| Voice of Nashik : Vilas
Shinde
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.
Nashik District
Area, Population & Sex Ratio
Geographical Area : 15530.0 Km2
Population in Nashik (Census 2011)
Total Population
Total : 6109052
Male : 3164261
Female : 2944791
Under 6 population
Total : 805302
Male : 427878
Female : 377424
Disabled population
Total disabled population : 70120
In seeing : 23316
In speech : 4795
In hearing : 4394
In movement : 28512
Mental : 9103
Rank ( VoiceOfBharat.org Analysis
)
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
Brief About NashikDistrict
About 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.
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