Location: Nashik District

Nashik District
Nashik was known as Panchavati before the Ramayana period. Nashik has mythological, historical, social and cultural importance. The city is situated on the banks of the Godavari River, making it one of the holiest places for Hindus all over the world. Nashik has a rich historical past, as the mythology has it that Lord Rama, the King of Ayodhya, made Nashik his abode during his 14 years in exile. At the same place Lord Laxman, by the wish of Lord Rama, cut the nose of “Shurpnakha” and thus this city was named as “Nashik”. After the fall of the Satavahana empire, the Abhiras or Ahirs ruled in the northeast and the Chutus in Maharashtra and Kuntala. The Puranas state that ten Abhiras ruled for, 67 years. The Nasik inscription speaks of king Madhuriputra Ishvarasena, the Abhir and a son of Shivadatla. This dynasty originated in A. D. 249-50, an era called Kalachuri or Chedi in later times.
In Kritayuga, Nashik was ‘Trikantak’, ‘Janasthana’ in Dwaparyuga and later in Kali-yuga, it became ‘Navashikh’ or ‘Nashik’. Classical Sanskrit poets like Valmiki, Kalidasa and Bhavabhuti have paid rich tributes here. In 150 BC Nashik was the country’s largest marketplace. From 1487 A.D, the province came under the rule of Mughals and was known as Gulshanabad. It was also home of Emperor Akbar who wrote at length about Nashik in Ein-e-Akbari. It was also known as the ‘Land of the Brave’ during the regime of Shivaji. The most important historical significance is that Kumbh Mela is conducted at Nashik once every twelve years, out of 4 places in India

Climate
Nasik’s climate is classified as tropical. The summers are much rainier than the winters in Nashik. According to Koppen and Geiger, this climate is classified as Aw. In Nashik, the average annual temperature is 24.7 °C. About 812 mm of precipitation falls annually.
Place of Interest
Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, Kalaram Temple, Sula Vineyards, Pandavleni Caves

Nature & Parks
Pandavleni Caves, Sita Gumpha, Anjneri Hill, Ramkund

Sacred & Religious Sites
Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, Kalaram Temple, Muktidham Temple

Architectural Buildings
Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, Kalaram Temple, Muktidham Temple, Someshwar Temple