Nashik

Nashik is one of the world's holiest Hindu cities. Kumbhmela is held here once in 12 years along with four other cities in India. Lord Rama along with Lakshmana and Sita spent 14 years of his exile at Tapovan near Nashik. The city came under the rule of Mughal in 16th century and was renamed Gulshanabad. Then it comes under Peshwa of Maratha Empire in 1818. City is also noted for its participation in freedom struggle. Freedom fighters like Veer Savarkar and Anant Laxman Kanhere were born in Nashik.
For a long time, the name of the city has changed according to different rulers. Some believe the name "Nashik" was derived after the incident in Ramayana when Lakshman (Sri Ram's brother) chopped off the nose of Surpanakha (Ravan's sister). Another school of thought states that Nashik is a combination of nava shikha - nine summits. It was also named as Gulshnabad by Muslim rulers which was immediately disputed by the residents. It was spelled incorrectly by the British administration, as Nasik but eventually changed to the current Nashik.

Cultural and social

Nashik is well known in India as a gateway city to travel to Shirdi and Trambakeshwar which hosts one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.
It is believed that in antiquity, during transport, the drops of Amrit fell into the Brahma-Kund at Trambakeshwar. This makes it one of the most popular religious travel destinations of India.
Nashik is also known as a transit station for devotees going to Shirdi, the residence of Sai Baba (90 km from Nashik).

Living

Nashik is fairly cosmopolitan city. Marathi is the official language of the city. This is the most common language spoken on the streets, most people may partial understand Hindi and English.
Attitudes in Nashik are liberal. The city used to be very traditional and conservative, but now is an open-minded culture and is gradually developing city.

Art and literature

Nashik is known for it's art and literature contribution. Nashik has one of the biggest public libraries.

Movie

• Shri Dadasaheb Phalke - the founder of the Indian Film industry comes from Nashik. He started movie making in India with the on mythological character “Raja Harishchandra” in 1913. This was the first movie in India. He made 95 movies and 26 short films in the span of 19 years, till 1932 in Nashik.

Music

• Pt. Vishnu Digambar Paluskar was from Nashik, wrote books on classical Indian music. He reinvented notation system suitable to Indian classical music. He also composed notations for the national song of India, Vande Mataram.

Literature

• Bahinabai Chaudhary was a poetess who made poems in spoken Marathi. It was a flawless creation in ample. Once her son realised the value of her poems he started writing it down. Her poems is an invaluable treasure of Marathi literature. The poems reflect real day-to-day life in a rural setting describing the beautiful effects of nature on her life. She also state the philosophy of life in simple humble words.
• V V Shirwadkar alias “Kusumagraj” in a career spanning five decades starting in pre-independence era, he wrote 16 volumes of poems, three novels, eight volumes of short stories, seven volumes of essays, 18 plays and six one-act plays.
• Vasant Kanetkar was a stage drama writer in Marathi language. He wrote 40 three-act plays, all of which were performed on the professional stage. Many of his plays became commercial successes. He has been credited with rejuvenating the Marathi theatre when it was in decline, the age of Sangeet Natak stage musicals—having had come to an end.
• Vinayak Damodar Savarkar re-wrote Indian history from a patriotic point of view. His works are in Marathi language, Saha Soneri Pane (Six golden pages in the History of Hindu Nation) - explaining six Indian empires and their extent. He wrote two books in English named "Hindutwa" and "Hindupadapadshahi" on the history of Marathas. Two of his poems famous are Sagara Pran Talamalala and Jayostute sung by Lata Mangeshkar.

Climate

The climate of Nashik is very pleasant. Nashik has three distinct seasons: summer, monsoon and winter. Summers are typically hot with maximum temperatures ranging from 35 to 42°C. The warmest month in Nashik is generally April as compared to the rest of the Deccan Plateau where it is May. November is normally a very pleasant month.
Nashik does not get very hot. Even during the peak of summer, the air is cool and standing under a tree can give respite form the heat. However, as sunlight can be intense leading to skin tan and sun-burn, be sure to carry and use sunscreens (above SPF-30).
The nights in Nashik are significantly cooler than most other parts in this region owing to its high altitude.
The average rainfall is approx 550mm. The city often receives local and heavy thunder showers with heavy downpours in June, which brings down the temperature. The rainy season can sometimes be gloomy, with cloud cover for days together.
Winters are generally dry and day temperatures can be as low as 24 - 28°C and temperatures at night as low as 5 - 8°C.

