Nashik facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nashik
Nasik
|
|
|---|---|
|
Clockwise from top left: Nashik city skyline, Godavari Ghat, Pandavleni Caves, Kalaram Temple, View of Nashik mountains
|
|
| Nickname(s):
Wine Capital of India
|
|
 Nashik
Location in Maharashtra
Nashik
Location in India
|
|
| Country |  India |
| State | Maharashtra |
| District | Nashik |
| Division | Nashik |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal Corporation |
| • Body | Nashik Municipal Corporation |
| Area | |
| • Metropolis | 267 km2 (103 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 602.48 m (1,976.64 ft) |
| Population
(2011)
|
|
| • Metropolis | 1,486,053 |
| • Density | 5,566/km2 (14,415/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 1,562,769 |
| • Metro rank | India: 29th |
| Demonym(s) | Nashikkar, Nashikites |
| Language | |
| • Official | Marathi |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN |
422 001
|
| Telephone code | 91(253) |
| Vehicle registration | MH-15 (Nashik City), MH-41(Malegaon) |
| Nominal GDP (Nashik District) | ₹183,719 crore (US$31 billion) (2021-22) |
| Sex ratio | 894 ♀ / 1000 ♂ |
| HDI |  0.746 (high) |
| Literacy | 89.85% |
| Website | |
Nashik (pronounced NAH-shik) is a lively city in the northern part of Maharashtra, an Indian state. It sits on the banks of the Godavari River. Nashik is growing fast, with about 2.2 million people living there.
The city is about 165 kilometers northeast of Mumbai, the state capital. It is also about 210 kilometers north of Pune. The area around Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik is often called the "Golden Triangle of Maharashtra." Nashik is known as the "Wine Capital of India" because more than half of India's vineyards and wineries are located here. About 90% of all Indian wine comes from the Nashik Valley. Nashik is also one of the important Hindu pilgrimage sites where the Kumbh Mela festival is held every 12 years.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Nashik comes from the old Sanskrit word 'nāsikā', which means 'nose'.
According to the ancient Indian story, the Ramayana, Nashik is where Lakshmana (the brother of Lord Rama) cut off the nose of the demoness Surpanakha. This is how the city got its name. It was also known as Panchavati. During the time of the Mughal Empire, it was called "Gulshanabad."
A Look Back in Time
Ancient Stories
Nashik has had many names throughout history. In ancient Hindu stories, it was called "Padmanagar" in the Satya Yuga, "Trikantak" in the Treta Yuga, and "Janasthana" in the Dvapara Yuga. Finally, it became "Navashikh" or "Nashik" in the Kali Yuga. The city is very important in Indian mythology, history, and culture. Since it is on the banks of the Godavari River, it is a holy place for Hindus worldwide. It is believed that Rama, the king of Ayodhya, lived in Nashik during his 14-year exile.
Nashik's Old Tram
Around 1889, a tram service started in Nashik. It ran from the Old Municipal Building on the main road to the Nashik Road railway station. This tram served the people of Nashik for about 44 years.
The tram station was on Main Road. The tram traveled through areas like Bhadrakali Market and Ghasbazar to reach the railway station. It covered a distance of about eight to ten kilometers. At that time, much of this area was dense jungle. A famous poet, Kusumagraj, wrote about the trams, describing how they would ring their bell and leave the village when full.
Freedom Fighters and Social Change
In the early 1900s, Vinayak Savarkar and his brother started a secret group called Abhinav Bharat in Nashik. This group was part of a larger movement in Maharashtra that aimed for India's freedom.
On December 21, 1909, a student named Anant Laxman Kanhere, who was part of Abhinav Bharat, took action against Nashik's governor, A. M. T. Jackson, during a play. Kanhere was arrested, and after an investigation, Vinayak Savarkar and others were arrested for planning against the government. This event was known as the "Nasik Conspiracy Case - 1910." Savarkar was seen as the main leader of this plan and was sent to prison for life. This case made Savarkar well-known.
