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Palghar

Coordinates: 19°41′N 72°46′E / 19.69°N 72.76°E / 19.69; 72.76
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Palghar
Town
Vajreshwari Temple, Dahbosa Waterfall, Tandulwadi Fort, Dahanu Beach, Kelwa Beach
Palghar is located in Maharashtra
Palghar
Palghar
Coordinates: 19°41′N 72°46′E / 19.69°N 72.76°E / 19.69; 72.76
CountryIndia India
StateMaharashtra
DistrictPalghar
Government
 • TypeMunicipal Council
 • BodyPalghar Municipal Council (PMC)
 • Member of ParliamentHemant Vishnu Savra (BJP)
 • MLARajesh Patil, (Bahujan Vikas Aghadi)[1]
Area
 • Total4,696.99 km2 (1,813.52 sq mi)
Elevation
7 m (23 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total68,931
 • Density15/km2 (38/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialMarathi
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
401404
Telephone code02525
Vehicle registrationMH-48
Websitehttps://palghar.gov.in/

Palghar (pronunciation) is a prominent town in the Konkan division of Maharashtra state, India, and a municipal council. It is Strategically located within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, and since 2014, it has been the administrative capital of the Palghar district. Palghar plays a crucial role in Western Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway in the busy Mumbai-Ahmedabad rail corridor. The town is located approximately 87 kilometers north of Mumbai, about 35 kilometers north of Virar, and about 24 kilometers west of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway at Manor and Mumbai is approximately 50+ kms from Palghar. The fastest way to reach Mumbai from Palghar is by Train. It takes approximately 1 hour.

History

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Palghar has a history intertwined with the ancient district of Thane. The tehsils of Jawhar, Vasai, and Palghar are known for their rich historical legacy. Vasai (historically known as Bassein) was a significant territory under the Portuguese Empire.

In 1739, Chimaji Appa, a notable Maratha military commander, captured the Vasai Fort from the Portuguese, marking a pivotal moment by raising the Maratha flag over the fort.[2]

Palghar also played a crucial role in the Quit India Movement of 1942, where it was one of the important points in the Chalejav Movement.[3]

Demographics

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At the 2011 Census of India,[4] Palghar had a population of 68,930. Males numbered 36,523 (52.9%) and females 32,407 (47.1%). The literacy rate was 77.52%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; male literacy was 81.2% and female literacy 73.35%. 11.8% of the population was under 6 years of age.

Marathi is the most widely spoken language with Varli, Vadvali and Vanjari dialects. Small communities of Gujaratis and Muslims speak Gujarati and Urdu respectively.

Palghar has an urban population of 33,086 thus about 48% of the total population lives in the urbanized area.

Religion in Palghar (2011)[5]
Religion Percent
Hinduism
81.94%
Islam
11.07%
Jainism
2.86%
Buddhism
2.38%
Christianity
1.21%
Others
0.53%

Culture

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Various communities inhabit Palghar, with the predominant castes being the Kunbi, Mangela, Vaity, Macchimar, Bhandari, Warli (Adivasi), Katkari, Malhar Koli, Vanjari, Vadval, and Mali (Sorathi).

The Vanjaris are a nomadic tribe with origins in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. Their language is distinct from standard Marathi, with significant influences from Rajasthani and Gujarati.[6]

The Vadval community is the most numerous in Palghar. They are believed to be descendants of the Yadava dynasty of Devagiri, who settled in the region. The Vadvals are unique as one of the few Marathi-speaking communities belonging to the Kshatriya varna but not part of the traditional 96-clan (96-Kuli) Maratha caste.[7]

The Warli painting and the renowned Tarpa dance highlight the artistic contributions of the Warli community. Warli art has a history stretching back over a millennium and is celebrated internationally. The Warlis are considered some of the earliest settlers in the region, and their culture has significantly influenced the subsequent cultures in and around Palghar.[8]

