Thane Travel Guide
Thane is a large industrial complex of chemicals, engineering products,
and textiles. Proximity to the capital of the state and a big metropolis
of Mumbai has changed Thane from a small agricultural town with few
villages, to a big industrial city and a nearly a suburb for the people
of Mumbai. Thane has a long history proofs of which are the several
historical buildings, including a fort and several churches. Thane
appears in the works of the Greek geographer, Ptolemy, who, in his
writings (l35 - 150 AD) refers to a place called "Chersonesus",
which, according to researchers is the area around Thane creek. The
great world trotter Marco Polo too had been here in 1290 A.D. Slabs and
copper plates dating back to 11th century have been excavated in Thane.
The present name Thane, which means a station or a post, has been
derived from its original name Shristhanak. This means a place where
Ganapati resides. The word Sthanak has been converted to thane.
Getting There:
Air:
Thane is about 25-kms from the airport at Mumbai and 35-kms from the
main down town Mumbai.
Rail:
Thane has got a railway station and many trains pass connecting it with
the major cities of Maharashtra.
Road:
Thane is well connected by road. Regular private and state owned buses
are available to almost all the parts of the state.
Tourist Attractions :
Kashi Mira
Kashi and Mira are two villages in Thane Taluka located close to each
other. The surroundings of the two villages abound in natural beauty and
scenery. Just after leaving the check-post at Dahisar is an open surface
with the backdrop of hills with zigzag paths leading up the hills. And
it is this flushy background that has given these two villages the name
"Kashimira".
Jawhar Palace
It is called the "Mahabaleshwar of Thane District", when
compared in beauty and climate. And places to see are the majestic
Dadara Kopra Falls, Jai Vilas, the palace of the tribal kings, the
Hanuman and Sunset Points and the enthralling Shirpamal, where Shivaji
chose to camp on his way to Surat. Jawhar also offers you the unique
opportunity to expose and enlighten yourself with the tribal way of life
especially with the Warli paintings
There are around 23 lakes in the city, which are worth a visit. The
most important and beautiful of them all is the Masunda Talao, termed by
the locals as Talao Pali. The lake offers boating facilities and water
scooters are available too.
Yeur Hills
The Yeur Hills offer nature at its bountiful best. This pollution free
zone is a great getaway from the daily traffic hassles and hazardous
life. These hills are also called as the "Mama Bhanja Hills"
and a visit to the Swami's Math is a must.
Titwala
Titwala is about 45-km from Thane district. It is considered as sacred
pilgrim centre as it houses Maha Ganesh Temple and the temple of Shri
Vithoba. Nearby is a place, called Ambarnath. The beautiful temple here,
dating back to dating back to the 11th century, is dedicated to Lord
Shiva. This temple in black stone is built in the 'Hemadpanti' style of
architecture.
Ganeshpuri
A small township near Bhivandi, about 40 kms from Thane is Ganeshpuri,
residence of Swami Nityanand Maharaj. It is also famous for its hot
water springs. There is an old temple with four tanks called Kundas
which are interconnected and are said to have been built some 800 years
ago.
Kalyan
kalian has always carried an important place in Marathi history. Today
it is a main railway junction and there are rice mills and factories
making car spare parts. Kalyan is an ancient port, dating back to the
Gupta dynasty (320-550?). Extensive ruins in Kalyan indicate the city's
former magnificence. It was occupied by the Bijapur sultanate (a Muslim
state) in the 1500s and later by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, who
fortified the city in the mid-1600s. Later the Marathas occupied the
area, making Kalyan one of their strategic centers because it guarded
the entrance to Bombay and the western coast of India.
The ruins can still be visited and also the Hajimalang Darga on the
Mangalgad Hill nearby.
