Nashik Triveni Sangam, Maharashtra

Address

Panchvati, Nashik District,

Maharashtra – 422003.

Moolavar

Rama, Shiva

Introduction

Nashik has a place of mythology and legends called Panchavati. During his 14 years in the forest during the Ramayana period, Raman spent most of his days with his brother Lakshman and Sita Devi in Panchavati. At present it is called Panchwadi. Here the rivers Aruna and Varuna converge with the Godavari. Hence this site is revered as Triveni Sangam. Kumbh Mela is held once in 12 years in this Triveni in a very lively and grand manner. The Nashik Panchavati Triveni Sangam is one of the holy shrines dedicated to the holy water and ancestor worship on the new moon days of the month of Mahalaya, the month of Thai and the month of Adi.

Puranic Significance

In tradition, Triveni Sangam is the “confluence” of three rivers. Sangama is the Sanskrit word for confluence. The point of confluence is a sacred place for Hindus. A bath here is said to flush away all of one’s sins and free one from the cycle of rebirth.

It is venerated as the town of Lord Rama, the hero of the epic Ramayana, who spent some time of his exile here. Great poets of yore like Rishi Valmiki, Mahakavi Kalidas, and Bhavabhooti have praised this holy city in many of their works. River Godavari flows through the city of Nashik. It is believed that Lord Ram had taken a bath at the Ramkund Ghat here. Many famous sages like Chaitanya Mahaprabhu have bathed in her waters as an act of worship. The name Panchavatiwas due to the presence of five banyan trees. These trees are marked even today. There is a cave nearby called Sita Guha where Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana prayed to Lord Shiva. Numerous small temples and pilgrimage places dot the banks of the river. The main temple on the ghats is the Ganga Godavari temple.

Raman heard the news of his father Dasaratha’s passing away during his exile. He offered darpanam for his father Dasaratha on the banks of this Panchavadi Triveni confluence. Thus Panchavadi-Triveni Sangam of Nashik is a suitable tirtha thalam – resting place for the dead. When Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru died, their ashes were also dissolved in Triveni Sangam. Both are memorialized here.

Beliefs

Every day tens of thousands of people come here and pay tharpanam for their ancestors. The ashes of deceased relatives are brought and dissolved in this tirtha. It is believed that the souls of the dead will be saved.

Special Features

The Godavari Mata Temple here is opened only once in 12 years during the Kumbh Mela. The temple will remain open for one year. A huge Hanuman statue on the banks of the Godavari. During heavy rains, many buildings along the coast get flooded, but the Hanuman idol is not completely submerged.

Devotees refer to this place as Kashi of Maharashtra. A testament to this is the Kashiviswanath temple built on a single stone on the banks of the river. This temple is 1500 Years old. There are also many places around Nashik that commemorate Sri Rama. Devotees of Sri Rama adore Nashik after Ayodhya.

Festivals

Kumbh Mela is held once in 12 years in a very grand manner. On the new moon days of Mahalayam, Thai month and Adi month, holy bath and ancestor worship is performed.