THANE

The Ambarnath Shiv Mandir, also known as the Ambreshwar Mandir, is located in Ambarnath, Thane district. Built in 1060 CE, it is one of the earliest surviving examples of stone-built mandirs in the region and is dedicated to Bhagwan Shiv. The Mandir’s construction is attributed to the Shilahara king Chittaraja, who ruled parts of the northern Konkan during the 11th century CE.

A local legend, however, places the origin of the Mandir even earlier. It is said that during their exile, the Pandavas sought refuge at the site where the Mandir now stands. To protect themselves from Duryodhan’s spies, they are believed to have built a Mandir in honour of Bhagwan Shiv. According to the story, the Pandavas constructed the entire structure in a single night, but left the shikhara (spire) unfinished in their haste.

The structure follows a Vesara architectural style, blending features from both the Nagara (north Indian) and Dravidian (south Indian) Mandir forms. It is constructed from coarse basalt stone, with a prominent stepped shikhara, which, as mentioned above, remains unfinished. The garbhagriha (sanctum) of the Mandir is noted to be peculiar, it is distinctively located below ground level. It houses a swayambhu Shivling and a mandapa (pillared hall) supported by intricately carved stone columns.

Durgadi Fort is located in Kalyan, along the banks of the Ulhas River in Thane district. Built in the 17th century, the fort is associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who captured Kalyan and nearby areas from the Adilshahi forces in 1654 CE.

The fort was strategically constructed near the creek and served both as a military outpost and a dockyard. Interestingly, historical accounts mention that boats were built here during the Maratha period. During British rule, stones from the fort were repurposed for the construction of Thane and Kalyan piers.

The Gaon Devi Mandir, located in the Naupada area of Thane city, is a prominent site of local worship. It was originally established in 1916 by Narayan Hiraji Ware of the Bhandari community, with the intent of protecting the town from disasters.

Ghodbunder Fort is located in Ghodbunder village, south of the Ulhas River, in Thane district. Built in the 16th century, the fort was originally constructed by the Portuguese, who referred to it as Cacabe de Tanna. Its location allowed them to control inland trade routes and expand their influence over the Salsette region. 

The fort remained under Portuguese control despite repeated attacks, including one by Shivaji Maharaj in 1672. It was eventually captured by the Marathas in 1737 during the campaign led by Chimaji Appa to take Vasai Fort. However, in 1818, the British occupied the fort and made it the headquarters of the district administration for the East India Company, with a district collector stationed in Thane. Many ruined relics of the past lie within the fort today, including walls, bastions, halls, and a ruined church from the Portuguese era, which, along with its political history, provide a glimpse into the turbulent past of the district.

Gorakhgad Fort is located in the Sahyadri range, near Murbad, within the Thane district. The fort is interestingly named after Sant Gorakhnath, a Nath yogi believed to have meditated in the area. Nearby Macchindragad Fort is associated with his disciple, Macchindranath.

Historically, the fort served as a watchpoint and shelter along the route connecting Junnar and Naneghat, and it was in use during the time of Shahaji Raje and later under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Its location made it suitable for surveillance and control of inland movement.

The fort consists of rock-cut steps, water cisterns, and a small cave believed to have been used for meditation. Today, Gorakhgad has become a popular trekking destination near Mumbai, known for its challenging inclines and the opportunity for rock climbing. Unfortunately, however, only fragments of the original structure survive, and much of the fort lies in a state of ruin.

The Lonad Caves are a group of ancient rock-cut Buddhist caves located near the village of Janwal, in the north of Kalyan, Thane district. Dating back to the 5th century CE, the caves are a fascinating example of early Buddhist presence in the region and were part of a network of monastic sites situated along inland trade routes.

Positioned along routes that once connected the port of Sopara to Kalyan, and later Ghodbunder, the caves likely served as resting spaces for Buddhist monks travelling between coastal and inland religious centres. It is noted in a report titled Documentation of Caves in MMR that, “the Lonad cave was present on the trade route from Sopara to Kalyan and in the later period from Ghodbunder to Kalyan.” 

The caves feature stone-cut chambers, pillars, and simple sculptural elements. While modest compared to larger cave complexes like Kanheri or Ajanta, Lonad reflects how Buddhism spread through smaller monastic outposts across the Konkan.

A particularly interesting panel found at the site is believed to depict a scene from the Vessantara Jataka, a story of the Bodhisattva Prince Vessantara. One interpretation reads: “The whole stance of the king shows that he has taken this decision much against his will, and the lady shampooing the foot is trying to lessen the misery... The courtiers also are bewildered and are therefore discussing the pros and cons of the king’s decision.”

Based on this panel, it is identified in the Documentation of MMR that Lonad is home to the earliest example of regional Buddhist art in the Konkan region, as it showcased local styles and the reinterpretation of established narratives.

Mahuli Fort is located on Mahuli hill, regarded as the highest peak in Thane district, at an elevation of approximately 2,825 ft. above sea level. Referred to as the “Everest of Thane,” it held strategic importance during the 17th century, particularly for controlling trade and military movement between the Konkan coast and the Deccan plateau.

In 1635–36, Shahaji Raje Bhonsale is believed to have sought refuge at Mahuli with his wife Rajmata Jijabai and their young son, Shivaji Maharaj. The fort was attacked by Khan Jaman, a Mughal commander, and with no assistance from the nearby Portuguese authorities, Shahaji was forced to surrender.

