Nashik is a city in Maharashtra, India. Nashik is located in the northwest of Maharashtra, 180 km from Mumbai and 202 km from Pune. Nashik is the administrative headquarters of Nashik District and Nashik Division. Nashik, which has been referred to as the "Wine Capital of India", 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 Nashik from its source, which lies to the southwest of the city, in Trimbakeshwar . Nashik Urban Agglomeration (Nashik UA) has a (projected year 2008) population of 1,620,000 and a total area of 264.23 km² which makes it the fourth largest urban area in Maharashtra in terms of population. Nashik is the third most industrialized city in Maharashtra after Mumbai and Pune.

Nashik is one of the world's holiest Hindu cities. Kumbmela is held here once in 12 years along with four other cities in India. Lord Rama along with Lakshmana and Sita spent 14 years 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.

Known for it's beautiful and picturesque surroundings, flourishing valleys, Nashik is home to many vineyards and orchards. Today, Nashik is rate as one of India's fastest growing cities. The city saw a fast uplift of development from 2002 with malls, new urban areas, infrastructure, educational institutions etc. Nashik is known for its pleasant and cool climate, picturesque surroundings, high standard of living, greenery and well-developed infrastructure.

Tourism

Nashik has been on the tourist map of India especially Hindu religious tourism because of the legend that Lord Rama lived here during his exile. Gangapur Road, College Road and Trimbak Road form the lifelines of the suburbs. For many, Nashik is just a pit-stop en route to Shirdi or Trimbakeshwar. If one decides to stop and look around the city and its outskirts, there's plenty to see. The Gangapur Dam is a beautiful site. The Dudhsagar Fall near the village of Gangapur is worth a look in the rains. A few kilometers away from Gangapur village is a Stone Age site. On the road to Trimbakeshwar is the state's only Museum of Numismatics. Anjaneri Parvat near Trimbakeshwar is well known for waterfalls during monsoon season. Pandavleni Caves, the 4th Century BC caves of Buddhist origin, a Bird Sanctuary "Nandur-Madhyameshwar" popularly know as "Bharatpur of Maharashtra", which was started in 1950s, is a little ways from the city and is a mesmerizing place for nature and bird.