The Koli (fishermen) community of Palghar is a testament to the city's connection with the Arabian Sea. Fishing forms a significant part of Palghar's trade and diet and plays a crucial role in cultural events. The Kolis are further divided into subcastes such as Vaity, Mangela, and Bari.[9]

Art, crafts and tourism

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Tourist attractions in the district include:

Tourist Places near Palghar
Place Name Address Distance from Palghar
Arnala Fort Near Shri Kalika Mata Temple, Arnala, Maharashtra 401302 13 km (8 miles)
Bhavangad Fort Saphale - Madhukar Nagar, Kelve, Palghar district, Maharashtra 3 km
Fort Vasai Vasai, Maharashtra Approximately 20 km
Gambhirgad Dahanu, Palghar Approximately 64.2 km
Jivdani Mata Temple Virar, Maharashtra Approximately 20 km
Kaldurg Fort Near Palghar, Maharashtra Approximately 15 km
Kamandurg Fort Near Palghar, Maharashtra Approximately 15 km
Kelwa Beach Kelwa, Maharashtra Approximately 15 km
Mahalakshmi Temple Mahalakshmi Temple, Palghar, Maharashtra Within Palghar
Shirgaon Fort Shirgaon, Maharashtra Approximately 10 km
Tandulwadi Fort Tandulwadi, Maharashtra Approximately 30 km
Vajreshwari Hot Water Spring Vajreshwari, Maharashtra Approximately 20 km

Economy

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The economy of Palghar is primarily driven by the primary and tertiary sectors. As the administrative seat of the Taluka and District, Palghar hosts numerous government offices, providing employment opportunities to many residents.[10]

Agriculture, Animal husbandry, dairy farming, and fisheries are extensively practiced in the rural areas surrounding the city, playing a significant role in fueling the local economy. The region is known for its production of rice, fruits, and dairy products.[11]

Historically, Palghar was notorious for wood smuggling in the post-independence era. This illicit activity has been largely curbed due to stringent measures by the Forest Department and local police. Additionally, the region's secluded beaches were once favored by smugglers who used them to offload goods and transport them to Mumbai by road to evade customs.[12]

Education

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The town has a number of schools and colleges, with more under construction to serve the increasing population.

Here's a list of some schools and colleges in Palghar:

Schools and Colleges in Palghar

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Schools

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Schools in Palghar
Name Location Classes Curriculum
Sundaram Central School Valan Naka, Mahim Road, Palghar Nursery to Class 12 CBSE
Twinkle Star English High School Mahim Manor Highway, Juna Palghar Nursery to Class 10 English Medium
Sir J.P. International School Palghar LKG to Class 12 ICSE
Boisar Public School Salwad, Palghar Nursery to Class 10 State Board
M.S. Pokar High School and Junior College Saphale, Palghar Nursery to Class 12 State Board
Gurukul Global School Harosale, Palghar Nursery to Class 10 CBSE

List of all Shools in Palghar Schools org

Colleges

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Colleges in Palghar
Name Courses
St. John College of Engineering and Management B.Tech, MBA, and other management courses
Viva College Junior college (Commerce, Science), Degree courses (BA, BSc, BCom)
Maharshi Dayanand College Undergraduate courses in Arts, Commerce, and Science
Sonopant Dandekar Shikshan Mandali's See Here Due to the list is too large

All Colleges/Universities Palghar.

This list includes a mix of schools and colleges that provide various curriculums and levels of education in [13][14][15].

