Kalaram Temple is a famous old Hindu temple that is dedicated to deity Lord Rama. The shrine is situated in the famous ‘Panchavati’ region of Maharashtra’s Nasik city in India. This temple is one of the most significant Hindu shrines in not only in Maharashtra but also in India. This is probably the only Hindu shrine which incorporates Lord Rama’s idol in black color. Even the name of the temple Kalaram is on this context since ‘Kalaram’ literally means ‘Black Rama’. The chamber sanctorum of temple also houses the idols of goddess Sita (wife of Lord Rama) and God Lakshman (younger brother of Lord Rama).

This holy shrine was funded by honorable Sardar Rangarao Odhekar and was built in 1788. Thousand of aficionados and devotees make a visit to this exquisite Maharashtra based temple on regular basis to seek blessings of Lord Rama. The temple has also been the spectator of infamous Dalit movement led by none other than Dr. B. R. Ambedkar during the 1930 movement.

Kalaram Temple’s main entrance has an idol of Lord Hanuman deity. Even this idol is black in color. The temple also in-houses a very aged tree and as per traditions this tree has footprint impressions of Lord Dattatreya which have been marked on a stone. The holy Kapaleshwar Mahadev temple is near to Kalaram temple which is a popular pilgrimage place. Pilgrims make a visit to Kalaram temple while visiting the Kapaleshwar Mahadev temple.

Authorized guides are accessible at quite reasonable prices outside Kalaram Mandir premises that show around the temple and nearby areas easily.

History

The temple was built in 1788 by Sardar Rangarao Odhekar. According to local legends, it is said that Sardar Rangarao Odhekar once had a dream as per which he saw a statue of Lord Rama in black color and he saw that the statue was in river Godavari. Sardar Rangarao Odhekar when searched the river, actually found the idol and the place where statue was found was named ‘Ramkund’. Then this temple was built by Odhekar.

Architecture

The entire temple has been built of beautiful black stone and the temple is almost 70 feet high. This temple stands artistically in the midst of an acquisitive walled enclosure incorporating almost 96 pillars. The entrance to this temple is on the east side and that too via an arched vaulted portal. The ‘Kalash’ inside the temple is made of pure gold which weighs around 32 tons. In 1788, it took around 23 lakhs INR along with 2000 workers to build this incredibly artistic temple. The time duration to complete this temple was about 12 years. The black stones used to build the temple were brought from areas of Ramshej which were extracted from hills of Ramshej. Temple has got a copper peak that is totally gold plated. The peak looks ravishing all day long and night as well.

Idol

The temple has a great significance not only because of the historical factors but also due to the fact that this is probably the only temple which incorporates Lord Rama’s black idol. Along with this, the idol of Lord Hanuman is also black in color.

Cave

People who make a visit to the Kalaram temple also pay a tribute to a nearby cave. According to legends, this is an ancient cave where goddess Sita (wife of Lord Rama) is supposed to have resided all through her exile. This cave encompasses a grove of big Banyan trees close by.

Dalit Movement

This temple has played a pivotal role in the infamous Dalit movement in India. Honorable Dr. Ambedkar held his famous Dalit movement protest outside the premises of this temple with the purpose of providing allowance to Dalits to enter the temple premises like other tribes (Harijans or Dalits were prohibited to enter temple premises in India before this movement). This movement took place in 1930.

Festivals

There are great Utsavs and processions on festivals like Dasara, Ramnavami and Chaitra Padwa in this temple. People from not only Hindu religion but also from other religions take part in these festivals with dedication and devotion. The floral decoration is worth watching during the festivals here.