Sundar Narayan Temple

The Sundar Narayan Temple is an East facing shrine that adds the glory to Nasik, the city of pilgrimage. Located on the west of Holy River Godavari, near Ravivar Karanja, Nasik, it’s an ancient temple built of black stones. Near to the temple, there is Victoria Bridge, locally known as Ahilyabai Holkar Bridge which was built by the British around 100 years ago.

The name ‘Sundar Narayan’ has connection to an ancient story which cites that Goddess Vrunda once cursed Lord Vishnu. As an impact of curse Lord Vishnu’s skin tone had turned black. He then took a bathe in the sacred river Godavari with an intention to get out from the curse. Following the dip he became Sunder, literally means beautiful, yet again.

Built by Gangadhar Yashwant Chandrachud in 1756, which cost him one million rupees then, The Sundar Narayan Temple has the arresting idols of God Vishnu along with idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Saraswati. The idols give a divine touch to the rich architecture having inkling to Mughal era. You can also see the tiny sculptures of Lord Hanuman, Narayana/Vishnu and Indira carved on the walls.

Location: Nasik.

Architecture:
The temple does not boast of only the splendid architecture, it also attests the intelligence behind its design which makes very first ray of the rising Sun touch the holy feet of the Lord Vishnu and other idols on the 20th and 21st of March each year. This uniqueness and a huge dome of temple with slight embellishment makes it must visit place in Nasik.

How to reach:
As it is located in the heart of the city, near Ramkunda and Kalaram Temple, reaching at Sundar Narayan Temple is very easy. You may find it handy to take an auto-rickshaw or bus to get to the place.