Shri Ram said, “Ever since I have been separated from Sita, everything to me has become perverse.”
Kahayu ram biyog tav Sita,
Mo kahu sakal bhay biprita I
A sacred site for Hindus all over the world situated on the banks of river Godavari is the vibrant city of Nashik, where history and culture merge seamlessly. The city is an important religious centre because of the sanctity of River Godavari and the legend that Lord Ram lived there for a time with his wife Goddess Sita and brother Lord Laxman during their 14-year exile, and attracts thousands of pilgrims annually. Kalaram Mandir located in the Panchvati area of Nashik is one of the many temples in India that were built to commemorate some event in history to glorify a place which has been rendered holy by the Divine presence of the Lord.
HISTORY OF KALARAM MANDIR:
The original temple of Lord Ram was very old and estimated to be built around the 7th to 11th century i.e. the Rashtrakuta period. However, the antiquity of the idol proves that the idol is more than 2000 years old. In light of the event that happened, the Idol was thrown into the Godavari River by the Brahmans during the first Islamic attack to protect it. However, the temple was destroyed.
Years later, in the late 17th century Gopikabai, mother of the then Peshwa Madhavrao desired to build the present temple and set the then Sardar Rangarao Odhekar to the task. Subsequently, after seeing a dream about the black idol of Lord Ram in River Godavari, Rangarao started the expedition to retrieve the Idol and construct the Temple. The temple took 12 years to build at an estimated cost of 23 lakhs and 2000 workers.
In Vishnupuran and other stories relating to Lord Vishnu, He has disclosed to what extent he would test his devotee. He says that for a devotee who ventures to build a temple for him, He would make that devotee lose all his wealth and reduce him to the state of a beggar. Despite all such tests if he were to be successful then He will take that devotee into His heart, which would be the ultimate abode of the devotee. True to his words, Rangarao was left penniless after the temple was built. However, to install a Gold Kalash on the gopuram of the temple, Rangarao pledged/sold his wife’s nose ring (Nathni). In Hindu traditions, the nathni of a Hindu woman is equal to her Mangalsutra which should not be removed while her husband was alive. It has to be removed on her becoming a widow. Such was/is the strong sentimental and religious attachment to the nose ring and Mangal-sutra of a Hindu wife. The events eventually compelled him to pledge his wife’s nose ring in the service of Lord Ram. At last, the Kalash made of 32 tons of gold was installed completing this architectural masterpiece which reduced Rangarao to a beggar. Even after all the challenges faced by Rangarao in the construction of the Temple, he did not inscribe his name anywhere on the structure claiming credit except at the feet of the deity of the temple saying that was his right place to be. Such was his devotion, greatness, humbleness and humility
MYTHOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE/FACTS OF KALARAM MANDIR:
The city of Nashik derived its name from the Sanskrit word ‘Nāsikā’ which means ‘Nose’.
As per Ramayana, Nashik is the location on the banks of the Godavari River where Laxman, by the wish of Lord Rama, cut the nose of demoness Shurpanakhaand thus this city was named “Nashik”. Panchavati is situated on the left bank of river Godavari. Close to Kalaram Mandir, there are some very old and lofty banyan trees which are believed to be sprung from five banyans which gave their name to Panchvati. The name ‘Panchvati’ is derived from the words Panch which means five and Vati which means banyan tree. This is the site where Sita Gumph or Sita’s Cave is situated. Kalaram Temple located in the same area is said to have been built in the exact same spot where Lord Ram made his home during his 14-year exile from Ayodhya. The Temple is also said to be the home of a very old tree (Audambara) that has impressions of Lord Dattatreya’s (also known as Dattā or Dattaguru) footprint marked on stone.
ARCHITECTURE AND LAYOUT OF THE TEMPLE:
The main portion of the sanctuary is visible in the centre of a walled enclosure supported by 96 pillars. Through an arched portal, the entry is on the East. The Kalash is made of 32 tonnes of gold, and the copper peak of the shrine is covered in gold plating. One must ascend 14 stairs to reach the main mandir, representing the 14 years that Lord Rama was in exile. Along with an idol of Lord Rama, there are ornamented black and sandy Sita and Lakshmana idols. Lord Rama’s idol is special because he isn’t depicted with the usual bow and projectile. His left hand is in the “Dharjani” mudra and facing his left foot, while his right hand is on his left torso. Four entrance doors are facing all four directions East, West, North and South. The Sita Gumpha (Cave), which includes a grove of nearby banyan trees, is close to the shrine and is the location where Sita is reputed to have lived during her exile. Arches and piers decorate the temple’s entranceway. Its complex is surrounded by shrines honouring Lord Ganesha, Lord Vithala, and Lord Hanuman. The black idol of Lord Hanuman is located at the temple’s primary entrance. The geometric calculations have been made so that the head of Hanuman’s idol and the Lotus feet of Lord Rama’s idol are precisely lined up.
LEGENDS AND BELIEFS OF THE TEMPLE:
Legend has it that the invincible demon Ravan kidnapped Devi Sita from Sita Gumpha near the temple. Also during the construction, the idols were temporarily kept near the West Gate of the Temple.After the completion, when they were to be moved inside the holy sanctum, the workers were unable to budge the idols. After multiple tries and efforts, the deities could then be moved without difficulty thanks to the intervention of a renowned saint, Timyaabua Gosaavi of Shri Balaji Mandir. He touched the idols with his ‘Dhand’ or wooden stick and the deities could subsequently be moved smoothly. The wooden stick has been preserved next to the main idol ever since, covered in a silver cloth.
DAILY POOJA SCHEDULE:
Kalaram Mandir opens at 5:30 AM and close at 10:00 PM. The aarti in the Kalaram temple takes place at 6 in the morning and 8 the night
5:30 – 6:30 AM: Kakad Aarti
7:00 – 8:00 AM: Sanai Vadan & Bhupali
8:00 – 10:00 AM : Mangal Aarti of Lord Rama
10:30 AM – 1:00 PM : Mahanyas Pooja of Lord Rama & Maha Aarti
3:00 – 5:00 PM: Vividh Bhajani Mandal Performs Bhajans
7:00 – 8:00 PM: Shej Aarti of Lord Rama
8:00 – 10:00 PM: Kirtan
FESTIVALS CELEBRATED:
The two major holidays observed during the month of Chaitra with Rath Yatra are Shri Ram Navratra and Shri Ram Navami. The holiday of Dussehra is grandly observed and features a procession of Lord Rama riding in a silver palanquin.
HOW TO REACH:
Along with various tours and travels, a devotee can also visit the temple on his own. Nashik is a well-connected city and provides varied options for transport.
By Air:
The Ojhar (Ozar) airport in Nashik is at a distance of around 20 km from the temple. Mumbai is a distance 180 km from Nashik.
By Rail:
Nashik Road railway station is at a distance of 10 km from the temple. Trains ply here from all the major cities of the country.
By Road:
Nashik bus stand is at a distance of 3 km from the temple. Public and private buses, cars and taxis are available from all the neighbouring cities to the temple.
