History, Importance, Timings, Architecture, Interesting Facts, Ramayana Events and Travel Guide of Kalaram Temple, Panchvati, Nasik, Maharashtra, India
Kalaram temple, one of the most ancient and holiest shrine of Lord Shree Ram is located in Panchvati region of Nashik, Maharashtra. It is believed that temple was constructed at the place where Lord Shri Ram, Goddess Sita and Lord Lakshman were stayed for some time during their 14 years of exile. The name of the temple is derived from the black idol of Lord Shri Ram, Lakshman, Sita and Hanuman. Due to the historical place, Kalaram temple received thousands of devotee every day which makes shrine as most visited place in Nasik.
It is believed that original shrine was built during the Rashtrakuta Period from 7th to 11th centuries and idols were even more ancient than that. The original temple was destroyed by the muslim invaders and then current temple campus was built by Sardar Rangrao Odhekar in 1782. It is said that the statue of the temple was discovered by Sardar Rangarao Odhekar as he dreamed that the statue is in holy water near Panchvati which is now popular as Ramkund. Temple campus is located near the Sita gupha (cave) where goddess Sita is believed to have resided during her exile. Temple height is 70 feet and the copper peak of the temple is gold-plated. The Kalaram Temple witnesses massive processions during festivals like Ram Navami, Dussehra and Chaitra Padwa.
As per the legend, It is said that sage Agasti guided Lord Shree Ram about the sacred place Panchavati on the banks of River Godavari. Then Lord Ram came to the place built his parnakuti which made place more sacred. Panchvati witness the lot of important event of Ramanaya like cutting of Shurpanaka’s nose, vanquishing of demons Khar, Dushan, Trishira and other 14000 demons, Vanquishing of Marich, abduction of Sita which leads to historical war between Lord Shree Ram and demon king Ravana.
How to Reach Panchvati, Nasik, Maharashtra, India
Kalaram Temple is located in Panchvati region of Nashik and it is easily accessible via City buses and auto rickshaws from any corners of the city. Nasik, being one of the major city, district and major pilgrimage center of Maharashtra, India, thus it is very well connected with all major cities of India via road, rail and air network. Ojhar Nashik International airport is located at just 24 kms away from the city. From where you can get flights to various cities like Delhi, Bengalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune etc. Nashik has major railway junction which quite important for the various key railway like like Mumbai to Kalyan or Delhi or Kolkata. Nashik is very well connected with all other cities of the country by roads through national highway or the state highway. The national highway of Mumbai-Agra passes via city Nashik and it is also well connected to city Pune with highway NH-50. Nashik is located at 170 km from Mumbai, 30 km from Ojhar, 30 km from Trimbak, 105 km from Malegaon, 210 km from Pune, 235 km from Surat, 135 km from Kalyan, 195 km from Aurangabad.
