Wine Capital of India: Nashik

In northern side of Maharastra, on the bank of Godavari there is an ancient city. The city signifies the value of history, mythology and culture. Nashik, the Wine Capital of India which is 210 km off from Pune. 

Wine barrels

Three whole days are enough to see the city. The city is well known because the major winery and vineyards of India are present here. The largest vineyard Sula and some other such as Soma, York winery all are located in Nashik outskirt. The grapes are harvested, fermented, preparing, production and packing  of red, white, rose and sparkling wines all are done in these vineyards. 

Grape harvest field

After reaching from Pune or Mumbai by road or by train get auto-Uber and can visit the Sula-Soma, vineyards (mentioned details about journey in below). Try to go during the harvesting season of grapes so that you can have the smell ripe grapes. A whole a day is required to visit and see the wine formation in the vineyards. The green and black both types of grapes are harvested here. The white, rose and sparkling wines are produced from the green grapes whereas the red wine is produced from the black grapes. The interesting thing is after collecting the grapes from field directly kept for fermentation without washing 😁 , the reason is if those are being washed with water will be rotten. 

The process of wine preparation.

After fermentation the residue and pulps are transferred to the barrels and kept in certain temperature for several months to mature. All the barrels are marked with date. Nashik has been described as The Wine Capital of India because 10,000 tonnes of grapes per year are yielding from here and 22 out of 46 wineries in India are present in Nasik. 

Different types of wine selling counter inside Sula campus

I went to Nashik from Pune by by bus operated by Neeta. Get down at Thakkar bazar stoppage and get an auto rickshaw for visiting the Sula and Soma vineyards. You have to bargain for that, I took it for 250 INR for 3 hours. After reaching the vineyards you need to buy a ticket of 200 INR and the ticket will redeem when you go for the vineyard's visit and wine tasting. From the Sula counter can buy the wines in quite cheap rate.

One hour session will be conducted there with a guide who will describe in details the history, origin, preparation, production of each type of wine of Sula followed by the 4 types of wine tasting.

Not only Nashik is developed in wineries, but there also lots of heavy manufacturing companies, such as, Graphite India ltd., Crompton Greaves  (CG), Mahindra & Mahindra automobile sector where the SUV Scorpio is manufactured, the long-range heavy fighter for all weather Sukhoi Su-30MKI is manufactured at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited plant of Nashik. Mumbai-Pune-Nashik also called as golden triangle of Maharashtra. 

It is one of the Hindu pilgrimage sites because the Kumbh Mela is held in every 12 years here.

During the Ramayana period Nashik was known as Panchavati and legend wise Lord Ram during his 14 years in exile made Nashik as his abode. 

The current name Nashik was derived from a mythological incident from epic Ramayana where Ravana’s sister Shurpnakha tried to seduce Ram, then he ordered Lakshmana hacked off the nasika (nose) of  Shurpnakha. According to the Ramayan Sita was abducted by Raavan from this area of the Western Ghats i.e. Panchavati.

The central part of Nashik nowadays known as Panchavati. Whenever you will go there can see the pilgrimages and local peoples around the are who's are taking bath whole day or night. The old temple with shrines of Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshmana are still present on the bank of Godavari.

The Godavari temple and place where Kumbh Mela occurred

The city is the witness of several regimes and endures by also several rulers in different  times. Nashik and its historical cultures have been mentioned by classical Sanskrit poets like Kalidas, Valmiki, Bhavbhuti at  their inscriptions and even emperor Akbar also wrote about Nashik in his Ein-e-Akbari. In 150 BC Nashik was the country's largest market place.

During Mughal regime the name of the city was changed to Gulshanabad and in 1818 CE again the city got its current name during Peshwa regime. During the regime of Chhatrapati Shivaji the city known as Land of the Brave.  Throughout the city dilapidated buildings can be seen which resembles the age of this ancient city.  

Chronologically the city, Nashik was ruled by Mauryan Dynasty, Satavahana Dynasty (207 BCE - 199 CE), Abhira Dynasty (220-377 AD), Traikutakas (490 AD), Vishnukundins, Kalachuris (550-573 AD), Chalukyas of Badami(543 AD - 754 AD), Rashtrakuta Dynasty (754 AD - 950 AD), Chalukyas (1157 AD), Yadavas (1318 AD), Maratha and British. 

Carvings inside the Buddha Leni.

Based on the inscriptions and reliefs it is belied that emperor Ashoka was reigned Nashik after that Nahapana, Gautamiputra Satakarni and many more had reigned on Nashik. The Buddha Leni which was excavated for Buddhist monks near Nashik city during Satavahana period by king Krishna and Nahapana. From the caves inscription it records the name of the donators and describe the charities for the caves. 

Nashik market

The rules of Satavahanas were liberal patrons of learning and religion. Krishna, Gautamiputra, Pulumavi and Yajnashri excavated caves and donated villages to provide for the maintenance, clothing and medicines of the Buddhist monks. During this period Nashik was very prosperous . The geographical position of Nashik is beside the Deccan trade route and the Nashik's silk was world famous at that time. Many European explorers such as Marco Polo during 1930 CE, have mentioned the quality, style of silk and the embroidery of elaborate gold brocade which was found being woven at Baghdad are called as nasich and nac silk which originally came from Nashik. These silks were known in Europe in the 14th century as nac, nacquts, nachis, naciz, and nasis.

 A heritage building of Nashik Municipality.

During British era, in 1840 the first library of Maharashtra was established in Nashik, in 1862 the Nashik Road railway station was built and in 1864 the current Nashik Municipality was formed. There is a confusion whether it is pronounced Nasik or Nashik. Before 1982 both the city and district were called by the name Nasik. On 7 November 1982 the population of Nasik City exceeded to 1.2 million, so as per incorporation rules, Nasik City became a Corporation. Since then the city name has changed to Nashik City.

How to reach: Nashik can be reach via both Train and by road. From Mumbai and Pune can go via car, bus and Train. The scenic beauty of the travel will definitely create a mark on your mind.

Where to stay: There are lots of budget hotel in the city and the city is safe for the solo travellers.

What to see in Nashik: 

1. Sula and Soma vineyards - one day is required
2. Panchavati - Should visit in day and night. 
3. Trimbakeshwar - 2-4 hours are required.
4. Buddha Leni - Half of the day is required.
5. Sita Gufa - Another half of the day is required.
6. Anjaneri Hills - Legend wise the cave atop of the Anjaneri hill was the birth place of Lord Hanuman.

Related Post:

1. Rock cut buddhist cave
2. Buddha Leni or Pandav Leni