Dress Code
Conservative, Traditional
Note
Check rules before clicking any photographs.
Best Time to Visit
Winter is preferable. Also Mahashivratri attracts a lot of crowd.
Shree Kapaleshwar Mahadev Mandir
2Q5V+78M, Panchavati, Nashik, Maharashtra 422003
God/Deity
Mahadev (Shiva)
Timing
5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Entry Fee
Free of Cost
Kapaleshwar Mandir of Nashik is considered to be the most significant Shiva temple after the 12 Jyotirlingas. This 600-year-old shrine is the only temple of Mahadev with no Nandiji in it.
Significance of Kapaleshwar Mandir
Sacred texts mention that Shivji stayed in Kapaleshwar Mandir to perform penance. This penance is also related to the story of why there is no Nandiji in this temple.
There are many theories as to why Kapaleshwar has no Nandiji. The most prominent one is that Shivji was advised by Nandiji to take a dip in the holy Ramkund (Godavari) to wash off his sin.
As for the sin, Mahadev had either accidentally killed a cow or cut off the fifth head of Brahmadev. So he was either guilty of ‘Gau-Hatya’ or ‘Brahma-Hatya.’
Nevertheless, as Nandiji acted as a mentor to Mahadev in this particular situation, he did not sit in front of Mahadev in this temple.
Other Details
Kapaleshwar Mandir, Nashik, is said to be about 600 years old, although it was renovated by the Peshwa Dynasty around the 18th century. The temple is one of the oldest Hindu shrines in Maharashtra.
It is located near the holy Ramkund, where Shri Ram is believed to have laid the ashes of their father, King Dashrath. Adjacent to Ramkund, there is also the Narayan Mandir.
Every year during the ‘Hari-Har‘ Festival, the idols of Narayan and Mahadev are brought together on the banks of the holy Godavari and worshipped.
Apart from the Hari-Har Festival, Mahashivratri and all the Shravan Somvar (Mondays of Shravan month) bring many devotees to Kapaleshwar.
Explore more on our dedicated page about Nashik.
