Believed to the place where Lord Rama chose to spend his fourteen years of exile Nasik is a highly revered city in India. It is a significant part of Maharashtra state and is a city, a municipality, and a district. Blessed by the holy river Godavari and several other rivers that flow through the city Nasik is one of the prime agricultural cities. It is also a financial centre home to a large number of industries. The place is the state's third largest city after Mumbai and Pune. The lush green city purportedly has the best all around year climate which also makes it one of the best livable places in the country. It has a rapidly growing real estate industry and is also one of the significant centers of education. There is an infinitely long list of allures and attraction that develops huge interest amongst tourists. One of the prime attractions is the Kumbh Mela which is amongst the biggest religious festivals in the world, celebrated once in 12 years in four of the holiest cities, and Nasik being one of them.
Nasik is located on north-west region of the parent state at an altitude of 600 meters above the sea level. Aurangabad is to the east and Thane is to the west of the city. There is an intersection of two National Highways, NH 3 and NH 50. It is very well-connected to the nearby Maharashtrian cities via a large network of roads with frequent inter and intra state buses connecting the cities. The city is served by 3 to 4 railway stations housing some of the best budget hotels in Nashik in the vicinity. The main railway station is the Nasik Road Railway Station which is about 10 k.m. away from the city centre. All railway stations are served by regular and express trains connecting the place to rest of India.
As the legend states, Nashik is the place where Lord Rama made his home during the exile of 14 years. It is also the same place where Lakshmana cut off Surpanakha's nose. It is based on this belief that the place came to be known as Nasik; Nashik is the distorted version of Nasika which means nose. The city is home to a number of temples and religious sites which form the imperative parts of city's culture and tourism. Located a few kilometers from the city's centre is the place called Ramkund, also known as Triveni Sangam. The place is the site where Godavari River unites with rivers Varuni and Tharuni. The conflux is said to be an auspicious place as it is believed that Lord Rama used to bathe on a tank situated here. At present pilgrims flock the place take a dip in the tank and worship the lord.
Another popular attraction of the region is Trimbakeshwar, which is one of the 12 holiest Jyotirlingas. It is a world famous pilgrimage and the site where the river Godavari originates. The shrine houses a Shiva Lingam at the sanctum and it is believed that one will attain salvation after worshipping the lord. There is also sacred tank in the temple complex and taking a holy bath before entering the main sanctum is the customary thing to do.
Amongst the other significant attractions of the city, some are: Muktidham Temple, Deolali, Trimbakeshwar, Someshwar Temple, Kalaram Temple, Gangapur Dam, Panchavati, Coin Museum, Veer Savarkar Smarak, Harihar Fort, Tringalwadi Fort, and Kashyapi Dam. The good thing is that most of the tourist attractions are either in close proximity or are well connected to the hotels in Nashik.
Simply head to the temple city for a memorable vacation and spend some time exploring the religion dominated culture of India.