Sri Kalaram Mandir-Nashik

Kalaram Mandir

This is the exact place where Sita, Ram and Laxmana lived in their exile. Long ago this place was inhabited by Nagapanth sadhus. They performed devotional service to Lord Ramacandra here. Once three of these sadhus while each bathing differently at Ram Kunda, Sita Kunda and Laxmana Kunda got deities of Lord Rama, Sita and Laxmana respectively. Amazed by this appearance these wonderful black deities were brought here to be worshipped in a small hut. Over the years people noticing the beauty of the deities started visiting this place.

In 17th century Gopikabai Peshwa, mother of Madhavrao Peshwa ordered the then Sardar Rangarao Odhekar to build a temple here. Rangarao simultaneously got a dream of the Lord Ramacandra that He wanted him only to make it. The temple construction costed him 23 lakh rupees and made him penniless. The beauty of this temple is that whole structure is made from one single stone. However at the end there was still a major work left – that of installing Gold Kalash on the Gopuram temple top. As he had no money Rangarao decided to sell his wife’s nose ring to make it. (In Indian custom whatever crisis may be one never sells the ladies marriage ornaments). Finally the temple was ready and true to his devotion, Rangarao did not inscribe any of his name claiming rights over the temple.

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The only place where Rangarao did write his name is at the feet of the deities declaring thus that it is the right place where he should be. Hanuman deity exactly in front of the temple is unique as the head of Hanuman is in exact line of the lotus feet of the Lord Ramacandra in the temple. Sri Kalaram Mandir is truly magnificent temple built with great devotion and dedication by Rangarao in service to Lotus Feet of Lord Ramacandra.