Nashik - Panchavati

Panchavati, Nashik, Nashik district, Maharashtra

Ram Kund, Panchavati, Nashik district, Maharashtra

Kalaram Mandir, Panchavati, Nashik district, Maharashtra

• Meditation: I meditate on Sri Rama staying in the beautiful Panchavati forest during his forest exile with Lakshmana and Devi Sita.

• Panchavati: Panchavati in Nashik is identified with the ancient forest of Panchavati where Sri Rama stayed during the forest exile.

- Valmiki Ramayana describes various events related to Sri Rama at Panchavati. They are as follows:
1. Sri Rama hears about the Panchavati forest from sage Agastya located on the banks of river Godavari. (Valmiki Ramayana 3.13)
2. Sri Rama builds a Parna Shala (Leaf Hut) at Panchavati forest and lives there during forest exile. The river Godavari was flowing there. (Valmiki Ramayana 3.15)
3. Sri Rama hears the description of Hemanta Ritu from Lakshmana at Panchavati. (Valmiki Ramayana 3.16)
4. Sri Rama punishes demoness Surpanakha at Panchavati. (Valmiki Ramayana 3.17 - 3.18)
5. Sri Rama kills demons Khara and Dushana along with their army at Panchavati. (Valmiki Ramayana 3.20 - 3.30)
6. Sri Rama runs after the golden deer in the Panchavati forest. (Valmiki Ramayana 3.45)

• Places to see:
- Five Banyan Trees: The area of Panchavati has Five Banyan Trees and hence the name Panchavati.
- Sita Gumpha: It is believed that Devi Sita lived in this cave and worshipped the Shiva Linga. It is also said that Devi Sita was abducted by Ravana from this place.
- Ramkund: Ramkund is the holy bathing ghat of Panchavati on river Godavari. It is believed that Sri Rama bathed here during forest exile. It is also the place for performing rituals and devotional contemplation.
- Tapovan: Tapovan is the area in Panchavati at the confluence of rivers Godavari and Kapila. It is said that in ancient times the sages meditated in this place. It is also the place where Lakshmana is said to have cut off the nose of demoness Shurpanakha.
- Kalaram Mandir: Near the Sita Gumpha is the Kalaram Mandir, which is the famous Ram temple of Panchavati.

• Panchavati is located in the Nashik district of Maharashtra.

Bharatavarsha - The Land of Gods and Sages:

1. Stotras
2. Scriptures
3. Pilgrimages
4. Festivals
5. Saints: Ramakrishna - Vivekananda - Ramana
6. Sadhana
7. Sanskrit
8. Nature