Situated on the banks of the Godavari River, Nashik is a holy city and a popular tourist destination among Hindu pilgrims. Nashik is one of the four places in India where Kumbh Mela is celebrated vibrantly every 12 years. It is also popular as the wine capital of India, as half of India’s vineyards and wineries are situated here. Nashik tourist places are famous for being the most spectacular delights in the country. While some of them have spiritual significance, others are a treat to the eye! Nashik tourist places bring you the tales of ancient heritage, spiritual sojourns and an insight into the best winemaking!
If you are planning to visit the city soon, book your affordable accommodation at Treebo Hotels in Nashik to further elevate your travel experience.
Read on to know more about the beautiful places in Nashik
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Nashik tourist places: For resting and relaxation
1. Sula Vineyard
Sula is the leading player in the wine industry and has won several accolades so far. Rightly so! Renowned for the quality of its grape vines, this vast estate is open to the public for wine tasting and a tour of the vineyard. Home to sixty wineries, Sula Vineyard also lets tourists enjoy themselves during the grape stomping activity between January and March.
Other attractions include a resort, two restaurants, a gift shop and a bottle shop, making it one of the best Nashik tourist places. If you look around, you will see that their vineyards are some of the most beautiful places in Nashik, a visual treat to the eye!
2. Igatpuri Hill Station
This wonderfully green valley full of waterfalls, forests, birds and a wildlife sanctuary is a great place for a one-day trip near Nashik. It lets you rest and recuperate from the stresses of the daily grind which every city imposes on its denizens. For those who want to find real peace, Igatpuri also offers the Vipassana Meditation Academy which imposes silence on its participants and helps them find themselves. This meditation centre is the main reason why people consider Igatpuri one of the best Nashik tourist places.
Also Read: VIPASSANA MEDITATION CENTRE: 15 BEST FOR AWAKENING THE MIND AND HEALING YOUR INNER SELF
Places to visit in Nashik: Religious Sites
1. Kalaram Temple
This old Hindu shrine is dedicated to Kala (swarthy or black-complexioned) Rama, a Hindu God and an avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is among the most visited Nashik tourist places, owing to its impressive architecture and peaceful atmosphere. Built around 1788 by a devotee whose dream directed him to God’s idol in the river Godavari, this may be considered to be the most important Hindu temple in the city.
2. Muktidham
This marble temple complex which honours various Hindu Gods is one of the major Nashik tourist places and is also among the most beautiful places in Nashik. The 12 Jyotirlinga replicas here were sanctified by being sent to their respective originals across India. The paintings in Lord Krishna’s temple depicting scenes from Mahabharata and the life of Krishna by an eminent painter, Raghuvir Mulgaonkar, are an additional attraction.
Where to Stay: Hotels Near Muktidham Mandir Nashik
3. Sri Someshwar Temple
This beautiful temple is among the famous Nashik tourist places, as the surroundings are peaceful and inviting. Nature lovers will absolutely adore visiting this place. The temple offers a panoramic view of the Godavari River, in an elegant curved path. The open ground near the bank of the Godavari River is the perfect picnic spot near Nashik for families with children. They can enjoy boating along the vast expanse of the Godavari.
4. Dharmachakra Jain Temple
Visit here to see the 12-ton statue of the 24 Tirthankaras at the sprawling temple complex built of white marble and pink sand. Facilities like food and stay are exceptional, and non-Jains also find themselves enjoying their visit to the magnificent place. This is among those Nashik tourist places that stand out for their exceptional architecture. Also, it is one of the best places to visit if you are looking for places in Nashik for weekend getaway.
5. Sundarnarayan Temple
Built by Gangadhar Yashwant Chandrachud in 1756, this temple of Sundar Narayan (or beautiful Narayan or Lord Vishnu) showcases Mughal architectural style in its arched recesses. When you go in and see the idols, you will find Lakshmi to the Lord’s right side and Saraswati to his left. The gorgeous temple is built in such a way that the rays of the rising sun fall directly upon the idols in the sanctum sanctorum. This phenomenon is very evident on every March 21st.
6. Naroshankar Temple
This beautiful temple of Rameshwar was built by Naroshankar Rajebahadur in 1747, in the Maya style of architecture. The main temple is built on an elevated platform and the sculpture and designs on the walls are striking with decorative lacework and depictions of birds, animals, trees and nature in general. It is one of the best Nashik tourist places to explore if you are a fan of ancient art.
7. Sita Gufaa
Believed to have been the place from where Ravana kidnapped Sita in the Ramayana, this is one of the religiously significant Nashik tourist places. Also, it is the perfect place to visit on your one-day trip near Nashik, especially if you have kids with you. Sita Gufa is exactly located in a place called Panchvati where Ram, Sita and Lakshman were supposed to have lived in Vanavasa (a penance requiring a stay in the forest).
