Places to visit in Nashik & Trimbakeshwar

Kalaram Temple

Panchavati · ~0.5 km from Ramkund

Nashik's best-known temple, built of black stone in the late 18th century under Sardar Rangarao Odhekar. The images of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are also carved in black stone — the "kala" in the name. It is the natural first stop after bathing at Ramkund.

Kapaleshwar Mahadev Temple

Panchavati · Opposite Ramkund

A Shiva temple at the top of the steps across from Ramkund. It is known for having no Nandi facing the deity, which local tradition explains through a story of Shiva and Nandi at this spot.

Sita Gufa

Panchavati · ~0.7 km from Ramkund

A narrow cave shrine beside the five old banyan trees (panch vat) that give Panchavati its name. The entrance is tight and you have to stoop — not ideal if you are claustrophobic, and queues form at busy times.

Naroshankar Temple

Godavari bank, Panchavati · Near Ramkund

An 18th-century temple on the riverbank known for its ornate stone carving and for the large bell hung near it, a well-known Nashik landmark.

Sundarnarayan Temple

Near Ahilyabai Holkar bridge · ~0.5 km from Ramkund

An 18th-century Vishnu temple at the edge of the Godavari, worth a look for its setting on the river.

Pandavleni Caves

Trirashmi hill, south-west Nashik · ~10 km from Ramkund

A group of around two dozen Buddhist rock-cut caves carved roughly 2,000 years ago into a hill beside the Mumbai–Agra highway, with inscriptions, a chaitya hall and monastic cells. Despite the name ("caves of the Pandavas"), they are Buddhist. A short climb of stairs leads up; go in the morning for the light and the view over the city.

Muktidham

Nashik Road · ~9 km from Ramkund

A white marble temple complex near Nashik Road station with replicas of the twelve Jyotirlingas and the chapters of the Bhagavad Gita inscribed on its walls. Convenient to visit on arrival or before leaving by train.

Someshwar

Gangapur Road, west Nashik · ~10 km from Ramkund

A riverside Shiva temple on the Godavari upstream of the city, with a small waterfall nearby that runs strongly after the monsoon. A quieter alternative to Panchavati.

Gangapur Dam

North-west of Nashik · ~12 km from the city

The reservoir that controls the Godavari's flow into Nashik. The backwaters make a pleasant evening outing and help explain why river levels at Ramkund change so quickly.

Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

Trimbak · ~30 km from Nashik

One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, rebuilt in black stone in the 18th century under the Peshwa Balaji Bajirao. Its linga has three small faces for Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Expect long queues; the temple has its own dress and entry rules.

Kushavarta Kund

Trimbak · Next to the temple

The sacred tank at the Godavari's traditional source. See our full Kushavarta guide.

Brahmagiri & Gangadwar

Above Trimbak · Stairway from the edge of town

A long stone stairway climbs Brahmagiri to Gangadwar, where the Godavari is said to first appear. Several hundred steps — go early in the dry season, carry water, and take extra care in the monsoon.

Sant Nivruttinath Samadhi

Trimbak · ~1 km from the temple

The samadhi of Nivruttinath, the 13th-century Varkari saint and elder brother of Sant Dnyaneshwar. It draws large Varkari gatherings of its own.

Anjaneri

On the Nashik–Trimbak road · ~20 km from Nashik

A flat-topped hill venerated as the birthplace of Hanuman, with the Anjani Mata shrine above. The trek takes a couple of hours up and back, with wide views over the Ghats. Easy to combine with Trimbakeshwar.