Naroshankar Temple — Attraction in Nashik

Situated in Panchavati area, on the bank of river Godavari – fondly called as anga by Nasikites – isNaroshankar Temple of Rameshwar built by Naroshankar Rajebahaddur in 1747. The architectural style of the temple is called “Maya” style. It is one of the most beautiful pieces of temple architecture of the 18th century. The main temple is on a platform. Rather than inside of the temple, sculpture on the outer part is stunning. It has rows of striking designs. One layer is of decorative lacework. The next one is that of peacocks holding bead garlends. In four directions are statues of the saints inPadmasana – one holding rosary, the other one a holy book – they are all scholars. Some of the statues are deformed – their hands are broken. Thereis also an assembly of animals – tigers, monkeys,elephants etc. This depicts that Hindu culture is not limited only to humanbeings but also has relation with birds, animals, trees, and nature in general.The temple is surrounded by 11 feet fortification. In its four corners are umbrellas – called “Meghadambari” or “Barasati”. One of them was washed away by Godavari floods and only three are existing presently. The fortification also centres a “Bell house” in the front part. The famous bell , called “Naroshankar Bell” is fixed there. The bell is a victory memorial over Portuguese. The Maratha Ruler Bajirao Peshwa’s younger brother Chimaji Appa won the fort of Vasai against Portuguese. The famous knight of Peshwas – Mr NaroshankarRajebahaddur played a critical role in this war. After winning the fort, Vasai Portuguese Church bell was removed, marched on elephant till Nashikwith great celebration and offered to Naroshankaras a medal – an award for his bravery. It is made of bronze, with six feet diameter. The year engraved on it is 1921. The bell jingle can be heard up to 5 miles, it is said. This bell and its ringing is so famous that a phrase is coined after it in Marathi. If a woman is talking in a very high pitch, she is called “Naroshankarachi ghanta”.Recently renovation of the bell is undertaken by the Municipal...

Built by Naroshankar Rajebahaddur, a commander of the Maratha Empire, in 1747, the Naroshankar Temple in Nashik is dedicated to the Hindu gods Shiva and Rama. It lies in Panchavati, a holy site and pilgrimage destination closely associated with the mythology of Rama and the epic Ramayana. The temple, located on the banks of the Godavari River, has been built in the style of Maya architecture and is a rather rare and beautiful 18th-century temple. The main structure lies atop an elevated platform, with the main deity placed on the outer part of the temple instead of inside. The temple has striking decorative lacework and designs of peacocks with bead garlands. On all four directions of the temple lie statues of sages in the Padmasana pose, with one hand holding a rosary and another holding a holy book. Some of these statues have partially fallen to the ravages of time, and there are several carvings of elephants, tigers, monkeys and other animals as well. With an 11-foot fortification around it, the temple had four umbrellas or Meghadambari on its four corners. Only three remain right now; one was washed away in the Godavari floods. The fortification has the famous bell house that has the Naroshankar Bell inside, a memorial built to commemorate the Maratha Empire’s victory over the...

The Naroshankar Temple is a great example of the architectural style called "Maya" dating back to the 18th century. The main temple is built on a platform and its interiors as well as exteriors are adorned with stunning carved structures and ornamental works that contains elaborate laceworks, peacocks holding bead garlands etc. The four directions of the temple are adorned with statues of the saints in Padmasana and its four corners are decorated with umbrellas, commonly known as 'Meghadambari' or 'Barasati', of which only three are existing, the other being washed away in Godavari floods. The temple is surrounded by a 11 feet fortification with a huge bell house in its center which houses the famous Naroshankar Ghanta bell. The bell house is a memorial to celebrate the victory over the Portuguese by the Maratha Ruler Bajirao Peshwa’s younger brother Chimaji Appa who won the fort of Vasai from the Portuguese. Naroshankar Rajebahaddur had played a vital role in this war and the bell is awarded to him for his bravery. The ringing of this bronze bell measuring six feet diameter can be heard up to about...