Later, in 1930, a movement called the Nashik Satyagraha began. It was led by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. This movement fought for the right of Dalits to enter the Kalaram Temple, aiming for social equality. Dr. Ambedkar continued his efforts to end untouchability in Nashik in 1932.
Nashik's Location and Weather
Nashik is in the northern part of Maharashtra state. It is about 584 meters above sea level. This high location gives Nashik pleasant weather, especially in winter.
The Godavari River starts from the Brahmagiri Mountain in Trimbakeshwar, about 24 kilometers from Nashik. It then flows through the older parts of the city. In the past, pollution from factories was harming the river, but it has since been successfully cleaned.
Nashik is on the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, which is an ancient landform created by volcanoes. Trimbakeshwar, where the Godavari River begins, is about 30 kilometers from the city. The city covers an area of about 259.13 square kilometers.
Climate
Nashik has a mild tropical climate because of its location and high altitude. Temperatures rise a bit in October, followed by a cool season from November to February. During the cool season, daytime temperatures are around 28°C (82°F), but nights are cool, averaging 10°C (50°F), with very dry air.
| Climate data for Nashik (Ozar Airport) 1991–2020, extremes 1965–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 40.2 (104.4) |
38.6 (101.5) |
40.4 (104.7) |
42.8 (109.0) |
44.8 (112.6) |
43.3 (109.9) |
35.4 (95.7) |
34.3 (93.7) |
36.5 (97.7) |
38.5 (101.3) |
44.0 (111.2) |
44.4 (111.9) |
44.8 (112.6) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 29.0 (84.2) |
31.5 (88.7) |
34.9 (94.8) |
37.6 (99.7) |
37.4 (99.3) |
32.1 (89.8) |
28.0 (82.4) |
27.6 (81.7) |
29.1 (84.4) |
31.7 (89.1) |
30.6 (87.1) |
29.4 (84.9) |
31.6 (88.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 10.4 (50.7) |
12.6 (54.7) |
16.2 (61.2) |
20.0 (68.0) |
22.4 (72.3) |
23.2 (73.8) |
22.3 (72.1) |
21.6 (70.9) |
21.2 (70.2) |
18.6 (65.5) |
14.7 (58.5) |
11.8 (53.2) |
17.8 (64.0) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 0.4 (32.7) |
0.6 (33.1) |
5.7 (42.3) |
8.8 (47.8) |
13.5 (56.3) |
18.3 (64.9) |
17.0 (62.6) |
17.0 (62.6) |
13.5 (56.3) |
9.8 (49.6) |
4.4 (39.9) |
2.2 (36.0) |
0.4 (32.7) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.6 (0.02) |
3.2 (0.13) |
7.5 (0.30) |
1.1 (0.04) |
10.2 (0.40) |
120.1 (4.73) |
240.6 (9.47) |
196.5 (7.74) |
169.4 (6.67) |
68.0 (2.68) |
26.2 (1.03) |
2.3 (0.09) |
845.9 (33.30) |
| Average rainy days | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 6.6 | 14.4 | 12.5 | 10.0 | 4.5 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 52.0 |
| Average relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST) | 32 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 30 | 64 | 81 | 82 | 78 | 54 | 44 | 39 | 47 |
| Source: India Meteorological Department | |||||||||||||
Nashik was ranked as the 19th best "National Clean Air City" in India in 2024, among cities with over 1 million people.
People of Nashik
| Religions in Nashik City (2011) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Religion | Percent | |||
| Hinduism | 85.21% | |||
| Islam | 8.91% | |||
| Buddhism | 3.18% | |||
| Jainism | 1.10% | |||
| Christianity | 1.00% | |||
| Other or not stated | 0.60% | |||
Nashik is the fourth largest city in Maharashtra by population, after Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur. In 2011, Nashik had a population of 1,486,053 people. There were 782,517 males and 703,536 females. The larger Nashik metropolitan area had 1,561,809 people.
Most people in Nashik can read and write, with a literacy rate of 89.85%. For males, it was 93.40%, and for females, it was 85.92%. The city has 894 females for every 1,000 males. About 11.42% of the population is under 6 years old.
