Nasik is also important mythologically, historically, socially and culturally. Known for the temples on the banks of the Godavari, it has historically been one of the holy sites of the Hindu religion. It is one of the four cities that hosts the massive Sinhastha Kumbh Mela once every twelve years.
Ancient Nashik
Legend dictates that the name "Nasik" is derived from the Hindu epic Ramayana. During the exile of Lord Raam, Shoorpanakha the sister of the demon king Raavan tried to seduce Raam. Angered, Raam ordered Lakshman to cut off Shoorpanakha's nose (nasika/naak). According to the Raamayan, Sita was abducted by Raavan from the area called Panchavati in the Western Ghats. It is a popular religious destination within the city limits, today.
Raam, Lakshman, Seeta at a Nashik Temple.
The most important Historical significance is that Kumbh Mela, is conducted at Nashik, every once in twelve years, out of 4 places in India.
The most striking historical structure in Nashik is the Trirashmi Caves also known as the Paandav Caves. These were originally vihaars of Buddhist monks carved in stone in the mountain. There are extensive writings in Brahmi script that show that the township of Nashik supported Bhikkhu Sangha from about a century BC to about sixth century AD. One huge cave is a donation of Gautamiputra Saatkarni, the most famous king of Saatkarni dynasty. Another one is made by a Greek (Yavan) father and son who had apparently become monks.
Medieval Nashik
In the recent past, the Moguls were fascinated by the beauty of the city and renamed it as "Gulshanabad" meaning the city of gardens. Beautiful fresh flowers were sent to Aurangazeb from Gulshanabad i.e. Nashik. But it was during the rule of the Peshwas, when the place was finally renamed as Nashik. During the Peshwas period, Raghobadada and his wife Anandibai settled down at 'Anandwalli' in Nashik. There re some remains of Anandibai's fort. There is also a temple called 'Navasha Ganapati' built by Anandibai. It was during the British rule in April 1818, when Nashik once again regained its importance. The British fell in love with the beauty of the city and developed it in various fields. The Golf course, developed by the British, was one of the largest in Asia. Nashik is surrounded by nine hills, namely: Durga, Ganesh, Chitraghanta, Pandav, DingerAli, Mhasarul, Jogwada, Pathanpura and Konkani. This beautiful city with hills surrounding it has lakes, adding to its beauty.
Nashik during the British Rule
In 1869 the region came to enjoy unbroken peace. In 1869, Nashik was made a full-fledged district with its present talukas. With the return of peace Nashik flourished into prosperity. Reasons, political, religious, as well as commercial led to its rapid development. With the construction of the railway, going from Bombay to north-east, from very near the city, religious minded devotees came to be attracted to The town in ever increasing numbers where they made their purchases of various artistic & useful articles. This made Nashik a great trade centre where artisans skilled in manufacturing utensils & smiths excelling in workmanship in silver & gold crowded to ply their trade. Already Nashik was a highly flourishing town even under later Maratha rule & some time during that period the sow car families like barves, Vaishampayans & Gadres of the locality started their financial activity. Under Maratha rule they advanced sums to finance military campaigns of feudal Sardars & in their later times their Pedhi?s gradually began to finance the flourishing trade in metalware & fabrics as well as grapes & onions.21st December 1909. Anant Kanhere shot the collector Jackson in Vijayanand theater. The murder of Jackson challenged the British Rule. The people involved in the incidence, Anant LaxmanKanhere, Krishnaji Gopal Karve and Vinayak Ramchandra Deshpande were sentenced to death. It wasduring this time that 'Abhinav Bharat ' was formed. The young Nashikites were influenced by the speech of Lokmanya Tilak given on the 26th of August 1906. Veer Savarkar successfully organised underground movement against the rulers. The revolutionary activities at Nashik however continued. Although elaborately planned & very cautiously carried out they came to be suddenly interrupted on account of the hot-headed, intemperate & hasty on the part of a group of young men from Aurangabad, who involved some of the weaker members of the Mitra-Mela in their plan. Of these hot-headed persons one Anant Kanhere came to Nashik & on the night of 21st December 1909 suddenly fired at Mr. Jackson, the collector of Nashik when the latter had gone to see a drama 'Sharada' stagd by Kirlosker Natak Mandali in the local Vijayanand theater. The collector died on the spot. This set a whole chain of government inquiry into vigorous activity, the result of which was that all those connected with underground activities in the name of Mitra-Mela, including Savarkar, who at that time had been in India came to be arrested, tried & sentenced to severe punishments. The embers of revolution flared , in those days, into Marathi songs full of patriotic fervour written by various writers, prominent among whom was G.T. Darekar popularly called 'Govind Kavi' whose poems such as 'Who could ever win freedom without fight ?' or addressing his prayer to God Rama & saying 'When, O Rama, wilt thou be pleased to satisfy our burning desire for freedom,
"If Italy be free, why not India ?
