baba. Nearby is the Dwarkamani mosque, where the Baba is believed to have meditated and slept on alternate nights. Just next to the mosque is a long corridor. Here, the eternal flame burns day and night.
Trimbakeshwar-
Trimbakeshwar is situated in the heart of the village Trimbak, 36 kms from Nasik. It forms the source of the Godavari River. The Trimbakeshwar temple here is a very famous and is crowded by thousands who arrive to take the blessings of the Lord. Trimbakeshwar is one of the 12 jyotirlinga sites in India. It is believed that bathing in the waters of the Godavari is an easy way to attain salvation. The Mahashivaratri festival is celebrated every year. Taxis/buses are available from central bus stand for Trimbakeshwar.
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HOTELS RECOMMENDED-
Hotel Emerald Park
Location : City Center
Centrally Airconditioned, Refrigerators in suite rooms.
Accessibility: Hotel Emerald Park is located 6 km. from Airport, 2 km. from Bus Station, 8 km. from Railway Station
Total Rooms- 31
17-Suites Non A/C, 14-Cottage
24 Hours Check-in / Check-Out
2 Restaurants and 1 Bar available in the hotel.
Cuisine: Indian, Chinese, Continental.
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Hotel Nataraj
Location : City Center
Business And Leisure Hotel
Nasik - Pune Road,
Accessibility: Hotel Nataraj is located 6 km. from Bus Station, 2 km. from Railway Station
Available: 54 Rooms, 45-Suites Non A/C, 6-Cottage, 3-Deluxe
Total Rooms : 54
Features: Check-in/out Time is: 12:00 AM .
Partially Air-conditioned.
1 Restaurant and 1 Bar available in the hotel.
Multi-cuisine - pure Vegetarian.
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Panchavati Elite Inn
Location : City Center
Partially Air-conditioned, C.C.T.V. in all rooms, STD direct dial from the room.
Business And Leisure Hotel
Near Vinod Auto, Trimbak Road,
Accessibility: Panchavati Elite Inn is located 7 km. from Airport, 2 km. from Bus Station, 8 km. from Railway Station
Available: 2-Deluxe Non A/C, 16-Suites Non A/C, 5-Cottage, 3-Deluxe:
Total Rooms : 26
Check-in/out Time is: 12:00 AM .
3 Restaurants and 1 Bar available in the hotel.
Cuisine: South Indian, Indian, Chinese, North Indian, Maharashtrian Thali, Continental, Veg- Non-Veg. Separate.
( We had lunches here many times).
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Quality Inn Regency
Location : City Center
Business And Leisure Hotel
Address: Pune Road, Shivaji Nagar,
Centrally air-conditioned rooms are decorated in a contemporary style with necessary amenities.
Accessibility- 0.5 km. from Airport, 7 km. from Bus Stand, 4 km. from Railway Station
Total - 46 Rooms
Check-in/out Time is: 12:00 PM
Coffee shop, a swimming pool, poolside bar, multi-cuisine restaurant a club house and more.
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The splendour of Nasik tells you all about the magnificence of the place. Its fame has augmented by leaps and bounds due to its nearness to Shirdi, a very famous pilgrimage centre, where thousands cram to acquire darshan of Shri Sai Baba as I have described earlier. Nasik made our stay there obviously peaceful and memorable. Friends, check this place yourself and before that don't forget to keep comments.
© Mrs.Medha.
