Nanded, in Maharashtra, is that the perfect example of spiritual and philosophical antiquity blending seamlessly with the progressive present. One feels the grace of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth guru of the Sikhs, running through the very fabric of the town because it welcomes the ocean of believers who flow into the town to experience it. it’s no wonder that Guru Gobind Singh should have chosen this historic place for his last congregation, standing by the banks of River Godavari.
Nanded is dotted with gurudwaras that invite devotees to experience the serene repose that the Sikh Guru himself felt. it’s said that it had been here that he passed on the guru-ship to Guru Adi Granth in 1708, just before his death. Guru Gobind Singh is believed to possess arrived in Nanded with Bahadur Shah in August 1708 and while the latter proceeded to Golconda, Guru Gobind Singh decided to remain on. consistent with legend, Guru Gobind Singh was travelling within the company of Bahadur Shah to convince him to distribute justice for the murder of variety of Sikhs, including his sons, but the Shah refused to relent and therefore the two parted ways.
Nanded also houses various Sufi shrines and, historically, the banks of the sacred Godavari river are the location of the many Vedic rituals. a number of the important ghats include the Urvashi Ghat, Ram Ghat and therefore the Govardhan Ghat. Other attractions include the once grand Kshetrapala statue, which is believed to possess been taller than 50 ft.
Presently, Nanded is that the eighth-largest urban agglomeration in Maharashtra. Locally, however, the encompassing region is understood as Marathawad and Nanded is that the second-largest city within the Marathwada region after Aurangabad. Today, Nanded attracts many young scholars to the renowned Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University at Vishnupuri.
Through the centuries, Nanded has stood as a silent witness to the glory of varied dynasties within the region just like the Satvahanas, the Chalukyas, the Rashtrakutas, the Kakatiyas, the Yadavas, the Bahamanis, the Adilshahis and eventually the Mughals. The Nandas have ruled over the region through generations.