Nashik

Understand

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 the Peshwa of the Maratha Empire in 1818. The 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 Lakshmana (Sri Rama's brother) chopped off the nose of Surpanakha (Ravana'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.

Culture Nashik is well known in India as a gateway city to travel to Shirdi and Trimbakeshwar which hosts one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. It is believed that in antiquity, during transport, the drops of amrita fell into the Brahma-Kund at Trimbakeshwar. 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 (56 mi) from Nashik). Nashik is also known for its Nashik-Trimbak Kumbh Mela held every 12 years. The fair involves ritual bathing on the banks of Godavari river, at the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple (in Trimbak) and the Ram Kund in Nashik. The exact dates are determined according to a combination of zodiac positions: the mela ay be held when Jupiter is in Leo (Simha in Hindu astrology); or when Jupiter, Sun and Moon are in Cancer on lunar conjunction (Amavasya). The last fair was held in 2015; the next one will be held in 2027. According to the Hindu Puranic texts, Vishnu dropped drops of amrita (the drink of immortality) at four places, while transporting it in a kumbha (pot). These four places, including Nashik, are identified as the present-day sites of the Kumbh Mela.

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 where it is May. Novem

Getting there

By plane 1 Nashik Airport (ISK IATA). (updated Jun 2026)

By bus Nashik is 180 km (110 mi) 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). (There is no taxi service available in the late night. You can get held up after reaching Kasara Railway Station till the next morning.) 2 Nashik New C B S Bus Stand (at Trimbak/Old Agra Roads crossing).

By train 3 Nasik Road CR (about 10 km (6.2 mi) away from the main city). Trains called 'Panchavati Express' and 'Godavari Express' also ply daily between Mumbai and Nashik. Nowadays, the newly running Vande Bharat from Mumbai to Shirdi, stops here in the morning at 9 and runs back in the reverse direction at 7.30pm in the evening. There is also a daily train service between Pune and Nashik. There are sufficiently frequent services of buses, auto-rickshaws, shared-taxis etc. are available at fairly low fares. (updated Feb 2026)

By car You can reach Nashik by road through Mumbai-Nashik Expressway (NH 3) , 167 km (104 mi) approx.

Getting around

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. You can also take cheap and good auto rickshaws.

See

Anjaneri Parvat. Located near Trambakeshwar, it is well known for waterfalls during monsoon season. Nashik Flower Park. Deolali Camp Cantonment Board. Artillery centre - Deolali camp's, Lahawit market is for shopping, Deolali South has Khandoba temple hill, golf course, sun rise & set point as well. 1 WeGo Art Gallery & Art Exhibition, Shivpooja Apartment, Chetna Nagar. Texture painting by needle on canvas. 2 Gangapur Dam. (updated Jun 2025) 3 Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary. A bird sanctuary near Niphad. It is a mesmerizing place for nature and bird lovers alike. (updated Jun 2025) Panchavati. A sacred place where five sacred Banyan trees are still present. All important temples are in this area. Phalke Smaarak. Excellent 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. 4 Ramshej Fort. Located near Ashewadi village on Peath Road. 7 km (4.3 mi) from Nashik. Good for a small trekking experience. The fort provides a good view of the whole city from the mountaintop. 5 Someshwar Fall. (updated Jun 2025)

