Ganga Godavari Temple, Ramkund
Opens Once in 12 Years
"अकरा वर्षे जिची तपश्चर्या, बाराव्या वर्षी जिचा जागर... रामकुंडावर उघडतो तेव्हा, पापांचा नाश करणारा गोदावरीचा महासागर!"
Ganga Godavari Temple Ramkund, Nashik : Opens Once in 12 Years?
(Where she performs penance for eleven years and awakens in the twelfth… When it opens at Ramkund, it becomes an ocean of Godavari that destroys all sins!)
If you walk down the old stone steps of Ramkund in Nashik, among the praying priests and bathing pilgrims, you will see a unique sight. Right on the edge of the holy water stands a dark, stone temple with heavy iron doors.
While every other temple in the city rings its bells daily, this one is locked tight. Above the door, a painted message in Gujarati gives a clear warning to visitors: “This temple opens only once in 12 years.”
This is the Shree Simhastha Gautami Godavari Mandir. It is not just a building; it is a cosmic clock. But as local writings on the wall prove, the famous “12-year rule” hides a beautiful yearly secret. Here is the true story of the sleeping goddess.
Read Full Story About Ganga Godavari Temple Ramkund Nashik
The Long Slumber & The Local Secret: In Hindu tradition, divine energy must be protected and grown. According to local priests, the Goddess Godavari inside this shrine is not missing—she is in deep meditation (Tapasya).
For 11 long years, the main doors are mostly sealed so no one disturbs her prayers. She is gathering her spiritual power, waiting for the stars to align: the exact moment the planet Jupiter (Guru) enters the sign of Leo (Simha Rashi). This is when the great Simhastha Kumbh Mela begins, and the Goddess fully wakes up.
The Secret: While the grand awakening happens once in 12 years, a Hindi message painted on the temple’s grey wall reveals a local secret. The doors actually open for Darshan on two very holy days every single year: Ganga Dussehra and Kartik Purnima.
The Meeting of the Rivers: Why does the Goddess need to gather so much power? The answer is in the ancient Skanda Purana book.
Every day, millions of people bathe in the River Ganga in North India to wash away their bad deeds (sins). But where does the Ganga go to wash away all that heavy burden? The answer is recorded in the ancient texts of the Skanda Purana (Godavari Mahatmya). According to this holy scripture, once every 12 years, the Ganga—along with 60,000 other sacred rivers—travels in secret to Nashik to bathe in the Godavari and purify herself.
This locked temple is the exact “Seat of Power” (Peetha) where Mother Godavari sits to welcome the Ganga. When the doors finally open for the Kumbh Mela, her gathered energy is at its absolute highest, powerful enough to purify the Ganga herself and the millions of pilgrims who come for the holy bath.
The Footsteps of Lord Rama: Out of the entire 1,465-kilometer length of the Godavari river, why was this exact spot at Ramkund chosen?
The Valmiki Ramayana gives the answer. During their forest exile, Lord Rama, Mother Sita, and Lakshmana lived right on these banks. More importantly, this is the exact pool where Lord Rama performed the Shraddha (final holy rites) for his father, King Dasharatha. Goddess Godavari watched this great act of love and respect, making this spot the permanent “Soul of Nashik.”
The Guardians of the Door : Unlike the massive stone temples built by rich kings, this small shrine is managed by the people who know the river best: the Nashik Purohit Sangh (the group of Ramkund priests) and devoted locals.
They protect the heavy doors to keep the Goddess safe during her long meditation. By strict tradition, these doors cannot be forced open by politicians or VIPs. They are only unlocked by the main priest for the Kumbh Mela and the two special yearly festivals. On all other days, devotees just look through the iron gates to see the locked red door inside, and bow to the divine footprints (Padukas) kept outside.
Look closely at the walls around the temple, and you will see the true local secrets painted directly onto the stone
- If you visit Ramkund today, the outer iron gate is open, but the main inner room where the Goddess rests is strictly locked. Here is what you will actually see
- The 12-Year Warning: Above the main archway, clear white Gujarati text reads: “Aa mandir na dwar baar varshma ekvaar khule che” (The doors of this temple open once in twelve years).
- The Secret Yearly Openings: If you look at the grey wall near the orange iron barricades, you will see a Hindi inscription that reveals a massive local secret: “यह मंदिर बारा साल के बाद खुलता है… हर साल गंगा दशहरा और कार्तीक पूनम के दिन खुलता है”. While the grand festival happens once in 12 years during the Kumbh Mela, the temple doors actually open for Darshan on two highly auspicious days every single year: Ganga Dussehra and Kartik Purnima.
Praying at the Padukas: Walk inside the open outer gate, and you will see the main red door locked with a silver padlock. Right in front are stone footprints (Padukas). Devotees light an oil lamp here and pray before taking a holy bath in Ramkund.
- 📸 Photography: Allowed. However, because the temple is locked for 11 years, you cannot photograph the deity inside. You are completely free to take pictures of the locked iron gates, the ancient painted wall inscriptions, and the divine Padukas (footprints) kept outside.
- 🎒 Bags & Lockers: There are no official locker facilities at Ramkund. Since you will be standing in a highly crowded public bathing area, avoid carrying heavy bags, valuables, or laptops. Leave them safely in your hotel or car, and always watch out for pickpockets in the dense crowds.
- 🩴 Footwear: You cannot wear shoes near the holy waters. You must leave your footwear at the designated shoe stands near the top of the Ramkund steps before walking down to the temple.
Do not try to drive your car into the narrow market lanes directly in front of Ramkund; you will absolutely get stuck in heavy traffic.
- The Location: Park your vehicle at the Nilkantheshwar (Sai Baba) Temple Parking area near the riverbank.
- Why park here? It is the closest open parking space to the main bathing ghats. From this parking lot, you can literally see the temple with your naked eye, making it a very short and easy walk!
Charges: Approximately ₹30 to ₹50.
How to Reach Ramkund, Nashik
Festival Openings (Exact 2026 - 2027 Dates)
Do not wait 12 years! As proven by the Hindi writings on the temple’s own walls, the doors will officially unlock for Darshan on these specific dates:
| Festival | Date |
|---|---|
|
Ganga Dussehra
|
May 25, 2026 (Monday)
|
|
Kartik Purnima (Deepotsav)
|
November 24, 2026 (Tuesday)
|
|
Simhastha Kumbh Mela
|
Starting 2027
|
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
According to local tradition, the Goddess Godavari stays in deep meditation (Tapasya) inside the locked shrine for 11 years. She only awakens when the planet Jupiter (Guru) enters the Leo sign (Simha Rashi). This exact planetary alignment triggers the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, which is when the River Ganga comes to Nashik to wash away her accumulated sins.
No, that is a common internet myth! While the grand opening is strictly for the 12-year Kumbh Mela, official writings on the temple walls confirm that the doors actually open for Darshan on two highly auspicious days every single year: Ganga Dussehra and Kartik Purnima.
Even when the main iron gates and the inner red doors are sealed, devotees do not walk away empty-handed. You can pray by bowing to the stone Padukas (divine footprints) placed just outside the locked doors. Pilgrims light a small oil lamp here before taking their holy dip in Ramkund.
This is the biggest point of confusion for tourists.
- The Nashik Temple (Ramkund): This is the Shree Simhastha Gautami Godavari Mandir. It is the one that stays locked for 11 years.
- The Trimbakeshwar Temple (Kushavarta Kund): This temple is open 365 days a year for daily bathing and Darshan.
The temple doors will officially be unlocked by the head priest for a complete year starting in 2027, marking the grand beginning of the next Nashik Simhastha Kumbh Mela.