Shree Kapaleshwar Mahadev Mandir — Attraction in Nashik

Mahadev 'Kapaleshwara Mahatm' One and only one temple, the unique Mandir of Lord Shiva, in universe, where you will not find 'Nandi" sitting before Shiva. Linga, the symbolic representation of the God and Godness, "ShivaParvati. The story is narrated in 'Padmapurana', by the holy saint "Markandeya' Rishi. (In 'Padmapurana', one of the mythological books of its time as per events details are concerned).Lord Bramha had five faces. Out of them four faces he used to recite VEDAS and by fifth he would criticise and jealously blame acts of Lord Vishnu. During course of a meeting of Galaxy-Lord, he started his act of criticism to Lord Vishnu and then switched his act of criticism to Lord Shiva. In response Lord Shiva did not liked it and snatched the "Bramhastra" tool form Bhramha's hand and chopped off his fifth face-nake from his body. Lord gathering was Joied because of the punishment act of Lord Shiva and was more sympathetic towards Lord Vishnu. But Shiv Shankar himself did not feel comfortable by his own act. He started feeling guilty of doing so, and was processed with feeling and trauma of Bramha Hatya; a deadly sin worth repenting in life. To wipe out this unavoidable sinful act he started looking for some solace, means of repenting it to ease himself out. For this he traveled northword to find out source or method to evolve himself from this sin. But Unable to find solution, the he turned southward. While travelling he stayed at Nashik in Panchavati, pilgremage. The place for rest chosen by Lord Shiva was an open space at the home of Dev Sharma" Bramhan. While resting nearly, he heard the conversation which was going on in the cattleshed, calfcow, (Nandi); who had been great learned man in his prior birth, was talking to his mother that master Dev Sharma Bramhan harassed him by bullying for long. He would teach him a lesson and would finish (his life) him off. Mother replied by doing this he would be put to the task of committing a deadly sin; Bramha Hatya. Nandi replied that he is aware of panace for this deadly sin. Mother you may say that Lord Shiva has also committed the sin by detaching fifth face from Lord Bramha's body. It was an act which was done in anger and agony, the mind of man is raged and he forgets what he was doing. He realizes his folly when he calms down and thinks in the normal way. Lord Shiva will have a solution for the penace when he is normalised. Over hearing the dialogue between (cow and calf) the mother and son Shiva had a sign of relief realising that the solution for the penace has been found. He decided to be there and went for rest, anxiously awaited for dawn. Next morning when Devsharma Bramhan approached Nandi to take him out of cattleshed, Nandi attacked him and pierced his homs in his stomach hurting him seriously resulting in the death of Bramhan, immediately the colour of Nandi was turned into black form milky white indicating that Nandi has committed a sin; Bramha Hatya. Panchavati has got a unique Sangam of Aruna, Varuna and invisible Saraswati revers flowing towards East. These revers accumulate into Ramkund and are merged with Godavari rever. Nandi went to have holy dip in rever Godavari and moment he came out of bath his original colour of milky white was retained. After dip bath Nandi went for blessings of Lord Rama, nearby temple. All this act has profused Nandi with more vigour and valous. All the process was closely watched by Shiv Shankar who followed the same, and had blessings of Lord Rama and went over a hillwek, where Shiv-Linga' is supposed to be the most trusted., for making a penace against wrongful deep and deadly sin. While Lord Shiva was performing his penace, Galaxy of Lords appeared in the sky and offered floral tribute to Lord Shiva and chanted praiseworthy words for his interest in helping mankind. Thus Shiva was relaxed of his deadly act of sin and Lord Vishnu has by his presence established Shiv-Linga there, giving the name "Kapaleshwara". By just visiting and praying to Eshwar Kapaleshwara, the human soul ill be lived of sin and achieve...

Kapaleshwar Temple in Nashik is a revered and unique Shiva temple, known for its serene ambiance and unusual traditions. Situated on the banks of the Godavari River near Ramkund, it attracts devotees and tourists alike with its peaceful environment, simple architecture, and distinctive religious significance.

One of the temple’s most intriguing aspects is its lack of a Nandi idol, which is typically seen in front of any Shiva temple. According to legend, this absence is linked to the story of Kapaleshwar Mahadev absolving himself of a Brahmahatya dosha (a sin in Hindu belief). It is believed that Lord Shiva meditated here, seeking liberation from his sin, and in this process, he omitted Nandi from his blessings, making this temple an exception.

The temple’s architecture is humble and doesn’t exhibit the elaborate carvings and sculptures that one might find in other Shiva temples. Instead, it emphasizes a more meditative, spiritual atmosphere that encourages visitors to focus on their inner peace and devotion.

For those who visit Nashik as part of the pilgrimage circuit, Kapaleshwar Temple provides a quiet, reflective experience that complements the more bustling areas around the Godavari. The temple is a popular stop among pilgrims performing rituals near Ramkund, and the surrounding area is filled with small shops and traditional eateries.

In sum, Kapaleshwar Temple stands out for its simplicity, peaceful setting, and distinctive absence of Nandi, making it a must-visit for anyone seeking spiritual solace in Nashik. Its history, legends, and peaceful vibe make it a memorable addition to any pilgrimage or...

The Kapaleshwar Mahadev Mandir in Nashik is a significant Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Dating back to the 18th century, this temple holds a unique position in the region's religious landscape. Unlike many other Shiva temples, Kapaleshwar Mahadev Mandir is distinctive as it does not have a Nandi bull statue at the entrance. This absence is attributed to a legend that emphasizes the temple's unique sanctity. According to local lore, Lord Shiva, after unknowingly committing the sin of Brahmahatya, sought absolution by bathing in the sacred Godavari River and later meditated at the site where the temple now stands. This act of penance supposedly purified the site, imbuing it with a divine aura that is palpable to devotees and visitors alike.Architecturally, the temple reflects the classic Hindu temple design with intricate carvings and a serene ambiance. The main shrine houses a Shiva Lingam, which is the focal point of worship. Devotees flock to this temple, especially during the festivals of Mahashivaratri and Shravan, to offer prayers and seek blessings.The temple’s location in Nashik, a city renowned for its historical and spiritual significance, adds to its allure. Nashik itself is one of the holiest cities in India, known for the Kumbh Mela and its association with the Ramayana. The Kapaleshwar Mahadev Mandir, thus, is not only a place of worship but also a beacon of the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of the region, drawing both pilgrims and tourists who are keen to experience its historical and...