Also, visit Tapovan where Lakshmana is said to have cut off Shoorpanakha’s nose. The eleven cavernous caves as well as the five banyan trees are other tourist attractions here. This is a very nice one-day picnic spot near Nashik where you can teach your children about the mighty valour of the warriors of Ramayana, and how they fought for ‘Dharma’.
8. Saptashrungi
The temple of Saptashrungi Nivasini (Goddess Living on Seven Hills) is ancient and said to have been visited by Rama, Sita and Lakshman when they lived at Panchvati. These majestic hills are incredibly fertile and beautiful to look at. The forests on the hills are full of medicinal herbs and enjoy a distinct connection to the Ramayana, as being the hills where Hanuman obtained the Sanjeevani herb for Lakshmana when he was knocked unconscious in battle. This temple will prove to be the perfect near Nashik picnic spot for a one-day trip.
9. Trimbakeshwar Temple
This Shiva temple is among the most famous Nashik tourist places and was built between three hills, Brahmagiri, Nilagiri and Kalagiri. It houses three lingams to represent the three major Gods of the Hindu Pantheon: Shiv, Vishnu and Brahma. The Trimbakeshwar temple is one of the 12 places where devotees can find a Jyotirlinga, the pillar of light, without a beginning or an end. This represents the supreme reality in Hinduism.
Nashik Tourist Places: Natural and Historical Sites
1. Pandavleni Caves
Located 8 km south of Nashik, the Pandavleni caves are the perfect spots for an eventful one-day trip near Nashik. These are a group of 24 caves which date back to the 1st century BC to the 2nd century AD. Except for Cave 18 which is a Chaitya, all the caves are viharas and the place is considered a holy Buddhist site. These beautiful and ancient rock-cut temples offer us a glimpse into the past and showcase the craftsman skills of ancient humans.
2. Ramsej Fort
Ramsej Fort is one of the very important Nashik tourist places. Tt helped Maharashtra’s invincible stand against invasion by the Mughal armies for six and half years before it fell to treachery when the leader of the forces himself succumbed to bribery. Replete with history and representative of the pride of the Marathas, this Fort is a major tourist attraction and one of the best places in Nashik for a weekend getaway.
3. Anjaneri Hills
Once again of religious significance, Anjaneri is an exquisite attraction and one of the most sought-after Nashik tourist places. It is the ideal near Nashik picnic spot for those who are seeking some calm and tranquillity. Considered to be the birthplace of Hanuman, the hill is named after the mother of Hanuman, Anjana Devi. You will find 108 Jain caves here dating back to the 12th century. The image of Hanuman here has 5 heads, unlike in any other temple in India.
4. Salher
This peak is the second highest in Maharashtra (the first being Kalsubai). It stands mighty tall at 1567 metres and is home to one of the celebrated forts of the Maratha rulers. Famous for its significance during the reign of Shivaji, Salher has a twin fort, Salota, close by. The Battle of Salher, in which over one lakh soldiers participated, was fought here in 1672 and won by Shivaji Maharaj. This is the ideal one-day picnic spot near Nashik for the history buffs.
5. Dugarwadi Waterfall
This impressive waterfall is all about pristine surroundings and lush greenery. The hills here are topped by clouds and the fog mesmerises visitors with its cosy embrace. People looking for places in Nashik for weekend getaway must definitely consider exploring this cascading wonder. Visiting the waterfall requires a 1 to 2 km walk, and caution if visiting during rains as the water level could increase very suddenly.
6. Harihar Fort
This fort which once belonged to the glorious and flourishing Yadava dynasty lies in ruins today. The climb to the top covers a 60-meter path of rock-cut steps. It is an amazing experience and you could find accommodation on the fort itself or in the villages surrounding the fort. Don’t miss the rock-cut water cisterns at the centre of the fort.
7. Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary
Also known as the Bharatpur of Maharashtra, this bird sanctuary is a great destination for anyone interested in watching birds from a close range. It is a great one-day picnic spot near Nashik. A variety of birds can be found here, including the migratory birds. This is an environmentally rich area with diverse flora and fauna. Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary also offers you a chance to explore the nearby dam and a museum.
Nashik is a remarkable destination that boasts its natural beauty, amazing tourist places, religious temples, and historic fortifications. All the Nashik tourist places have an interesting story behind them, making your trip an ideal time to decode the mysteries of the past. The association of Nashik with Ramayana is an important aspect of its attraction for the religiously inclined.
Whoever thought they could go grape stomping and wine tasting without heading to the vineyards of Europe and paying for the experience in Euros? If you’ve already been to Nashik, do not hesitate to tell us about your experiences at the wonderful place! Leave your travel snippets in the comment section below.
