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Brahmagiri and Janasthana Kshetra (Nashik) - Tryambakeshwara Jyotirlinga, Janasthana Shakti Peetha, Panchavati and birthplace of Hanuman

• Meditation:

वाराणस्यां तु विश्वेशं त्र्यंबकं गौतमीतटे ।
हिमालये तु केदारं घुश्मेशं च शिवालये ॥
- Dwadasa Jyotirlinga Stotra - verse 3 (Nashik has the Tryambakeshwara Jyotirlinga on the foothills of the Brahmagiri Hills)

चिवुके भ्रामरी देवी विकृताक्षो जनस्थाने । गण्डो गोदावरीतीरे विश्वेशी विश्वमातृका ॥
दण्डपाणिभैरवस्तु वामगण्डे तु राकिणी । भैरवो वत्सनाभस्तु तत्र सिद्धिर्न संशयः ॥
- Shakti Peetha Stotram - verses 45 and 46 (Nashik has the Janasthana Shakti Peetha where the Civuka of Devi had fallen)

पञ्चवटीतटसुस्थित राम् ॥ शूर्पणखार्तिविधायक राम् ॥ खरदूषणमुखसूदक राम् ॥
सीताप्रियहरिणानुग राम् ॥ मारीचार्तिकृदाशुग राम् ॥ विनष्टसीतान्वेषक राम् ॥
राम् राम् जय राजा राम् । राम् राम् जय सीता राम् ।
- Nama Ramayana - verses 40 to 45 (Nashik has the Panchavati where Sri Rama stayed during the forest exile and from where Devi Sita was abducted by Ravana)

गृध्राधिपगतिदायक राम् ॥
राम् राम् जय राजा राम् । राम् राम् जय सीता राम् ।
- Nama Ramayana - verse 46 (Nashik has the Janasthana region where Sri Rama met the dying Jatayu and performed his last rites)

सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गाल्ये ब्राह्मि माहेश्वरि शुभे ।
वैष्णवि त्र्यम्बके देवि गोदावरि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥
- Godavari Stuti - verse 1 (River Godavari flows through Panchavati)

• Nashik: (Nashik district, Maharashtra) → (Place of Kumbha Mela) (Jyotirlinga) (Shakti Peetha)

• Greatness:

• Nashik is a Place of Kumbha Mela (Kumbha Mela is held) [Prayaga, Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik]

• Nashik is a Jyotirlinga (Linga of Jyoti) [Somanatha, Mallikarjuna, Mahakaleshwara, Omkareshwara, Kedarnatha, Bhimashankara, Vishwanatha, Tryambakeshwara, Vaidyanatha, Nageshwara, Rameshwara, Grishneshwara] [Tryambakeshwar Jyotirlinga]

• Nashik is a Shakti Peetha (Seat of Shakti) [Janasthana Shakti Peetha]

• Nashik (Brahmagiri) is a Shiva Sthalam (Pilgrimage of Shiva):
- Lord Shiva abides in Nashik Brahmagiri as a Jyotirlinga (Linga of Jyoti) [Somanatha, Mallikarjuna, Mahakaleshwara, Omkareshwara, Kedarnatha, Bhimashankara, Vishwanatha, Tryambakeshwara, Vaidyanatha, Nageshwara, Rameshwara, Grishneshwara] [Tryambakeshwara Jyotirlinga].
- Lord Shiva relieved devotee sage Gautama from the false accusation of brahmanas and released river Ganga (Gautami Ganga or Godavari) from his matted hairs (Tryambakeshwara Jyotirlinga).

• Nashik (Janasthana) is a Devi Sthalam (Pilgrimage of Devi):
- Devi abides in Nashik Janasthana as a Shakti Peetha (Seat of Shakti) [Janasthana Shakti Peetha] (Devi Saptashrungi).

• Nashik (Panchavati) is a Rama Sthalam (Pilgrimage of Rama):
- Sri Rama stayed in Nashik Panchavati during his forest exile.

• Nashik (Anjana Hills) is a Hanuman Sthalam (Pilgrimage of Hanuman):
- Bhakta Hanuman is said to have taken birth in the Nashik Anjana Hills (identified as one of his birthplaces).

• Nashik is a Rishi Sthalam (Place of Rishis):
- Sage Gautama had his hermitage in Brahmagiri Hills (Tryambakeshwar) where he performed penance and brought river Godavari on earth.
- Sage Agastya had his hermitage near Panchavati where Sri Rama visited during his forest exile.

