Panchavati :River Godavari flows through Nashik and
its Northern part is called as Panchavati. It is said that lord Shri Ram
and Sita along with Laxman stayed at Panchavati for some time. Thus
Panchavati has gained holy importance. 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 (i.e. Cave) 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.
To the
left, one can enter into the cave having the Shiva Linga. Devotees believe
that Ravan kidnapped Sita from the same place.
Ramkund/Gandhi Memorial 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. Situated nearby is Gandhi Lake (Talav) having a
memorable monument made out of white marble, in memory of the Father of
the Nation. The ashes were dropped in Ramkund after Gandhiji passed
away on 30th January 1948. Mr. Nehru was also present on this
occasion.
Kalaram mandir Another important temple is that of
Kala Ram. This temple was built by Peshwas. There are great processions
and utsav on Ramnavami,
Dasara and Chaitra Padwa (Hindu new year day). The specialty of the temple
is that it was built with black stones.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. The apex of the temple is made up of 32 tons
of gold. In 1930, Dr. Ambedkar performed Satyagraha, to allow the entry
of Harijans into the temple.
Naroshankar Temple :
Situated in Panchavati area, on the bank of river Godavari - fondly called
as anga by Nasikites - isNaroshankar Temple of Rameshwar built by
Naroshankar Rajebahaddur in 1747. The architectural style of the temple is
called "Maya" style. It is one of the most beautiful pieces of temple
architecture of the 18th century. The main temple is on a platform. Rather
than inside of the temple, sculpture on the outer part is stunning.
It has rows of striking designs. One layer is of decorative lacework. The
next one is that of peacocks holding bead garlends. In four directions are
statues of the saints in Padmasana - one holding rosary, the other one a
holy book - they are all scholars. Some of the statues are deformed -
their hands are broken. There is also an assembly of animals -
tigers, monkeys,elephants etc. This depicts that Hindu culture is not
limited only to human beings but also has relation with birds,
animals, trees, and nature in general.
The temple is surrounded by 11
feet fortification. In its four corners are umbrellas - called "Meghadambari" or
"Barasati". One of them was washed away by Godavari
floods and only three are existing presently. The fortification also
centres a "Bell house" in the front part. The famous bell , called
"Naroshankar Bell" is fixed there. The bell is a victory memorial over
Portuguese. The Maratha Ruler Bajirao Peshwa’s younger brother
Chimaji Appa won the fort of Vasai against Portuguese. The
famous knight of Peshwas - Mr Naroshankar Rajebahaddur played a
critical role in this war. After winning the fort, Vasai Portuguese
Church bell was removed, marched on elephant till Nashik with great
celebration and offered to Naroshankar as a medal - an award
for his bravery. It is made of bronze, with six feet diameter.
The year engraved on it is 1921. The bell jingle can be heard up to 5
miles, it is said. This bell and its ringing is so famous that a
phrase is coined after it in Marathi. If a woman is talking in a
very high pitch, she is called "Naroshankarachi ghanta". Recently renovation of the bell is undertaken by the Municipal
Corporation of Nashik.
Sundarnarayan Temple :Sundarnarayan temple is situated at the
corner of Ahillyabai Holkar Bridge. The story goes like this : Vrinda Devi
was a very pious and faithful wife of Jalandar - a wicked demon.
Jalandar, a mighty crook, was the devotee of Lord Shiva. Pleased with his
prayers and impressed by Jalandar's wife's chastity, Lord Shiva gave him a
boon that made him immortal. With this boon, Jalandar became vicious and
started creating havoc on earth. He not only troubled human beings, but
also disturbed the Gods. He even ventured to pick up a quarrel with Lord
Shiva himself. It became necessary to eliminate him which was contrary to
the boon given by Lord Shiva. The only way out was to suspect Vrinda
Devi's chastity. For this task Lord Vishnu duplicated himself to look like
Jalandar and lived with Vrinda Devi. Thus her chastity was suspected and
the boon given to Jalandar was withdrawn and he was destroyed. When Vrinda
Devi came to know of the trick played by Lord Vishnu, she got furious and
cursed Lord Vishnu. His attractive body turned black due to the curse.
Lord Vishnu took a holy bath in the river Godavari and regained his
complexion. Since he became beautiful again, - the Lord is named as
Sundarnarayana. Sundar in Marathi means beautiful.
The Sundarnarayan temple is
built by Gangadhar Yashwant Chandrachud in 1756. The entrance of the
temple is to the East. The two Mandaps may be small but their architecture
is attractive and the round dome is made by little ornamental cordons. The
arched recesses are impressions by Mughal style because during the Mughal
Regime many temples were demolished by Muslims and graveyards were built
in their place. The main deity is of Lord Vishnu - alias Narayana . To his
left and right are Laxmi and Saraswati respectively. Fine design is carved
on the stones of the temple. On the road leading towards Godavari River
there is pond named Badarika Sangam Pond. It is said that the king of
Devgiri bathed and performed rites in this pond. We also find a mention of
this pond in the holy book Dnyaneshwari. One remarkable thing about this
temple is that it is built at such an angle that on 21st March, rays of
the rising Sun first fall exactly upon the idols.
Godavari Temple : The Godavari Temple was built
by Elder Madhavrao Peshwa's mother, Gopikabai in 1760. This temple is open
for devotees only during the period of Kumbhamela (once in 12 years) for
13 months. It is also called Ganga Temple.

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