Nashik, Maharashtra - 2 Nights and 3 Days

Artillery museum, Muktidham Mandir, Phalke smarak Museum, Gangapur dam and Backwaters

Published on 2021-12-31

Panchvati Ramkund 2, Nashik

Panchvati Ramkund 2, Nashik

Destination

urban

Best time to visit

June to July

  • Nashik, one of the well known historical places in Maharashtra, previously known as ‘Gulshanabad’, because of the rose gardens that were blooming all over the land of Nashik.
  • This city is also known for the World Famous Maha Kumbh Mela that takes place after every 12 years on the banks of Godavari River in Trimbakeshwar.
  • Nashik has India’s largest winery and vineyard, the famous ‘Sula wines and vineyard’.
  • Looking at the educational aspect, Nashik has a large number of schools, Universities and educational hubs like YCMOU, Sandeep foundation and MUHS.
  • The biggest Artillery Center in Asia, that has all the modern warfare and army troop training camps in deolali.
  • The statue of Ahinsa, a 108 ft idol of first Jain tirthankar Rishabdev carved in monolithic stone was consecrated at Mangi Tungi. It is recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records as the tallest jain idol in the world.
  • The best time to visit nashik is during Monsoon (June-July) or during winter time (Dec-Jan)

How to reach?

  • By road: (RTO code MH15) - Nashik is easily accessible by road. There are 2 Main bus stands in the city.
    • Mahamarg bus stand - This bus stand is located 9 km away from the Nashik railway station and it connects all MSRTC inter state buses for Pune, Mumbai, Kolhapur, Chandrapur, Shirdi, Sinner, Sangmner, Jalgaon, etc.
    • Thakkar Bazar bus stand - It connects all the Intrastate Government and Private buses for Bhopal, Gujarat, Hyderabad, etc.
  • Railhead: Nashik is well connected to major cities of India via rail. Two Major stations are as below:
    • Nashik Road Railway Station - It connects Northern and Southern India and is located in the heart of Nashik.
    • Deolali Railway Station - It connects Eastern India railways and also serves intercity location rails, too.
  • Airport: Nashik has connectivity to 2 airports which connect all the major airports and cities like Pune, Aurangabad,  Hyderabad, Bangalore, Delhi.
    • Ozar airport which is 21km away from the center of the city.
    • Shirdi airport which is 95 km away from center of the city.

Highlights

  • Nashik has diverse religious culture as here we see the famous ’Infant Jesus Church’, 'Badi Dargah’ , ’Trimbakeshwar Mandir’, ‘Jain Temple’, ‘Buddha Smarak’.
  • India security money printing press situated in nashik.
  • Missal is the famous breakfast for nashikkars that has become famous world wide, nashik has some of the oldest missal centers that are still functional right from the independence.
  • Nashik is the only city that has 5 Industrial Zones that work very efficiently.
  • Nashik is the ‘Grape city’ this is because of the export quality grapes that are traded all over India and also the world.
  • Also famous for ‘Coin Museum’ and ‘Indian Army Regiment of Artillery Museum’.

Itinerary

Day 1- Arrival Day and Local Nashik Tour

Assuming that one reaches Nashik by noon , you can check in any below recommended hotels. Also you can find a good place to book a hotel on the Nashik road.

Explore more hotels

After checking in and refreshing, head out for lunch. (area near Nashik road and Deolali) 

  • Lunch options:
    • Purohit thali at nashik road - Famous for Marwadi, Gujarati and Maharashtrian Thali. (must try!)
      • Hotel Sadguru at nashik road - Famous for south indian food.
      • Shalimar at nashik road -  Superb non-veg dishes, Chicken rogan and rumali roti are famous here.

Artillery museum, Deolali Gaon: This location is appx 6 km away from the center of the city and one can easily spend 2 hours exploring the entire area. Indian military museum with vintage war machines, historical information & artefacts. Reach there by local auto, at nashik road. The Artillery Museum is one of the best places where patriotic citizens of India can see all these things in one place. It is the biggest Artillery Center in Asia.

