Nashik

Nashik, formerly Nasik, is a city in the northern region of the Indian state of Maharashtra situated on the banks of the river Godavari, about 165 km (103 mi) northeast of the state capital Mumbai. The city lies in the Nashik Metropolitan Region. It is the administrative headquarters of Nashik district. Nashik is the 4th largest city in Maharashtra after Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur, and the largest city in Northern Maharashtra. It is also one of the fastest developing Tier-2 cities in India. Nashik is one of the Hindu pilgrimage sites of the Kumbh Mela, which is held every 12 years. According to the Ramayana, Nashik is where Lakshmana cut off the nose of the demoness Surpanakha on the banks of the Godavari River. It is also called Panchavati. It was known as "Gulshanabad" during the Mughal period.