In the Panchavati area of Nashik city in Maharashtra, people built the old Hindu temple called Sri Kalaram Mandir. It's likely Nasik's most important temple, and it's one of the places to visit in Nashik.
How old is the Sri Kalaram Mandir Nashik?
An important Maratha person named Sardar Rangarao Odhekar built the Kalaram Mandir in Nashik in 1792. People in the area say that Odhekar saw a black statue of Lord Rama in the Godavari River. He got the idol back and built the temple with the help of about 2,000 people over the next 12 years. Nashik tour packages often include a visit to this historic and religious landmark.
History of Sri Kalaram Mandir
There is a black stone image of Lord Rama inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Kalaram Temple. The temple is dedicated to him. It's one of Nashik's most essential places to visit. Sardar Rangarao Odhekar built it in the year 1790.
People say that Odhekar dreamed that the black figure of Rama was in the Godavari River. People found the figure in the river, and Odhekar took it and built the temple. The temple was significant to the Indian Dalit Movement. On March 2, 1930, Dr. Ambedkar led a protest outside the temple to get Dalits into the temple.
Timing of Mandir
The Nashik Kalaram Mandir is open daily from 5 AM to 10 PM. Temple aartis are scheduled daily. Mangal, Kakad, and Maha Aartis begin at 8:00, 5:30, and 10:30 AM, respectively.
The evening Sandhya Aarti begins at 7:00 PM, and the last Shej Aarti ends at 7:30 PM. You can grow spiritually all day with bhajans from 3:00 to 5:00 PM and kirtans from 8:00 to 10:00 PM.
What is the story behind Kalaram Mandir?
The Maratha nobleman Sardar Rangrao Odhekar built the Kalaram Mandir in 1792. A story from the area says that Odhekar saw a black statue of Lord Rama in the Godavari River. He got the idol back and, over the next 12 years, built the temple with the help of about 2,000 people.
The temple is in the Panchavati area of Nashik, believed to be the place where Lord Rama went into exile. It is a significant place for followers to visit because it has black stone statues of Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana.
Architecture of Mandir
The style of this temple's architecture is like that of the temple of Trimbakeshwar. They made the whole building of black stones, and they placed four doors on the front, facing east, west, south, and north. Ninety-six pillars form an enclosure around the building.
The stones that were used to build the temple came from Ramshej. Over 2000 people helped finish it in almost 12 years. They made the spire of Kalaram Temple of gold, and it stands about 70 feet high. There are 32 tons of gold on top of the Kalaram Mandir.