By bus

Nashik is 180 Kilometres from Mumbai (Bombay). There are frequent buses to Nashik from Dadar in Mumbai. It takes 4 to 5 hours by road. If you are not around Dadar, you can still take buses from Borivali (a key place on Western Railway Line) OR Thane (a key place on Central Railway Line). Also, a suburban railway (CR) to Kasara can be taken from few suburban railway stations beyond Dadar (like Kurla, Thane or even beyond). Once at Kasara, there are loads of connecting buses to Nashik and many other places, along with ample number of share-taxis (₹50-₹60 per adult passenger, but with cramped sitting). (Kindly note there is no taxi service available in the late night. You can get held up after reaching Kasara Railway Station till the next morning)

Nashik New C B S Bus Stand

is located at Trimbak/Old Agra Roads crossing

By train

Trains called 'Panchavati Express' and 'Godavari Express' also ply daily between Mumbai and Nashik. Word of caution, Nashik is on Central Railway line and Dadar Station is a sort of junction place for Central Railway and Western Railway, so make sure that you are at right side of the station (that is, East-side for Central Railway). There is also a daily train service between Pune and Nashik. It may be noted that the Railway Station (called

Nasik Road

) is about 10 Kilometres away from the main city. However, there are sufficiently frequent services of buses, auto-rickshaws, shared-taxis etc are available at fairly low fares.
You can also go by local from kasara.

By car

You can reach Nashik by road through Mumbai-Nashik Expressway (NH 3) , 167 km approx.

A rented car is the best option to move around the city. There is also a Nashik Darshan bus every day which shows you around the important tourist attractions in Nashik otherwise regional public transport service is also quite nice. Get the ticket for Nashik Darshan bus a day in advance to avoid inconvenience. Alternately you can take cheap and good auto rikshaws.

• Anjaneri ParvatLocated near Trambakeshwar, it is well known for waterfalls during monsoon season.

• Bhaktidhama temple. located on Peth Naka

• Chambhar LeniTemple of Bhagwan Mahavir on a hillock inside a cave.

• College Roadhappening place in Nasik. Malls, Restaurants, Shopping, Multiplex, Bliss Juice Bar, McDonald's, Cafe Coffee Day.

• Deolali Camp Cantonment BoardArtillery centre - Deolali camp's, Lahawit market is for shopping, Deolali South has Khandoba temple hill, golf course, sun rise & set point as well.

• The Someshwar Fall

• Ganga GhatRamkunda, Panchavati

• Goda GhatA popular place to visit.

• The Gangapur Damalways crowded with youngsters.

• Jain Mandirhas a 12 ton Panchdhatu idol of Bhagwan Mahavir. located at Vilholi on Nashik- Mumbai highway.

• Kalaram TempleAn important temple and landmark in panchavati area.

• Mineral Museum

  phone: +91 98906 55592
  address: MIDC, Malegaon, Sinnar
  very precious different types of stones you can see here

• Muktidhambig temple, picnic spot located at Nashik Road

• Nandur-MadhmeshwarA Bird Sanctuary near Niphad. It is a mesmerizing place for nature and bird lovers alike.

• PanchavatiThe most sacred place on Earth.The place where five sacred Banyan trees are still present. All important temples are located in this area.

• Pandavlena CavesBuddhist Caves dating back to 2nd Century BCE. Located on Nashik- Mumbai highway near Pathardi phata, it is on top of a hill. The view of the surrounding countryside including the city of Nashik is worth climbing up for.

