Badlapur

Badlapur बदलापुर
City
Badlapur
Coordinates: 19°09′00″N 73°15′43″E / 19.15°N 73.262°ECoordinates: 19°09′00″N 73°15′43″E / 19.15°N 73.262°E
Country	India
State	Maharashtra
District	Thane
Government
• Mayor	Mr. Waman Barku Mhatre
Area
• Total	35.68 km^2 (13.78 sq mi)
Elevation	44 m (144 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	175,516
• Density	3,355/km^2 (8,690/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Badlapurkar
Languages
• Official	Marathi
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	421 503
Telephone code	0251
Vehicle registration	MH-05
Distance from Mumbai	67 kilometres (42 mi) (rail)
Distance from Navi Mumbai	44 kilometres (27 mi) (road)
Distance from Pune	125 kilometres (78 mi) (rail)
Website	www.badlapur.co.in

Badlapur is a city in Thane district, Maharashtra state, India. It is a part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Due to population growth in nearby cities, people working in Mumbai have been moving to Badlapur for a number of socio-economic reasons, including close proximity to Mumbai via rail. Badlapur city encompasses the old villages of Badlapur, Kulgaon, Manjarli, Belavali, Katrap, and many other small villages.

History

Badlapur was named for being a remount depot on a travel route through the rugged Konkan region to Gujarat via Surat. The town was famous for its splendid horses. Warriors (e.g. Shivajiraje Bhonsale) changed their horses at the town in anticipation of the difficult climb through the Konkan. The word "change" (badla in Marathi) was applied to the town. "Badlapur" is derived from "badla" plus "pur", which means village or town.

In 1971, Badlapur was recognised as a municipal town in Ulhasnagar tehsil.

The city has seen massive growth since the 1980s, with a rapid increase in population, due in part its proximity to Mumbai by rail. Consequently, the area around the Badlapur railway station has developed faster than old Badlapur village itself.

Geography

Badlapur has an average elevation of 44 metres (144 ft). The region surrounding Badlapur is mountainous. The Ulhas River flows between Badlapur and Kulgaon. Floods frequently occur due to Badlapur's geographical location near this mountain runoff. Badlapur and Kulgaon are connected by two bridges over the river. The city is virtually divided into two areas, "East" and "West", by the railway.

Transportation

Air: The nearest airport is Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, around 57 kilometres (35 mi) from Badlapur.

Rail: Located about 68 kilometres (42 mi) from Mumbai, Badlapur is a terminal station for many trains, local to Mumbai, of the Central Railway zone, one of the two national zonal divisions of the Mumbai Suburban Railway operated by Indian Railways.

By fast train it takes about 1.23 hours from Mumbai (CST) to Badlapur; by slow train it takes about 1.50 hours.

Road: The town is well connected to the Mumbai Pune Expressway. NMMT buses are available from Badlapur to Vashi and CBD Belapur/Turbhe Bus Station.

Badlapur has auto rickshaw services to reach destinations within Badlapur city. One can find State Transport buses near Badlapur railway station (west).

Demography

According to the provisional reports of Census India, the population of Badlapur in 2011 was 175,516, with 91,695 males and 83,821 females, the sex ratio of being 1000 males to 914 females. The total number of children aged six and under is 17,194, 9.80% of the total, with 9,096 boys and 8,098 girls, the child sex ratio being even more lopsided at 1000 boys to 890 girls.

The total number of literate people in Badlapur is 146,259, of which 78,910 are males and 67,349 are females. The average literacy rate of Badlapur city is 83%, with male literacy at 86% and female literacy at 80% percent.

The majority of the population is Hindu, along with substantial Muslim and Jain communities. There are many temples, mosques, and churches in the town. The major festival celebration is Ganesh Jayanti, which many organizations and local groups celebrate with zest and passion. People of many faiths participate in and enjoy this festival. The city has had very few religious conflicts; an exception is one which occurred on 21 October 2002, in which 8 people were injured.

