Shri Kalaram Temple and Sita Gumpha

Unlike the temples across India, the temple of Lord Rama at Nashik house a black image of the deity crafted in black granite. The revered god of Ramayana is flanked by his divine spouse and magnanimous brother Lakshmana in the sanctum sanctorum. Close to the Shri Kalaram Temple in Nashik is the Sita Gumpha or cave of Mother Sita which is a landmark site in the history of India. According to the Hindu epic Ramayana, Lord Rama lived in Panchavati or five banyan trees with his consort Sita and brother Lakshmana. Today, where the temple of Shri Kalaram stands is the site where Panchvati was thousands of years back. Due to the obvious reasons, this site is spiritually charged and attracts thousands of pilgrims and Vaishnavite devotees every year. Legend has it that the invincible demon Ravana kidnapped Devi Sita from Sita Gumpha.