This Nashik Temple Has India’s First Funicular Trolley That Ferries People Up A Hill In Just 2 Min

by Sanjana Shenoy
This Nashik Temple Has India’s First Funicular Trolley That Ferries People Up A Hill In Just 2 Min

Nashik is home to one of India’s oldest temples that boasts of the latest technology. The funicular trolley often seen in international mountain resorts is situated in only one place in India, the Saptashrungi Devi hilltop temple. Nestled over 4500 feet high on a hilltop, this temple is surrounded by breathtaking hills on all sides. While the walls of this temple hold years of history and divinity, the modern funicular trolley ferries people atop the hill in just 2 minutes. It’s truly the beauty of the old meets new, and this is one of the many reasons why you must visit the Saptashrungi Devi temple.

Nashik’s Saptashrungi Devi Temple Is A Shaktipeetha

Considered to be one of the 51 Shaktipeethas in India, the Saptashrungi Devi temple is believed to be the very spot where Goddess Sati’s right arm fell. Shaktipeethas are devotional shrines where Goddess Sati’s (the wife of Lord Shiva) severed body parts fell. The Goddess Saptashrungi is believed to be the embodiment of Shakti herself and an avatar of Goddess Durga. Saptashrungi Devi took the form of Goddess Durga to put an end to Mahishasur, the buffalo headed demon. In fact, when you enter the temple, you’d find a statue of a buffalo head at the entrance that represents the head of the demon.

Saptashrungi Devi Temple
Picture Credits: trawell.in

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This Hill-Top Temple Is Home To A Powerful Goddess

Saptashrungi Devi temple is a major pilgrim abode and a tourist hub that attracts crowds from all religions and faiths from across the world. The two-storeyed shrine has an image of the Devi on the top floor. The 8-feet tall idol of Goddess Saptashrungi, craved out of the mountain, is adorned in ornaments, smeared with sindoor and each of her 18 arms, wields a different weapon. Saptashrungi Devi is a powerful Goddess and the temple is so beautiful that no camera can capture its spellbinding beauty.

Saptashrungi Devi Temple
Picture Credits: aroundpune.com

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Surrounded By Medicinal Herbs, It’s Mentioned In Ramayana

While this is a Devi temple, it also finds a mention in the Ramayana. It’s believed that Hanuman arrived at this spot to find the Sanjivani booti, a medicinal herb to cure the ailing Lakshamana, who was lying unconscious in the war field. The temple is surrounded by plants that have immense medicinal properties that have significant contributions to Ayurveda and Homeopathy.

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Saptashrungi Devi Temple Has India’s First Funicular Trolley

To reach, Saptashrungi Devi temple nestled at a height of 4500 feet, devotees need to climb 510 steps. The next best option is to take India’s first-ever funicular trolley that takes just 2 minutes to cover the same distance. The funicular trolley is a pair of vehicles pulled atop a slope by a cable. It loops over a pulley wheel at the upper end of the track. The trolley counterbalances as one vehicle ascend, the other descends. The trolley has an elevation of 330 feet, this helps devotees commute to the temple in just 3 minutes instead of climbing 510 steps.

Saptashrungi Devi Temple
Picture Credits: tourismnewslive.com

Also Read: 5 Women’s-Only Temples In India Where Men Are Not Allowed 

This Trolley Ferries People Up The Hill In Just 2 Minutes

The funicular trolley has a 1.2-metre wide railway track and an 8m passing loop. This permits two trolleys to travel in opposite directions safely without disruption. Each trolly ferries 60 passengers at a time or 1200 people every hour. The tickets cost ₹80 for adults and ₹40 for senior citizens above 75 years of age,  physically disabled people and children below 12. Saptashrungi Devi temple is one of the most revered and unique temples of India, that you must visit.