Government and politics

Before 1983, Badlapur Municipal Council was a separate gram panchayat surrounded by twelve villages: Badlapurgaon, Belavali, Eranjad, Jeweli, Katrap, Kharvai, Kulgaon, Manjarli, Mankivali, Shirgaon, Sonivali, and Valivali.

On 2 October 1983, the Badlapur Gram Panchayat became a municipal corporation as part of Kalyan-Dombivali-Ambernath-Badlapur Municipal Corporation. But the formation of the corporation was geographically improper, as Ulhasnagar tehsil fell within the new corporation area. Many public personages therefore raised objections, and separate Badlapur and Ambernath municipal councils were formed in 1992. According to the 1991 census the population of the Badlapur Municipal Council was approximately 52,000. It was declared a B-class municipal council.

Badlapur Municipal Council was awarded the "Presidential Silver Medal of India" for its commendable efforts and achievements, based on the 1991 census. After the formation of the Kulgaon-Badlapur Municipal Council (KBMC), Kulgaon-Badlapur Municipal Council and Vasai Municipal Council jointly received the first Gadge Baba Cleanliness Mission Award. KBMC was awarded the "President Reward of India" for a Barrier Free Environment for the disabled.

Since the first elections for the municipal council, the Shivsena has won the most seats and ruled the most years. In 1996, Shivsena won 11 seats; the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 3; and the Indian National Congress (United) (Congress) 5; out of 18 seats. In 2001, Shivsena won 9, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) 8, BJP 6, and Congress 1, out of 24. With the help of BJP, they took over the council. In the 2006 election Shivsena and BJP formed a coalition; this time Shivsena got 16 seats, BJP 10, NCP 6, and Congress 2, out of 34 seats. In the 2011 elections all parties campaigned individually. Shivsena won 12 seats, BJP 8, NCP 8, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) 3 seats, Congress 1 and Independent (Ind.) 1. After the election BJP, NCP and MNS united to choose the mayor. But in 2012 Shivsena again captured the mayor's post with the help of rebel councilors from MNS, BJP and NCP.

Economy

The majority of the city population is working middle class.

The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has developed an industrial area within the area governed by the Kulgaon-Badlapur Municipal Council. This industrial area is reserved primarily for chemical industries. The area has been developed in different blocks and laid out keeping in mind the needs of both small scale and large scale industries. This development has stimulated the economic growth of the city.

There are branches of many national banks in Badlapur, including State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Axis Bank (formerly known as UTI Bank), IDBI Bank (previously known as United Western Bank), Bank of Baroda, Union Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Yes Bank ,Corporation Bank and HDFC Bank.

Recently the city has made headlines in the news due to the steepest hikes in real estate values in the locality.

Some people are also dependent on farming as a primary source of income.

Education

The city is famous for education. Many students from the city have been listed in SSC and HSC merit lists. Every year students from Badlapur attend higher education in technology, medicine and many other fields at Mumbai University. The city has many fine schools that teach in Marathi and English. There are two colleges affiliated to the University of Mumbai. Recently, Badlapur has acquired an engineering college, Lilavati Awhad Institute of Technology, at Kanhor village, Badlapur West. Some of the schools are listed below:

1. Adarsh Vidya Mandir
2. Badlapur High School
3. Bharat College
4. Carmel Convent High School
5. D. G. Naik High School (formerly known as Bal Vikas Mandir)
6. Don Bosco English High School
7. Fatima High School
8. Gurukul International School
9. Heaven Bell Convent High School, Yadav Nagar
10. I. E. S. Katrap Vidyalaya
11. K. P. M. Jadhav Vidyalaya (Pawar high school), Manjarli
12. Leelavati Awhad Institute of Technology and Management Studies and Research, Kanhor village, Badlapur West
13. New English High School
14. G R Patil Vidya Mandir School
15. Panna English High School
16. Presidency English School
17. Rajashree Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Vidyalaya (formerly known as S. M. Pawar Vidyalaya)
18. St. Antony's Convent School, Badlapur West
19. St. John Bosco High School and Junior College of Commerce, Belavali, Badlapur West
20. Shrikrishna Khamkar Vidyalaya and Junior College
21. Yogi Shree Arvind Gurukul High School

Attractions

There are many places around the city that are famous for recreation, cultural activities, and personal and spiritual development. Badlapur is very attractive and is surrounded by mountains and has the fine Ulhas River nearby.

