Nashik or Nasik (About this sound pronunciation (help·info)) is a city in Maharashtra, India. Nashik is the third largest city of Maharashtra and also third most industrialised city in Maharashtra, fourth fastest growing city of India and 16th fastest growing city of the world.It is the 11th most populated district in India with growth of 22.33% in last decade. It is also the 16th estimated fastest growing city in the world for period 2006-2020 by city mayor report.
It is a delightful town, usually bustling with fervent crowds, Nasik is a classic mélange of the past and the present. It paves way to many fascinating forts and royally graceful temples that possess an aura of exuberance. This part of the terra firma is more than a dream destination for zealous lovers of glorious travel. It plays abode to most of the industries located in Maharashtra, including the Security Printing Press of the government, the nation\'s currency printer. The core of commerce and trade, it was earlier the country\'s largest market arena.
Widely held as the land that produces the maximum varieties of fruits and vegetables, it is rightly labelled as the green belt area. It lodges a great diversity of tourist attractions, religious domains and the nature at its bountiful and beautiful best. This land of exquisite grandeur witnessed 14 years of exile suffered by a hero, a hero named Lord Rama. The Lord spent his years of exile in the forests of this land.
The splendour of Nasik tells you all about the magnificence of the place. Its fame has augmented by leaps and bounds due to its propinquity to Shirdi, a very famous pilgrimage centre, where thousands cram to acquire darshan of Shri Sai Baba. Nashik is Asia\'s leading market for onions and tomatoes. The population of the city is around 2.6 Million and district population of around 6.2 million. Nashik is located in the northwest of Maharashtra, 171 km (106 mi) from Mumbai and 210 km (130 mi) from Pune. Nashik is the administrative headquarters of Nasik district and Nasik Division. Nasik is also known as the Wine Capital of India, or as India’s Napa Valley, is located in the Western Ghats, on the western edge of the Deccan peninsula on the banks of the Godavari. In addition to supplying the name to the famed Nassak Diamond,the city is known for its picturesque surroundings and pleasant climate. The Godavari River flows through Nasik from its source, which lies to the southwest of the city, in Trimbakeshwar. Nasik Urban Agglomeration (Nasik UA) has a population of more than 6,109,052 according census 2011. and a total area of 264.23 km² which makes it the fourth largest urban area in Maharashtra in terms of population and Area after Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur. Nashik is the third most industrialized city in Maharashtra after Mumbai and Pune.
Nashik is one of the world\'s holiest Hindu cities. It is also known as the pilgrimage capital of India. Kumbh Mela is held here once in 12 years along with Ujjain, Allahabad and Haridwar in India. Lord Rama along with Lakshmana and Sita spent 4 months of his exile at Tapovan near Nashik. The city came under the rule of Mughal in 16th century and was renamed Gulshanabad. It is also noted for its participation in freedom struggle. Freedom fighters like Veer Savarkar and Anant Kanhere were born in Nashik.