Nashik (/ˈnɑːʃɪk/;Marathi:[naːʃik]; formerlyNasik(listenⓘ))[13] is a city in the northern region of the Indian state ofMaharashtra situated on the banks of the riverGodavari. The population of Nashik city is around 1.5 million. Hinduism is majority religion in Nashik city with 85.2 %, with Islam being the second most popular religion of the city with 8.90 % following it.[14] Nashik is located about 165 km (103 mi) northeast of the state capitalMumbai, and about 210 km (130 mi) north ofPune. The Mumbai-Pune-Nashik region is called the "Golden Triangle of Maharashtra".[15] With its high grape production, Nashik is dubbed theNapa Valley of India and the "Wine Capital of India" as more than half of India's vineyards and wineries are located here.[1][16] Nashik is one of theHindu pilgrimage sites of theKumbh Mela, which is held every 12 years.[17][18] A very famous and ancientTrimbakeshwar Shiva temple, which one of the twelve Jyotirlinga situated at the top of mountain, is just 28 km from the city of Nashik. Many Hindu rituals are carried in Nasik and Trimbakeshwar.
The name, Nashik, is derived from theSanskrit word 'nāsikā' which literally means 'nose'. The city of nine hills is also one of the origins of name as per Local Government website.
According to theRamayana, Nashik is the location on the banks of theGodavari River whereLakshmana cut the nose of the demonessShurpanakha, hence the name "Nashik."[18] It is also known by the name Panchavati.[19]
It was known as "Gulshanabad" during theMughal period.[20][21]
Nashik was known by many names. It was known as "Padmanagar" during theSatya Yuga, "Trikantak" during theTreta Yuga, "Janasthana" during theDvapara Yuga, and finally "Navashikh" or "Nashik" during theKali Yuga, according toHindu traditions.[22] Nashik is significant in history, social life, and culture. The city is located on the banks of theGodavari River, making it a sacred site for Hindus around the world. During his 14-year exile from Ayodhya,Rama, the king ofAyodhya, is said to have made Nashik his home.[23]
The Nashik Tram was started from the Old Municipal Building on the main road to Nashik Road railway station around 1889.[24] The tram served the people of Nashik for almost 44 years. The tram station was at the Main Road, and the tram reached the Nashik Road railway station via the present Main Road, Bhadrakali Market, Ghasbazar, and Phalke Road. It covered a distance of about eight to ten kilometres, and the stretch used to be covered with dense jungle at the time. In the article ‘Nashik-then’, poetKusumagraj has written passionately about trams. He writes, "If the carriages were full, the tram would leave. It would ring the bell and drive out of the village to the main road and then to the grass market.[25]
In the 1900s, the Indian Freedom Fighter,Sri Vinayak Damodar Savarkar along with his brother founded a secret society namedAbhinav Bharat in Nasik under the name "Mitra Mela"[26] which was one among many in Maharashtra. On 21 December 1909 a member of Abhinav Bharat,Anant Kanhere a student fromAurangabad assassinated Nashik's governorA. M. T. Jackson while he was watching a play in a theatre.[27] Kanhere was arrested on the spot and after investigation, police arrested Vinayak Savarkar and others for conspiring against the government to instigate an armed rebellion. The case was known as the "Nasik Conspiracy Case - 1910". In the court trial in Bombay, police alleged Savarkar was the brain, moving spirit and inspiration of the conspiracy extending over many years. Bombay court sentenced him to life imprisonment, and transportation to notoriousCellular Jail at theAndaman Islands; Savarkar's elder brotherBabarao Savarkar also received the same punishment and others received varying degrees of imprisonment. ICS officer Jackson's assassination created a sensation in Poona, Nasik and Bombay, the case and subsequently imprisonment made Savarkar famous.[28][29][30]
In 1930, the NashikSatyagraha was launched under the leadership ofB. R. Ambedkar for the entry of Dalits in Kalaram Mandir (Temple). In 1931, a meeting of the Bombay ProvinceCharmakar Parishad was organised in Nashik to work out the Chambhars' position concerning the SecondRound Table Conference in which Babasaheb was going to participate. In 1932, Babasaheb organised his temple entry movement for the abolition of untouchability in Nashik.[31]
Nashik lies in the northern part ofMaharashtra state, at 584 m (1,916 ft)[32] from the mean sea level, which gives it ideal temperature variation, particularly in winters.[1]
The riverGodavari originates from theBrahmagiri Mountain,Trimbakeshwar about 24 km (15 mi) from Nashik, and flows through the old residential settlement, now in the central part of the city. Due to the high pollution created by factories in proximity to the city, the river was dying at an alarming rate. It has since been successfully cleaned.[33]
Nashik lies on the western edge of theDeccan Plateau, an ancient volcanic formation.[34]
Trimbakeshwar is about 30 km (19 mi) from the city, it is where from riverGodavari originates. The land area of the city is about 259.13 km2 (100.05 sq mi).[35]
The city's tropical location and high altitude combine to give it a relatively mild version of atropical wet and dry climate (KöppenAw). Temperatures rise slightly in October, but this is followed by the cool season from November to February. The cool season sees warm temperatures of around 28 °C or 82.4 °F during the day, but cool nights, with lows averaging 10 °C or 50 °F, and extremely dry air.