Religious sites 6 Bhaktidham. A temple on Peth Naka. 7 Chambhar Leni, Dindori Road. Temple of Bhagwan Mahavir on a hillock inside a cave. Dharmachakra Jain Mandir. It has a 12 ton Panchdhatu idol of Bhagwan Mahavir. It's at Vilholi on Nashik- Mumbai highway. 8 Ganga Ghat. Ramkunda, Panchavati Goda Ghat (Godavari river edge). A popular place to visit. 9 Kalaram Temple. An important temple and landmark in Panchavati area. 10 Muktidham, Mahatma Gandhi Rd, Gayakhe Colony, Nashik Road. A big marble temple and picnic spot at Nashik Road. 11 Nashik Caves (Pandav Leni). Buddhist and Jain Caves dating back to 2nd century BCE on Nashik- Mumbai highway near Pathardi phata. They are on top of a hill. The view of the surrounding countryside including the city of Nashik is worth climbing up for. 12 Shree Navashya Ganpati Mandir, Peshwe Colony, Anandwalli. A temple on banks of Godavari River, very scenic views. 13 Sita Gufaa. Caves 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. 14 Someshwar. Temples, picnic spot, boating, and waterfall on Gangapur road. 15 Sundarnarayan Temple. 16 Tapovan. Tapobhumi, Shurpanakha's nose fell here, Tasty Guavas, try them out. Once upon a time, it was a part of the sacred Dandakaranya forest. Tapo

Do

Trek in the hills near to Nashik. Visit a Stone Age Site - several kilometres from Gangapur village. 1 MFL's Zonkers Adventure Park, Opposite Beyond Resort by Sula, Gangapur-Savargaon Rd (near the backwaters of Gangapur Dam), ☏ +91 98905 54880, [email protected]. M-F 11AM-10PM, Sa Su 11AM-9PM. Features go karting, artificial rock climbing, rope activities, archery and various other activities. Ranging between ₹100 and ₹500 per person per activity. (updated Jan 2016)

Buy

Nashik is famous for its silverware craftsmanship. The old shopping centre of the city lies in the heart of the city at Main Road. If gas a lot of upscale shops. Saraf Bazar is a 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 1 Big Bazaar, College Road, ☏ +91 253 661 0900. Crosswords , Untwadi Nashik Central , Trimbak Naka 2 Nashik City Centre Mall, Banyan Square, Untwadi, ☏ +91 253 231 9787. 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

Eat

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. 1 Agrawal Bros K Mithaiwala, 63, Shalimar, Next to IMA (Shalimar Chowk), ☏ +91 253 250 0603. 8AM-10PM. Hot snacks, sweets, cold drinks, ice-cream, samosas. Bhagvati's Chat: A famous chat joint near Kulkarni Garden on Sharanpur Road Brothers roll (near Akashwani Tower). 2 Budha Halwai (near Bhadrakali Temple), ☏ +91 95277 88999. Pastry shop open 24 hours a day. "Keep Calm and eat Jelebi!" is their motto. Bikaneri Bhujiawalla on College Road. Bon Appétit Restaurant - Pathardi Phata, Nashik 3 Cafe Bliss, 6, Rushiraj Tower, Gangapur Road (Opp. Talwalkar's Gym, near Jehan Circle), ☏ +91 253 234 4150. 11AM-11:30PM. Serves 80 types of coffee and tea, and sandwiches, wraps, pizzas, burgers and desserts. 4 Cafe xpress, College Road (Opp BYK college), ☏ +91 9960790272. There is another branch on Nashik Road. 5 Carnival, D'souza Colony. at College Road serves very good quality Chinese & Indian food. 6 Chai Tapri, 2, Thatte Wadi Rd, Thatte Nagar, Karvan Society (Opp. Dominos, Model Colony, College Rd), ☏ +91 253 234 1114. 7:30AM-10PM. Loosely translated as "tea shack", Chai Tapri is one of the typical establishments in the area where you can sip tapri tea with locals. (updated Oct 2015) 7 Chetana dining hall, Old Agra Rd (Opposite Old CBS Near District Court / 1st Floor Meghdut Shopping Center), ☏ +91 253 231 9783, +91 997 515 1555. 11AM-3PM & 6:30-10:30PM 30. Vega restaurant, traditional Thali meals. 8 Domino's, College Road, Survey No. 712/2A, 2D/118, ☏ +91 253 231 5833. 11AM-11PM. Tasty pizza. 9 Farmaish Teh Resto Bar, 118, College Road, D Souza Colony, ☏ +91 253 231 0335. 11AM-11PM. 10 Goli Vada Pav, College Road, ☏ +91 93708 90999. Indian-style burgers. Other outlets at Sharanpur Road and Indira Nagar (opposite Raj Sarthi Society.) 11 Hotel Samrat, Old Agra Rd (opposite State Bank of India, near Central Bus Stand), ☏ +91 253 257 7211. 24-hour restaurant serving Gujrathi Thali and pure veg Indian dishes 12 Jalaram Sweets, College Road, ☏ +91 253 230 7150. Serves amazing chaats along with a range of sweets. One should not miss their Kachori, Samosa and Khajur/Imli Chutney. 13 Kokni Darbar Restaurant, Doodh Bazar (Behind Rajj

