Thane is called as the city of lakes as it constitutes 30 lakes. It was an important Portuguese trading center until the Marathas captured it in 1739. The original name of Thane was 'Sristhanaka' i.e. the residence of Lord Ganesha. It is located to the north of Mumbai; the city is surrounded by hills and lakes. It has several historical buildings, including forts and several churches. Now it is a booming industrial hub with growth in trade, transport and construction activities.

Religious Spots

Ganeshpuri: This is a small town near Bhivandi, about 40 km from Thane which is the residence of Swami Nityananda Maharaj. An ancient temple is also there with four tanks called kundas. The kundas are some 800 years old. It is more famous for its hot water springs.

Historical Monuments

Bassein (Vasai): Bassein or Vasai was an ancient Portuguese settlement located just 48-km to the north of Mumbai, near the Thane creek. The Fort of Bassein was constructed in 1532 by Bahadur Shah, Sultan of Gujarat. The ruins of the Fort still exist. You can visit to the Cathedral of St. Joseph and the Churches of St Antony and St. Paul. The city walls are still intact. There are also decorative gateways inscribed with coats of arms and Portuguese graves dating back to 1558.

Lakes: The most famous lake of the city is the Masunda Talao, also known as Talao Pali. The lake offers boating and water scooter facilities to the tourists. Some other popular lakes in and around the city are Upvan Lake, Kacharali Talao, Makhamali Talao, Siddheshwar Talao, Bramhala Talao, Ghosale Talao, Railadevi Talao etc.

Other Attractions

Jawhar Palace: The climatic condition of this place is so marvelous that it is some time called as the "Mahabaleshwar of Thane". The places of worth visiting are majestic Dadara Kopra Falls, Jai Vilas and the palace of the tribal kings. Jawhar also offers some unique moments to share time with the lives of tribal people.

Tansa wild life sanctuary: This wild life sanctuary is situated in the Thane district about 90 kms from Mumbai. It is a home to 54 species of animals and 200 species of birds. The total area covered by the lake sanctuary is about 217 sq. kms. Major animal species include panthers, sambars, cheetal barking deers, wild boar, jackal, common langur and bonnet macaque. You can best visit the place during November to May.

How to reach

The city is close to Mumbai; hence transport is not a problem for it. You can reach the city by roads, rails or by air. The nearest airport is at Mumbai. Thane is an important railway station of the state. The three national highways passing through the city are Mumbai-Agra Highway, Mumbai-Banglore Highway, Mumbai-Ahmadabad Highway.