Kalaram Temple

Kalaram Mandir, one of the major attractions of Nashik city, is situated in the Panchavati area of the city. It is the biggest as well as the simplest among all the temples situated in nashik and dates back to the year 1790, when it was constructed by Sardar Odhekar of Peshwa. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama, who has been enshrined inside the sanctum sanctorum in the form of a decked black stone idol. Since the image of the Lord is in black color, the temple came to be known as Kalaram Mandir (meaning the temple of the black Rama).

Besides the idol of Lord Rama, there are idols of Sita Mata and Lord Lakshmana, both of them in black and adorned with ornaments. The temple has been constructed completely out of black stones. There are four entrance doors, one each facing East, West, South and North. The summit of the Kalaram Mandir is made up of 32 tons of gold. Earlier, Harijans were not allowed inside the temple. It was only in the year 1930, after the Satyagraha of Dr. Ambedkar, that Harijans were allowed to enter its premises.