Nashik is one of the world's holiest Hindu cities. Kumbhmela is held here once in 12 years along with four other cities in India. Lord Rama along with Lakshmana and Sita spent 14 years of his exile at Tapovan near Nashik. The city came under the rule of Mughal in 16th century and was renamed Gulshanabad. Then it comes under Peshwa of Maratha Empire in 1818. City is also noted for its participation in freedom struggle. Freedom fighters like Veer Savarkar and Anant Laxman Kanhere were born in Nashik.
Nashik is famous for its numerous temples constructed during the reigns of different rulers. These include the magnificent ones at Sinnar, Anjaneri, Trimbakeshwar and those in the city itself. Out of these, the temples at Sinnar and Anjaneri were constructed in around 11th – 12th century CE by the Yadava kings and their feudatories. Out of these the Aishwaryeshwar Mandir and the Gondeshwar Mandir at Sinnar are the most impressive with their beautiful sculptures. The temple complex at Anjaneri consists of Jain and a few Hindu temples at the foot of the fort and the legends identify the hill as the birthplace of Hanuman.
The small town of Anjaneri is also famous for the internationally acclaimed Indian Institute of Research in Numismatic Studies. It has a very informative money museum explaining the development of currency in India through the ages. The temple at Trimbakeshwar, one of the 12 ‘Jyotirlingas’ (the phallic emblem of Shiva with fire), is considered the most sacred of all such places. The town of Trimbakeshwar is located at the origin of the river Godavari, considered the Ganga of the Deccan.
The archives of the Brahmin priests in this town are remarkable for preserving the records of the families for whom they have been conducting the rituals for generations together. The Kumbh Mela is celebrated here during Simhastha (i.e. when Jupiter and Sun are in the zodiac sign Leo) which comes after every 12 years. At this time, millions of Hindus - both ascetics and other devotees - gather and bathe in the river. Trimbakeshwar is also associated with Nivruttinath, brother of Sant Jnaneshwar and is therefore considered a special seat of the Naath Sampradaya.