Drink & nightlife

1 21st Century Restaurand & Bar, Sharanpur Road, New Pandit Colony (near Kulkarni Garden). Noon-11:30PM. Small pub serving tandoor menu. Alcohol is priced 2 Banjara, Mahatma Nagar, Parijat Nagar. Restaurant bar inside Hotel President Inn. Good service 3 Samarth Juice Centre and Cafe, Raviwar Karanja, Panchavati, ☏ +91 253 250 6067. 4 Sula Vineyards, Gat 36/2, Govardhan Village (off Gangapur-Savargaon Road), ☏ +91 99700 90010. 11AM-11PM. Tiger hills, Nashik-Mumbai highway. Wine tasting & factory outlet. 5 York Winery Tasting Room, Gangavarhe Village, Gangapur-Savargaon Road, Gate No. 15/2 (12 km (7.5 mi) from the City center), ☏ +91 96577 28070, +91 253-2230700. Noon–10PM. Very good but costly.

Sleep

Budget (Inspect the room before you book)

1 Hotel Royale Heritage, GPO Rd, ☏ +91 253 250 4080, +91 982 204 0200, [email protected]. Cheap hotel in a bad, very noisy neighbourhood. 2 Hotel Saffron, Plant No.291, Beside Wadala Naka, Renuka Nagar Corner, ☏ +91 253 695 6390, +91 253 259 4004, fax: +91 253 250 4944. A budget hotel in the heart of the city. Attached bathrooms. Lift available. Air-con & fan rooms ₹500-995. 3 Wasan's Inn, Old Agra Rd (near Kalika mandir), ☏ +91 253 257 7881, fax: +91 253 257 8711, [email protected]. Reasonable prices for decent rooms. This hotel has 3 restaurants. Good but somewhat pricey food.

Mid-range 4 Rama Heritage Hotel, Old Mumbai - Agra Road (near Mumbai naka, next to Kalika Mandir), ☏ +91 253 258 2888, +91 95451 69777, fax: +91 253 258 2887, [email protected]. From ₹2,700.

Splurge

Go next

Anjaneri - the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. located on Trimbak road, 25 km (16 mi) from Nashik. Bhagur - Small village, important as the birthplace of Veer Savarkar, one of the famous freedom fighters, about 12 km (7.5 mi) from Nashik Road. Igatpuri - On Nashik - Mumbai Highway. Located about 30 km (19 mi) from Nashik. There are multiple resorts available for a weekend getaway. Nanduri - Saptashringi Goddess - located 75 km (47 mi) 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 (40 mi) from Nashik, along the Nashik-Pune highway. Has an engineering college, a medical college, a well-developed market, and 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 (56 mi) from Nashik. Frequent Volvo and MSRTC buses are available. Sinnar - About 30 km (19 mi) from Nashik on the Nashik-Pune highway (NO 50). In the Yadava period (11 AD) Gondeshwar Shiva temple has interesting architecture and stone carvings. Yeola: 65 km (40 mi) 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 markets. It is also famous for gold and silver wire. Places of interest include the Muralidhar Temple and the Parshvanath Temple.