nashik

Nashik is an ancient small city in the western state of Maharashtra. It is the fourth largest city in the state and is situated on the banks of river Godavari.

The city is known as the wine capital of India, as it has many vineyards and wineries which produce the popular Sula wines. Nashik is also known to be a venue for the famous Kumbh Mela – the largest and most attended fair in the world.

Nashik has many attractions ranging from temples and forts to waterfalls, dams and gardens. Here are some of the must-see places in Nashik:

• Sula Vineyards – A popular vineyard and winery, the wines of which are popular across India
• Dudhsagar Falls – A scenic and popular 10-meter-high waterfall
• Anjaneri Hills
• Dugarwadi Waterfall
• Zonker’s Adventure Park (A theme park)
• Valonne Vineyards
• Vihigaon Waterfall
• Dabhosa Waterfall – A stunning waterfall, falling from a height of 300m and surrounded by green hills

If you are planning a trip to Nashik, do not forget to pay a visit to these below listed places :

• Ram Kund – A sacred bathing ghat in the city situated at the bank of the Godavari River; it is believed that Lord Ram (from the pic Ramayana) bathed in it, and hence has been named after him (Kund means “water tank”).
• Trimbakeshwar Temple – One of the twelve “Jyotirlingas” of Lord Shiva in the world. The temple is located at the base of a mountain called Bramhagiri.
• Pandavleni Caves – Caves located at a height of about 300 ft, amidst a thick green forest; also has a trail on the hill leading towards it, which people can hike on to reach the caves.
• Kalaram Temple
• Sita Gumpha – Situated near the Kalaram Temple, this is a place where Sita expressed her devotion for Lord Shiva.
• Harihar Fort
• Tringalwadi Fort
• Sundarnarayan Temple
• Mukti Dham
• Dhodap Fort – A historical hill fort, located at a height of 1472 m above sea level.

Some of the best museums to visit in the city are:

• Coin Museum – A museum housing a vast collection Indian coins dating back from centuries ago and through the years; and also explaining the process of manufacturing and significance of symbols on each of these coins
• Regiment of Artillery Museum
• WeGo Art Gallery

The major festivals celebrated in the city of Nashik are:

• Maha Shivratri– People worship Lord Shiva and fast for long hours).
• Makar Sankranti – an auspicious harvest festival celebrated in the month of January.
• Holi – Festival of colours; celebrated in the month of March.
• Gudi padwa – Marathi New Year Day (celebrated all over Maharashtra state).
• Navrathri & Dussehra – A 10-day festival, where Goddess Durga is revered).
• Ganesh Chaturthi – A major festival in the state of Maharashtra, this is celebrated in all cites and town in this state, to worship Lord Ganesha (who is also the son of Lord Shiva).

Nashik is a place full of interesting things and a paradise for shopaholics and people who want to take home souvenirs. Some things to buy in Nashik include its famous wines, artworks and antiques, fancy jewelry, local traditional clothes and cheap accessories like shoes, bags and a lot more.

Here are some good shopping spots to check out in the city of Nashik and shop to your heart’s fullest:

• Saraf Bazaar
• Deolali Camp Market
• Tibetan Market
• Bombay Silk Stores
• College Road

• Nashik City Centre Mall
• Shraddha Mall
• Pinnacle Mall

Currently Nashik doesn’t have a metro or local train service; but a rapid transit system called The Greater Nashik Metro or Metro NEO is planned and being constructed by Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro) and the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) in order to reduce the traffic congestion in the Nashik metropolitan area.

Maharashtrian food and various street foods such as:

• Thaalipeeth (Flatbread made with rice flour or millet flour and fenugreek leaves and onions)
• Misal Pav (a street snack of Pav bread served with a vegetable gravy and fried Sev)
• Pav Bhaji (Pav Bread served with cooked mashed vegetable curry and lots of butter)
• Sabudana Vada (Sago Fritters)

…and many more including foods from other cuisines (like shawarmas, wraps, Burgers, Sandwiches, and so on) are found in Nashik.

Some of the good restaurants to try in Nashik are as follows:

• Sadhana Restaurant
• Aster Coffee Shop
• Barbeque Nation
• Panchratna
• Barbeque Ville
• Citrine
• Hotel Radhakrishna
• Curry Leaves Restaurant
• Purohit Thali Restaurant (Delicious Thalis – with platters of different dishes of Indian cuisines)

Some of the best hotels to stay at in Nashik are:

• Ibis Nashik
• Holiday Inn Express Nashik Indira Nagar
• Aria Resort & Spa
• The Source at Sula
• The Gateway Hotel Ambad Nashik
• Courtyard by Marriott Nashik
• Utopia Farmstay
• Hotel Grand Rio
• Meuse Jupiter Business & Luxury Hotel

Nashik also has some good pubs and bars, many coupled with a restaurant:

• Banzara Restaurant & Bar
• Kopa Kabana Bar & Restaurant
• Ghungroo Bar
• Cellardoor Wine Lounge
• Mico Club
• Meera Bar & Restaurant

• Nashik STD Code – 0253 (to be used before dialling numbers from a device that is not locally registered)
• Police Helpline – 100
• Fire emergency – 101
• Accident helpline (Medical emergencies) – 108
• Women Helpline – 1091
• Child Helpline – 1098

Marathi is the main language of Nashik. But, Hindi and English are spoken as well.

Marathi:

• Welcome - Tumcha svagat aso
• How are you? - Tu kas ahes
• What's your name? - Tujha nav kay ahe
• Where are you from? - Apaṇ kothale ahat?
• Good morning - Su-prabhat
• Have a nice day - Sukhi raha

Hindi:

• Welcome - Svagat
• How are you? - Aap kaise hai?
• What's your name? - Aapka naam kya hai?
• I don't know - Mujhe nahi pata
• I don't understand - Mein samjha nahi
• Thank you - Dhanyavad