Welcome to the City of Pilgrimage is with what Nasik welcomes you when you reach there by road. Nasik, also known as Nashik, is located on the banks of river Godavari in the Western Ghats region of Maharashtra. Situated at 185 km from Mumbai, Nasik is a hotspot for pilgrimage tourism and is visited by thousands of Hindu devotees every year.
More popularly known as the Wine Capital of India or Grape City', Nasik is a blend of ancient as well as modern culture. The city echoes with history and religious fervor. It has been a religious centre since the 1st century BC, when Buddhist monks resided here. According to Ramayana, Indian mythological saga, Lord Rama with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana resided here for sometime during his 14 years of exile from the kingdom of Ayodhya. Nasik was also known as Gulshanabad meaning the city of roses as it was named by Mughals after they were over awed by the scenic and natural beauty of this place.
Nasik city has gained popularity due to its cool and pleasant climate and picturesque surroundings. The city has developed on both banks of Godavari River that divides it into almost equal halves. It has a personality of its own because of its historical, mythological, cultural and social importance. The city, active and vibrant on the social, political, industrial and cultural fronts, has influenced the lives of many great personalities. The city is housed with a number of forts and majestic temples. There are many references of the city in many epics as well as Vedas.
Nasik is one city that rose to name in the mythological era and has carried its aura to the present age withstanding the test of time. The city hosts the world renowned Maha Kumbh Mela, the greatest of all shows, in the land of India. It occurs every 12 years and attracts tourists from all over the world. The most important aspect of this mammoth fair is the astonishing unity amidst diversity which occurs in this sacred occasion.
Nasik is literally the land of temples in India. It has been a home to various famous temples of India. Godavari, the second longest river in India, flows through the city. Along the bank of Godavari, there are various temples and ghats that have made Nasik one of the holiest places for Hindus all over the world. Kalaram Temple, Panchavati, Muktidham, Bhaktidham, Sundarnarayan Temple, Sita Gumpha, Modakeshwar Ganesh Temple, Navashya Ganapati, Someshwar Temple are the some of the shrines in Nasik, making it the City of Pilgrimage. Pandavaleni, Phalke Smarak, Someshwar, Anjaneri, Temple Hill, Bhandardar Waterfall, Brahmagiri and Trimbakeshwar are some not-to-be missed tourist destinations in and around Nasik.
Though, the city primarily serves as a pilgrimage attraction, it also accommodates a number of industries. Owing to the extensive industrial developments in recent times, Nasik has become the third most industrialized city in Maharashtra, after Mumbai and Pune. Not only this, but according to the latest report of The City Mayors Foundation", Nasik has been ranked as the fourth fastest developing city in India and also ranked 16th among the fastest developing cities in the world.
Nasik started its industrial journey from being a major producer of agricultural products. Surely the city has captured the title of Industrial hub of India for itself. It is known for grapes, onions, sugarcane, strawberry and the revived rose farming the city was famous for. Apart from onions, raisins, grapes, Nasik is now a major exporter of industrial produces as well. With over 1500 units of industries, both small and large, it is now called as the heart of modern India.
The major transformation of Nasik took place during the last fifteen years. The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) took over many areas like Ambad and Satpur and converted them into world known industrial hubs. The city made its way into the defense map of India when HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) started its MIG Air-Craft Unit in 1964 at Ozar. The city, now, has the unique distinction of producing everything from a pin to a plane.
Nasik is also home to the India Security Press, a National Treasury Printing Press, at Nasik Road and the important Thermal Power Plant at Eklahare. There are five "Industrial Zones; in Nasik area and its outskirts such as Ambad, Satpur, Dindori, Sinnar and Igatpuri. These estates house corporations like MICO (Bosch), Mahindra and Mahindra, Crompton Greaves, VIP Luggage, Graphite India Ltd, GlaxoSmithKline, Larsen Tourbo, Ceat, ABB Group and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. In Nasik, there are software companies like WNS, Aress Software, etc.
As a fundamental node of the “Golden Triangle; (Mumbai-Nasik-Pune), more and more people, businesses and brands are being a part of this mini metro. And real estate is not exempted to it. The expansion on the industrial front, proliferation of educational establishments and the arrival of Multi-specialty medical centers has facilitated Nasik's Realty market further. Also, fuelling the demand for real estate are developments on the Wine Industry and IT front, confirming the fact that Nasik has tremendous impetus for residential, civil and commercial property.
Nashik is called the tourist delight as one can have accommodation and food at the price that suits to every pocket. It has some luxurious accommodations which can arrange an awesome trip of an entire area. The place also offers some exclusive cuisines to its visitors. It is famous for its beverages, especially wines. As it is known as the Wine Capital of India, Nasik offers people an opportunity to enjoy exotic varieties of wines. A classic mix of watching Nasik agriculture at its best and the Food and Beverages of Nasik, is the wineries in Nasik. Sula Vineyards, York Winery, Zampa Wines, Chateau d'Ori Wines and Renaissance Winery are some of the famous wineries in Nasik that offer the taste of a variety of wines as well as an enthralling tour, making wine tourism a new buzzword in Nasik.
Overall, the city is on its way to development and fully justifies the place it holds in the hearts of Maharashtrians as well as Indians. Nasik has now become a place that offers something for all, be it a pilgrim, a tourist looking for a purifying experience, or a business traveler who now will find best opportunities to expand his investment in the holy place of temples. If you're soul-searching, Nasik is definitely the place for you. And if youre a wine lover, visit this terroir for the best Indian wines, get deep into the heart of Nasiks ruddy vineyards and Feel Dwine !
