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Lord Ramachandra stayed for more than 12 years in the area
known as Panchavati in Nashik. The temple of
Kalaram at this place is a famous temple and this place is known as "Tirth
Shetra".
The Janmotsava is celebrated by the Sansthan Shri Kalaram Mandir,
Panchavati every year. The celebrations begin from the first day of
Chaitra till the Chaitra Purnima, spanning 15 days. The Janmotsava takes
place exactly at 12.00hrs (in the noon) and this occasion is witnessed by
thousands of pilgrims.
The main attraction of the Janmotsava is on the second day
when the Rathyatra starts from the east door of the temple moving through
the city of Nashik. The Rathyatra starts at about 4.30 p.m. with the Shri
Ramrath and Shri Garuda Rath.
The Rathyatra is made up of 5 links, 1st is the bullock cart of Sanai /
Choughada, followed by the Palkhi of Shri Ramachandra, Pujadhikari,
Garudarath (the rath of Lord Hanuman) and finally the Ramrath (the rath of
Lord Rama).
The Pujadhikari walks all the way during the Rathyatra by facing towards
the rath with folded hands. He fasts on all the days from day one of the
Chaitra to the Rathyatra. Both the Raths are pulled by the Rath Sevakas
(servants) who belong to different institutes with the help of a heavy
rope. The Raths have a big wooden round rod known as "Dhuri".
The Ramrath is a heavy rath and was prepared by Shrimant Peshwan in the
year 1785 and handed over to Sardar. The management of the Ramrath was
handed over to Raste Akhada, Panchavati. The volunteers of this 'Akhada'
took full responsibility of this rath. The other rath i.e., Garud rath
belongs to Sansthan Shri Kalaram Mandir. This Rath is slightly smaller
than Ramrath both by height and weight. The management of this Garud Rath
on the particular day of the Rathyatra is handled by Shri Ahilya Ram Vayam
Shala.
There is a Ganga Snan (bathing of the idol of Lord Ram in the holy water
of the Ganges) given to Shri Ramchandra while the Rathyatra halts for a
period of two hours at the holy Godavari, named as Avabrutha Snan. This
has been made festive at the holy Ramghat by bursting crackers supported
by colourful lightings.
There are thousands of pilgrims who attend this auspicious Rathyatra
every year. The Rathyatra ends late in the night at about 2' O-clock at
the same place from when it began.
Rail: Nashik is one of the
major railway stations on the central railway and there are a number of
convenient trains that connect Nashik to other cities and towns.
Road: Nashik is 185-km from Mumbai and can be reached by motoring
on the NH-3 via Thane-Kasar-Igatpuri. Pune-Nashik is 220-km. There are
several private and state buses available between Mumbai/Thane and Nashik.
For local transportation city buses, taxis, and auto's are available.
Accommodation is available at the hotels in Nashik.