Gondeshwar temple is a very beautiful temple built in the Hemadpanthi style of Architechture. During the Adilshahi rule in Maharastra. This style became very popular and came to be known as the Hemadpanthi style. The Gondeshwar temple is one of the few structures of this style still in good shape. It is a Shaiva Panchayatan, or a group of five temples within a large enclosure. The central shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the remaining four around it are temples to Sri Parvati, Sri Ganapati, Surya Bhagwan and Lord Vishnu. The temple is truly unique in design, perfect in proportion and the stone carvings are exquisitely beautiful. The pillared hall carved with tortoise, the Kurma Avatar of Lord Vishnu, on the ground, is small, elegant and unique in this part of the country. The structure was constructed using the locally available black basalt stone and lime. The temple’s origin dates back to 12 – 13th century during Yadava dynasty. Some sources claim that Raj Govinda of Yadava dynasty built this great temple. It lies 30 km southeast of Nashik city on the Nashik – Pune Highway. Gondeshwar Temple is situated about 2 km from Sinnar Bus Station and it represents the best example of the Hemadpanti style of architecture. 
Muktidham temple is situated in Nashik Road. Built by Late Shri JayramBhai Bytco, is magnificient peice of architucture, made with marble form Makran in Rajastan, and by Rajastani scluptors. Unique to this temple are eighteen chapters of Geeta written on the walls. You can also see the replicas of all the twelve Jiothi Lingas over here and also icons of all major Hindu Gods and Godesses. After visiting this temple every Hindu feels that he has visited all the four Dhams in India.
This temple of Saint Yashwantrao Maharaj Deo Mamaledar is situated on the banks of the river Godavari. It was built in 1887 after the Samadhi of Deo Mamaledar. Yashwantrao Maharaj was the Mamaledar (civile servant) at Satana. At the time of famine he provided help to the poor and needy. Every year during summer, Vasant Vyakhyanmala (Lectures) are held in front of the temple including lectures, discussions and entertainment programs on various topics.
On the way to Prin.T.A Kulkarni Educational Institute, is situated the Vitthal Mandir. The temple is dedicated to Vitthal and Rakhmai. Worshipped by devotees, the temple is a major attraction since it is very clean and spacious.
Other beautiful temples are Gora Ram, Ekmukhi Datta, Advaiteshwar, Ardha Nari Nateshwar, Mukteshwar, Narkeshwar, Dutondya Maruti, Laxminarayan temple.
In addition to many temples and religious places, Nashik also has schools where Vedas are taught. One of the Vedas Schools in Nashik is Shri Kailas Math. Shri Kailas Math is a Trust. This institution is one of the old religious institutions, working for the last 78 years. The institution was established on 19th December 1920 by Swami Rhidayanand Maharaj. He became “Sanyasi” – hermit, at a very early age and as suggested by his Guru Shri Brahmanand Saraswati, he opened a school for teaching Vedas. His disciples Pandit Shridharshastri Ware and Bhaiyashastri Garge became famous on National level. In 1925 after the demise of Swami Rhidayanandji, his work was carried further by Swami Mohanandji, Swami Anubhavanandji, Swami Murlidharanandji, Swami Akhedanandji and Swami Vidyanandji Saraswati.
On 17th September 1946, Swami Akhandanand Saraswati took over as the President of the Math and the institution made significant progress during his tenure. His simple living and unblemished character fetched him society’s respect and honour. In 1974, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vidyanandji Saraswati Maharaj was conferred Presidentship of the Institution. He transformed the Math into an impressive temple. He orientated the institution socially. Its various activities like Sanskrit teaching, medical help etc. was opened for mass community then. The religious discourses and Bhagwat Seminars placed Kailas Math at a significant level in the national spiritual field. From 1995, Mahamandaleshwar Swami Sanvidanandji Saraswati has taken over the charge of the institution.
Vedas education is restricted only to Brahmins in Kailas Math. Brahmin boys in the age group of 10 to 15 years are admitted in the Math. The education is free of charge. Accommodation, meals etc. are also provided free by the Trust. Students are taught Shri Yajurved Sanhita in a scientific method. Since Nashik Brahmin community is mostly “Yajurvedi”, mainly Yajurveda is taught in Kailas Math. Apart from the resident students, 25 non-resident students from Nashik are also enrolled in this school. Shrikrishna Godse and Shantaram Bhanose are the faculty members. The classes commence from 1st of June every year. The curriculum of Kailas Math has been recognised by Sampoorna Anand Vishwavidyalaya of Uttar Pradesh in late 1995. Although the medium of instructions is Sanskrit, for fluency in Hindi and Marathi, special lessons in these languages are included in the curriculum. School vacation is in the month of May and during Diwali. As far as possible, the students are expected to remain in the religious atmosphere and not allowed to go out. Instead, if possible, guardians come to visit students. Students lead a very disciplined life. Their routine starts before sunrise and ends at 10.30 in the night. The religious chores like “Sandhya” – recital of Sanskrit prayers including Gayatri Mantra, recital of Vedas, homework, Yoga, reading of religious books and scriptures are a part of their studies. Kailas Math relates with the ancient “Gurukula” of India. Students are not allowed to eat spicy things like onion, garlic or non-vegetarian food. They are expected to concentrate on studies of Vedas and later on promote Vedas. The President of the Trust is of the opinion that ladies should not learn Vedas. So girls are not admitted in this school. Students are not expected to remain single. They can get married. But the aim of their life should be to encourage studies of Vedas.
There are a number of schools of Sanyasis in India. However, the “Saraswati” branch of spiritual and philosophy students is recognized all over India. Students of this branch are traditionally from Kailas Math. To make the functioning of this Math society oriented, the Trustees started giving the Saraswati Puraskar since 1993.
“Saraswati Puraskar” is given every year. The recipients are selected from the fields of arts, social work and Studies of Veda. The prizes are dispensed on the birthday of Maharaja Shri Sanvidanandji – on 18th January. The award consists of Rs. 25,000.00 cash, Laxmi idol out of silver, shawl and coconut.
Vedas are the soul of the ancient Indian culture and wisdom. To preserve the Indian culture and popularize Vedas is a difficult task under the prevailing circumstances, which are not conducive for Vedas studies. Therefore a scholar working for popularization of Vedas is felicitated by the Institution.
In Indian culture Music is regarded as a path leading towards God. The tunes are called “Naadbrahma”. So musician, who worships the “Brahma” or “Universe” is highly respected. Therefore an accomplished musician is considered for this award. Social Work is another important field, being one of the major aims of the Trust. Hence an active, deserving social worker is felicitated by Saraswati Puraskar.
Shri. Kailash Math
Bhakti Dham, Satsang Bhavan, Peth Road, Panchavati, Nashik 422 003
Phone : 091-0253-512922 or 511788
