Temples of Nashik - Muktidham, Sunder Narayan and others

Shree Sunder Narayan Temple

Shree Sunder Narayan Temple is a small temple situated besides the Ahilyabai Holkar Bridge in Nashik, but it is quite ancient and its architecture is very impressive. And just like the Kalaram temple we had seen earlier, this temple is made out of black stones too.

[ Magnificient Sunder Narayan Temple ]

[ Entrance to the Sunder Narayan Temple ]

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu a.k.a. Narayan, the temple was built by Gangadhar Yashwant Chandrachud in 1756 at a total cost of Rs. 10 lacs. In the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, are idols of Sunder Narayan with Goddess Laxmi and Vrunda while His vehicle Garud sits in front.

[ Idols of Lord Vishnu, Goddess Laxmi and Vrunda in the Temple ]

It is said that Goddess Vrunda had cursed Lord Vishnu following which his complexion had turned black. To free Himself from this curse, He took a dip in the Godavari River and became Sunder (beautiful) again.

The arched niches and fine carvings on the stones of the temple are impressions of the Mughal era.

[ Beautiful carvings on the Sundar Narayan Temple ]

The temple is artistically built in such a way that on the 20^th and 21^st of March every year, the very first ray of the rising Sun touches the holy feet of the idols. The temple also has idols of standing Ganesha, Kaal Bhairav and sitting Maruti.

Mukti Dham Temple

Built in pure white makrana marble of Rajasthan, Muktidham temple of Nashik is an architectural delight. Verses from the Bhagavad Gita are inscribed on the walls of the temple. The temple encloses beautiful replicas of the 12 Jyotirlings besides the idols of almost all the saints, Gods and Goddesses. A visit to this temple makes you feel like having taken a virtual yatra to the many pilgrimage places of India.

[ The grand entrance to the Muktidham Temple ]

[ Side view of the Muktidham Temple in Nashik ]

There were some more temples in the Nashik province we wanted to visit but couldn’t due to lack of time.

Naroshankar Temple

Situated in Panchavati area, the temple is famous for its beautiful pieces of architecture of the 18th century and for a huge bell called the Naroshankar Bell. The bell was fixed here as a victory memorial of the Peshwas over the Portuguese.

Shree Kapaleshwar Mahadev

Situated on the banks of River Godavari, the distinguishing feature of this temple is that there is no idol of Nandi in front of Lord Mahadev which makes it one of the most peculiar Shiva or Mahadev Temples in India.

Pandav Caves (Pandav Leni)

One has to climb about 200 steep steps to reach the caves. These caves were built by Jain Kings and are 2000 years old. Icons of Gautam Buddha are wonderful crafted. During Jain regime B.C. 1000 to 1100 these were home to Jain saints. Inside the caves one can see idols of Buddha, Bodhisatva, Jain Tirthankar Vrishabhdeo, Veer Kapibhadra and Ambikadevi. There are large caves within the cave complex which were used as the meeting places of the disciples and where sermons were preached. The caves are well designed with beautiful architecture, engravings and carvings.

To read about the other temples in Nashik - Kalaram, Goraram and Panchvati - Click Here