If Ireland be free, why not India ?
If America be free, why not India ?"
The tempo in singing such songs in congregation used to enliven the audience & strengthen their determination to face the struggle. Subsequently government banned all such songs & suppressed all undrground activities with a heavy hand. The government had become very sensitive & even an utterance here or there or a display of an objectionable picture led to extreme government action. A few examples would suffice. Shri Khare, a pleader in Nashik , was accused to havesaid the following a few days before the murder of Mr.Jackson : "Today 4 crores of people rule over 33 crores & they have destroyed Indian industries ." . "It is the businessof the white to ruin us black people". "Europeans are like the demon ghost Putana, who was fair outside but poisonous within". " The time for action has come. How many of you ae ready to go to jail or to die?" & the like. Shri Khare was asked to submit a personal bond failing which the High Court recommended that his sanad should be suspended till such time that the order to furnish security continues in force Another interesting case was that of Shridhar Waman Nagarkar of Nashik who was sentenced to three years' rigorous imprisonment for drawing & publishing a picture containing a mythological representation of the slaying of demon Mahish by the Goddess Durga, framed with portrails of certain persons, notorious for sedition. The government took the view that the picture is likely to excite disaffection towards His Majesty or the government established by law in British India. Similar was the case against Devising Mohansing & Shankar Gir Hanumantgir of Nashik for publishing a seditious picture under the title ?Rashtra Purusha?. The former was sentenced to three years? rigorous imprisonment. Given below are the details of Jackson murder case that resulted in the subsequent unrest & discontent:-
Some of the major events in history of Nashik are-
1894 : Construction work for Victoria Bridge started
1910 : Police Training School established.
1922 : Distillery started at Nashik Road.
1927 : Security Press formed at Nashik Road.
1941 : Artillery Center migrated to Nashik Road from Quetta in Pakistan.
Nashik today
"Goda Park"
Modern efforts are on to promote the growth of an export-oriented rose farming and wine industry in the district. Nashik is also deemed "the third most industrialised city of Maharashtra after Mumbai and Pune", mainly due to extensive industrial development in recent times. It is home to an important thermal power plant (Eklahare) and a National Treasury Printing Press (India Security Press at Nashik Road). There are five "Industrial Zones" in the Nashik area and its outskirts (Satpur, Ambad, Sinnar, Igatpuri and Dindori). Nashik has a number of sugar mills. It is also chief exporter of white onion and pomegranates.
Many renowned Indian and MNC firms established themselves in Nashik:
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)[3], a premier state-owned aeronautical industry is situated at Ojhar Township in Nashik District of Maharashtra State. It is engaged in the design, manufacture and overhaul of a variety of aviation products from basic trainers to highly sophisticated supersonic fighters, helicopters, transport aircraft, engines, accessories and systems.
Nashik is also emerging as a BPO/IT destination and is in list of the selected Tier II cities for BPO/IT companies. Recently V-TECH has been completed, companies like Datamatics and WNS have presence in Nashik.
Nasik is now becoming metro in now a days as more and more malls, Multiplexes are coming up in the city. Almost all brand outlets are having places in Nasik. Approximately 4 Multiplexes are coming in the city with SRS Cinema, PVR Multiplex, inox etc.
Nashik is also the educational hub of Northwestern Maharashtra. The Yashawatrao Chavhan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) is leading open university located near Gangapur village at west side of Nashik. Many major colleges like K.K.Wagh Institute of Engineering Education & Research, Sir Visvesvaraya Memorial COE Chincholi , Nashik District Maratha Vidya Prasarak Samaj's College of Engineering and MET College of Engineering, MET Polytechnic dot the city. The KTHM College of Architecture is supposed to be one of the best Architectural colleges in Maharashtra. Mahatma Gandhi Vidhyamandir's L.V.H. College, HPT Arts and RYK Science are among the oldest colleges in Nashik. Lately, there have been several new colleges.
