Panchavaṭi and Trimbakeśvara

Panchavaṭi and Trimbakeśvara

Tradition

Hindu / Vaishnava / Shaiva

The Place

• Location: Nashik (Panchavati), Nashik, Maharashtra (19.9975°N, 73.7898°E)

Sacred Narrative

Panchavaṭi — Rama's forest-exile home in Nashik, Maharashtra, where Sūrpaṇakhā (Rāvaṇa's sister) attempted to seduce Rama and Lakshmana cut her nose. Nearby: Trimbakeśvara Jyotir-liṅga (10th of the 12), at the source of the Godavari river (Brahmagiri peak, 1,295m). One of the 4 Kumbh Mela locations (Nashik Kumbh every 12 years, next 2027). The Nāsik Kumbh of 2015 drew ~7 crore pilgrims.

Why This Entry Matters

India's sacred landscape embraces Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Zoroastrian, tribal, regional-folk traditions — each with its own cosmology and priestly lineage. This entry honours Hindu on its own terms.