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05 June, 2011

Nashik



Nashik is mainly famous for temples and it's religious importance.But it is also a good tourist spot and contains many beautiful natural spots.Its beauty enhances especially in the rainy season.


CBS(Central Bus Stand)



If you don't have your private vehicle and are interested in travelling by bus,then CBS is the perfect solution.It is a comparatively crowded area.Hence contains lots of hotels and lodging facilities.

Rikshaw stand is also nearby if anyone wishes to go by rikshaw or by tracks(jeaps).It is most recommended to stay near CBS as it is easily accessible and saves the time  of searching any vehicle/hotel/lodge.


View of CBS(Central Bus Stop) from our hotel's balcony..

Night view of CBS area from our hotel's balcony..





Trimbakeshwar

The holy river Godavari originates from Trimbakeshwar and flows through various parts of the city.

Trimbakeshwar is one of the five Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra and one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India.

After every twelve years, the Sinhastha Fair, the most important Kumbh Mela is also held here.

How to reach there:
You can easily get a bus from CBS.It takes 30-45 minuts to reach by bus (around 26 km. from CBS).

Food:
Lodging and boarding facilities are easily available.vegetable market is nearby and food stalls are plenty in number.





Ichhapurti ganesh aka "Nashik cha Raja" at Trimbakeshwar market..



Shopping...shopping...shopping....at Trimbakeshwar market







Kushavart

It is the part of the Trimbakeshwar.This is the place from where river Godavari takes its course.People believe that,a dip in this sacred river wipes off the sins.

According to the hindu myth,The sage Gautam accidently committed a sin of murdering a cow and by taking bath in this river, wiped off his sin.




What a Shame !!! Sad condition of almost all the Beautiful and old big tourist spots in India....



Temple and Kunda(Stepped water feature) at Kushavarta

Ganesha at Kushavart


One of the funniest Nashik Pati...



Shells,Rudraksha malas....etc..etc...this spot has it all u need for a pooja-archa


Saptashrungi Devi

The goddess Saptashrungi Nivasini dwells within the seven mountain peaks. It is located in Vani, a small village located near Nashik. Becomes an outstanding spot in rainy season.

How to reach there:
You can easily get a bus from CBS. It takes around 1.5-2 hours to reach by bus (around 55 km. from CBS).

Food and lodging:
Lodging and boarding facilities are available.Plenty of food stalls are available.




Beautiful view of mountains from the temple....

The provision of "Doli " is made for the visiters who can not climb the difficult steps by their own.

Mahishasur temple


Oil for Devi filled in the plastic bags


Stalls at Saptshrungi....







Balaji Temple


The idol is a reincarnation of Tirupati Balaji brought from Tirupati in Andhra itself.This temple is open for all 24 hours.Beatuful surroundings...clean and calm area....Located near Gangapur waterfall.

How to reach there:
It is advisable to go by a shared rikshaw or by a bus.Approx distance from CBS is 10 km.Bus stop is little bit far from the spot.

Food:
Lodging and boarding facilities are almost equal to none.









Gangapur Waterfall

Situated in front of Balaji Temple.One of the best spot for picnic.One can even visit this spot in summer.
Most of the waterfalls vanish in the summer......but unbelievably...these photographs are taken in the summer.
There is a continuous flow of water as the water comes directly from the Gangapur dam.
This place becomes more thrilling and fun in the rainy season.







Someshwar Temple

This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and situated on the banks of the Godavari river.

How to reach there:
You can easily get a bus from CBS. (around 8 km. from CBS).

Food:
Snacks/fast food and cold drink stalls are available.

Ram Mandir at Someshwar


Lakshmi Narayan temple at someshwar

Artistically crafted Kevda leaves .....just for Rs.5


Someshwar

Nandi at Someshwar temple


Boating facility is available (Motor boat for Rs.25 and normal boad for Rs. 10)









Navashya Ganpati

It is belived that this Ganapati answers to the offerings in prayers (navas), hence it is called Navshya Ganapati.
The temple was built at the time of Peshvas in 1774.

How to reach there:
Advisable to go by rikshaw or bus.Bus stop is little bit far from the temple. (around 6km. from CBS).











Panchavati

According to the Hindu mythology,Lord Ram(king of Ayodhya),Lakshman (his brother) and Sita (Wife of Lord Ram) stayed here during 14 years of his exile (Vanvas).

Hence this place is considered as one of the holiest place for hindus.It contains lots of small and big  temples.The area is called Panchavati (Panch + vati ) as there are five Banyan (Vad) trees.

How to reach there:
We can get bus for Panchavati fron CBS(distance of  approx 2km). or else we can get a rikshaw.It is also on a 20-30 minuts walking distance from CBS.


