Thane - The Lake City

The city of Thane is situated on the western banks of Thane creek with Parsik hills on the east and Yeoor hills on the west. The city was then know as Shreesthanak. It was more popularly known as the Capital of the Shilahar dynasty. The history of Thane city can be broadly categorized into 5 eras.

‘Aparant’ is the ancient name of the geographical area hosting Thane city. During the Indian expedition of the Greek Emperor Alexander, a number of philosophers, historians and geographists visited India. Among them a Greek historian ‘Tolemi’ has mentioned about the city of Thane in his writings. A famous sailor named Marcopolo had also visited Thane in 1290 ‘A.D. and noted it to be one of the best cities in the world. A place called | ‘Ghodbunder was famous for horse trading thus deriving its name from the word ghoda i.e. horse and bunder meaning port.

During this period a fabric called ‘Tansi’ was exported from Thane. During the period from 13 A.D. to 17 A.D., the Muslims, Portuguese, Marathas, & the British dynasties ruled Thane. From 810A.D. to 1260A.D. the Shilahar Dynasty ruled over Thane. The Emperors of Shilahar dynasty were disciples of Lord Shiva and the Kopineshwar Temple has been built during their reign. During this period, At this time the Shilahars also divided the city into different sections and named them as ‘padas’. it is seen that these padas exist even today by names of Naupada, Patlipada, Agripada etc.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Mogharpada Koliwada Lake, Ovala, Thane West

Old Picture of the Mogharpada Lake

This lake is near Mogharpada in Koliwada near Ovala. This is 800 meters inside from the Ghodbunder road. There is a Koliwada temple as seen near the lake. The lake is not well maintained. There are wastes and people wash clothes here. More efforts are needed to maintain this lake by TMC. On the way there is Ovala lake which is encroached and in very bad condition.

New picture of the Lake

The lake is now at descent condition compared to years before. It is not maintained but in better condition than before. New high rises have sprung up along side. A nice perimeter is made though needs maintenance. One can do a morning walk around the perimeter of the lake. More developments is needed around the lake as still washing activities are carried out in it. Overall it is much better than past.

Kasarvadavali Lake, Thane West

Old Picture of Kasarvadavali Lake

Kasarvadavali lake is one of the lakes of Thane and is close to the temple of shesha shahi. Lake is in very poor condition as it is polluted by the wastes from the temple and nearby villages. People throw all flowers and plastics which has formed a 10 to 15 meter thick waste perimeter on the lake. This lake needs to be maintained, cleaned and barricaded so that wastes are not thrown in. Please keep the city lakes clean.

Length and Width of the Kasarvadavali Lake is almost 100 meters

New Pictures of the Lake

The present condition of the lake is much better as previous as societies have sprung up. The lake is much cleaner than before. Also a TMC garden is made besides the lake and the lake banks are in renovation.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Madarde Kolbad Lake, Thane

Madarde Kolbad Lake is a small lake situated aside Kolbad Road near Castle Mill junction. There is a Shiv Mandir called Jagmata mandir near this lake. This lake needs to be cleaned and maintained properly.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Parulkar TMC Garden, Khopat, Thane

Parulkar TMC Garden, Thane Timings:
Morning: 5:00 to 10:00
Evening: 16:00 to 20:00

Siddheshwar Lake, Thane

Siddheshwar Lake is situated besides the eastern express highway as seen in background. It is surrounded by slums as seen in the picture which makes the lake polluted. This lake is accessible from the Parulekar TMC Garden, Khopat. More efforts are needed by TMC for redevelopment of this lake.

Some Facts about Thane City

Ptolemy, who, in his writings ( 135 - 150 AD) refers to a place called Chersonesus, which, according to researches, is the area around Thane creek.

Thane Fort in 1787, dated 1078 AD, is apparently a land grant from Arikesara Devaraja, sovereign of the city of Tagara, wherein he address the inhabitants of a city called Sri Sthanaka.

Portuguese came to Thane about 1530 and ruled for over 200 years till 1739. Thane was then known as Cacabe de Tana.

The Thane Municipal Council was formed in 1863 when the city had a population of 9000 souls.

The first train ran in India between Bombay and Thane, a stretch of 34 km. on April 16 1853

First Railroad Tunnel In India - Parsik Tunnel

First Railway Bridge: Dapoorie Viaduct on the Mumbai-Thane route

Kopineshwar Temple was built in 1760

Thane Central Jail is oldest fort of Thane built in 1730 by Portuguese