Panchvati Kalaram Temple- Maharashtra

Address

Panchvati Kalaram Temple- Panchavati, Nashik, Maharashtra 422003

Deity

Rama Amman: Sita

Introduction

• Location: Situated in the Panchavati area of Nashik, Maharashtra.
• Deity: Dedicated to Lord Rama, with a unique black statue (hence the name “Kalaram” meaning “Black Rama”). The sanctum also includes statues of Sita and Lakshmana.
• Significance: It is one of the most important temples dedicated to Rama in Nashik.

Puranic Significance:

• The original shrine is believed to have been constructed during the Rashtrakuta Period (7th to 11th centuries).
• The Rama idol is believed to be over 2000 years old.
• The original temple was destroyed by Muslim rulers, and the idol was thrown into the Godavari River by temple priests to protect it.
• Sardar Rangarao Odhekar had a vision of the idol’s location and retrieved it from the river, rebuilding the temple in 1788.
• The temple is linked to the Ramayana, as Panchavati is where important events such as the cutting of Shurpanaka’s nose and Sita’s abduction occurred.

Special Features:

• The temple’s main entrance has a black statue of Lord Hanuman, designed to offer a direct view of Rama’s idol from Hanuman’s position.
• There is an ancient tree with footprints of Lord Dattatreya carved into a stone beneath it.
• The temple has 14 steps, symbolizing the 14 years of Rama’s exile, and 84 pillars, representing the 84 lakh species a soul must pass through to attain human birth.

Festivals:

• Ramnavami, celebrated in Chaitra (March-April), is a major festival where the temple sees large processions and celebrations. Other key festivals include Dussehra and Chaitra Padwa.

Century/Period/Age

7th to 11th centuries

Managed By

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

Nearest Bus Station

Panchvati

Nearest Railway Station

Nasik Road Station

Nearest Airport

Nasik

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