“I must say, Nashik is a city that defies all norms,” I overheard a co-passenger talking to his mother while I awaited a boarding call at the Nashik airport. I was flying back to Delhi after a three-day retreat at the Eco Glamping Festival organised by the Maharashtra government.

　　At the moment, the gentleman’s statement struck a chord; and so, I spent the next two hours on the flight thinking about what he had said. It was almost like those two hours enlightened me with a brand new understanding of the city. A full-blown recap helped me decode his statement.

　　I spent the next day in Nashik wading through the city’s bylanes. I learned how mythological stories and legends remain stitched in the very fabric of the city. From being the abode of Hindu deity Rama during his 14-year exile to housing one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India, Nashik is spiritually significant.

　　However, there is another side to the city. Dotted with temples, Nashik is also home to the largest vineyard in India, making it the wine capital of the country. It is a city that hosts devotees from across the world for the Kumbh Mela and is also flocked by swarms of wine aficionados and enthusiasts.

　　It is thus a city that tells a tale of progress and evolution without losing its true flavour.

　　Experiencing Maharashtra's Art and Culture

　　There is nothing more interesting than understanding a place through its art, dance, and food. It not only encapsulates the true essence of a city, but also helps you draw closer to understanding the stories and lives of its people.

　　I began my journey of exploring Nashik by trying my hands at Worli. Artist Anil Chaitya Wangad guided me through the intricacy of the traditional art form as I started with a wooden stick, white paint, and a blank reddish-brown sheet. Next, I painted stick figures dancing in circles, birds sitting atop a tree, and cows grazing in the fields.

　　The tribal art form not only reflects the ways of life of the Warli community but is also their way of paying homage to nature and God. “Warli is not an art form, it is our community’s language and voice,” said Wangad as I tried to focus all my attention on drawing the perfect stick figure.

　　Another moment at the Eco Glamping festival found me tapping my feet and enjoying energetic and graceful Maharashtrian dances set to vibrant Marathi tunes. From Lavani and Powada to Gondhal and Koli dance, the dancers dressed in Nauvari sarees (females) and dhotis (males) represented stories of much significance.

　　Whether it was the story of the sword exchange between Tulja Bhavani and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj or everyday tales from Maharashtra’s households and fields, they allowed me to immerse myself in the history and culture of the state much more along with experiencing storytelling at its best.

　　Two Sides Of Nashik

　　After spending a day understanding the city through its people and art, it was time to explore the two different sides of Nashik.

　　“Don’t miss the iconic Sula vineyard,” recommended a bunch of friends who knew that I was visiting Nashik. The life-sized wine bottles, a welcoming gift shop, and a 3000-acre green expanse welcomed me to the vineyard.

　　From learning about the five steps of drinking a wine at the wine-tasting session to entering the world of wine-making with their guided tours, it was a one-of-a-kind experience that brought me closer to understanding the timeless Sula wines.

　　“Don’t drink too much, we have a long day planned in the city,” instructed Sayanthan who guided me through the trip. A temple marathon, a walk through the gullies of Nashik, and the Godavari aarti were the highlights of that evening.

　　From witnessing the Wada architecture in the narrow lanes of the old part of the city to understanding how Nashik's architecture evolved from one time period to the other, the city walk was a step towards knowing a part of Nashik that remains hidden and lost.

　　Visiting few of the many temples in the city allowed me to arrive in Nashik that seemed from entirely different era. A visit to the Sita Kund, the Gupt Godavari caves, and the Kala Ram temple unravelled fascinating tales from the past.

　　It was here that I also heard many stories about the origins of Nashik's name. One talks about how it was the site where Hindu deity Lakshman chopped off Surpanakha's (Ravana's sister) nose. Nasika, the Sanskrit word for nose, thus gave the city the name.

　　Another story talks about how Nashik is surrounded by nine hills (shikhars) that has eventually given it the name.

　　Curious, I spent the rest of the evening digging deep into the rich history that backs the city as it stands today. With so much to explore, another visit is almost mandatory. Perhaps for the next edition of the Eco Glamping festival?

　　The Information | Eco Glamping Festival in Nashik

　　Places to Stay during the Eco Glamping Festival, Nashik

　　The Eco Glamping festival offers a luxurious and comfortable stay by the river. One can choose from a variety of stay options including presidential, deluxe, and royal tents. There are also four pods at the site that you can choose to book for a stay.

　　Things to do in during the Eco Glamping Festival, Nashik

　　Along with diverse stay options, the festival also allows you to indulge in a variety of adventure activities including parasailing speed boating, paramotoring, ATV bikes, among others. Evening at the Eco Glamping festival are studded with Maharashtrian dance and music. The festival also gives you the opportunity to explore the culinary richness of the state along with the city's rich architecture and history.

　　How to Reach

　　By Air: The Eco Glamping Festival site in Nashik is located roughly 30 km from Nashik International Airport.

　　By Rail: The nearest railway station, Nashik Railway Station, is approximately 30 km away.

　　By Road: While Mumbai is roughly 210 km away, Pune 230 km away.

　　Dates

　　The festival is running till April 19.