The holy town of Nashik is known to be an important Hindu pilgrimage center. Located on the banks of the Godavari River, this city is at the foothills of the mountains on the Western Ghats. In the state of Maharashtra, this city is also popularly known as the grape and wine capital of the country. While Nashik has numerous tourist hotspots, some of the most popular ones are Panchavati temple complex, Sitagufa, Ramkund, Godavari, Tringalwadi Fort, Muktidham and the Sula Vineyard. However, if you are on a holy trail and wish to visit the sacred temples around Nashik, the following three would be the best picks.
Trimbakeshwar Temple
Considered to be one of the holiest temples in India, the Trimbakeshwar Temple plays home to one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. Situated at the foot of the Brahmagiri Hills, this holy spot is in the city of Trimbak, which is also mentioned in the sacred Mrityunjaya Mantra which is believed to bestow longevity and immortality. The 18th century Maratha king, Peshwa Nana Saheb, constructed the temple, which is an epitome of perfect classic architecture. This temple always has tourist and pilgrim movement throughout the year, and its shikhara oversees it all. Kusavarta, considered to be the source of the Godavari River, adds more sanctity to this temple town.
Hire Mumbai to Nashik cabs and stop by to witness the three faced Jyotirlingas, symbolizing Lord Vishnu, Lord Rudra, and Lord Brahma. When you are done paying your respects to the Lord, turn towards the mountains carpeted in rich vegetation. These slopes provide a fun hiking trail for the thrill seekers. With cascading waterfalls, the town is enclosed with bewitching and serene landscapes.
ShaniShingnapur
Situated in the state of Maharashtra, ShaniShingnapur is a village in the Nevasataluk of the Ahmednagar district. Known for its sacredness, the town houses the temple of Shani, who is the Hindu god related to the planet Saturn. The temple town is 35km away from the Ahmednagar city and can be easily accessed in a Nashik taxi. An interesting fact about this town is that no house in the entire village has any doors. One can see only door frames everywhere. Despite this fact, there was no theft reported in Shingnapur until the year 2010.
The ShaniShingnapur is considered to be a live temple or a jagrutdevasthan which means that a deity still lives inside the temple icon. It is believed that anyone attempting theft is punished by Lord Shani. Swayambhu is the deity in the temple and is believed to have emerged on its own from the ground in the form of a black, imposing stone.
Igatpuri
Blessed with natural beauty and a picturesque view for adventure seekers and nature lovers, the location of Igatpuri houses some of the tallest peaks in the Sahyadri range of mountains. It is also the main railway station in the state of Maharashtra, serving as a connection between the surrounding cities. A popular hill station, Igatpuri is located in the Western Ghats in the district of Nashik. It is about 130km away from the city of Mumbai, providing easy access to Nashik and its holy town.
Other than its natural sparkle, Igatpuri is known for its religious significance. Pictured against the backdrops of the Durbar Utvad, Harihar and Trimak mountains, the Ghantadevi Temple is considered to be the protector of these Ghats. While in Igatpuri, visit the ancient temple constructed in Hemadpanti style, called as Amruteshwar temple. The city also plays home to the Trimbakeshwar Temple.