Climate data for Nashik (Ozar Airport) 1991–2020, extremes 1965–present
Nashik has been ranked 19th best “National Clean Air City” (under Category 1 >10L Population cities) in India according to 'Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2024 Results'[39]
Nashik is the fourth largest city inMaharashtra in terms of population after Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur. According to the Census of India, 2011, Nashik had a population of 1,486,053. Males constitute 782,517 of the population, and females 703,536. The Metropolitan Nashik population was 1,561,809, in which 821,921 were males and 739,888 were females. Nashik city had an average literacy rate of 89.85%: male literacy was 93.40%, and female literacy was 85.92%.[41]
The sex ratio is 894 per 1,000 males for Nashik city. The child sex ratio is 865 girls per 1,000 boys. In Nashik, 11.42% of the population is under 6 years of age.[42] In the census year 2001, the Nashik Urban Agglomeration had a population of 1,152,326. Thus, it was the fourth largest urban area ofMaharashtra State afterMumbai,Pune andNagpur. The projected population of Nashik urban agglomeration (which includes abutting urban areas likeDeolali) as of 11 November 2012 is 1,562,769.[43]
At the time of the 2011 census, 76.69% of the population spokeMarathi, 11.80%Hindi, 3.26%Urdu, 2.16%Gujarati and 1.26%Marwari as their first language.[44]
Nashik city is governed by theNashik Municipal Corporation.[45] Nashik is the district headquarters of the Nashik District, 185 km (115 mi) away from Mumbai. The city has developed on both banks of the Godavari, which divides the city into almost equal halves.[46]
The municipal commissioner of Nashik is Ashok Karanjkar.[47]
The ward committee consists of councillors representing the electoral wards within the territorial area of the ward committee.[48] There are six ward committees namely Nashik (E), Nashik (W), Nashik Road, Panchavati, CIDCO and Satpur.[48] The main function of the committees is to approve the cost of works for the wards, incorporate the expenses in the budget etc.
The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) is planning to start major civic projects in 2020. Projects like the creation of more smart roads, setting up of 800 CCTVs, installation of LED streetlights, Goda beautification project, construction of two major water treatment projects (WTPs), upgradation of STPs, making smart parking operational, etc. would be given priority by the municipal corporation.[49]
In the Nashik Municipal Corporation area about 225 MT of solid waste is generated per day. Unlike other Indian cities, this garbage is collected by vehicles titled 'Ghantagadi' (meaning the vehicle with a bell): a system which has resulted in smaller versions of the ghantagadi ply in the congested old city areas. A plant has been set by the Nashik Municipal Corporation near Pandav Leni (Pandavleni Caves) to process the garbage and convert it into compost.[50]
The NMC provides an online website for various civic services like birth certificate registration, medical services, taxes, development services, etc.[51]
A grape vineyard in Nashik.Tasting cellar atSula Vineyards
In early 1925, the table grape revolution was started in Ozhar, a small town near Nashik, by Raosaheb Jairam Krishna Gaikwad. Today, table grapes are exported toEurope, theMiddle East, and Asia.[52]Onion is one of the majorly produced crop in Nashik district.
The total cultivable area in Nashik district is 864,000 hectares, of which the average Kharip crop area is 663,200 hectares, while the average Rabbi crop area is 136,500 hectares. The sown area is 658,763 hectares (99%) and the forest land is 340,000 hectares (21.75%). The uncultivable area is 23,000 hectares (1.48%).[53]
TheIgatpuri-Nashik-Sinnar investment region is an important node in the US$90 billion Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Project.[54][55]
Nashik is a defence and aerospace manufacturing hub withHindustan Aeronautics Limited aircraft manufacturing plant located atOzar.[56] The Currency Note Press[57] andIndia Security Press are on Nashik Road, where Indian currency and government stamp papers are printed respectively.[58]
Apart from manufacturing, Nashik is an emerging investment destination forInformation Technology companies.Tata Consultancy Services has invested in Nashik under the government of India BPO promotion scheme (IBPS). AlsoWNS,Accenture,TCS[61] has set up Digital Impact Square, or DISQ, which is a social innovation center.[62]
108 feet Rishabdev Bhagwan atMangi TungiTrimbakeshwar Temple near Nashik
In February 2016, TheStatue of Ahimsa, a 108 ft (33 m) idol of the first JaintirthankaraRishabhdev carved in monolithic stone was consecrated atMangi Tungi nearly 122 km (76 mi) from Nashik city. It is recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records as the tallestJain idol in the world.[68]
Gangapur Dam is on the river Godavari near Gangawadi village and is an earthen dam, Nashik.[70]
Chankapur dam on theGirna river is one of the big dams built by the British in the 19th century. It is 3 km (1.9 mi) from the villageAbhona inKalwan tehsil and 60 km (37 mi) from Nashik.
