Vasai-Virar
Vasai-Virar, formerly Bassein or Baçaim, is a city in the North Konkan region of Maharashtra. Previously a Portuguese colony, Vasai-Virar is known for its fort and scenic coastlines. It is often compared to and referred to as Mini Goa due to its resemblance to the sun and sand capital of India. Vasai-Virar is also blessed with beautiful churches which could be easily compared to the churches found in Goa for its architecture. Some of the churches are over 500 years old.
Get in
[edit]By train
[edit]The Western Line and the Vasai Road–Roha Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway meet at 1 Vasai Road Western Vasai Road–Roha 
. Other stations in Vasai-Virar include 2 Nalla Sopara Western and 3 Virar Western , with Virar being the northern terminus of the Western Line.
Get around
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See and do
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- 1 Arnala Fort. A fort on an island off Vasai-Virar. The main entrance of the fort faces approximately north. The solid stone doorway is adorned with pictures of tigers and elephants. There is a large octagonal fresh water reservoir inside the fort. Within its walls, are also the temples of Ambakeshwar, Bhavani and Shiva as well as dargahs (tombs) of Shah Ali and Hajji Ali.
- Hedavde Mahalaxmi Temple. Very powerful Hindu temple founded by great astrologer, Param Pujya Dadasaheb Hate of Vasai.
- 2 Tungareshwar Temple (3–4 km (1.9–2.5 mi) from Tungareshwar Entrance Gate; you have to travel uphill by auto-rickshaw or on foot). 5AM–6PM. A Shiva temple in a strangely beautiful garden. In the dome, a trident (triśul) stands impressively against the horizon. The temple room was small but beautifully decorated in Minimalistic works of colourful glass. On one corner of the room there's a small temple of Devi. In the centre, there is the main Shivalinga with a Hug serpent in brass coiled around it. A brass post hangs above and water trickling down from it drop by drop over the linga. The temple also has some symbols of sacred geometry and the temple is designed as per Vastu Shastra.
- 3 Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. A migration corridor between Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary. It rises to about 665 m (2,182 ft) above sea level, making it a very popular destination for trekkers. Many bird walks, nature trails by wildlife professionals from around Mumbai and Vasai-Virar are conducted here. The terrain is a mix of rocky surface and flatland intermittently. Trekkers must make sure you carry along medical kit, and really good amount of water with you. Highly recommended to wear full sleeves clothes to avoid any bites, wounds, tans. Carrying a cap and sunglasses is a must to protect you from the harsh heat, as this route has less shade. There are two ways you can reach the summit of the Tungareshwar WLS, one being from Vasai Road West which starts from the main gate itself, the other one can be trekked from the region of Vajreshwari.
- 4 Vasai Fort (Bassein Fort; Portuguese: Fortaleza de São Sebastião de Baçaim; Marathi: वसईचा किल्ला Vasaīcā Killā) (from suburban: Vasai Road Western Vasai Road–Roha 5 km (3.1 mi) N). Portuguese mariners exploring the north Konkan Coast discovered the Arab Sultanate of Khambhat or Cambay, built or renovated or expanded the fort in the early 1400s and attacked it in a failed effort to seize it. The ramparts overlook what is alternatively called Vasai Creek and Bhayander Creek and are almost complete, though overgrown by vegetation. Several watchtowers still stand, with safe staircases leading up. The Portuguese buildings inside the fort are in ruins, although there are enough standing walls to give a good idea of the floor plans of these structures. Some have well-preserved façades. In particular, many of the arches have weathered the years remarkably well. They are usually decorated with carved stones, some weathered beyond recognition, others still displaying sharp chisel marks. Three chapels inside the fort are still recognisable. They have façades typical of 17th-century Portuguese churches. The southernmost of these has a well-preserved barrel-vaulted ceiling. It is a great place to observe butterflies, birds, plants and reptiles.
Beaches
[edit]- The list of popular beaches would be Suruchi Beach, Kalam Beach, Rangoan Beach, Bhuigaon Beach, Rajodi Beach, Arnala Beach etc. All the beaches are outlined with thick greenery and are a favourite picnic spot for all.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]Bananas are the most famous in Vasai-Virar, and would be worth trying a few. They are as cheap as 5 to 10 cents
Chicken Bujing, is one of the famous dishes of Vasai (fried poha, fried potatoes, chicken with lots of ingredients in it).
Wada pav of Tungareshwar is a local fast food shop.
Indyal, Teprat and Sarpatal.
Drink
[edit]Coconut water is known as one of the best drinks and is all good for health wise too. Vasai-Virar has been covered with lots of coconut trees around it same as in Kerala. There are many restaurants & bars in Vasai like Blu Spice, Mambos, V lounge, Celebrity, Status, and Farmhouse where you can spend a good evening with your friends and enjoy delicious food. There are a couple of restaurants which are sea facing like Sea & Sand, Kinara etc. which are famous for their lip-smacking seafood.
- Blu Spice, Shop No: 11, C-Wing, Jayraj Nagar CHS, 100 Feet Road, Off: Ambadi Road, Vasai (W), ☏ +91 9022746567, bluspicevasai@gmail.com. 11:30 to 15:30 and 18.30 to 23:00. A multi-cuisine family restaurant serving Indian, Chinese and Continental pastas and salads. It also serves non-alcoholic beverages, mocktails and speciality coffees. ₹300 / pax approx.
Sleep
[edit]- Hotel Rainbow, Lawrence Trade Centre, Near K.T. Vision Theatre, Vasai road (W), ☏ +91 2502335655. From ₹400/double.
Nearby
[edit]- 1 Vajreshwari Temple, Vajreshwari. A temple dedicated to goddess Vajreshwari, which is said to be an incarnation of Parvati or Adi Maya. There are around twenty-one hot water springs (Sanskrit: kunda) in a five-kilometer radius of the temple. According to legend, the hot water is the blood of demons and giants who were slain by the goddess Vajreshwari. Yu should have a holy bath in the springs while visiting the temple.