Sita Gufa

Getting there

• By air

  Ojhar Nashik International Airport is the nearest airport to Nashik.

• By train

  Nashik Road Railway Station is a key rail hub for the city.

• By road

  The Mumbai-Agra National Highway (NH-3) passes through Nashik, so the city is well connected by road.

Why devotees come here

Sita Gufa is a cave shrine in Panchavati, on the left bank of the Godavari in Nashik city, Maharashtra. Legend says it is where Ravana abducted Sita, and the Shivlinga inside is said to have been worshipped by Sita herself.

Legend says Sita Gufa is the place where Ravana abducted Sita. Inside the caves, visitors see statues of Ram, Sita and Lakshmana, along with a Shivlinga that is said to have been worshipped by Sita herself. Worship here centres on the three figures and the Shivlinga.

Panchavati lies on the left bank of the revered Godavari River in Nashik city. Nashik itself is a city in northwestern Maharashtra, known for its mythology and cultural heritage. Near the Kalaram temple, ancient and towering banyan trees are believed to come from five original banyans, which is how Panchavati got its name.

Pandavleni Caves, another set of caves, sit on a hill at the outskirts of Nashik city along the Nashik-Mumbai road. On Ram Navami, grand processions carry idols of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman through streets decorated with flowers and lights.

Festivals

• Ram Navami dayRam Navami

  Grand processions of idols of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman go through streets decorated with flowers and lights.

Tips for your visit

• The way down into the caves is a tight staircase.
• Tapovan, an all-religion temple in the Panchavati area, is said to have been sanctified by Ram's stay.

Questions people ask