Transport

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Palghar railway station

Palghar is well connected via road and rail transport. The town serves as a divisional head of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), providing direct connectivity to several towns across Maharashtra and Gujarat, including Surat, Vapi, Valsad, Vadodara, Bharuch, Ankleshwar, Anand, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Miraj, Sangli, Pune, Vaduj, Thane, Ulhasnagar, Bhiwandi, Aurangabad, Ahmednagar, Kalyan, Alibag, Nandurbar, Bhusaval, Shirdi, and Nashik.[16]

The Palghar railway station is a significant stop on the Western Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway and the Ahmedabad–Mumbai main line. In addition to Shuttle/MEMU/EMU (local trains) services, many long-distance trains also halt at this station.[17]

Sports

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Cricket is the most popular sport in Palghar, with local tournaments held at various locations in the district.[18] Notable cricketers from Palghar include Shardul Thakur, who hails from Mahim and plays for India, the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy.[19]

Aditya Tare is another prominent cricketer from Palghar, specifically from Satpati village. He is a wicket-keeper and a right-hand batsman who plays for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL and for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy.[20]

Hon'ble Prime Minister Of India

Foundation of Vadhavan Port and Fisheries Projects by PM Modi in Palghar, Maharashtra (August 2024)New

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Large cargo port (Unsplash)

On August 30, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be/visited Palghar in Maharashtra to lay the foundation stone for the Vadhavan Port project, which is set to be one of India's largest deep-water ports. The project, with an estimated cost of ₹76,000 crore, aims to enhance India's maritime infrastructure, providing direct connectivity to international shipping routes and facilitating the handling of ultra-large cargo vessels[21]. This development is expected to significantly boost trade, create employment opportunities, and contribute to the overall economic growth of the region.[22]

During his visit, PM Modi also inaugurated various fisheries projects worth over ₹1,560 crore. These projects focus on modernizing fishing infrastructure, constructing fish landing centers, and improving post-harvest management, thereby supporting the livelihood of fishermen across India.

This visit underscores the government's commitment to enhancing maritime capabilities and promoting economic development in coastal regions​(India Today, mint, Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd)[23].

Map
Approx Location of Vadhvan Port

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Maharashtra By-Election: Shiv Sena Retains Palghar Assembly Seat". NDTV.com. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  2. ^ Kulkarni, Uday (2016). The Era of Baji Rao. Murlidhar Publishers. p. 276.
  3. ^ "Palghar District". District of Palghar. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  4. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  5. ^ "Palghar Population 2011". Census 2011.
  6. ^ Desai, Meera (2009). The Vanjaris: A Study of Their Socio-Cultural Identity. Raj Publications. p. 45.
  7. ^ "The Vadval Community of Palghar". Maharashtra Times. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  8. ^ Chaudhary, Santosh (2023). "Warli Art: A Millennium of Tradition". Art and Culture Journal. 12: 22–29.
  9. ^ Patil, Rajendra (2018). The Maritime Traditions of Kolis in Palghar. Coastal Heritage Publishers. p. 85.
  10. ^ "Palghar District". District of Palghar. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  11. ^ Patel, Ravindra (2017). Agricultural Practices in Palghar District. Rural Development Publications. p. 132.
  12. ^ "How Palghar Curbed Wood Smuggling". The Hindu. 15 November 2020.
  13. ^ UniApply. "UniApply - Your School Search Simplified". www.uniapply.com. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  14. ^ "जिल्हा पालघर, महाराष्ट्र शासन | जिल्हा पालघर | India" (in Marathi). Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  15. ^ "Yellow Slate". yellowslate.com. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  16. ^ "MSRTC Palghar Division". Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  17. ^ "Palghar Railway Station". India Rail Info. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  18. ^ "Cricket Fever Grips Palghar". Mid-Day. 12 March 2021.
  19. ^ "Shardul Thakur Profile". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  20. ^ "Aditya Tare Profile". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  21. ^ "Modi in Maharashtra: PM to visit Mumbai, Palghar on Aug 30; lay foundation stone of Vadhvan Port project". Live Mint. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  22. ^ "30 अगस्त को मोदी का मुंबई और पालघर दौरा: फिनटेक से मत्स्य पालन तक में गुड न्यूज". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd. 29 August 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. ^ "Amid protests, Vadhavan port, India's largest, finally sets sail". Hindustan Times. 29 August 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)