  • Timing 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Ticket Cost - INR 25 Adults , INR 10 Kids

 

Artillery museum, nashik
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Artillery museum, nashik

Muktidham Mandir: It is 3-4 km away from the artillery museum and takes about 10-15 min to reach by local auto. It is a popular tourist attraction, a marble temple complex honouring various Hindu Gods.

  • Timing 6:00 AM - 9:15 PM 

Evening snacks at nashik road, the below mentioned locations are in 5-6 km of radius.

  • Badhsahas pav bhaji and kaju milkshake is a must try. 
  • Thapas sabudana vada In Deolali
  • Bharat Cold is famous for milkshakes and south indian cuisine.
  • Imperial bakery (for non veg snacks).
  • Garibdas is famous for papdi chaat and bhalla.

 

After your evening snacks, you can do some shoppings from the below mentioned shopping locations in Deolali camp.

  • Lewitt market: Famous market for buying trending clothes, you can bargain in your own way to get the best price. Can be reached by local auto, situated in the Deolali camp. It is about 15-30 mins away from nashik road.
  • Deolali Camp Market: It is a tourist attraction for the military base and historical temples found there. It is perfect for picking up a variety of souvenirs, presents and artifacts.

After the market visit, one can have dinner in Deolali or Nashik Road.

Day 2 - Local Sightseeing in Nashik

Start your day early (around 7.30 am/8 am), choose your breakfast from the below mentioned options and book a cab or local auto to visit the Pandav Leni (Nashik caves), Patharadi Phata, Nashik.

  • Breakfast options:
    • Hotel Shamsundsr Misal, satpur colony - Misal Pav is famous (Must Try!).
    • Rana Snacks, Nashik Road - Authentic local food, Thalipeeth is must try.
    • Hotel Express Inn, pathardi phata - Variety of local and South Indian food.

Pandav Leni, Historical Landmark - One of the most famous places in Nashik, known for the stay of lord ram in his exile. These caves were used by Buddhist monks & feature carvings & scenic views. Also is a small trek with a few 100 steps.

  • Timing - 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Pandav Leni, Nashik
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Pandav Leni, Nashik

Phalke smarak Museum - Present At the foot of Pandav Leni. It highlights the work of Dadasaheb Phalke and the cultural heritage of the city make it a popular retreat for residents and visitors alike. Also has the Buddha statue in the surrounding area which is a must visit.

  • Timing - 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Jain temple - This famous temple is just 4 km away from Phalke Museum. It has a structure of three storeys built mainly with white marble and pink sand in a huge campus having beautiful gardens. A very large & heavy deity of the 24th of Tirthankara of the Jains is installed here.

  • Timing - Open 24 hours.
  • You are suggested to taste Mahaprasad as lunch at the Jain Temple itself, or travelling to ganagapur road for other lunch options and further day.
Jain Temple, Nashik
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Jain Temple, Nashik

Lunch options:

  • Veg aroma (veg) paneer dishes are famous here.
  • Curry leaves (veg) here kofta is a must try.
  • Kokni Darbar (non-veg) famous for biryani.
  • Kaka ka dhaba (veg & non-veg)famous for chicken handi/mutton handi.
  • Someshwar waterfall, Ambedkar Nagar: This place is about 25 Min away from Jain temple. A peaceful location with a great view and the speciality of this waterfall is it looks like a milk waterfall but it's availability is for only 2-3 months during the rainy season.
  • Gangapur dam and Backwaters: Just next to Someshwar waterfall, just 5 KM. This is a beautiful dam built from sand which a beautiful boating club and huge water reservoir that provides water to nashik city.
  • Sula wines and vineyard: After returning back from Gangapur Dam, spend your quality evening time with friends or family in this beautiful vineyard. Sula has beautiful snacks and dining cuisine. India's largest winery. They allow you to visit the production unit and taste wines. Also has a big fest where tourists all over the world visit. You are recommended to try evening snacks here itself.
  • Timing - 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM 
Gangapur dam and Backwaters, Nashik
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Gangapur dam and Backwaters, Nashik

Dinner options:

  • Shagun restaurant (veg) at old gangapur naka famous for its thali.
  • Divtya Budhlya (non-veg) at anandvalli famous for non veg thali.
  • Yahoo hotel (veg and non-veg) near canada corner famous for seafood.
  • Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 3- Sightseeing Outskirts Nashik and Return

Breakfast options:

  • Chai tapri cafe, Pipeline road, Nashik- Popular place for local food, like Misal with Caha (Tea) and South Indian food.
  • Grape county, Trimbakeshwar Road - All type of North/South Indian dishes.

