NASHIK, Maharashtra

Main Attraction: Trimbakeshwar Temple

The village of Trimbak, 36 kms from Nashik, is famous for the Trimbakeshwar Temple and as the source of the Godavari River. Trimbakeshwar enshrines one of the 12 jyotirlingas dedicated to Shiva and this one is considered to be the main jyotirlinga.

Legend has it that Guatam Rishi performed a rigorous ritual of prayer and penance or tapasya to Shiva on Brahmagiri Hill which rises above the present-day temple. Pleased with this devotion, Shiva is said to have blessed him and brought down to earth from heaven the sacred rivers of Ganga, Gautami and Godavari.

Brief History

It is believed that the name of Nashik district has its origin from the story of Ramayan. Lord Rama with his wife Sita and brother Laxmana stayed during their exile period at Panchavati, Nashik. Laxmana severed the nose (Nasika, a Sanskrit word) of Ravana’s sister Shurpnakha who insisted to marry Laxmana. Thus the name ‘Nashik’ was originated. The earliest literary mention of Nashik occurs in a Vattika of Katyayana (circa 250 B.C.) on Panini’s Sutra (VI, I, 63) as explained by Patanjali. Katyayan’s Vattika implies the name Nasikya, a city (Nagara) which was the same as modern Nashik. Later, the name occurs in several subsequent works such as the Brihtsambita of Varahamihira (6thcnetry A.D.), Vayu, Varaha and other Puranas. Nashik was however more famous as a holy pilgrimage centre than as the headquarters of the territorial division.

Nashik went through rules of different dynasties. The period of Yadava supremacy ended with the invasions of Muslims from the north under Alaud-din Khilji and Malik Kafur. For about twenty years after Ala-ud-din Khilji’s conquest (1294), most of the present day district of Nashik formed a part of the dominions of the territory of Sultan of Delhi (1317 A.D.) and then passed to the Bahamani King (1347-1490) of Gulbarga and lastly to NizamShahi King (1490-1630) of Ahmadnagar, subsequently, Nashik was included in the Mughal province of Aurangabad.

During Maratha regime Nashik district occupied a key position in Maharashtra. It was later liberated from Muslim Joke by Marathas and came under British rule in 1818. The present territory of Nashik district was formerly partly distributed in Khandesh and Ahmadnagar districts. In 1837-38 part of Ahmadnagar district consisting of Sinnar, Chandor, Dindori, Nashik including Igarpuri and Peint State were made into a sub-collectorate under Ahmadnagar. The sub-collectorate of Nashik was, however, abolished in 1856 and its talukas incorporated in Ahmadnagar district. In 1861, Nimarpeta under Sinnar and VaniPeta under Dindori were abolished and a new sub-division was formed with headquarters at Niphad. Headquarters of Karnaltaluka included in Trimbakpeta was transferred to Igatpuri town in the year 1861-62 and the name of the talukachaged from Karnai to Igatpuritaluka. In 1869, Nashik was made a fulfledged district, with eight sub- divisions of Ahmadnagar viz. Nashik, Sinnar, Igatpuri, Dindori, Chandor, Niphad, Yevla and Akola and three sub divisions namely Nandgaon, Malegaon and Baglan from Khandesh and Peint state. Shortly, afterwards Akola taluka was returned to Ahmadnagar. In 1875, Baglantaluka was divided into two talukas viz. Baglan or Satana and Kalwan. After the death of begam, Peint State became British territory and was made into sub division in 1878. There were no major changes in the district or taluka boundaries between 1901 to 1948.

Consequent upon the merger of Indian States a new Mahal known as Surganamahal consisting of the former Indian State of Surgana was created in 1949. In 1950,11villages were transferred to Aurangabad district. Two villages from Surat district were added to this district. Four villages were transferred to Dhule district. With the re-organisation of States in 1956, the district was included in Mumbai State, since 1960 it formed a part of Maharashtra.