Kashypi Dam is on the Kashypi river near Rajapur, Nashik.
Girna Dam is an earth-fill dam on the Girna river near Nandgaon, Nashik District.
Darna Dam is a gravity dam on the Darna river near Igatpuri, Nashik district.
TheKumbh Mela is celebrated every six years atHaridwar andPrayagraj and Maha Kumbh takes place every twelve years at four places:Prayagraj,Haridwar,Ujjain, and Nashik. According to thePuranas, it is believed that Kumbh derives its name from an immortal pot of nectar, which the devatas (Gods) and rakshasas (Demons) fought over. The four places where the nectar fell are at the banks of the riverGodavari in Nashik, river Kshipra in Ujjain, river Ganges in Haridwar and atTriveni Sangam of Ganga, Yamuna and invisibleSaraswati River inPrayagraj.[17][71]
There are numerous gardens built and maintained by NMC throughout the city. Shivaji Garden on Main Road is one of the oldest. There were rose farms near Mumbai Naka. NMC Pushpotsav (Festival of Flowers) is celebrated every year in main building, Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan.
Sarvajanik Vachanalaya Nashik is one of the oldest libraries and reading rooms of India established around 1840 by Britishers. Spread across several stories and over numerous rooms, the collection of 1,75,000 books includes English, Marathi, Hindi and Sanskrit books.
Nashik Road railway station is city railway station along withDeolali which lies within the city boundary. Regular travellers also travel to Kasara or Igatpuri from Mumbai and take a cab or bus to reach Nasik.
Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) rolled out its city bus serviceCitilinc on 8 July 2021. The previous state government had given its nod to the NMC to take over the city bus service from the ailing Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC).[76]
Trams [1889–1933] - Nashik was the third city in India afterKolkata andMumbai to get trams. Trams started operation in 1889. It originated from the Old Municipal Corporation building located on Main Road and terminated at theNashik Road railway station (8–10 km). It passes through areas of Ganjamal (the now defunct bus stop was earlier a tram stop) and behind the Fame Multiplex. Brady's; a private company funded the project and later introduced India's first petrol-engine-driven tram under the aegis of Nasik Tramway Co. The tramway closed down in around 1933 owing to the successive years of famine and plague, it had run into heavy losses.[77][25]
AutoRickshaws - The city has a number of autorickshaws that work on sharing as well as direct fare basis.
OLA - The city has OLA app working with rickshaws and cars. Earlier Uber was also serving.
The city has two state-run universities: theYashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University and theMaharashtra University of Health Sciences. There are several educations, engineering, medical, pharmacy, law, and management colleges within the city. Schools for primary and secondary education in several languages are spread across the city some even with boarding facility.
Since June 2023, Nashik-based cricket franchise 'Eagles Nashik Titans' has participated in Maharashtra Premier League,Rahul Tripathi is leading it in the ongoing season.[78] Nasik Gymkhana, formerly known as King Edward Club was established in 1911 during the British Raj. During the last 108+ years, it has witnessed numerous historical events in the country in all walks of life and more so in the field of sports. Located in the heart of Nashik in a 5-acre campus it boasts of stadia and infrastructure catering to multidisciplinary sports viz. badminton, lawn tennis, table–tennis, basketball, cricket, chess, billiards, snooker as well as a shooting range. Several public swimming pools maintained by Municipal Corporation are operational in the city.
The Nashik district has given sports players like Bapu Nadkarni (Cricket), Kavita Raut (Athletics), Dattu Bhokanal (Rowing), Kisan Tadvi (Athletics), Mithali Gaikwad (Parasports-Archery), Maya Sonwane (Cricket), Vidit Gujarathi (Chess), Sanjeevani Jadhav, Moni.
Following in the footsteps of Athare, now we are very proud that athletes like Prasad Ahire, Tai Bamne, Durga Deore, Poonam Sonawane, and others have underlined the name of Nashik at the international level from time to time.[2]
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^"Maharashtra Tourism".Archived from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved17 May 2018.Budapest and Nashik to be sister cities as collaboration between Hungary and Maharashtra to have a roadmap ahead for mutual synergies!Shri Jaykumar Rawal, Hon Minister Tourism, Shri Vijay Gautam IAS PS, Shri Aashutosh Rathod JtMD, interacting with the Hungary delegation at Sahyadri
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