Nashik is an ancient city and the largest city in the northern region of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is situated on the banks of the River Godavari and surrounded by nine hills. Nashik is popularly known as the "Wine and Grape capital of India". Nashik is recognised as one of the destinations for the famous KumbhMela.

Districts/Region

Nashik District, Maharashtra, India.

History

Nashik was known as Panchavati before the Ramayana period. Lord Rama, the King of Ayodhya, made Nashik his place of residence during his 14 years in exile. At the same place Lord Laxman, on the command of his elder brother of Lord Rama, cut the nose of 'Surpanakha' thus this city was named as "Nashik ''. It is even known as the 'lands of the brave' during the regime of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The most important historical significance is that KumbhMela is held at Nashik once in twelve years, out of 4 places in India.

Geography

Nashik is located on the banks of the Godavari River in North Maharashtra. Nashik is the third-largest city in Maharashtra after Mumbai & Pune. Nashik lies in the northern part of Maharashtra state at 0.7 KM (2,300 ft) above mean sea level which offers an ideal temperature variation, particularly in winters. Located 212 KM to the north of Pune, 183 KM to the west of Aurangabad and 167 KM to the northeast of Mumbai.

Weather/Climate

The average annual temperature in Nashik is 24.1 degrees Celsius.
Winters are extreme in this region, and the temperature goes as low as 6 degrees Celsius. 
The sun is very harsh during summers. Nashik gets more rain during summer than winters. The temperature during summer goes above 38 degrees Celsius.
The average annual rainfall is around 1134 mm. 

Things to do

Nashik is considered the spiritual capital of Maharashtra. Tourists can visit various pilgrim places in and around Nashik. Various tourists gather for the KumbhMela, which is held once in twelve years in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar. 
Nashik is also popularly known as the Wine capital of India; one can visit vineyards and take wine tasting tours. Sula festival is organised around January to February, where artists from International and National music bands perform. Gangapur Dam provides water sports facilities and explores scenic beauty. Tourists can visit places like Someshwar which is a picnic point around Nashik and it has scenic beauty as well as Dudhsagar waterfall. During Navratri season, the city gets illuminated with lights and fairs for ten days.

Nearest tourist places

One can plan to visit the following tourist places along with Nashik:

• DadasahebPhalke Museum: It is located within Nashik City on Mumbai road (NH 3), about 8 KM from Central Bus Stand. DadasahebPhalke was the legendary person who was the progressive spirit behind the century-old Indian Cinema. He was born in Nashik on 30th April 1870. In 1913 he produced the first Indian film Raja Harishchandra and in the span of about 20 years he produced around 95 films and 26 documentaries in a studio which was set up in this city. This memorial is a tribute to this great insightful personality popularly know as the Father of Indian Cinema.
• Gargoti Museum: The Mineral Museum is situated in the Malegaon industrial area of Sinnar which is at a distance of 28 KM from Nashik city. Sinnar is a small town, famous for the award-winning mineral museum called Gargoti Museum. It is the only museum in India that displays the mineral treasures of the earth like rocks, minerals and crystals of distinguishedcharacteristics such as colour, texture, shape and appearance.
• Panchavati: Panchvati is situated on the left bank of the sacred River Godavari in Nashik city in the vicinity ofKalaram temple, there are some very old and huge banyan trees which are believed to be sprung from five banyans which gave its name to Panchvati.The name ‘Panchvati’ is derived from the words Panch which mean five and Vati which means banyan tree. This is the site where Ram kunda and Sita’s Cave is situated. Kalaram temple, Kapaleshwar temple, Ganga Godavari temple, Sunder Narayan temple, Talkuteshwar temple are some of the prominent temples in the region.
• Pandav caves: These caves are located on thePandavleni hill at the outskirts of Nashik city on Nashik Mumbai road (NH3) DadasahebPhalkesmarak is setup at the foot of this hill. These caves are built on the Trirasmi hill about 3004 feet above the sea. These caves are a group of old Buddhist caves (B.C.250- A.D.600). They are built in such a way that their construction saves them from the sun and the south-west trains hence much of the carved work and many long and most valuable inscriptions are still maintained unharmed through the long time period of 1500-2000 years. 
• Trimbakeshwar Temple: ShriTrimbakeshwar Temple is located at a distance of about 28 KM from Nashik, Maharashtra near the mountain named Brahamagiri from which the River Godavari originates. It is believed to be constructed by the third Peshwa Balaji Bajirao (1740-1760) on the site of an old temple. Trimbakeshwar Temple is a religious centre having one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
• Shree Saptshrungi Gad Vani: Shree Saptshrungi Gad is situated at a distance of 60 KM from Nashik in KalwanTahsil. The temple is situated at an altitude of 4659 ft above sea level, on a hill which is surrounded by seven peaks. It is considered to be Ardha (half) Shaktipeeth out of three and a half Shakti Peethas in Maharashtra. The statue of the goddess is about eight feet high, carved in relief out of the natural rock. She has eighteen hands, nine on each side, each hand has grasped different weapon.
• MangiTungi Temple and hill station: MangiTungi Temple is 125 KM from Nashik, located in SatanaTaluka. Mangi is the western summit which is 4,343 ft and Tungi is the eastern summit which is 4,366 ft high above sea level. This holy place is related to Lord Ram & Sita, Lord Krishna & his elder brother Balram. 

Special food speciality and hotel

Nashik is famous for Maharashtrian cuisine. Along with that, street foods like Misalpaav and Vadapaav are the special dishes. Nashik is famous for Chivda. Dishes like PuranPoli and Shrikhandpuri are considered special dishes during the festive season.

Accommodation facilities nearby & Hotel/ Hospital/Post Office/Police station

Various hotels and resorts are available in Nashik. 
Nashik has numerous hospitals in the city.
General Post Office is located at a distance of 1.4 KM.
Nearest Police station is located at 280 mts.
Nashik is accessible throughout the year. The places around it can be best enjoyed during monsoon season i.e. June to September. Winter is also the best season to visit Nashik. The best months to visit are October to March.
English, Hindi, Marathi

Visiting Rule and Time, Best month to visit

Nashik is accessible throughout the year. The places around it can be best enjoyed during monsoon season i.e. June to September. Winter is also the best season to visit Nashik. The best months to visit are October to March.

Language spoken in area 

English, Hindi, Marathi