• Phalke SmaarakExcellent views, landscape, musical fountain, video songs, Buddha smaarak, water park. located on foot of Pandav Caves hill. A reliable place where most of the people in nasik spend their weekend evenings.

• Ramshej FortLocated near ashewadi village on Peath Road. 7 km from Nashik. Good for a small trekking experience. The fort provides a good view of the whole city from the mountaintop.

• Shree Navashya Ganpati Mandir

  address: Peshwe Colony, Anandwalli
  A temple situated on banks of Godavari River, very scenic views

• Sita GufaaCaves where Lord Ram and Sita worshipped Lord Shiva during their exile. The shivlinga is still present at that same spot. It is believed that Ravana kidnapped Sita from this place. It is always visited by devotees and tourists.

• Someshwartemples, picnic spot, boating , waterfall. located on Gangapur road.

• Sundarnarayan Temple

• TapovanTapobhumi, Shurpanakha's nose fell here, Tasty Guavas, try them out. Once upon a time, it was a part of the sacred Dandakaranya forest. Tapovan is a picturesque place, also contains a close connection with the epic Ramayana.

• TaranganThis planetarium is named after late shri Yashwantrao Chavan and was recently inaugurated by President Mrs Pratibha Patil. Daily 3 shows are conducted 13.30 in English, 15.30 in Hindi and 17.30 in Marathi.

• Trambakeshwar(One of the 12 Jyotirlingas), straight ahead on Trimbak road. This is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India and is the most sacred place in Nashik. Near by is also Brahma giri where lord Shiva performed tandav dance.

• Veda Mandirlocated on Trimbak road.

• Trek in the hills near to Nashik.
• Visit a Stone Age Site - several km from Gangapur village.

• MFL's Zonkers Adventure Park

  phone: +91 98905 54880
  address: Opposite Beyond Resort by Sula, Gangapur-Savargaon Rd
  Features go karting, artificial rock climbing, rope activities, archery and various other activities.

Nashik is famous for its silverware craftsmanship.
The old shopping centre of the city lies in the heart of the city at Main Road. Here you can get everything you need. A lot of upscale shops have mushroomed all over the city in recent years.
Saraf Bazar is place for silverware and ornaments.
Canada corner is always crowded with college going youngsters.
Mahatma Gandhi Marg is the hot shopping destination.
You'll get brands like Lee Cooper, RBK, Adidas, Woodlands, Van Heusen, Proline, Pepe Jeans, D&G, Levis, Provogue, Biba, Fabindia, Spyker and many more .

Malls

• Big Bazaar

  phone: +91 253 661 0900
  address: College Road
• Crosswords , Untwadi
• Nashik Central , Trimbak Naka

• Nashik City Centre Mall

  phone: +91 253 231 9787
  address: Banyan Square, Untwadi
• Pantaloons , Untwadi
• Pinnacle Mall , Golf Club
• Reliance Footprints , Untwadi
• Reliance Living Home , Untwadi
• Reliance Trends , Untwadi
• Westside , Untwadi

And chain stores like Reliance Fresh, Spencer's, Spinach, Subhiksha, more are present all over the city .

Jewellers

• Adgaonkar Saraf, Saraf Bazar, Nashik
• A K Gems - Agni, Nashik Road
• Bafna Jewellers, Tilakwadi, Nashik
• Chnaya Jewellers Prop. Jitendra Mutha, Mob. 9850046531, Old agra road, pimpalgaon baswant.
• Diamond Galaxy - Tanishq, Canada Corner, Nashik
• Govind Dande & Sons, Nashik Road
• Maind Saraf, Saraf Bajar Nashik.
• Mayur Alankar, Saraf Bazar , Gangapur Road , Nashik.
• Mirajkar Jwellers, Saraf Bazar, Trimurti Chowk, Madhli holi Nashik.
• Parekh Jewels, College Road, Nashik
• P.R. Vaishampayan & Sons working under the brand name Sonchafa.
• Rajmal Lakhichand Jewllers, Nashik
• Significant Moments, Nashik
• Surana Jewellers, Canada Corner, Nashik.
• Takle Bandhu, Saraf Bazar, Nashik
• Tanishq Showroom, Samarth Nagar, Nashik.
• Waman Vishnu Throat, Saraf Bazar, Nashik.

