The original temple of Lord Rama was very old, estimated to be of the Rashtrakuta Period from 7th to 11th centuries. However, antiquity of the Rama idol threw light on the fact that it was more than 2000 years old. The original temple was destroyed by Muslim rulers and it remained in demolished condition. However, during the first Islamic attack on the Temple, the idol of Lord was thrown in the Godavari River by the Temple Brahmins in order to save it.
The new temple was funded by Sardar Rangarao Odhekar, and was rebuilt around 1788. Once, Odhekar had a dream that the statue of Rama in black colour was in the Godavari River.He carried out expedition of reviving the idol and miraculously got it. Odhekar took the statue from river and built the temple. Odhekar's expedition is an important part of Nashik's history. There is a statue of Sardar Odhekar in the temple.
According to ancient epic of the Ramayana, Lord Rama was sent in exile for fourteen years. After the tenth year of exile, Lord Rama along with Lakshman and Seeta, lived for two and half years on the northern bank of the Godavari near Nasik. This place is known as Panchavati.
The temple formed a pivotal role in the Dalit movement in India. B. R. Ambedkar led a protest outside the temple on 2 March 1930, in order to allow Dalits into the temple.
Temple complex
1) The main entrance has a Lord Hanuman deity which is black. There is also a very old tree that has Lord Dattatreya's footprint impressions marked on a stone. Pilgrims visit the Kapaleshwar Mahadev temple near the Kalaram Temple.
2) Lord Hanuman's temple is designed in such a way that, Lord Ram's idol can be visible from Lord Hanuman's idol.
3) Main temple of Ram has 14 steps, which represents 14 years of Ram's exile.
4) Also, the temple has 84 pillars, which represents cycle of 84 lakh species one has to go in order to get Human birth.
Kalaram Mandir is situated within the Panchvati area of Nashik City. This temple is situated at a distance of 3 km from Central Bus.