 

Panchvati Ramkund: This is the holiest spot in Nashik as it is believed to be the place where Lord Rama used to bathe. It contains the bone dissolving Asthivilaya Tirth. It is in the city itself, 10 km away from the center of the city and you are suggested to visit this place in the morning while going towards Trimbakeshwar Temple.

  • Trimbakeshwar Temple: Trimbakeshwar Temple is a religious centre having one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva with a sacred pond believed to be the start of Godavari River. Shri Trimbakeshwar Temple is located at a distance of about 28 km from the heart of the city near the mountain named Brahamagiri from which the river Godavari flows. It was constructed by third Peshwa Balaji Bajirao (1740-1760) on the site of an old temple.
Panchvati Ramkund, Nashik
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Panchvati Ramkund, Nashik

Lake vaitarna: This place is approx 15 KM from Trimbakeshwar Temple, The lake Vaitarna Waterfalls in Igatpuri, is a nice place for one to spend time with their family and friends. Make sure you visit the waterfalls.

Lake vaitarna, Nashik
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Lake vaitarna, Nashik

Lunch options:

  • Ambika Bhojanalay - known for the homemade food and veg thali.
  • KK Dhaba, near Trimbak-Famous Maharashtrian Khandeshi twist in taste .
  • Padan restaurant near trimbak road - Veg thali is must try

Head back to the hotel: Avoid the evening traffic and check out as per the hotel timing.

Things to buy

  • City center mall for some shopping: It is a local mall famous in nashik for the variety of things for shopping. It is 10-15 mins away from the heart of the city and can be reached by cab or auto.
  • Tibetian market: Tibetan Market One of the most famous street markets for fashion in the city of Nashik is The Tibetan Street Market. It is not only a shopping hub but can be defined as a complete destination for entertainment and fun.
  • Jhatka pani puri is a must try in nashik, very famous and spicy pani puri from Shoukin, Nashik Road.
  • Grapes in the season from Nashik road fruits market.
  • Madhavji chivda, famous snack of Nashik - Pournima Building, Karanja.
  • Brass utensils, handicrafts items, souvenirs - Saraf Bazar, Deolali Camp.
  • Raisins (kishmish) and dry fruits in reasonable rates - Muktidham Parking road.

Suggestions and recommendations

  • Famous Kalika Jatra during the festival of Navratri, Ravana- Dahan during the festival of Dussehra, the festival of Diwali and indeed the Ramleela during the occasion of Ramanavmi are some famous times to visit Nashik.
  • If you have an extra day or two in Nashik, you can also consider visiting a few more places from below options;
    • Nandur madhyameshwar bird century: Wonderful wetlands, teeming with waterbirds and wetland vegetation.The bird sanctuary is maintained well, with qualified and knowledgeable guides.
    • Coin museum: At a distance of 19 KM from Nashik, is on the Trimbakeshwar road.The museum perfectly depicts the evolution of the currency system in India, since the historic ages till today.
    • Harihar trek: Harihar fort / Harshgad is a fort located 40km from Nashik City. It receives many visitors because of its peculiar rock-cut steps.
  • Nearby places to Nashik:
    • Shirdi - Appx 90 KM , known for the famous Sai Baba Temple.
    • Shani Shinganapur - Appx 140 KM , Known for famous Shani Mandir.
    • Pune - Appx 210 KM, Oxford of the east, IT and educational Hub.
    • Daman - Appx 150 KM from Nashik, known for beautiful beaches like Jampore, Devka. Attractive places for visitors.