Multiplexes

• Cinemax, City Centre Mall
• PVR Cinemas, College Road
• Cinemax Regimental, Nashik Road
• Big Cinemas, New Nashik (Cidco)
• INOX, Nashik Road
• SRS Cinemas, Nashik Road

There are good restaurants all over the city.
Coffee Shops/Cafes on College Road: Bliss Juice Bar , Cafe Bollywood , 12 to 12 , Friendship , Cafe Coffee Day. 12 to 12 is good restaurant for western cuisines.

• The most amazing dining experiences at Nashik are at Emerald Park Hotel. Jharoka serves some amazing Indian food comparable to the best in the country, Dhruva is the roof top barbecue and grill and also has a 24 hour cafe.

• Agrawal Bros K Mithaiwala

  phone: +91 253 250 0603
  address: 63, Shalimar, Next to IMA
  Hot snacks, Sweets, Cold Drinks, Ice-cream. Check out Our Special Samosa
• Bhagvati's Chat: A famous chat joint near Kulkarni Garden on Sharanpur Road

• Brothers roll

• Budha Halwai

  phone: +91 95277 88999
  "Keep Calm and eat Jelebi!" is their motto.
• Bikaneri Bhujiawalla on College Road.
• Bon Appétit Restaurant - Pathardi Phata, Nashik

• Cafe Bliss

  phone: +91 253 234 4150
  address: 6, Rushiraj Tower, Gangapur Road
  Serves 80 types of coffee and tea, and sandwiches, wraps, pizzas, burgers and desserts.

• Cafe xpress

  phone: +91 9960790272
  address: College Road
  There is another branch on Nashik Road.

• Carnival

  address: D'souza Colony
  at College Road serves very good quality Chinese & Indian food.

• Chai Tapri

  phone: +91 253 234 1114
  address: Opp. Dominos, Model Colony, Collage Road
  Loosely translated as "tea shack", Chai Tapri is one of the typical establishments in the area where you can sip tapri tea with locals.

• Chetana dining hall

  phone: +91 253 231 9783, +91 997 515 1555
  address: Old Agra Rd
  Vega restaurant / Traditional Thali meals

• Domino's

  phone: +91 253 231 5833
  address: College Road, Survey No. 712/2A, 2D/118
  Tasty Pizza

• Farmaish Teh Resto Bar

  phone: +91 253 231 0335
  address: 118, College Road, D Souza Colony

• Goli Vada Pav

  phone: +91 93708 90999
  address: College Road
  Indian-style burgers. Other outlets at Sharanpur Road and Indira Nagar (OPP. Raj Sarthi Society.)

• Hotel Hello Family Restaurant & Bar

  phone: +91 253 257 1748
  address: Sharanpur Link Road

• Hotel Samrat

  phone: +91 253 257 7211
  address: Old Agra Rd
  24 Hour restaurant serving Gujrathi Thali and pure veg Indian dishes

• Jalaram Sweets

  phone: +91 253 230 7150
  address: College Road
  Serves amazing chaats along with a range of sweets. One should not miss their Kachori, Samosa and Khajur/Imli Chutney.

• Kokni Darbar Restaurant

  address: Doodh Bazar
  If you want to eat something really tasty visit Kokni Darbar for mughlai and North Indian food. The service is good.
• Kondaji Chivda very famous from Nashik.

• Little Italy

  address: Sula Road
  Italian food at prices lowers than their other branches across the country.

• Maharashtra Bhandar

  phone: +91 253 2311010
  address: Patil Lane No. 3, College Road, Nashik - 422005
  On College Road is a "Khau Ghar" offering all types of delicious, home-made snacks and sweetmeats, like Laddus, Chivda, Karanji, Shev, Chakli, Farsaan, pickles and sweets.

• Mamaj Pavbhaji

  address: College Road, D'souza Colony
  Mama's serves piping hot pav bhaaji and all kinds of chaat items.

