Excursion

Pandu Lena

About eight km south of Nasik, close to the Mumbai road, is a group of 24 Hinayana Buddhist caves dating from around the Ist century BC to the 2nd AD. Cave 3 is a large vihara with some interesting sculptures. Cave 10 is also a vihara and almost identical in design to cave 3, although it is much older and finer in its detail. It is thought to be nearly as old as the Karla Cave near Lonavla. Cave 18 is a chaitya believed to date from the same time as the Karla Cave; it is well sculptured and its elaborate facade is particularly noteworthy.

Trimbak

From a sprIng high on a steep hill above Trimbak, 33km west of Nasik, the source of the Godavari River dribbles into the Ganga-sagar bathing tank whose waters are reputed to wash away sins. From this tiny start the Godavari eventually flows down to the Bay of Bengal, clear across India.

Also in Trimbak is the Trimbakeshwar Temple, one of India's most sacred, containing one of 12 jyotilingas (naturally occurring lingams) of Siva. Although the temple is open to Hindus only, it is possible (and pennitted) to see into the temple courtyard to the shrine from a convenient vantage point.