Kumbh
Mela
The
Kumbh
Mela,
is
said
to
be
the
largest
religious
gathering
on
the
earth,well
promoted
by
the
Maharashtra
tourism.
It
is
a
major
attraction
of
the
city,
visited
by
innumerable
devotees.
The
pilgrimage
occurs
four
times
every
twelve
years,
once
at
each
of
four
holy
sites
of
India.
These
sites
are
Nasik,
Allahabad,
Ujjain
and
Haridwar.
The
Allahabad
Kumbh
Mela
is
the
largest
and
the
holiest
of
them.
The
Mela
is
famous
for
the
huge
number
of
Hindu
holy
men,
who
gather
here
during
this
time.
During
this
fair
millions
of
devotees'
dip
into
the
river
Godavari.
It
is
believed
that
this
holy
dip
will
cleanse
their
souls
leading
to
salvation.
One
of
the
major
event
of
the
festival
is
a
ritual
bath
taken
at
a
predetermined
time.
The
annual
festival
of
Shivratri
is
also
celebrated
with
great
excitement
and
enthusiasm
inviting
thousands
of
pilgrims.
Special
arrangements
are
made
by
the
state
government
for
the
devotees
coming
here.
There
are
many
guest
houses
and
Dharamshala's
here
for
the
visitors
and
pilgrims
to
stay.
Ghats
are
cleaned
and
security
measures
are
taken.
Thus,
the
government
tries
its
best
to
make
the
Kumbh
Mela,
a
peaceful
and
serene
experience.
Panchavati
Panchwati
is
situated
in
the
northern
part
of
Nashik.
According
to
a
legend
Lord
Shri
Ram
and
Sita
along
with
Lakshman
(also
spelt
as
Laxman)
stayed
at
Panchavati
for
some
time.
Thus,
it
is
a
significant
place.
Panchavati
derives
its
name
from
the
five
Banyan
('Vad')
trees
present
here.
Sita
Gumpha
The
literal
meaning
of
Gumpha
is
a
cave,
the
Sita
Gumpha
is
located
near
the
five
Banyan
trees
in
Panchavati.
It
is
one
of
the
major
attractions
of
Nasik.
There
is
a
narrow
staircase
used
to
enter
the
cave.
In
the
cave
one
can
see
idols
of
Shree
Ram,
Laxman
and
Sita.
It
is
believed
that
Ravan
kidnapped
Sita
from
the
same
place.
Sundarnarayan
Temple
This
temple
is
situated
at
the
corner
of
Ahillyabai
Holkar
Bridge
in
Nasik.
Gangadhar
Yashwant
Chandrachud
built
it
in
the
year
1756.
The
worshiped
deity
of
this
temple
is
Lord
Vishnu,
who
is
also
known
as
Sundarnarayan.
Modakeshwar
Ganesh
Temple
The
Modakeshwar
Ganesh
Temple
is
another
famous
temple
of
Nasik.
The
idol
in
the
temple
is
believed
to
be
self
emerged
and
is
also
known
as
'Swaymbhu'.
The
temple
derives
its
name
from
the
'Modak'
a
special
Maharastrian
dish
made
of
coconut
and
jaggery.
This
dish
is
considered
to
be
Lord
Ganesh's
favorite.
Ramkund
The
Ramkund
in
the
river
Godavari,
attracts
innumerable
pilgrims.
Here
devotees
take
a
holy
dip.
The
Ramkund
is
considered
the
'Ganges
of
the
south'.
It
is
the
spot
from
where
the
river
Godavari
turns
to
right
at
an
angle
of
90
degrees.
It
is
said
that
Lord
Rama
took
a
bath
here,
during
his
stay
at
Nasik.
Thus,
it
is
a
significant
place.
Kalaram
Temple
The
Kalaram
temple
is
one
of
the
most
important
temples
located
in
the
Panchavati
area
of
Nasik.
This
temple
was
built
in
1794
by
Gopikabai
Peshwa.
The
architecture
of
this
temple
is
outstanding
with
the
motif
similar
to
that
of
the
Trimbakeshwar
Temple.
The
unique
feature
of
this
temple
is
that
it
was
built
with
black
stones.