• Sacred Geography:

Devi Godavari — Ram Kund
(River Godavari)

☗ Brahmagiri Hills (Tryambakeshwar)
☗ Anjana Hills (Anjaneri)
☗ Saptashrungi Hills (Saptashrungi Gadh)
► River Godavari Udgam (Source) (Tryambakeshwar)
▬ River Godavari flows (Aarti) (near Panchavati)
◉ Aruna - Varuna - Godavari Triveni Sangam (near Panchavati)
◉ Godavari - Kapila Sangam (near Panchavati)
☸ Panchavati Forest (Puranic)
☘ Five Banyan Trees (Panchavati)

• River Godavari Ghats:
- Ram Kund (Godavari Aarti)
- Lakshman Kund
- Sita Kund
- Ashti Vilay Kund
- Dhanushya Kund
- Khandova Kund
- Indra Kund

• Temples and Places:

• Temples and Places of Lord Shiva in Nashik:

• Tryambakeshwara Jyotirlinga - Lord Shiva relieving sage Gautama from the false accusation of brahmanas and releasing river Gautami Ganga (Godavari)
(Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 24 to 27)

► Nashik - Tryambakeshwar Temple
(Nashik district, Maharashtra)

Nashik Tryambakeshwar Temple is identified with the Tryambakeshwara Jyotirlinga mentioned in the Shiva Purana.

• Temples and Places of Devi in Nashik:

• Janasthana Shakti Peetha: I meditate on the Janasthana Shakti Peetha where the Civuka (Chin) of Devi had fallen. The Devi there is known as Bhramari and the Bhairava is called Vikritaksha.
(Peetha Nirnaya Tantra - Shakti Peetha Stotram - verse 45)

Devi Saptashrungi temple, Vani, Nashik district, Maharashtra

► Nashik - Devi Saptashrungi
(Nashik district, Maharashtra)

Devi Saptashrungi Temple of Vani is identified with the Janasthana Shakti Peetha mentioned in the Peetha Nirnaya Tantra.

• Temples and Places of Sri Rama in Nashik:

• Sri Rama visiting the Agastya Ashrama near Panchavati
(Valmiki Ramayana - Aranya Kanda - 11 to 13)

► Nashik - Ankai Agastya Ashram
(Nashik district, Maharashtra)
(100 km from Nashik)

Ankai Agastya Ashram is identified with the place where Sri Rama visited the hermitage of sage Agastya.

• Sri Rama staying in the Panchavati forest
(Valmiki Ramayana - Aranya Kanda - 15 to 16)
• Sri Rama encountering demoness Surpanakha in the Panchavati forest
(Valmiki Ramayana - Aranya Kanda - 17 to 18)
• Sri Rama slaying demons Khara and Dushana in the Panchavati forest
(Valmiki Ramayana - Aranya Kanda - 19 to 30)
• Ravana abducting Devi Sita from the Panchavati forest
(Valmiki Ramayana - Aranya Kanda - 31 to 56)
• Sri Rama searching for Devi Sita in the Panchavati forest
(Valmiki Ramayana - Aranya Kanda - 57 to 64)

► Nashik - Ankai Agastya Ashram
(Nashik district, Maharashtra)
(100 km from Nashik)

Ankai Agastya Ashram is identified with the place where Sri Rama visited the hermitage of sage Agastya.

► Nashik - Ram Kund
(Nashik district, Maharashtra)

Ram Kund is the holy bathing ghat of Panchavati on River Godavari. It is believed that Sri Rama bathed here during forest exile. It is also the place for performing rituals and devotional contemplation.

Panchavati, Nashik, Nashik district, Maharashtra

► Nashik - Panchavati (Five Banyan Trees)
(Nashik district, Maharashtra)

The area of Panchavati has Five Banyan Trees and hence the name Panchavati.

► Nashik - Sita Gupha
(Nashik district, Maharashtra)

Sita Gupha is believed to be the cave where Devi Sita lived and worshipped a Shiva Linga. It is also said that Devi Sita was abducted by Ravana from this place.

► Nashik - Juni Parnakuti
(Nashik district, Maharashtra)

Juni Parnakuti is identified with the place where Sri Rama stayed during his forest exile. The Lakshman Rekha as river is near this place.

► Nashik - Kalaram Mandir
(Nashik district, Maharashtra)

Kalaram Mandir, near Sita Gupha, is the famous temple of Sri Rama in Panchavati.

► Nashik - Tapovan
(Nashik district, Maharashtra)

Tapovan is the area in Panchavati at the confluence of rivers Godavari and Kapila. It is said that in ancient times the sages meditated in this place. It is also the place where Lakshmana is said to have cut off the nose of demoness Shurpanakha.

• Sri Rama finding flowers and jewelleries of Devi Sita in the Janasthana region
(Valmiki Ramayana - Aranya Kanda - 64 to 66)
• Sri Rama meeting the dying Jatayu in the Janasthana region
(Valmiki Ramayana - Aranya Kanda - 67 to 68)

► Nashik - Taked Sarvatirtha Jatayu Temple
(Nashik district, Maharashtra)
(50 km from Nashik)

Taked Sarvatirtha Jatayu Temple is identified with the place where Sri Rama met the dying Jatayu and performed his last rites.