Food :
.As this is one of the most crowded place in Nashik....there is no problem in getting a food to eat.
Finding a big proper hotel is difficult.but this area contains lots of small food stalls.

Most of the stalls are chaat stalls.One thing I would like to mention about Nashik is that,you will never get a "Ragda" in the panipuri.Instead of that ..they put "Tikhat bundi" in the Panipuri.

The place is adjucent to a big local vegetable and fruit market.Sweets like khaja etc. are also available here.


Sita haran Museum

Situated in Panchavati,it is exactly in front of the Sita Gumpha( narrow cave in Panchvati where Sita stayed  for some days during Vanvas. The entrance of this gumpha is small, a bit narrow and a little slopy ).

We can see Sitaharan Museum with just a Rs 1 entrance fee.It is definitely worth watching. Awsome sculptures and murals based on the Sita haran (kidnapping of Sita) theme.

 
Raavan in disguise of  a sage (left) and Sita (Right) at the time of Sita haran (kidnapping of Sita)

At the left : Lakshman(Brother of Lord Ram) cutting off the nose of Shurpanakha(sister of Ravan)
at the right : Lord Rama with wife Sita and a demon called Marich in a disguise of a dear


Devi Sita came outside her Parnakuti(small hut made up of  leaves and grass,bamboo etc) when Ravan came in a disguse of  Sadhu(sage) to kidnap her



Ravana (king of Lanka) in his original 10 headed form

Beautifuly carved idols at the market



Different forms of Hanumaan(The greatest devotee of Lord Rama)






Golden water at sunset.....creates a divine atmosphere....
Boating facility is also available (Rs 10 for any type of boat)


Panchavati is a very good place to buy Ayurvedic medicines(Typical Jadi buti type)


The most important place in Panchavati is Ramkund. It is so called because Lord Rama is believed to  have taken bath there. Kumbhmela is held here once in 12 years along with four other cities in India.




Don't seat here,don't sleep here....
"Nashik patya"....You will find this message in almost every Temple at Panchavati.





Another "Nashik pati"....



Water level of Godavari river increases  largly  in the rainy season.During a flood,most of the temples at panchavati go under water.Hence to find the water level,the level markings are done on many poles.


Saptshrungi temple (Not the original one at Vani) at Panchavati.They have created a look alike idol of Saptshrungi Devi in a smaller size.


Ganesha at Sundar Narayan Temple,Panchavati (built in 1756)



Night view of  Panchavati




Hotels Near CBS



There are many hotels near CBS.  Most of the hotels contain many dishes on the menu card...but  have very few dishes actually prepared.

Go to any hotel for morning  nashta ,and you will get only Idli sambhar,Medu vada and upma...no matter how big or expensive that hotel is..situation remains the same...
If you are really lucky...You may also get Dosa for the nashta.but, Do not expect much.Or else you will get really disappointed.


Following are the hotels in CBS area which we visited personally during our journey :

Hotel Padma (veg,non veg,bar)  :
Food **         Rates: Medium
(Good for lodging.Gives a nice view from balcony.Good service.Food is average)

Hotel Rajmahal(Pure veg) :
 Food *****         Rates:Little bit higher than the Medium
(Really good food with affordable rates.Best place in this area for food and lodging.Looks costlier from outside due to flashy facade.But it is really reasonable and worth visiting.Do not forget to try Masala Tak)

Maharashtriyan Nashta Point(Pure veg)   :
 Food   ****       Rates: Medium
(Very good for chaat and other snacks)

Hotel Priya(Pure veg)  :      Food ****         Rates:Medium
(Very good for panjabi dishes)

Hotel Samrat (pure veg) :    Food **            Rates: Expensive

Hotel Kamat(Pure veg)  :    Food **            Rates: Expensive

Padmalakshi (Pure veg) :    Food *              Rates: Medium


8 comments:

Hitendra Koyande said...

ekdam jabardast.............:)

Swanand Gadgil said...

If you want DH Part 2 Countdown Clock you can find it right on my blog. I have embedded it. Photos are brilliant. Review is also good.

Baban Palsule said...

Hi Nisha
I had been to Nashik twice but missed many of the beautiful places you have shown. Rreally marvellous work you have done. Next time when at Nashik at Chandu I will make it a point to visit all the places,
Further whenever my friends wish to visit Nashik I will show them your blog in advance.
So extensively you have phtograped I thought I am roaming in Nashik itself

NIsha joshi said...

Thank u so much !!!

jadibutishop said...

bahut badhiya ...
http://jadibutishop.blogspot.com

Shruthi Sethi said...

Really great site..keep the good work...

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