• McDonalds

  phone: +91 253 325 5976
  address: on College Road
  serves good burgers and is popular in the evenings.

• Mehfil

  phone: +91 253 324 7555, +91 988 1181636
  address: Yashica Plaza, Govind Nagar, Mumbai Agra road
  Fine ingredients, fresh meats, produce, herbs, delicate spices, an outstanding variety of traditional Indian dishes. Dishes are individually prepared mild, medium, spicy or hot.
• Modern Cafe (formerly named as Parth) has good Marathi fare.

• Nandan sPani Puri and other chat on college road.

• Nesta Coffee Shop

  address: Mumbai - Agra Road, Nashik

• Pangat

  phone: +91 253 257 2291
  address: 430, MG Road, Chandak Vadi, Panchavati
  Inside the hotel Panchavati Yatri. Traditional Thali dishes. Very popular with the locals too. Another popular vegetarian restaurant in this hotel is Sukh Sagar open 24 hours

• Rim-zim Ice Gola

• Rolls & Keema

• Rolls Club

• Sachin Foods, near Raviwar Karanja, famous for samosa and chat.

• Sagar Sweets

  address: on College Road and Gangapur Road
  is famous for sweets, namkeens, packaged food products, chat.
• Salim's Tea at the corner of BYK Commerce College is a favourite hang-out of college students.

• Sayantarain Bhadrakali area, behind the fruit market. Famous for soft, tasty Sabudana vada.

• Shoukin bhel

  address: at Nehru garden
  yummy tasty bhel!

• Smokin Joe

• Subway

  address: college road

• Tadka Pure Veg. Family Restaurant

  phone: +91 96899 72713
  address: Jail Road, Dream Mini Market

• Talk of the Town

  phone: +91 253 2571961
  address: Trimbak Road
  Good place where you can get yummy Punjabi food.

• Three Sixty Degrees Coffee Shop

  address: Talegaon, Nashik

• Thunder Point Juice World

  phone: +91 253 231 3338
  address: Gangapur Road, Thatte Nagar
  Fast food.

• Tulsa Snacks

  address: Ravivar karanja chowk
  Delicious Maharashtrian snacks pohe, upama and sabudana khichadi.

• Viju sDabeli and sandwich

Other

• Chinese : Seble Hotel , Trimbak road, Carnival College Road, 21st century, Sharanpur Road
• One Should not miss the famous Krushnai Vada Pav ( an Indian burger served with chillies) at the Circle Cinema, The Shop located at Ashok Stumbh
• Other Family Dining: Patang, and Purohit.
• Missal: Vihar at Gangapur naka, A tapri near Raviwar Karanja (next to Pethe High School),Tushar on college road, Ambika near Panchvati Karanja, Sham-sundar Satpur MIDC (see below)
• Other Thali Hotels: Purohit, Rajdhani
• Traditional Marathi Cuisine: Saheba, Mumbai Naka

Famous Missal Joints

Missal is a hot and tasty curry dish from Maharashtra. Missal literally means 'Mix'. It is served with Pav (Indian name for baked bread). There are lots of variations to the cooking and the way it is served. It is mostly hot in taste.

• Sadhana Restaurant - Chulivarachi Misal, Survey No 71, Gangapur-Satpur Link Road, Bardan Phata, Nashik,

• Ambica Missal

  address: Panchavati
  a distinct taste of Black garam Masala made in a very traditional way.
• Hotel Bhagwati, Panchawati Karanja
• Hotel Shamsunder, B Road, Satpur MIDC
• Hotel Sheetal, Old taxi Stand, CBS
• Hotel Sudarshan, Makhamalabad, Nashik.
• Hotel Tuljai, Opp college, College Road.
• Hotel Tushar, Malaria Stop, College Road.
• Hotel Vihar, Near K.V.N.Naik College, Gangapur Naka.
• Maharashtra Hotel, Bytco Point, Nashik Road.
• Nehru Garden, Near Sarda School.
• Om Tea House, Near Bhadrakali Karanja, Bhadrakali.
• Raswanti Missal, Panchavati Karanja
• Shelke Missal, Ravivar Karanja, opp Chandi Ganpati Mandir.
• Pravin missal Panchvati Nashik.

