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, July 30, 2014

RG Gadkari Rangayatan, Thane West

Ram Ganesh Gadkari (Marathi: राम गणेश गडकरी) (May 24, 1885 - January 23, 1919) was a Marathi poet, playwright, and humorist from Maharashtra, India.

This theater is after him.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Masunda Lake, Talaopali, Thane West

Masunda Lake, also known as Talaopali is a big and deep lake of Thane City. It is situated close to railway station of Thane and is a point of recreation and Ganesh Immersion. Perimeter of lake is around 1.4 kms and total area of Masunda lake is about 7.2 hectares appx. Boating is main attraction here. At center of Lake is Mahadev Dhyan Mandir. Earlier it was open for public but nowadays it is closed. But occasionally it is opened.

Like its sister lakes, this lake is also subjected to pollution and throwing of garbage. This lake is also suffering from Eutrophication due to pollution.

There are horse carts and many eateries around this lake.

Previously this lake was extending upto the Shiv Mandir on the East. In 1950s a new road was constructed by reducing the area of the lake to almost half its original size, to take care of traffic load. Several gardens, a vegetable market & a small ground - Shivaji Maidan were created in between the Temple & Lake.

Masunda Lake Boating

Mahadev Dhyan Mandir at right middle of the Masunda lake. When this lake was drained out years ago, presence of this ancient temple was revealed by existence of stone blocks supports of wooden pillars.

PLEASE KEEP LAKES CLEAN

CLICK HERE TO SEE DIWALI LIGHTS SEEN IN MASUNDA LAKE, TALAOPALI

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Train entering Parsik Tunnel, Thane

Train entering Parsik Tunnel

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Shree Ayyappa Temple, Shreenagar, Thane West

Shree Ayyappa Mandir is located in Shreenagar, Wagle Estate, Thane West. It has constructed a huge Shivling as you can see in the picture. Thre are steps to reach the temple.
Timings: 5:30AM to 10:30AM and 5:00PM to 9:00PM

Steps to Ayyappa Temple

Inside Ayyappa Temple

From side of Ayyappa Temple there are steps further more which will take you to Swayambhu Amarnath Mandir as shown in photo below.

As it is aside national park, people throw garbage anywhere. Wine bottles, polyethene, cans, leftovers, etc are spread across. Please don't spoil the atmosphere and greenery.

Please keep the nature clean

Monday, April 14, 2014

New Aerial View of Thane City

Thane City as seen from Mama Bhanja Hills

Thane Creek and Thane City

Parsik Hill, Malangad and Tavli Peaks - Thane City

Thane City Aerial with Kamandurg Peak

For More Aerial views of Thane City: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

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