Nashik Diaries: Revealing Nature Trails through Myths and Mountains

When a Place Keeps Serenading You

Can you be serenaded again and again by a place you already love? Nashik does that for me. It’s a place I fell for long ago, slowly uncovering its many layers over the years as it grew on me. A place so woven into my everyday life—through routine work, daily commutes, and simply navigating my days—that I almost forget how much I cherish it. And then, ever so often, it stuns me all over again with its beauty and depth, reminding me just how much it means.And when that happens, I realize how blessed I am to be living in a place like Nashik, one that offers such wonders every time I reach out for them.

The Timeless Soul of Nashik

I first explored this place—its lanes, its ghats, and its mountains—when I moved here nearly 30 years ago. Over these decades, the city has evolved from a quaint, laid-back place into a more fast-paced town, striving to keep up with changing times. Yet what remains unchanged is Nashik’s soul, its culture, and its people.

This is a city encircled by multiple peaks, with many trekkers drawn to climb them. It boasts more than 80 forts nearby, of which it is immensely proud. There is also a beautiful bird sanctuary close by that attracts nature lovers. Nashik treasures its historical sites—some protected by the state and Centre—along with many ancient temples built over the last millennia, and most importantly, the River Godavari and its numerous tributaries that originate here. And of course, the place hosts the Kumbh Mela every 12 years, making it a destination sought after by pilgrims, tourists, history enthusiasts, trekkers, environmentalists, and naturalists alike.

What makes this place truly unique is the way it blends modernity with culture. It stands as one of Maharashtra’s major industrial hubs and is proudly known as the wine capital of India, drawing both serious business and wine enthusiasts. This eclectic mix of religious, historical, natural, cultural, and industrial identities never fails to amaze me.

A Heaven on Earth

Equally enchanting is how the place transforms during the monsoon. Come monsoon, and the entire region turns into heaven on earth. Clouds hug the hilltops, the land everywhere is draped in lush green, and springs and streams begin to gush forth. Multiple dams, nestled among the hills around Nashik, fill to the brim. The monsoon truly brings Nashik to life, inviting everyone to explore, admire, and lose themselves in its beauty. This is the season to trek, hike, travel around, and for many, to do a Pheri through landscapes that seem almost otherworldly.

The Sacred Call of the Pheri

So last year, when the month of Shravan arrived, a group of friends and I decided to undertake the Pheri—also known as the Trimbak Pheri—of Brahmagiri, the mountain from which the mighty Godavari originates.

Myth has it that Gautam Rishi and Ahalya made this place their abode, and that Gautam performed penance to bring the Godavari to earth. This is why the river is also called Gothami Ganga. It was once believed to be an abode of Brahma as well, hence the name. The mountain itself is said to represent Lord Shiva, with the Gautami Ganga descending from his locks, much like the Ganga flowing down from the mighty Himalayas. The Godavari is often also referred to as the Dakshin Ganga, and Nashik as the Dakshin Kashi.

At the base lies the holy town of Trimbakeshwar, home to one of the 12 Jyotirling temples. The Pheri is a circumambulation prescribed around both the mountain and the temple, held sacred by many. Thus, it carries deep cultural significance for Nashik.

Walking the Pheri: Adventure, Faith, and Discovery

For many, this hike is an adventure—covering 16 miles through gentle hilly terrain in a single stretch. For others, it is a spiritual journey undertaken with deep faith.

On an early Sunday morning, we arrived at Prayag Tirth in Nashik. Before setting out on the longer Pheri, it is mandatory to first do a parikrama of this pond. From here, one can begin the full hike.

As we—a group of urban women with sturdy walking shoes and rain gear—set off on our Pheri, we came across many from different walks of life. A group of rural folks, walking barefoot, had arrived by bus from a distant village near Nashik. As we encountered more such people, there were those who came cycling, groups walking together, and some who undertook the journey alone, with only their faith for company. Their journeys deeply humbled me.

Through Nature’s Lap, Guided by Brahmagiri

As I mentioned earlier, the region turns into heaven—and through this heaven we walked. We moved through thick, wet vegetation and endless green fields that lay like carpets upon the earth. We crossed small streams and waterfalls, walked over bridges spanning gushing waters, and trudged through gentle rivulets.

The trail keeps Brahmagiri always in sight—your guiding light—with its majestic peak often wrapped in mist and cloud, a sight to behold each time you look up. The small shrines along the Pheri route, like the Brahmagiri Ganesh temple and Shankar temple, stand as manifestations of people’s faith, adding deeper purpose to the journey.

Sixteen miles is a long walk. After nine, you reach the Ahalya Godavari temple. A short climb rewards you with spectacular views. The temple itself sits on a higher base of the mountain, marking the midpoint of the Pheri. As we paused there for snacks and darshan, I had a moment to breathe and simply be with the surroundings, gently connecting to myself. The deeper reflections would come later.

We started climbing down, mesmerized by the fields and water bodies we could see from above. Though we were tired by now, the beauty of Nashik’s nature kept urging us on to finish the Pheri. Every stream we crossed was different from the last. Every bridge gave us a pause to reflect. As we came to the end, we were exhausted yet elated by the feat we had achieved.

All these walks and hikes, whether or not taken in faith, ultimately connect you to the divine. They offer you space and time to immerse yourself in surroundings so pure, so raw, so beautiful—and in turn, to connect with your own inner self. It’s remarkable how these rituals, shaped by culture and faith, inspire almost everyone, regardless of social standing, to embark on this path of discovery.

Nashik’s Charm Never Fades

Each Pheri, each season, every quiet moment on its ghats, stroll through old lanes, visit to a historic place, or drive into the countryside only deepens my love for this incredible place. It’s not just the landscapes or legends that keep drawing me back—it’s how Nashik quietly transforms you, revealing itself in gentle, unexpected ways. And for that, I remain endlessly grateful.