Kalika Devi Temple at Nasik

Kalika devi temple is one of the oldest temples in Nasik. It is in existence since the era of Marathas. However it has gone through modification during these years. Throughout Navratri festival this temple is the center of attraction and frequented by devotees. This article throws some light on the features of this temple.

Kalika Devi Temple

Kalika devi temple is very old temple in Nasik and popular with the title of "Gram Daivat", it means "Goddess of the city". This is dedicated to Goddess Durga and it is the most visited temple in Nasik after Saptashrungi temple at Vani during Navratri festival. This is very famous among localities of Nasik. Tourists dropped here in this city for Nasik Darshan can have a quick look onto this temple, for it is not very far from other tourists spots and is well connected with them for easy communication. It does not take much time to explore this temple if you visit it at times other than the Navratri festival and easy access does not cost you a lot.

Location

It is situated at Mumbai Naka in Nasik, well interconnected with the city. This location is easily accessible.

Direct buses and autorickshaws are available to reach this place. At a distance of about 3 kms is the Central bus stand of Nasik city.

Vicinity of this temple is occupied by a number of residential buildings, showrooms and complex.

Infrastructure

Temple is neither too big nor too short in terms of infrastructure. Available land is adequate for the temple expansion.

Two huge gates printed with the name of temple welcome visitors.

A small and limited area of the campus is dedicated for parking vehicles but during Navratri festival or any other event it doesn't serve as parking to accommodate the crowd of devotees in temple.

Temple looks good with its simple and yet attractive design. There are three idols placed together inside temple, they are Goddess Durga, Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Laxmi. Temple is under CCTV surveillance.

A very old picture of this temple hanged inside which shows how it was started and how it looked before many years.

Surrounding fabricated with number of plants, small vendors selling ingredients for Puja and an open space. Various colorful plants are grown, make it fresh and beautiful.

Campus is maintained clean enough, visitors can sit there and click some pictures.

Navratri Festival at Kalika devi temple

This is most visited temple during Navratri festival. Local persons of the Nasik city flock here all the 10 days of Navratri.

I visited with my family during this period and we witnessed a huge crowd of devotees standing in the long queue for the sight of Goddess Durga. Separate queue facilitated for men and women.

Many policemen appointed to deal with security issues of this place/visitors and to manage crowd.

Fair held in the nearby ground for the occasion of Navratri/Dussera. It was equipped with various amusement facilities for kids and adults as well.

Number of food stalls ready to attract visitors outside of the temple and nearby places of fair held at.

Nearby places to visit

There are numerous tourists spots near to this temple within a range of about 8 kms. Few of those are-

Panchvati (at a distance of 3 kms from Kalika devi temple)
This is the place where Lord Ram lived with Sita and Laxman. There are many temples/places to explore. They are Ramkund, Sita Gumpha, Goreram temple, Kalaram temple, Naroshankar temple and many more.

Tapovan (at a distance of 4 kms from Kalika devi temple)
Here Laxman did his penance and here only he cut nose of Surpanakha.

A short trip to Nasik during Kumbhmela 2015

Pandavleni caves (at a distance of 6 kms from Kalika devi temple)
These are the caves where Buddhist monks used to stay and meet here. This is one of the treks in Nasik.
Refer article Monsoon treks in the pilgrimage city Nasik

Dadasaheb Phalke Smarak (at a distance of 6 kms from Kalika devi temple)
This museum is dedicated to the Father of Indian Cinema Dadasaheb Phalke's contribution to Bollywood. Situated near to the Pandavleni caves.

Muktidhaam (at a distance of 8 kms from Kalika devi temple)
This temple is one of the famous tourist spots in Nasik, about 1 km from Nasik Road railway station.

Someshwar temple (at a distance of 7 kms from Kalika devi temple)
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, situated at the bank of sacred Godavari river. Also considered as picnic spot.

Kalika Devi Temple at Nasik