Review By: Sangeeta Sanjay Chaubal Review Date: 07 Aug 2010
 | |
Vajreshwari has been one of the regular picnic spots that we visited during school days. Fascinated by the Hot water springs right from my childhood, Vajreshwari has always been the in my wish list. Even today, I try and never miss a chance of visiting this place.
Vajreshwari, also referred by many as Vajresvari, is located in Bhiwandi Taluka, of Thane District. The nearest rail station is Vasai Road, which lies on the western suburbs of Mumbai. Many buses ply regularly from Vasai road station to Vajreshwari. The exact time the buses take to reach this place is around an hour and half.
There are around 52 steps that one needs to climb for reaching the temple, as the temple rests on the hilltop, amidst serene beauty. From above, one gets to view the beautiful Tansa River flowing vivaciously in the midst of green fields.
This temple is devoted to goddess Shree Vajreshwari Yogini Devi. It is mentioned in the Puranas, that Lord Vishnu had visited this place during one of his Dashavtars. It is said that a Maha yagna, a fire offering was performed by Parshuram, one of the Dashavtars of Lord Vishnu and the proof of this yagna is still left on the hills in the area, in the form of the volcanic ash residue.
The goddess Vajreshwari is said to the incarnation of Goddess Parvati, and the name that she got, Vajreshwari was because she had swallowed the Vajra that was hurled by Lord Indra to kill all the demons, in anger. The goddess later stayed in this region and thus the place was named as Vajreshwari.
The best time to visit this place is monsoon, as the place is at its best with beautiful rice crops swaying in the fields and the green mountains dispersing their magic. The wall that surrounds the temple resembles a fort. The temple is been said to have built by the younger brother of Peshwa Baji Rao 1st, Chimaji Appa. The original temple was destroyed by the Portuguese and hence this new temple was built a little ahead of the old one, with the imitation of the original design of the Bassein Fort of Vasai.
One can find around 21 hot water springs within the 5 km radius of the temple. Vajreshwari is also famous because of these hot water springs. It is said that the hot water springs have medicinal properties and hence people visit this place to get hold of this water. One gets to enjoy a good hot spring bath in the peculiar, ‘Kothawala Bath'. These hot water springs are visited more in winters.
There are numerous accommodation facilities available in and around Vajreshwari. These accommodation facilities allow services that suit every pocket. One gets to taste typical Maharashtrian food in Vajreshwari. Though there are few South Indian joints too in here. The locales are quite helpful and friendly. They also help you out with additional information on the place.
Read complete review |
| Accessibility: | | | Parking Facility: | |
Good: Hot water springs
Bad: Nothing comes to my mind
Recommend: Yes
|