Holiday in Nashik

About Nashik

Nashik is one of the holiest cities in India and at the same time the emerging wine center of the subcontinent — a fascinating combination of ancient spirituality and modern enjoyment. The city on the banks of the Godavari River in Maharashtra is one of the four locations of the Kumbh Mela, the largest religious festival on earth, which attracts millions of pilgrims every twelve years. The ghats along the Godavari are the spiritual heart of Nashik: At Ramkund Ghat, where Lord Rama is said to have bathed during his fourteen-year exile, devotees perform purification rituals daily. The Panchavati temple complex in the old town marks the place where Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana are believed to have lived — a central scene of the epic Ramayana. The wine region of Nashik extends over the hills around the city at an altitude of 500-700 meters: Over 50 wineries produce Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc. Sula Vineyards, India's most famous winery, offers tours, tastings, and an annual wine festival in February (SulaFest) featuring international music acts. The Trimbakeshwar Temple, located 30 km west in the Western Ghats, is one of the twelve holiest Shiva temples in India (Jyotirlinga). The Brahmagiri hills behind it are considered the source of the Godavari. The Pandav Leni caves (Trirashmi caves) are 24 rock-cut Buddhist caves from the 1st to 3rd century, featuring prayer halls and meditation cells.