Social,
Environmental & Economic Sustainability
Our analysis of the rank of the district
Backwardness : Does not figure in list of 447 backward districts
Sex Ratio Rank : 237
(Rank one is least sex ratio - Cenus 2001)
HIV Category District : A
(HIV Sentinel Surveillance 2004 - 2006)
Disability : 62 (Census 2001)
Literacy Ratio : 133 (Census 2001)
Minority : Does not figure in MCD
Challenges of the district : Our research with local communities
Nashik is counted as tribal district of state. Tribals
are facing acute shortage of drinking water. Even though there are
large dams and drinking water source, but tribals are not permitted
to take drinking water from this source for their agricultural activities
whereas it is supplied to urban areas only. Less water has got resulted
the problems of migration and malnutrition.
Brief About Nashik District
Nashik is a district head quarters located on the banks of
Godavari and is 185 km away from Mumbai. The climate is moderate,
and is located at 635 m above mean sea level. The city has developed
on both the banks of Godavari which divides the city into almost
equal halves. The History of the city dates back to Ramayana.
There are many references of the city in many epics as well as
vedas. Today the city has developed into a metropolis with a population
of 14 lakh souls. The city since old days have developed on the
banks with basically the design of a religious place How-ever
today it has been a flourishing Industrial Centre as well as an
educational centre.
Nashik as a Holy Place
The banks or Ghats on the Godavari at Nashik are considered
to be sacred. It is believed that all the Sins are washed out
by taking Holy dip in the Kundas (Ponds) constructed in the river.
Also by performing the last rites, Moksha is attained by the deseased
soul. The river in the Ramkunda (Pond) flow from North to South,
hence the river becomes Dakshin Wahini i.e. flowing towards South.
This gives the Ramkunda a unique place or religious importance.
Almost daily 3 to 5 thousand pilgrims come and take Holy dip on
the ghats. Also during some imporant days as per Hindus Calender,
the number reaches to about 15 to 20 thousand pilgrims on a day.
These ocassions are almost 2 to 3 in a month.
Kumbhamella
Kumbhamella is a glorious gathering of Sadhus as well as
Pilgrims at a place on some specific days. The gathering is of
10 to 15 lakh people on a day at Nashik. As per the legend, the
Amrut was spilled in the Ramkunda and thus on a specific day,
by taking bath on the Ghats, on attain ‘Moksha’. This period is
called Sinhastha at Nashik and Kumbhamella at other places. It
is held after every 12 years. The other places where Kumbhamella
is held are Ujjain, Allahabad & Haridwar. The ‘Holy place’ status
thus attained is directly linked with the ‘Holy dip’ in the river
at the ‘Holy Ghats’. The river Godavari which passes through the
city, is having length of 18 kms, in the Municipal Corporation
area. There are few villages on the banks. Also the old part of
the city is located on both banks. As per the religious beliefs,
the stretch of the river from Ahilyabai Holkar Bridge to the Ram
setu bridge is considered to be most sacred.
