Kelva beach-sometimes also known as Kelva or Kelva beach is a pristine strech of sea shore and a popular weekend gateway for tourists from Mumbai. The beach is about 8 kilometers long. A very famous tourist attraction, the beach is overcrowded with local tourists during weekends which indicate its growing popularity.
At a distance of around 9 kms from Virar railway station is a small coastal village called Arnala. Being a coastal village, majority of natives here are fishermen. The Arnala Beach attracts a lot of tourists. The Suru trees on the southern end of the beach provide a cool shade for relaxing and picnicking. The sea is neither clean nor safe for swimming; one has to be very careful if tempted to venture in these waters. The beach also has its share of beach resorts.
Dahanu Bordi Beach is located in Dahanu taluka of Palghar district. It is spread over a distance of 17 km. Not only for its extensive and tidy beach, Dahanu is also known for its vast chikoo fruit orchids.Although, it is quite warm during summer, the gentle breeze cools down the entire beach. Mecca of the Zoroastrians is a place, which is very popular amongst tourists as there is a magnificient temple, which houses the sacred fire of the Zoroastrians.It is belived that this fire has been kept alive for almost a thousand years. The existence of Iranian and Persian culture further makes this place more exotic.
Jawhar is a small hill station municipal council situated on a plateau of sahyadris between rift valleys in Palghar district.It is located at a distance of 42 km from Palghar district. it is also known as the ‘Mahabaleshwar of Palghar District’. As one of the lesser known hill stations of Maharashtra, the place is gifted with exotic valleys, thick rich forests and pleasant climate. The monsoons are the best time to visit Jawhar when a thick fog envelopes the village and the surrounding hills. Jawhar is popular for its lively Warli paintings. This hill station is one of the few tribal kingdoms in Maharashtra that offers a unique opportunity to expose and enlighten with the tribal way of life. Unspoiled and mostly unexplored waterfalls are the prominent tourist attractions in Jawhar. Jawhar is highly enriched with natural beauties and manmade marvels.
Arnala is one of the best forts from coastal forts. it is located in Arnala village, of Vasai taluka. Arnala Fort is also known as ‘Jaldurg’ or ‘Janjire Arnala’. The Arnala was captured by many empires such as Mughals, Marathas, Portuguese, and lastly Peshwas. The sultan Mahmud Begda originally constructed the fort in 1516. There is no source of food but water is available in the well on the fort.
This fort is rectangular in shape and almost surrounded by water. There are many temples such as Tryambakeshwar, Bhavani Mata, Kalika Mata, and also of Mahadev. There are three entrances out of which one entrance has big bastions on both sides which are at north side of fort.
Vasai, also called Bassein, lies about 45 kms of Palghar City. it is located in Vasai taluka. The fort in the old city was headquarter of the Portuguese in the north, next in importance to Goa. The coastal land-fort of Vasai was surrounded by sea on three sides and to the landslide it had a moat which was filled by sea-water. its 4.5 kms long strong stone wall had 11 bastions. The fort had two gates- the westward land-gate. There was also a small citadel in the fort well-equipped with water-tanks, store-houses, armory, etc., the fort also had fields for growing grains and vegetables. All the old structures inside the wall are now in ruins.
Vasai was the main naval base and sort of ship-building centre of the Portuguese. it was here in 1802 AD, the Peshwa Bajirav signed the infamous ‘Treaty of Bassein’ which virtually dissolved the Maratha Confederacy. Finally, the fort and the city of Vasai were ceded to the British in 1817 AD.
Gambhir in marathi means ‘serious’. So, Gambhirgad and its environment is according to its name quite ‘serious’. it is situated in Dahanu taluka of Palghar district and on Gujrat border. Approaching the fort, one first reaches the plateau which is the machi of the fort. it has lot of uncontrolled growth of wild plants. There is nothing much to see on the machi. A beautiful water tank comes along the way to climb the fort.There is a temple of a goddess located here. Mahalakshmi pinnacle and forts namely Asheri and Adsul are visible from this fort.
The Tarapur Fort, with wells and gardens within, was given in gift by the Peshwa to Vikaji Mehrji, for a hundred years, and is still held by his heirs, and is currently in custody of Chorge family. it is located in Boisar village of Palghar taluka. Another beautiful site is the Chinchani beach, one and a half kilometers north of the fort. The fort was surrounded by a wall with round bastions, and, besides quarters for the garrison, it had a church, a Dominican monastery, and a hospital. in 1739, the fort was attacked by the Marathas under Chimnaji Apa. Four mines were laid, of which two succeeded in making great breaches in a bastion and curtain. inside the fort were some inferior buildings. There were besides two granaries and a guard-room, with some inferior buildings and several wells containing abundant and excellent water.
Vasai was the main naval base and sort of ship-building centre of the Portuguese. it was here in 1802 AD, the Peshwa Bajirav signed the infamous ‘Treaty of Bassein’ which virtually dissolved the Maratha Confederacy. Finally, the fort and the city of Vasai were ceded to the British in 1817 AD.