Ice Cream Parlours

• Cream Zone, College Road

• Dairy Don

  phone: +91 253 230 6843, +91 253 230 6844
  address: 1/3, College Road, Patil Colony, Canada Corner

• Dinshaw's Ice Cream Shop

  address: College Road, D'souza Colony
• Eskimozs Pot Ice Cream, Canada corner
• Pastongi, MG Road
• Razzmatazz, College Road
• S K Ice cream Parlour, nashik road

• 21st Century Restaurand & Bar

  address: Sharanpur Road, New Pandit Colony
  Small pub serving tandoor menu. Alcohol is priced

• Banjara

  address: Mahatma Nagar, Parijat Nagar
  Restaurant Bar inside Hotel President Inn. Good service

• Samarth Juice Centre and Cafe

  phone: +91 253 250 6067
  address: Raviwar Karanja, Panchavati

• Sula Vineyards

  phone: +91 99700 90010
  address: Gat 36/2, Govardhan Village

• Tiger hills

  address: Nashik-Mumbai highway
  Wine tasting & factory outlet.

• York Winery Tasting Room

  phone: +91 96577 28070, +91 253-2230700
  address: Gangavarhe Village, Gangapur-Savargaon Road, Gate No. 15/2
  York Winery A New Emerging Winery. Best but costly.

Budget

(Inspect the room before you book)

• Hotel Royale Heritage

  phone: +91 253 250 4080, +91 982 204 0200
  address: GPO Rd
  Cheap hotel in a bad, very noisy neighbourhood.

• Hotel Saffron

  phone: +91 253 695 6390, +91 253 259 4004
  address: Plant No.291, Beside Wadala Naka, Renuka Nagar Corner, Nashik-422001
  A budget hotel in the heart of the city. Attached bathrooms. Lift available.

• Wasan's Inn

  phone: +91 253 257 7881
  address: Old Agra Rd
  Reasonable prices for decent rooms. This hotel has 3 restaurants. Good but somewhat pricey food.

Mid-range

• Rama Heritage Hotel

  phone: +91 253 258 2888, +91 95451 69777
  address: Old Mumbai - Agra Road

Splurge

• Anjaneri - the birth place of Lord Hanuman. located on Trimbak road, 25 km from Nashik.
• Bhagur - Small village, important as the birthplace of Veer Savarkar, one of the famous freedom fighters, about 12 km from Nashik Road.
• Igatpuri - On Nashik - Mumbai Highway. Located about 30 km from Nashik. There are multiple resorts available for a weekend get-away.
• Nanduri - Saptashringi Goddess - located 75 km from Nashik.According to Hindu tradition, the goddess Saptashrungi Nivasini dwells within the seven mountain peaks. (Sapta means seven and shrung means peaks.) It is located in Nanduri, Tal:-Kalwan a small village near Nashik in India
• Sangamner - About 65 km from Nashik, along the Nashik-Pune highway. Has an engineering college, a medical college, well developed market, historical places to see.
• Shirdi - Famous the world over for Sai Baba, but you have to have patience, as the queues can be infinitely long. About 90 km from Nashik. Frequent Volvo and ST buses are available.
• Sinnar - About 30 km from Nashik on the Nashik-Pune highway (NO 50). The Yadav period (11 A.D.) Gondeshwar Shiva temple has interesting architecture and stone carvings.
• Trambakeshwar - one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, 30 km from Nashik via Trimbak road.
• Yeola: 65 km from Nashik, between Nashik and Aurangabad. Famous for hand woven Patina saris (traditional sari), Yeola is a major handloom weaving centre and the silk saris, shalus and Paithanis woven here find a prominent place in Indian and foreign market. It is also famous for gold and silver wire. Places of interest include the Muralidhar Temple and the Parshva nath Temple.