Gangapur Road, College Road and Trimbak Road form the lifelines of the suburbs.
For many though, Nasik is just a pit-stop en route to Shirdi or Trimbakeshwar. But if one decides to stop and look around the city and its outskirts, there's plenty to see. The Gangapur Dam is a beautiful site. The Dudhsagar fall near the village of Gangapur is worth a look in the rains. Gangapur village, a few kilometers away is a Stone Age site. On the road to Trimbakeshwar is the state's only Museum of Numismatics (study of coins). Anjaneri Parvat near Trimbakeshwar is well known for waterfalls during monsoon. Pandav Caves the 4th Century BC cave of Buddhist origin, a Bird Santury "Nandur-Madhyameshwar" popularly know as "Bharatpur of Maharashtra" which was started in 1950s is little away from the city, but is a mesmerizing place for nature (bird) lovers.
Apart from the private industry, Nashik was very popular even during the British times. There are numerous structures of the Colonial Days across the city, and there are a lot of Anglo Indians families who have settled in Nashik-Road.
The most famous Government Offices at Nashik.
The Security Printing Press at Nashik Road, The Postal printing Press at Gandhi Nagar, The Artilery Centre.(Asia's largest Military Base), as well as Deolali Contonment. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., Ojhar. Airforce Station, Ojhar.
Nashik today is one of the fastest growing economic cities of India.Many industries,It Parks have been setup here.Agriculture also has a huge impact on the Economy of Nasik.
Agriculture
Nasik is very famous for its Grapes,Onion and Tomatoes.All of which is grown in huge quantities.The farmers in Nasik however grow many more fruits and vegetables.The Wine culture is growing at an alarming speed both in terms of the growers and for the Wine makers.Nasik was famous for its Table Grapes for a very long time.The Table Grape revolution was started in Ojhar(MIG) a small town near Nasik in early 1925 by Shree Ramrao.Jairamji.Gaikwad,also known to have been the first person to commercially grow Table Grapes in Maharashtra.He is very well known as the Father of Indian Grapes.Since Grape cultivation was spread like forest fire.Shree Ramrao.J.Gaikwad revolutionised not only the Grape growing but also other crop cultivation practices.Today Table Grapes are being exported in great quantities to Europe,Middle East Asia and parts of South East Asia.Table Grapes are also used to make Raisens and Juices.Nasik also exports a reasonable quantity of Onions.Agriculture contributes greatly towards the economy of Nasik
The Indian Security Press
The India Security Press (the National treasury press) was the biggest employer in Nashik for
many decades until the late eighties when a service-based economy started to thrive.
The existence of the India Security Press is very beneficial to Nashik citizens, not only it provided employment to thousands of residents for the past few decades and spawned the surrounding economy but also because it has kept the green canopy in the city protected. It also has an adjoining Gymkhana and a large playground, which is a favorite games/exercise spot for children and adults alike.
IT Parks
In recent days, the government has decided to prepare IT parks in the city of Nasik Road. When these IT parks will be ready, there will be a great boost to Information Technology sector in Nashik. There are many industries like Mahindra and Mahindra an automobile industry,MICO Bosch are located at Satpur.Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is a fighter aircraft manufacturing company at Ojhar(mig) 20 km from Nashik at east side. The V-Tech park is one of the largest IT parks of Maharashtra.
Industrial Hub
World greatest manufacturers have setup a plant in Nashik MIDC area : Crompton Greaves Limited (Indian multinational engaged in design, manufacturing, and marketing of products related to power generation, transmission, and distribution.), ABB Ltd (Swiss's leading manufacturer in Switch gear, Transformer etc...), Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd ( all kind of automobile especially Jeep--Bolero, Scorpio, Commander,Marshall, Tractors), Kirloskar Oil (Manufactures crude oil for tractors),Ceat Tyres, all kind of tyres manufactureres,Schnider, Jyothi Structure (manufactures railway track for Indian railway),VIP Ltd (Bags & Accessories),Graphite India Ltd (Largest Electrode manufacturer),Surya Murphy (Electrical & Electronic manufacturer),Glaxo Pharma (India's leading pharma industry),Coco-cola (worlds leading beverage company),nearly 200 sugar manufacturing factories,Victor Gasket Ltd..these are the some of the companies. Besides these even IT sectors has entered a market, but the growth is little slow due to lack of infrastructure and technical support.