In 2011, most people in Nashik spoke Marathi (76.69%). Other languages spoken included Hindi (11.80%), Urdu (3.26%), Gujarati (2.16%), and Marwari (1.26%).
Nashik's Economy
Farming and Food
Nashik is famous for its grapes. In 1925, a "table grape revolution" began near Nashik, meaning they started growing grapes for eating. Today, these grapes are sent to countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Onions are also a very important crop grown in the Nashik district.
The Nashik district has a large area of land used for farming, about 864,000 hectares. A big part of this land is used for crops during the monsoon season (Kharip crop) and a smaller part for crops during the winter (Rabbi crop).
Industries and Jobs
Nashik is an important area for industries, especially for defense and aerospace manufacturing. The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited plant, which makes aircraft like the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, is located nearby in Ozar. The Currency Note Press and India Security Press are in Nashik Road. This is where Indian money and government papers are printed.
Many large companies have factories in the Nashik district. These include companies that make things like industrial tools, tires, electrical equipment, and more. Some well-known names are Atlas Copco, Robert Bosch GmbH, CEAT Limited, and Mahindra and Mahindra.
Besides manufacturing, Nashik is also becoming a place for Information Technology companies. Big companies like Tata Consultancy Services and Accenture have set up offices or innovation centers here. Nashik also has a textile industry.
The Wine Capital
Nashik is known as "The Wine Capital of India." The region produces a huge amount of grapes each year.
In 2013, there were 22 wineries in Nashik, out of 46 in all of India. The biggest vineyard in Nashik is Sula Vineyards. During the grape harvest season, Nashik hosts several wine festivals, like the India Grape Harvest and SulaFest.
Culture and Places to See
In 2016, a very tall statue called the Statue of Ahimsa was blessed at Mangi Tungi, about 122 kilometers from Nashik. It is a 108-foot idol of Rishabhdev, the first Jain spiritual leader, carved from a single stone. It holds a Guinness World Record as the tallest Jain idol in the world.
Trirashmi Caves
.jpg)
The Trirashmi (Pandavleni) Caves, also called Nashik Caves, are a group of 24 caves. They were carved into the rock between the 1st century BCE and the 2nd century CE. These caves are important examples of early Buddhist architecture.
Dams Around Nashik
- Gangapur Dam is an earthen dam on the Godavari River near Gangawadi village.
- Chankapur dam is on the Girna river. It was built by the British in the 1800s. It is about 60 kilometers from Nashik.
- Kashypi Dam is on the Kashypi river near Rajapur.
- Girna Dam is an earth-fill dam on the Girna river near Nandgaon.
- Darna Dam is a gravity dam on the Darna river near Igatpuri.
The Kumbh Mela Festival
The Kumbh Mela is a very important Hindu festival. It is held every six years in Haridwar and Prayagraj, and a bigger Maha Kumbh is held every twelve years in four different places: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik.
According to old stories, the Kumbh Mela gets its name from a pot of immortal nectar. Gods and demons fought over this pot. It is believed that drops of this nectar fell in the four places where the Kumbh Mela is now celebrated. In Nashik, it fell on the banks of the Godavari River.
Gardens and Public Spaces
The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) takes care of many gardens throughout the city. Shivaji Garden on Main Road is one of the oldest and most popular.
Libraries and Theatres
Sarvajanik Vachanalaya Nashik is one of India's oldest libraries, started around 1840. It has a huge collection of 175,000 books in English, Marathi, Hindi, and Sanskrit.
For entertainment, people in Nashik often visit drama theaters like Kalidas Kala Mandir and Parshuram Saykhedkar Natyagruh.
Getting Around Nashik
By Air
Nashik has a domestic airport located at Ozar. This airport connects Nashik to other major Indian cities like Ahmedabad, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Indore, and Nagpur. There is also an older airport at Gandhinagar, which is now used by the military.
By Train
The main train station for the city is Nashik Road railway station. Another station, Deolali, is also within the city limits.
