Kalaram Mandir, Nashik

Kalaram Mandir, one of the major attractions of Nashik city, is situated in the Panchavati area of the city. It is the biggest as well as the simplest among all the temples situated in nashik and dates back to the year 1790, when it was constructed by Sardar Odhekar of Peshwa. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama, who has been enshrined inside the sanctum sanctorum in the form of a decked black stone idol. Since the image of the Lord is in black color, the temple came to be known as Kalaram Mandir (meaning the temple of the black Rama).

Besides the idol of Lord Rama, there are idols of Sita Mata and Lord Lakshmana, both of them in black and adorned with ornaments. The temple has been constructed completely out of black stones. There are four entrance doors, one each facing East, West, South and North. The summit of the Kalaram Mandir is made up of 32 tons of gold. Earlier, Harijans were not allowed inside the temple. It was only in the year 1930, after the Satyagraha of Dr. Ambedkar, that Harijans were allowed to enter its premises.

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Kalaram mandir derives its name from the statue of Lord Rama that is black. The literal translation of kalaram means black Rama. The sanctum sanctorum also houses the statues of goddess Sita and god Lakshmana. Thousands of devotees visit it every day.The temple was funded by Sardar Rangarao Odhekar, and was built around 1788. It was said that Odhekar had a dream that the statue of Rama in black color was in the Godavari River. Odhekar took the statue from river and built the temple.

The temple formed a pivotal role in the Dalit movement in India. B. R. Ambedkar led a protest outside the temple on 2 March 1930, in order to allowing Dalits into the temple. The main entrance has a Lord Hanuman deity which is black. There is also a very old tree that has Lord Dattatreya’s footprint impressions marked on a stone. Pilgrims visit the Kapaleshwar Mahadev temple near the Kalaram Temple.

Surrounding the building of the Kalaram Mandir is a walled enclosed, which comprises of 96 pillars. The enclosure is entered from the eastern side, through an arched portal. The stones used in the construction of the temple were brought from Ramshej. 23 lakh rupees and efforts of 2000 workers went into the construction of the temple, which took approximately 12 years. Kalaram Temple is around 70 feet high and has a gold-plated peak. Situated near the sanctum sanctorum is Sita gumpha (cave).

It is the cave where Sita Mata is believed to have resided during her exile and comprises of a grove of large Banyan trees nearby. The temple is said to be quite similar in its appearance to the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple and has temples dedicated to Lord Vithala, Lord Ganesha and Lord Hanuman, surrounding its complex. The festivals of Ramnavami, Dussehra and Chaitra Padwa (Hindu new year day) are celebrated with much fanfare at the temple. During this time, Kalaram Mandir is practically thronged by devotees, who come to catch a glimpse of the Lord.

By Road: Kalaram Temple is in Nashik city. You can reach the temple easily by hiring bus or taxi from anywhere in Maharashtra or from neighboring state. Maharashtra is connected with most of the Indian cities by road. The Maharashtra State Transport Corporation (MSTC) runs regular bus services to the Temple. Nashik is 185 km from Mumbai and can reach through NH-3 via Thane-Kasar-Igatpuri. Nashik is 220 km away from Pune.

By Rail: The nearest Railway Station to the Kalaram temple is Nashik railway station.

By Air: Kalaram Temple can be reached through nearest Gandhinagar Airport which is well connected with regular domestic flights to Delhi, Mumbai.

Kalaram Temple, Nashik

The temple Opening & Closing time is 5:30AM – 10:00PM.

In the month of Chaitra, Shree Ram Navratra and Ramnavami are the main Celebrations. The Grand Procession or Rath yatra through the city on Ekadashi, the 11th day of Chaitra is the main events of the year. On the 10th Day of Ashwin, “Dussehra Prosession” of Lord Rama in a silver palanquin is also celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm.