Nasik 220 km from Pune. The "Grape City", as it is popularly known, the city is located in the Western Ghats, on the banks of the Godavari River. Known for the temples on the banks of the Godavari, it has historically been one of the holy sites of the Hindu religion. It is one of the four cities that hosts the massive Sinhastha Kumbh Mela once every twelve years.
I have got the chance to visit Nasik , Trimbakeswar(one of the 12 Joytilingas) and some of the surrounding places in 7thjuly2007.My parents, my husband ,son and me left for this place on a Saturday around 10a.m. The climate was very good that day and road is also good .We have enjoyed the hills.Ghat ,greenry around the Nasik-pune high way. Had a good lunch at Swami Dhaba near Naraynpur .We directly went to Trimbakeswar.We have alreday booked a Hotel Dhuba Palace there.We reached there around 6p.m ,first kept our belongings in hotel ,had tea and left for the temple.The crowd was very less that day ,so had a good Drashan. Next day early morning, my husband went to the temple and did the puja. My parents and me went there around 6:30 a.m. After that we saw some near by palces like Nil hill.I like the hills around Triambakeswar.They are very high and in a different shape.
We left that palce around 10 a.m went to Nasik.We have visisted many places surrounding Nasik.Enojyed a good Gujrati Thali near MuktiDham and come back to pune.Though my little kid had some problem in his food and cried a bit in the journey ,this trip was very much memorable. I have seen the below places in my visit
Trimbakeshwar :
Trimbakeshwar is situated in the heart of the village Trimbak, 36 kms from Nasik. Trimbakeshwar is one of the 12 jyotirlinga sites in India.It forms the source of the Godavari River. The architecture of this temple is very beautiful .There is no water poured on the Linga,it comes naturally.While going thruough the queue towards the Linga one can see the idols of Lord ram where coins are sticked on the wall.It also has amirta kunda,gayatri mandir and many small Lingas in the surrounding of the temple.
Nil Hill:
Around 0.5 k.m from Trimbakeshwar Shiva temple you can see this place called Nil hill.You have to drive trough very narrow Ghat roads to recah on the top of the hill.It has datatrya,Amba mata temple.The idol of Goddess are different than the regular Goddess idols.One can see the entire Trimbak village from the top of this hill.This also has a Big Shiva Linga constructed on the top of a house which one can see from the bottom of the hill.
Ajneri:
Ajneri hill is 25 k.m from Nasik towards Trimbakeshwar.This the birth place of Lord Hanuman.There is no way you can reach on the top of this hill by vechile.You have to climb the hill and reach near the actual temple .The hill is very beautiful specially in rainy season.Now days one big idol of Lord Hanuman is constructed near this hill.People who are not able to climb the hill can pray Lord Hanuman here and can see the actual temple from here.
The Coin Museum:
The Coin Museum is positioned against the backdrop of the Ajneri Hill. The Indian Institute of Research in Numismatic Studies was established in 1980 and 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, replica, real coins and also a detailed analysis of the various currency systems that existed in the India from centuries together.
Panchavati:
Situated near Godavari river in Nasik. It is said that lord Shri Ram and Sita along with Laxman stayed at Panchavati for some time. There are five Banyan (Vad) trees and hence the area is called Panchavati.Nearby is Sita Gumpha (cave) where Sita is said to have stayed for some time.
Sita Gumpha :
The Gumpha is near the five Banyan trees in Panchavati. One can enter the cave with the help of a very narrow staircase. The cave has the idol of Shree Ram, Laxman and Sita. Devotees believe that Ravan kidnapped Sita from the same place.
Ganga Ghat/Ramkund:
The most important place in Panchavati is Ramkund. It is so called because Lord Rama is believed to have taken bath there. Mortal remains (Asthi) immersed in this kunda, are immediately absorbed in the water. A dip in this sacred kunda is considered very pious.
Someshwar:
This is located on gangapur road near Nasik. This has temple of Lord shiva.Hanuman,krishna and Laxmi narayan. The temples are very beautiful and the idol of God are also beatiful.The Lord Hanuman's idol is made up of some metal and is unique one.The godavari river flows near this tample.This is also a good picnic place and famous for boating and waterfall.
Kalaram mandir:
Another important temple is that of Kala Ram. The specialty of the temple is that it was built with black stones.The idols of Ram,sita and Laxman is also black.The stones were brought from Ramshej 200 years ago. It took 23 lakhs of rupees and 2000 workers to build the temple in 12 years.
Muktidham :
Muktidham temple is situated in Nashik Road. Eighteen chapters of Geeta written on the walls. You can also see the replicas of all the twelve Jiothi Lingas over here and also icons of all major Hindu Gods and Godesses. After visiting this temple every Hindu feels that he has visited all the four Dhams in India.
