View of a Local in Nasik, India

Chemical Engineering student Akshat Rathi is currently studying in Mumbai, but in this sixth View of a Local interview he talks about his hometown Nasik.

Briefly, please could you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am studying chemical engineering at the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, a field which is hardly ever mentioned in an industrial estate like Nasik.

I love trekking and Nasik is an amazing place to trek around. I love blogging, reading and listening to music (24×7). You can visit my webpage at http://rathi.akshat.googlepages.com/home.

How long did you live in Nasik?

I lived in Nasik for 17 years, since my birth till I left for under-graduate studies.

What did you like most about living in Nasik?

The best thing about living in Nasik is that it is one of the most peaceful cities I have ever been too. One can live with the pace he wants to. The people are really nice and I have made great friends there. Also it is a developing city so there are a lot of core opportunities available.

Is there anything you did not like about living in Nasik?

There are a few things which actually are very general complaints. The city management is not that good. The transport facilities need a big time improvement. The city is not well-planned. Better planning might cure some really big problems.

Why should travellers visit Nasik?

From a naturalist’s perspective, places like Trimbakeshwar [editor's notes], Anjaneri [ editor's notes], Someshwar [ editor's notes] and Gangapur [editor's notes] are really lovely.

A photographer might like the above plus the river-side, the pilgrim places, the historical mandirs [ed.: temples] in Nasik and Trimbakeshwar.

From a trekker’s point of view, Nasik is surrounded with many mountains, it is a treat to go trekking here.

Apart from that Shirid is just 80 KM away so Sai Baba Bhakts [ed.:Sai Baba devotees] can go there.

What do you wish travellers would do when they visit Nasik?

Enjoy the beauty of the places mentioned above. If you like going to Mandir’s then you must visit all the temples in the city.

What do you wish travellers would stop doing when they visit Nasik?

Do not use public transport. It is not effective and not trustworthy either. A rickshaw should serve you purpose. Apart from that, do no try too many options, stick to one or two things and enjoy your stay.

If a visitor had time to do/see only one thing in Nasik, what should it be?

According to me, one thing you ought to see is Pandav Lene [editor's notes]

If a visitor had time for only one meal in Nasik, which dish would you recommend?

I can’t suggest a regional dish but if it’s just one meal then you should have it at the Panchavati Yatri hotel.

Editor’s notes:

Trimbakeshwar Temple is one of the most sacred places in India.

Anjaneri is surrounded by mountains and lies about 20 km from Nasik. According to Hinduism Anjaneri Fort was the birthplace of Lord Hanuman, son of Pavan (the wind). Anjaneri itself is considered a good place for rock climbing.

Someshwar is a famous scenic area along the river Godavari.

Gangapur reservoir was built in the 1950’s. Akshat Rathi has published a lovely story from the Gangapur reservoir on his Keep on flyin’ blog >>

The Pandavleni Caves are considered to be more than 2000 years old and are located about 8 km south of Nasik.

Put your pin in our map

Our new View of a Local series consists of interviews with local people in various towns and cities in different countries.

The map below shows the places covered so far.

Use the zoom and directional buttons to navigate the map. Click on the red points to view more information and the satellite button for a satellite image.

For more information about how you can take part in our View of a Local series, please go to our View of a Local page >>

Technorati Tags: View of a Local, Nasik, India

6 Responses to “View of a Local in Nasik, India”

1. Prad:

   Please confirm if there is an Ardh Kumbh in 2009 at Nasik.

   9 January, 2007 at 2:04
2. Anni Poulsen:

   Hi Prad,
   I’m afraid I’m in no position to confirm or deny that date.

   However the Ardh Kumbh Mela (the half jar festival) occurs every 6 years and is currently being celebrated in Allahabad as I’m writing this, so I very much doubt there will be another Ardh Kumbh Mela in Nasik in two years time. It has also been reported that the Ardh Kumbh Mela is only held at Allahabad and Haridwar (source: Hindustan Times), but again I’m in no position to confirm this.

   The dates for the Kumbh Mela are based on stellar constellations, but I’m not sure who actually confirms the official dates for the Kumbh Mela, the Ardh Kumbh Mela and the Maha Kumbh Mela. The best, I can suggest to you, is to contact a couple of travel agencies in India or even better someone who lives in Nasik and ask them to confirm your date. Maybe send an email to Akshat Rathi, he is from Nasik and may be able to help you. You can find his contact details on his web site

   Sorry I can’t be of more help.

   9 January, 2007 at 11:47
3. Anni Poulsen:

   I’ve received the following question from a traveller:

   “I recently went to Nashik and was stunned by the beutiful landscape on the way to Vani and Saptashringarh. I saw a long range of hills will climbing the Saptashringi temple and one that interested me was the hill with a huge rock on the top and a wide hole in the rock. The sunlight comes out as a beam, and I believe at a certain time of the year the sun is aligned with this hole. Can you give me more info? How to trek.. is there a trek path?”

   If anyone knows anything about this rock, please share your info in the comment box. Many thanks!

   5 June, 2008 at 13:32
4. Srijita Singh:

   Hi,
   I am a second year masters in city planning student from IIT Kharagpur. I had been to Nashik at end of May, 2008. It was a wonderful experience. L fell in love with the city and really thought that it needs proper planning and restructuring. hence i have taken this topic as my thesis project. I am already in the process of doing it and will be in Nashik in the minth of october, 2008 for data collection,It would be of great help if you can suggest contacts and specially of planners and architects from the city.
   regards,
   Srijita Singh
   Kolkat

   12 August, 2008 at 19:46
5. Anni Poulsen:

   Hi Srijita,
   as much as I’d love to help you, I’m afraid I don’t know any city planners or architects in Nasik. Sorry I can’t help, but I wish you the best of luck with your project!

   12 August, 2008 at 20:16
6. Tushar:

   hi
   somemore part of nasik which is really very beautiful but needs peoples attention to menten the same….but because of no strict rules fromt the govt, the ciy is getting bad name..
   tushar

   1 October, 2008 at 8:41

Leave a Reply