Climate
Extremes: max 44.8 °C (108.3 °F) on May 12, 1960, at Nasik. The lowest, also at Nasik, was 0.6 °C (33.1 °F) on January 7, 1945. [1]
Demographics
As of 2001 India census[4], Nashik had a population of 1,076,967. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Nashik has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 66%. In Nashik, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Education
Nashik has got many educational institutes and colleges as well as school with good facilities and utilities and a well teaching staff.
Schools
There are more than 300 schools in Nashik. Some of them are:
D D Bytco High School
Abhinav Bal Vikas Mandir
Adarsh English Medium School
Adarsh Vidyalaya
AP Vidyalaya
Ashoka Universal School
Babubhai Kalmadia English Medium School
Bright Sparks English Medium School
Boys Town Public School
CDO Meri High School
Donbosco English Medium School
Fravashi Academy
Fravashi International School
Horizon Academy
HighFlier's Academey
Modern English School
Nirmala Convent
New Era English School
Orchid International School
Pethe High School
Rangubai Junnare English Medium High School
Rangubai Junnare English Medium Primary & Montessori School
Ryan International School
Rachana Vidyalaya
Rashbihari International School
Silver Oak High School
St. Francis High School
St. Lawewnce High School
St. Sadique High School
St. Xavier's High School
St. Josephs Kilbil School
Sacred Heart Convent School
Sagar Mal Modi
Sarda Kanya Vidyalaya
Symbiosis
Colleges and Institutes
Nashik is full of Institutes. Some of them are-
K.K Wagh Engineering College
KK Wagh Engineering College, Nashik.
SIR VISVESVARAYA MEMORIAL COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, CHINCHOLI, NASHIK
HPT College
KTHM College
MET College
RYK College
Bitco College
SMRK College
BYK College
Sandeep Foundation
Bramha Valley
Panchavati College
Nashik is one of the fastest developing cities in India, it is supposed to be a metro-in-making. It has been transformed tremendously from being a pilgrimage city to the Wine Capital of India.
There is also Bhosala Military school, N.D.M.V.P.Engineering, Medical colleges & KKW, MET colleges
Personalaties
Some of the famous personalities from Nashik. Kusumagraj or V. V. Shirwadkar who was honoured by one of the highest awards in Indian literature, the "Gyanpeeth" (a.k.a "Dnyaan-peeth") for his overall contribution to Marathi literature. Dadasaheb Phalke - the pioneer of Indian Cinema and of Bollywood who made the first ever Indian movie.Shree RamRao Jairamji Gaikwad also known as the father of Indian grapes. Pandit D. V. Paluskar - noted personality from Indian classical music. Bhagur near Nashik is the birth place of Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar popularly known as " Veer Savarkar " one of the freedom fighter during Indian freedom struggle.
Entertainment and Modern Nashik
Nashik has got many entertaining centers and cinema houses. Cinemax, Fame, Regimental Cinemax and Adlabs are currently 4 multiplexes in Nashik. A 6 screen multiplex is likely to be open in June-July at Banyan Square chowk. Modern Nashik has got many tall buildings up to 17 floors,. Malls like BIG BAZAR, VISHAL MEGA MART, HOUSEFULL, RELIANCE FRESH, SPENCER, SUBHIKSHA and MORE are setup here. Also College Road has got many modern shops LIKE SUBWAY,MC'DONALDS,COFFEE DAY,ETC. It is most developed area of Nashik. Maharahstra's biggest mall 'NASHIK CITY CENTER' is planned for opening soon. Nashik is developing fast.The real estate rates at Nashik are also going up at a very fast rate. There are 3 radio stations in Nashik - 101.4 Akashwani, Gyanwani. 98.3 Radio Mirchi and 93.5 S Fm.
Transport
Nashik has a Railway Station named Nashik Road, located 10 km away from the city. Perhaps this distance has created another city near the railway station called Devlali, which houses a military cantonment. Nashik city is run by a municipal corporation. Nashik Road is the busiest Railway station in Bhusawal division of Central Railway. In olden days, a horse drawn carriage used to ply on rail between Nashik Road and Nashik City, mostly to ferry devotees of Godavari River. Most of the trains going to or coming from Mumbai halt at Nashik Road.