• Temples and Places of Bhakta Hanuman in Nashik:

• Paishaca Tirtha - Story of Anajana and Adrika
(Brahma Purana - Gautami Mahatmya - 14)

► Nashik - Anjaneri Temple
(Nashik district, Maharashtra)
(10 km from Tryambakeshwar)

Nashik Anjaneri is identified as one of the birth places of Bhakta Hanuman.

• Temples (Summary):

• River Godavari Ghats:
- Ram Kund (Aarti)
- Lakshman Kund
- Sita Kund
- Ashti Vilay Kund
- Dhanushya Kund
- Khandova Kund
- Indra Kund

• Shiva (Tryambakeshwar):
- Tryambakeshwar Jyotirlinga

• Devi (Vani):
- Devi Saptashrungi Temple

• Rama (Panchavati) (Tapovan):
- Ram Kund
- Prachin Ram Mandir
- Prachin Goreram Mandir
- Panchavati (Five Banyan Trees)
- Kalaram Mandir
- Sita Gufa
- Parna Kutir
- Lakshman Rekha
- Sita Haran Mandir
- Lakshman Sheshnag Mandir
- Ram Vanavas Sthan

• Hanuman (Anjaneri):
- Anjaneri Hanuman Temple (Birth place) (10 km from Tryambakeshwar)

• Hanuman (Panchavati):
- Dutondya Maruti
- Katya Maruti

• Vishnu (Panchavati):
- Sundar Narayan Mandir, Lakshmi Narayan Mandir

• Shiva (Panchavati):
- Kapaleshwar Mahadev
- Baneshwar Mahadev
- Karpureshwar Mahadev
- Pataleshwar Mahadev
- Nilkanteshwar Mahadev
- Naroshankar

• Godavari (Panchavati):
- Devi Godavari Ganga

• Others:
- Taked Sarva Tirtha Jatayu Temple (50 km from Nashik)

• Sages:
- Ankai Agastya Ashram (100 km from Nashik)

• Puranic Events:

1. Presence of Lord Shiva in Tryambakeshwara: (Shiva Purana)
• Tryambakeshwar is identified with the Tryambakeshwara Jyotirlinga. Where Lord Shiva relieved devotee sage Gautama from the false accusation of brahmanas and released river Ganga (Gautami Ganga or Godavari) from his matted hairs.

2. Presence of Devi in Janasthana: (Peetha Nirnaya Tantra)
• Vani Saptashrungi is identified with the Janasthana Shakti Peetha.
- Where the Civuka (Chin) of Devi had fallen.
- The Devi there is known as Bhramari and the Bhairava is called Vikritaksha.

3. Presence of Sri Rama in Panchavati and Janasthana: (Valmiki Ramayana)
(1) Sri Rama visited the Agastya Ashrama near Panchavati (Ankai Agastya Ashram)
(2) Sri Rama met Jatayu near Panchavati
(3) Sri Rama stayed in the Panchavati forest (Nashik Panchavati) (Ram Vanavas Sthan)
(4) Sri Rama encountered demoness Surpanakha in the Panchavati forest (Lakshman Temple)
(5) Sri Rama slayed demons Khara and Dushana in the Panchavati forest
(6) Ravana abducted Devi Sita from the Panchavati forest (Sita Haran Temple)
(7) Sri Rama searched for Devi Sita in the Panchavati forest
(8) Sri Rama found flowers and jewelleries of Devi Sita in the Janasthana region
(9) Sri Rama met the dying Jatayu in the Janasthana region (Taked Sarva Tirtha Jatayu Temple)
(10) Sri Rama passed through the Krauncha forest
(11) Sri Lakshmana encountered demoness Ayomukhi in the Kabandha forest
(12) Sri Rama encountered demon Kabandha in the Kabandha forest

4. Presence of Bhakta Hanuman in Anjana mountain: (Brahma Purana)
• Puranic Anjana mountain (present Anjaneri) is identified as one of the birth places of Bhakta Hanuman.

5. Presence of Sages in Nashik: (Shiva Purana) (Valmiki Ramayana)
• Sage Gautama: Sage Gautama performed penance in the Brahmagiri Hills and brought river Godavari on Earth (Tryambakeshwara Jyotirlinga).
• Sage Agastya: Sage Agastya had his hermitage near Panchavati where Sri Rama visited during his forest exile.

• Puranic References:

• Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 24 to 27 (About Tryambakeshwara Jyotirlinga)
• Peetha Nirnaya Tantra - Shakti Peetha Stotram - verse 45 (About Janasthana Shakti Peetha)
• Valmiki Ramayana - Aranya Kanda - 15 to 63 (About Sri Rama staying in Panchavati)
• Valmiki Ramayana - Aranya Kanda - 64 to 68 (About Sri Rama searching for Devi Sita in Janasthana)

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