VASAI - IMPORTANT PLACES

Vajreshwari: Not only visitors but even foreign tourists are attracted to this place. There is a temple built by maratha chieftain Chimpaji Appa, beside the ‘Mandakini’ mountain. Perhaps this mountain was formed after a volcanic eruption which explains the presence of many hot water springs in this area. There are around 350 such springs in the nearby Tejsa, Tansa and Surya river valleys. People come to bathe in these streams in the belief that it can cure skin disease.

Ganeshpuri: Very Close to Vajreshwari, this is a haven for pilgrims. The Guru Ashram named after Swami Nityanand attracts people from all over the country. The tansa flows very close to this area. Lodging and boarding facilities are available here. People who come here always remember the Matru Mandir, library, Arasa Mahal, the huge and tall trees, the park, beautiful fountains and the majestic mountains of Tungareshwar and Mandakini.
Chinchoti Water Falls: Located near to the Nation Highway, this spot brings younsters by the hundreds during the monsoon season. The fall is about 100 feet high and 20 feet broad.

Jivdani: It is the name of a temple situated on a hill just outside. Virar railway station and called after ‘Goddess of Life’. It is literally a breath- taking exercise to climb up the steps of the hill but once a person is on the top then it is a worth while trek.

Varat Sativali: About 28 km away from Vasai on the National Highway, it is venue for bathing in the hot springs. Travelers from Mumbai to Gujarat make it a point to visit this area. If there is hot spring here then one can expect a temple here and this one belongs to Shankara.

Eshwarpuri: On the road to Vajreshwari from Shirsad lies a by way which takes to the top of a mountain. This is a very calm place suitable for meditation. No wonder there is a temple here and on Shivatri every year, a religious fair is held here.

Vasai Fort: This is the one oldest torts of Maharashtra. It lies 6 Kilometers away from vasai road railway station on the seashore. It was first built by Sultan Bahadur Shah from 1526 to 1537 A.D. In 1540, the Portuguese conquered it and ruled from here for the next two hundreds years. They established a township, a garrison, a seminary and few churches inside the fort. In 1739, Chimaji Appa conquered this fort and established and Maratha rule. A temple built during the time of the Peshwas stills exists. Recently a memorial has been erected in honour of Chimaji Appa . The fort then passed into the hands of the British rule who made it into a seat of administration. After independence the fort was put into the hands of the archealogy department. This is now popular picnic spot and the backdrop of the walls of the fort have been used for shooting of various movies.

Budha Stoppa: It is situated ten kilometers away from Nall Sopara railway station. It is about 500 feet tall and he doors were made of sandalwood. It is reported that Sanghmitra, the daughter of the emperor Ahoka came here. Buddists from japan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, etc visit this place.

Jain Mandir: This is a 400 years old ‘Parshwanath Temple’, situated in the Agashi village, 5 kilometers away from Virar station. Every year on the occasion of Kartik Purnima a festival is held here. Regular religious discourses are held here in the assembly hall of the temple. For those really interested, boarding and lodging facility is available here.

Arnala Fort: It was built by Shivaji under the leadership of Kanhoji Angre in the sea close to the shore. A boat ride to the fort is an exciting experience. The beach is a very popular picnic spot.