Sarvatirth Taked is a pilgrimage site of ancient and religious importance in Igatpuri taluka. There is a temple of Jatayu at Taked and the biggest pilgrimage of Nasik district is held at this place on Mahashivratri. Taked is the place where the famous story of Sitaharan and Jatayu is said to have happened in the Ramayana. After abducting Sita from Panchavati, Ravan was carrying her across the sky, the Jatayu bird, a vulture, came across Ravan's path and defied Ravan. In the battle between Ravan and Jatayu, when Ravan cut off Jatayu wings, Jatayu fell to the ground. When Lord Ramchandra came here in search of Sita, he heard the voice of a bloody Jatayu shouting Shriram-Shriram. Jatayu narrated the incident of Sita’s abduction to Ram in detail. Lord Ramchandra shot an arrow into the ground at this place and called all the shrines to give water to Jatayu, who was injured in the battle with Ravan, and the water that was created was given to Jatayu. ... After drinking it, Jatayu left his life on Ram's lap. After Igatpuri on Mumbai-Nasik road- there is Ghoti village. A road leads to Sinnar from Ghoti village. This road leads to Bhandardara. Taked village is on the road leading to Bhandardara. It takes half an hour to reach Taked from Ghoti. The distance from Nasik to Taked via Igatpuri Ghoti is 45 kms. Just outside Taked village is the Ram Mandir where a large idol of Jatayu and a temple have been erected. There is a biennial spring and a tank built in black stone. This temple complex has Jatayu temple, Datta temple, Mahadev and Hanuman temple. There is a Shivlinga outside near the main pond. A round stone placed inside this Shivlinga. People here believe that if you take it out with one hand with a wish in your mind, your wish will be fulfilled. This entire region is covered by remote forts like Aad-Aundha-Pattagad-Bitanggad, and this temple is considered rare.
© Suresh Nimbalkar