Palghar beckons tourists with a host of wonders

Bouquet of history, hills, hidden beaches and religion

Mumbai: Barely a couple of hours to the north of Mumbai lies the state’s youngest district, Palghar, where natural beauty, ancient history, and religion blend seamlessly, attracting tourists from across the country.

Founded in August 2014, Palghar district is home to around 30 lakh people, including tribals, migrants from across Maharashtra, and nuclear families who have relocated from Thane, Mumbai, Nashik, Pune, and Raigad to take advantage of the low cost of living.

There is also a sprinkling of affluent families who have invested in spacious bungalows or sprawling farmhouses to soak in nature’s bounty, particularly during the monsoons and winters.

“Palghar is not just a place to visit; it is a living story of the state’s history and breathtaking scenery, a quiet place to relax and reflect, away from the hustle and bustle of urban life, whether for weekends or long-term,” said local tour curator and Director of KMC Holidays, Kiran Bhoir, during a whirlwind tour to mark World Tourism Day (September 27).

Since 2015, Bhoir has made it his mission to place Palghar firmly on the state tourism map. KMC Holidays offers specially crafted trips that showcase the district’s cultural, spiritual, natural, and marine treasures along the charming North Konkan coastal belt.

Among its attractions are vast, uncrowded beaches, ancient temples, forts, waterfalls, scalding hot springs, the famed Panju Island nestled in the Thane Creek, forests teeming with wildlife, plus fruit orchards and lush farmlands.

The highlight

The highlight is the 110-acre Vasai Fort, built in 1533 by Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat and later fortified by the Portuguese. The fort witnessed many battles as it guarded a critical trade route through the Nalasopara Port, which dates back more than 2,300 years, according to archaeological excavations. Today, Vasai Fort lies in skeletal ruins but still echoes the glory of its imposing past before it fell into neglect in the 20th century.

Other notable forts include Kelva-Mahim, Arnala, Shirgaon, Kaldur, Asheri, Tarapur, and Kohoj — each with its own unique history of invasions, valor, and bloodshed.

Away from the forts, several temples offer a spiritual escape where time seems to pause. These include the 2,500-year-old Buddhist Stupa at Nalasopara West, believed to have been inaugurated by Lord Gautam Buddha himself; the Jivdani Mata Temple, accessible via a grueling 1,465-step climb or a thrilling 10-second funicular railway ride; the Adi Shankaracharya Temple in Nirmal, Vasai, which he is said to have visited 2,500 years ago; the popular temples of Vajreshwari Devi and Tungareshwar, Mahalaxmi Devi Temple.

There is the Samadhi of Swami Nityananda; the Mallinath and Jinsharanam Tirth Jain temples; the dargahs of Pir Sadroddin Baba, Hazrat Dulheshah Baba, and Rahman Baba; and churches such as Velankanni Mata, St. Thomas, St. Peter’s, and St. James, among many more.

Bhoir added that Palghar offers more than just history and religion. The hill station of Jawhar, with its historic Jawhar Palace, monsoon-fed waterfalls dotting the district’s hills, and the permanent natural hot-water springs of Vajreshwari village - which attract even foreign visitors - all add to the region’s appeal.

The coastline further enhances Palghar’s charm, with the serene and sparsely crowded beaches of Dahanu, Arnala (Virar), and Kelwa, where numerous holiday resorts provide a unique experience almost rivaling Goa or Kerala. Ferry services also operate from Naigaon, Panju, and Arnala to nearby locations.

S. B. Uke, a Mumbai office executive who resides in Virar, remarked: “The moment the local train crosses Bhayander, I feel a sense of calm and serenity in the natural surroundings - despite the growing urbanisation of Palghar as it integrates into the larger Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).”