Festivals of Nashik: from Gudi Padwa to the Ram rath yatra

The year begins on Gudi Padwa, the first day of the month of Chaitra (March–April). Families raise a gudi outside the home: a tall stick dressed in bright cloth, with neem and mango leaves, a garland of sugar crystals and an upturned copper or silver pot on top.

Across Nashik, colourful new-year processions (shobha yatras) fill the streets with dhol-tasha drums and women in nauvari sarees.

Ram Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama, is Panchavati's biggest day. Kalaram Mandir is decorated and crowds gather for darshan.

Soon after, on Chaitra Ekadashi, the Ram rath yatra takes the deities out on wooden chariots, pulled by devotees through the lanes of Panchavati to the Godavari, one of the oldest living traditions of the city.

Ganeshotsav (August–September) brings pandals to every neighbourhood. In Navratri, devotees visit the Kalika Mata temple in the city and travel to Saptashrungi Devi at Vani, about 60 km away.

On Kartik Purnima (November), lamps are lit along the ghats, and Ramkund glows after dark.

Mahashivratri and the Mondays of Shravan draw long queues at Trimbakeshwar and Kapaleshwar. In winter, the Sant Nivruttinath yatra brings varkaris with flags and cymbals to Trimbak, to the samadhi of Sant Dnyaneshwar's elder brother and guru.

Many of these festivals mean extra crowds, so check our calendar before planning a visit around them.