King Ram spent a few years of his 14-year-long vanvasa at Panchvati. Located on the banks of India’s second largest river Godavari, Panchvati has an amazing history behind it. Here are interesting tales about this fabled land of sages:
Why Is Panchvati Called So
Panchvati is famous for its five huge banyan trees. Under these trees, travellers and passersby used to find shade from the often scorching sun. In the local language, i.e. Marathi, Banyan trees are called Vat Vriksha. That’s how Panchvati got its name – The Land of 5 Banyan Trees.
One of the 5 Fabled Banyan Trees
There is much to see in Panchvati, such as the Kala Ram Mandir, Sita Gufa and Kapaleshvar Mandir, each with its own distinct ancient story. Let’s start with the Kala Ram Mandir.
Kala Ram Mandir
It is said that you’ll feel ananda (happiness) twice over even if you just walk by the Kala Ram Temple. The temple is built right where Ram is believed to have set up his little hut with Sita and Lakshman.
Before Ram’s arrival in Panchvati, it was ridden with what are called “Rakshashas” or demons. These Rakshashas were an omnipresent trouble for the many sages residing in Panchvati. After Ram came here, the sages pleaded with him to rid the area of these demons. Rama then took on his “Kala Roop”, or invoked his dark side, to slay these demons and defeated them. That’s how the Kala Ram Mandir got its name. Panchvati soon came to be known as the land of happiness.
The Kala Ram Temple
Sita Gufa (The Cave of Sita)
This area is famous for the idol of Ram and Sita and Sita’s prayer area where one can still find a Shivalinga. Sita was a Shiva devotee and used to pray to him inside the cave. Further inside the cave is what we can call an ancient make-up room or shringara greha. Sita used to spend some of her time here. Sita Gufa is believed to be the place from where the great Ravana kidnapped Sita.
Kapaleshwar Mandir
On the way to Ramkund in Panchvati, lies a Shiva temple called Kapaleshwar Temple. This is maybe one of the very few places you will see a Shivalinga but not Nandi. Why? The story of Brahma Hatya will make things crystal clear.
Taking a dip in River Godavari at Panchvati
Brahma Hatya
Shiva got annoyed with Brahma who said something inauspicious. In retaliation, Shiva cut off one of the heads of Brahma thereby committing the sin of Brahma Hatya. Shiva then realized his mistake and tried to do all that he could to rid himself of this sin but to no avail. Nandi then suggested Shiva to take a dip in the Godavari. Shiva was indeed absolved of all his sins after this. At this temple, Shiva accepted Nandi as his guru and hence Nandi now having a stature higher than Shiva couldn’t be placed alongside his linga.
Nasik is also one of the places where the Kumbh Mela is celebrated every 12 years. Panchvati is visited by sages and sadhus from around the world and continues to be a place of great religious significance.