Nashik–Trimbakeshwar Simhastha · Places

Panchavati, Nashik: Kalaram Temple, Sita Gufa and the Ramkund Area

KumbhMela.info Editorial TeamChecked on Fri 16 Oct 2026

Panchavati is the old temple quarter of Nashik on the banks of the Godavari. It holds Ramkund, the Kalaram temple and Sita Gufa, a few minutes' walk from each other, and it is where the Simhastha bathing in Nashik takes place.

EvergreenChecked on Fri 16 Oct 2026

Place facts are from the Ministry of Tourism's Incredible India site, Maharashtra Tourism and the Nashik district. The Amrit Snan dates are official, from the Kumbh Mela Authority's plan of 15 June 2026. Arrangements for 2027 in Panchavati, such as road closures and walking routes, are not announced.

According to tradition, Rama, Sita and Lakshmana lived here during their exile. The name is said to come from five banyan trees: pancha means five and vati means banyan.

Panchavati at a glance

Question	Answer
Where	Nashik city, on the banks of the Godavari
Main places	Ramkund, the Kalaram temple, Sita Gufa, the Kapaleshwar temple
Known for	The Ramayana tradition of Rama’s exile
Nearest railway station	Nashik Road, about 10 km (Maharashtra Tourism)
Role in the Simhastha	Ramkund, in Panchavati, is the bathing centre in Nashik
2027 Amrit Snans at Ramkund	2 August, 31 August and 11 September 2027
2027 arrangements	Not announced

Kalaram temple

The Kalaram temple is a temple of Rama, named after its black stone idol of Rama (kala means black). Black stone idols of Sita and Lakshmana stand in the sanctum with him, according to Maharashtra Tourism.

Maharashtra Tourism says Sardar Rangarao Odhekar built the temple of black basalt between 1788 and 1792. According to the temple’s story, he saw in a dream a black idol of Rama lying in the Godavari, and found it there.

In 1930, Dr B. R. Ambedkar led a satyagraha at the temple for the right of Dalits to enter and worship.

Sita Gufa, Kapaleshwar and the five banyans

Sita Gufa is a small cave temple a short walk from the Kalaram temple. According to tradition, it is linked with Sita’s time at Panchavati, and Maharashtra Tourism describes it as the place from where Ravana is believed to have taken her away.

Kapaleshwar, a temple of Shiva, is also in the area, according to Incredible India.

The five banyan trees that give Panchavati its name are part of the tradition of the place. The Ramayana links here are a matter of faith and memory, not proof from archaeology.

Sita Gufa is a small space.
Dress modestly and follow the rules at each temple.

Panchavati during the Simhastha

Ramkund, the Simhastha’s bathing centre in Nashik, is in Panchavati, and the old lanes here lead to it. The Amrit Snans at Ramkund are on Monday 2 August, Tuesday 31 August and Saturday 11 September 2027, according to the Kumbh Mela Authority’s plan.

Expect closed roads and long walks on big days. The plan says that beyond the inner parking areas, people will walk to the ghats. Temple hours and entry on Amrit Snan days are not announced.

The Simhastha falls in the monsoon. When the Godavari runs high, the riverside in Panchavati can be closed: on 24 July 2026 the river crossed the danger mark in Nashik and the Ramkund area was to stay closed for two days, PTI reported.

The Tapovan area, where the 2027 sadhugram is reported to be planned, is a short distance away.

Where it is

Nashik: Panchavati ghats, Tapovan and arrival points

1Ramkund and PanchavatiGhat · This page
2TapovanPlace
3Nashik Road railway stationRailway
4Mela bus standBus
5Nimani bus stationBus

A guide to where places are, not a route plan. During the mela, roads and ghats open and close by the official plan; follow police and mela directions.

Also in this area

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Questions people ask

How far is the Kalaram temple from Ramkund?

A few minutes’ walk, according to Maharashtra Tourism. Both are in Panchavati, Nashik.

Why is it called Kalaram?

Because of its black stone idol of Rama. Kala means black.

Can I visit Panchavati during the Kumbh?

Yes, it is part of the city. On Amrit Snan days, though, roads and lanes may be closed or one-way, and temples may be very crowded. The 2027 plans are not announced.