The Religious Nasik
This is a guest post by Priyanka Dalal about her visit to religious centers in and around Nasik. Priyanka writes at priyankawriting.com. Photographs are courtesy of the author.
After a four-hour drive from my house in South Mumbai, I found myself approaching Nasik city. Spending a day there, I was surprised at the myriad host of religious places that the city has. Here are some of them to give you an idea about what a multi-religious fanfare this small city close to Mumbai really is.
On the road to Nasik
Shahapur Manas Mandir: My destination in Nasik was a Jain Tirth called Shahapur Manas Mandir. It is a newly built religious place – a huge, beautifully carved temple with lots of small idols placed in sanctuaries of their own, including a snake god (Kshetrapalji) temple below a huge banyan tree. This temple complex is situated on a small hill. Below the hill is a stay and dining area, a lake and a place for Jain monks to stay.
If you take a train from Mumbai, go from CST to Asangaon (takes about 45 minutes in a fast train). A rickshaw from Asangaon, takes 15 minutes to drop you at the Mandir.
Dharmachakra: A little ahead of Shahapur village is another Jain Tirth called Dharamachakra. Dharmachakra has many sculptures and carvings, many of them depicting other Jain holy places. It is located right by the Mumbai-Nasik highway 15 minutes away from the city. Along with the temple is a stay and dining area. Women must wear a salwar kameez to enter the bhojanalaya (dining hall) and the temple. However, they lend Salwar Kameez to those who are not carrying one.
Buddha Vihar: A 15 minutes walk from Dharmachakra, Buddha Vihar is a dome shaped meditation hall constructed by the Nasik city corporation. The Vihara has a huge Golden Buddha Idol in a hall where many people sit and meditate. A tape usually keeps playing in the background with the chants of “Buddham Sharanam Ghachchami, Sangham Sharanam Gachchami, Dhammam Sharanam Gachchami”. Its a soothing and quiet place, but can get noisy on Sundays.
The lawn around the Buddha Vihar is a good place to spend some time in, lie down or picnic with family. A short trek from the lawn up a hill takes you to caves that are said to have served as the abode of the Pandava brothers.
Panchvati: Inside Nasik city is a place with 5 Banyan trees. The lore says this is where Rama and Sita rested. There is also a cave nearby. However, the area now has a commercialized look.
At Panchavati
Nasik is surrounded by many prominent religious places. During our drive, we came across a large group of people walking along the highway, many of them wearing no footwear. They were on a walking pilgrimage to Shirdi, two hours beyond Nasik by car or bus.
Nasik is also not far from Dhammagiri with its Vipassana Research Institute, which conducts meditation courses. About 20km from Buddha Vihar is Trimbakeshwar, one of the twelve Jyothirlingas. Jyotirlingas are powerful, consecrated lingas that are believed good for spiritual and all round well-being.
There are many smaller temples and religious centres in and around Nasik. Other things to see around Nasik include the vineyards, including the well known Sula vineyards is just outside Nasik.