Kaldurga fort is hill type fort and is located in Palghar taluka, of Palghar District. The height of this fort is about 1550 feet. The fort range is Palghar range contains many hill forts and Kaldurg is one of them.
The top of the fort is rectangular. Due to this rectangular shape of fort one can easily locate it from a distance. There is no sign which states that this is a fort. There are large numbers of forest trees on thefort so healthy population of tribes is on the fort. But standard of living is poor. The fort is divided due to this rectangular rock as fort above the rock and fort below the rock. There are two to three steps which separate these two parts.
Kelva Fort, a historically important fort constructed by Portuguese during 16th century, is located at the southern end of the beautiful and serene Kelva Lake. The fort is situated in Palghar taluka. The fort was used by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja during his Maratha rule. The fort offer exquisite panoramic views of the natural surroundings covered by greenish Suru trees. The fort, surrounded all the sides by the water, provide enchanting eye catching experience during the tidal procession and recessions. During low tide periods this is accessible and visible perfectly and local country boat facility is available to approach the fort.
Kamandurg is situated in Vasai taluka of Palghar district. People residing in Belkadi belong to Adivasi community-Varli and are very helpful. One has to cross 4 water streams and the 3rd stream is 40feet wide. There are 5 water cisterns on the plateau and a stone with image of an idol carved on it. The entire region is covered with thick forest and looks green. A beautiful view of Vasai creak can be seen. There are 2 peaks and one hasto descend and make a traverse and then climb from the other side to reach on the second peak.
Shirgaon fort is located at one side of Shirgaon beach in Palghar taluka. The fort was used by great Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji as a place to keep a watch on enemies coming through Arabian Sea. The ancient fort is in ruins now.The Portuguese had dominance over this fort before Marathas.In 1818,the British captured this fort from the Marathas. The fort stands about 200 feet tall and spans more than 150 feet.The Portugue renovated this fort and increased its area while keeping the original brick and red stone construction intact.The five feet cannon on the northwest of citadel marks the history of the battles that took place over here. The picturesque environs of the fort and cleanliness attract many historians apart from the regular tourists.The most exciting bit is the palm tree with six to seven branches,a rarity.Shirgaon fort is well fortified and the walls are in good condition.There are many hidden caves in the walls of the fort.
Maa Jivdani temple is located on the Jivdani hill in Virar. it is the most significant landmark in Virar located on the mountain. it is famous throughout the country for its only temple of Goddess Jivdani which is located around 1375 steps above the ground level, atop a hill in the eastern part of the city. The 150-year-old Jivdani Temple at Virar, attracts thousands of devotees on Sundays and during festivals.The Papadkhandi dam situated at the foothills, was one of the major sources of fresh water in the location.
Mahalakshmi is the `kuldaivata`(patron God of a Hindu household) of tribals, so during the festivity period, the tribals arrange `taarpa` dance for their revelry. Every year a festival is held called Mahalakshmi Yatra for 15 days starting from Hanuman Jayanti.
This church was erected in the early part of the 20th century and was one of the first under the Archdiocese of Bombay. Fr. Ismail Da Costa, built a hut chapel in 1919 near Arnala beach. Later with help from local people of all faiths he constructed the Church of St. Peter. Archbishop Joaquim Lima (Archbishop of Bombay) blessed the church on 27 Dec 1931. Other historical churches in neighbourhood are St. James Church (Agashi) and Church of Holy Spirit (Nandakhal).
The St. James church located at Agashi on the road connecting Virar and Arnala, was first built in 1558. Portuguese were the best known seafarers among the European clans who built homes near the sea wherever they went. ‘Agasi’, the then small port village was one such place. Owing to its nearness to the sea and availability of wood from the jungles, which the Portuguese needed for boat building and constructions, Agashi soon became a permanent settlement for the Portuguese. The St. James Church that came into being during this early period was built using stones and bricks hence it withheld during the Muslim attacks of 1594. But during the raids of Marathas of 1739 it was mostly destroyed. The Marathas however permitted the priests to carry on religious ceremonies in the region and the church was rebuilt by 1760. In the year 1900 the church was renovated.
A small piece of land was made available and a 30 feet * 20 feet temporary shed was erected to offer 5 times daily Namaz and to preach the lessons of Islam. Later,the surrounding land was purchased and in the year 1982,a foundation stone was laid for a grand Monumental building of Gausia Masjid by holy hands of descendants of the Great Muslim Saint,Hazrat Abdul Qadir jilani(R.A)(Gaure Park)of Baghdad Sharif. A two storied Mosque now stands in the heart of Koliwada Vasai. Koliwada Mosque has completed about 25 glorious years. The authorities of the Mosque do many religious services for the upliftment of the Sunni Muslims. An Arabic School is also housed in Grausia Masjid.The school impacts religious education to about 50 students with all lodging and boarding facilities,free of cost.
