City of Pilgrimages - Nasik, is believed to have its origins since the Stone Age and it was given different names by different rulers over the centuries. There are various stories behind the name 'Nasik' one is that Lakshmana, Lord Rama's brother had cut off the nose of Surpanakha here hence this place was named Nasik.
Another school of thought describes that Nasik is the combination of nine summits, also called nava shikha. It was also called 'Trikantak' in Kritayug and 'Janasthana' in Dwaparyuga. Nasik has a strong presence in history of India as well as Hindu mythology giving it a social, cultural, historical and mythological significance.
As per Hindu mythology, it is said that Lord Rama,his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana had spent 14 years of exile at Tapovan in Nasik. Agastya, the first sage who crossed the Vindhya Mountains, was living on the banks of river Godavari. Other sages followed him and there became a cloister of hermitages called 'Janasthana' on the river bank. When Lord Rama, Lakshmana and Sita met sage Agastya, he asked them to settle down at Panchavati which was at the edge of Dandakaranya forest. There were great, five banyan trees there hence that place was called Panchvati. He also presented a bow and two quivers so that he could fight off the demons. Panchvati is also the place from where Ravana had abducted Sita and taken her to Lanka. Since then, Nashik is considered as one of the most holy cities in India and millions of people come here to take a dip in the holy water of river Godavari to remit their sins. It is also one of the five cities in India that hosts the Kumbhamela every 12 years. Nashik has also found a reference in works of renowned poets like Kalidas, Valmiki and Bhavabhooti.
Nasik was the country's largest market place in 150 B.C. Nasik was named as 'Gulshanabad' by the Moguls in 1487A.D. who were fascinated by the beauty of this place. Later this place came under the Peshwa rule and regained its original name. Raghobadada Peshwa and his wife Anandibai resided here at 'Anandvalli'. Nashik flourished under the rule of Marathas but by the 19th century there British started ruling here. In 1818 during the British era, the beauty of Nasik fascinated the British and they developed it in various fields. The Gulf course that was built here by the British was one of the largest across Asia in those times.
Nasik has also played a role in the freedom movement against the British. The revolutionary activities of the freedom fighters like Vinayak Damodar Savarkar took the shape of 'Abhinav Bharat', an underground movement. Another event of freedom struggle that highlights Nasik is when Anant Lakshman Kanhere shot Jackson, the collector of Nashik on 21 December 1909. Nasik was also had its share of contribution in Non-Cooperation movement of Mahatma Gandhi. Here, many forest satyagrahas and other underground activities took place. In 1932, Dr Babasahed Ambedkar organized a movement for temple entry and mass satyagraha here. The Session of Indian National Congress in 1950 was also held in Nasik.
The history of Nashik is deep and interesting just like the city with its presence from Stone Age to the freedom movement of India.