By 1648, Shivaji Maharaj had begun his campaign of expansion, capturing several forts in the region, including Kalyan and Mahuli. The fort later fell to the Mughals in 1658, and under the Treaty of Purandar (1665) (a treaty signed between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Mughal general Jai Singh, requiring the cession of several forts), it had to be ceded. In 1670, Shivaji Maharaj launched another campaign to retake Mahuli. Although the initial attempt was unsuccessful, it resulted in the deaths of nearly a thousand Maratha soldiers, many from surrounding villages. In honour of their sacrifice, he is said to have conferred the Sonare surname upon the family of Manohardas Gaud, a local participant in the battle.

Mahuli Fort was eventually brought under Maratha control and remained so until 1817, when it was taken by the British East India Company. The district Gazetteer (1882) notes that the fort had earlier been held by the Raja of Jawhar and various Koli chiefs, who were influential in the region’s political landscape.

Today, Mahuli Fort is regarded as a site of both historical and cultural importance, particularly within the context of Maratha military history and local memory in the Thane region.

The Marathi Granth Sangrahalaya is a historic public library located in Kharkar Ali, Thane, established on 1 June 1893. It is popularly regarded as one of the oldest Marathi libraries in India and was the first public Marathi library in Thane district. The library was founded by Vinayak Laxman Bhave and his colleagues, Vishnu Bhaskar and Baba Patwardhan, starting with just 76 books and 40 subscribers. Over the years, it became a centre for Marathi literary culture, including the publication of the magazine Maharashtra Kavi (1904–1908), which featured works of poets from the 13th to the 18th century.

The Marathi Granth Sangrahalaya played a significant role in organizing literary events, such as the 42nd Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in 1960. The library’s collection includes rare old magazines like Kerala Kokil, Paisa Fund, and Kirloskar. In recent years, the library has taken steps towards digitization, offering access to books in digital and audio formats. The present library building was inaugurated in 1964 and also functions as a district library. With its long-standing commitment to Marathi literature, the Marathi Granth Sangrahalaya continues to serve as a cultural landmark for readers and literary enthusiasts in Thane and beyond.

The Mumbra Devi Mandir is located on a hillock in Mumbra, a town in Thane district. The Mandir is dedicated to Mumbra Devi, who is regarded as another form of the Devi Shakti and revered as the gramdevi (village deity) of the region.

The Mandir is tied to an interesting local legend that explains how the site came to be recognised as sacred. According to tradition, a flame was once seen burning on the hill. Led by a local elder known as Nana Bhagat, villagers climbed to the top and found a lamp burning beside a murti of the Devi. The discovery was taken as a divine sign, and the site became a place of worship. The Bhagat family has continued to care for the Mandir.

The Devi is believed to have protected the region from natural disasters and external threats. One popular account tells of a group of villagers who, during a flood, sought refuge on the hill and later built the Mandir in gratitude. Today, the Mumbra Devi Mandir remains an important tirth yatra destination, drawing bhakts from across the district.

The Shri Kopineshwar Mandir is a Shaivite Mandir located near Masunda Lake in Thane city. It is among the oldest active religious sites in the district and is dedicated to Bhagwan Shiv, who is considered the gramdevta (village deity) of Thane.

The origins of the Mandir are linked to the Shilahara dynasty, who ruled parts of the Konkan region between the 8th and 13th centuries CE. Significantly, epigraphical records and copper plates from this period refer to Thane, then known as Shri-Sthanaka, as an administrative and religious centre. It is noted in the district Gazetteer (1882) that, “...(1018)...copper-plate states that Shri-Sthanaka was one of the chief towns of a family of Silhara chiefs, who ruled over 1400 Konkan villages.”  

This historical context, in many ways, adds further depth to the Mandir’s long-standing presence in the region. The current Mandir structure was constructed around 1760 CE by Ramaji Mahadev Bhivalkar, a Sarsubhedar under the Maratha administration, following the Maratha takeover of Salsette. The Gazetteer (1882) records the intriguing story behind its construction: “The Kopineshvar temple, a large cut-stone building, was raised by Sarsubhedar Ramaji Mahadev Bhivalkar about 1760... It stands on the east bank of the large Massunda lake, and is said to have been built in honour of an image of Kopineshvar that was found under the water.”

Today, standing near the Thane railway station, the Shri Kopineshwar Mandir remains an active place of worship. Despite being situated in a densely developed area, it continues to draw daily bhakts and holds an enduring place in the city’s religious and historical landscape.

The Shri Vajreshwari Yogini Devi Mandir is located in Bhiwandi taluka, on the banks of the Tansa River in Thane district. The site holds religious and historical significance and is associated with the worship of Devi Vajreshwari, a fierce form of Mata Parvati.

The Mandir was constructed in the 18th century by Chimaji Appa, the brother of Peshwa Bajirao I, following the Maratha conquest of the Vasai Fort from the Portuguese in 1739 CE. According to historical accounts, Chimaji Appa made a vow to the Devi for victory and, after fulfilling it, built the Mandir in gratitude.

St. John the Baptist Church, locally referred to as Thane’s ‘bada’ church, is located near Masunda Lake (Talao Pali) and is widely considered to be the oldest surviving church in Thane and Mumbai. The church is notable for its baroque interiors and Portuguese-style altars.

Originally established by the Franciscans, the church was one of several built in the region during the Portuguese period. Following the Maratha capture of Thane in 1737, it is said that all churches were destroyed, except this one. Though damaged, it remained partially intact, with the main altar, side altars, and sanctuary roof surviving. It was later renamed St. John the Baptist Church and continues to serve the local Christian community.