By Road
Nashik is connected by National Highway 60. The Mumbai-Nashik Expressway makes it easy to travel between Nashik and Mumbai. India's first 10-lane expressway is planned to be built between Nashik and Pune. The Surat-Nashik-Chennai expressway also passes through Nashik. The Samruddhi Highway is about 15 kilometers from Nashik city.
Public Transport
- City Bus Service: The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) started its own city bus service called Citilinc on July 8, 2021.
- Metro: A Metro system for Greater Nashik was planned by Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited. However, this plan was canceled because there were already good road connections in the city.
- Old Trams (1889–1933): Nashik was one of the first cities in India to have trams, starting in 1889. The tram line ran from the Old Municipal Corporation building to the Nashik Road railway station, covering 8–10 kilometers. It was even the first in India to use a petrol engine. The tram service stopped around 1933 due to financial difficulties.
- Auto-Rickshaws: The city has many auto-rickshaws, which are a common way to travel. They can be shared or hired directly.
Learning in Nashik
Nashik has two state universities: the Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University and the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences. There are also many colleges in the city for engineering, medicine, pharmacy, law, and management studies.
Sports in Nashik
Since June 2023, a cricket team from Nashik, the 'Eagles Nashik Titans', has played in the Maharashtra Premier League. Rahul Tripathi is their captain. The Nasik Gymkhana, also known as King Edward Club, was founded in 1911 during the British rule. It has been a center for many sports for over 108 years. Located in the heart of Nashik, it has modern facilities for sports like Badminton, Lawn Tennis, Table–Tennis, Basketball, Cricket, Chess, Billiards & Snooker, and even a Shooting Range.
Sister Cities
Nashik has a sister city relationship with:
Notable People from Nashik
- Madhav Mantri, international cricketer
- Abhishek Raut, cricketer
- Anant Laxman Kanhere, freedom fighter
- Anjana Thamke, athlete
- Dadasaheb Phalke, film director, known as the "father of Indian cinema"
- Pandit Dattatreya Vishnu Paluskar, classical singer
- Dadasaheb Gaikwad (Bhaurao Krishnaji Gaikwad), politician and social worker
- Vamandada Kardak, poet and activist
- Baburao Bagul, Marathi author
- Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, freedom fighter, poet, and author
- Kusumagraj, Marathi poet, playwright, and novelist
- Shivaji Tupe, painter
- Krishnaji Gopal Karve, Indian freedom fighter
- Tatya Tope, a leader in the Indian Rebellion of 1857
- Dhairya Dand, inventor, artist, designer
- Kavita Raut, long-distance runner
- Sunil Khandbahale, innovator and language enthusiast
- Dattaraya Ramchandra Kaprekar, mathematician
- Nazima, actress
- Aishwarya Narkar, actress
- Anita Date-Kelkar, actress
- Sayali Bhagat, model and actress
- Mahadev Govind Ranade, Indian scholar and social reformer
- Ramesh Raskar, computer scientist
- Dattu Baban Bhokanal, rower
- Chinmay Udgirkar, actor
- Vidit Gujrathi, Indian chess player
- Saiyami Kher, actress
- Anjali Patil, actress
- Shashank Khaitan, film writer and director
- Mrunal Dusanis, actress
- Lalita Pawar, actress
- Chhagan Bhujbal, politician
- Uttamrao Dhikale, politician
- Pradnya Gadre, badminton player
Images for kids
-
Nashik city skyline
-
View of Nashik mountains
-
Godavari Ghat
-
Kalaram Temple
-
Pandavleni Caves
-
A grape vineyard in Nashik.
-
Tasting cellar at Sula Vineyards
-
Sukhoi Su-30MKI is manufactured at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited plant in Nashik
-
108 feet Rishabdev Bhagwan at Mangi Tungi
-
Trimbakeshwar Temple near Nashik
-
Cave No.10 "Nahapana Vihara" at Pandavleni Caves, (circa 120 CE).
-
Nashik airport
See also
In Spanish: Nashik para niños