Kondeshwar

Kondeshwar

Kondeshwar has a beautiful waterfall, along with a pond. There is a temple of Lord Shiva, to which pilgrims flock during Shivratri and Maha Shivratri,^[1] hence the name Kondeshwar. Kondeshwar is remotely located away from noise and urban pollution, with the nearest village located about 20/25 minutes' walk away.^[2]

Though Kondeshwar is a very beautiful place in the monsoon period, there have been many accidents and fatalities due to unsafe swimming practices by people who are unaware of the crevices under the water. Many people have died due to the turbulence of the waterfall by being caught inside the crevices, which it is very difficult to escape from due to the heavy fall of water. Kondeshwar is a very dangerous place, but in the monsoon month it is the best picnic spot. It has two waterfalls and a small river. Near Kondeshwar there is a picnic spot beside the Bhoj Dam.

Matheran Range

The Matheran Range starts at Haji Malang in the north-north-west, continues to Tavli in the north, and then runs south and finally terminates at Bhivpuri Road Hill. Strictly speaking, this range is not a part of the Sahyadris, but rather runs parallel to the Badlapur-Karjat railway line to its west. The Sahyadris proper run parallel to the same railway line, but to its east.^[3]

Badlapur is the starting point for treks to Tavli, Badlapur Hill and Navra-Navri. Vangani is 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from the city by railway, and is the starting point for treks to Nakhind and Chanderi. Neral is 20 kilometres from Badlapur city and is the starting point for treks to Nakhind, Peb Fort and Matheran.

Chanderi

Chanderi

Chanderi - A view from Taverwadi (Panvel side)

Chanderi is a majestic massif, 800 metres (2,600 ft) high, that stands out as one approaches Vangani station on the way from Badlapur to Karjat by train. Joined to Chanderi by a column are a group of four pinnacles called Mhasmal. The Chanderi-Mhasmal duo is very prominent and can be seen from far-away peaks in the Sahyadris.

Chanderi looks close from Vangani, but the better approach road to it is from Badlapur. From Badlapur Station hire an auto-rikshaw up to Chinchavali Wadi. From there you have a walk of about 45 minutes to the base of Chanderi Fort. To reach above takes about 2½ hours and to the summit takes another 45 minutes.

Tavli

Tavli is a conical shaped mountain at the northern end of the Matheran Range, 790 metres (2,590 ft) high.^[4]

Barvi Dam

Barvi Dam is 18 kilometres (11 mi) from Badlapur. Barvi Dam provides water to Navi Mumbai and Thane. Surrounded by evergreen hills and dense forest, Barvi Dam is a popular recreation spot and picnic spot. Public transportation is available.

Chikhaloli Dam

Chikhaloli Dam is in Ambernath, around 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from Badlapur. It is a famous recreational spot in the summer and also during the monsoon. Many people from Mumbai and nearby places come to enjoy the dam for swimming.

Vishnubaaug - Environment Theme Park

Vishnubaaug is nestled in a picturesque 10 acres (4.0 ha) of land on the bank of the Ulhas River, in the foothills of the Matheran Range, 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) from Badlapur station (west), in Deololi Village. Vishnubaaug's mission is to make everyone respect nature.^[5]

Temples and Ashrams

Shri Ayyappa temple

An Ayyappan temple is under construction in Ram Nagar off Badlapur Karjat Road. This is initiated by the devotees of Shri Ayyappa near Badlapur. The Foundation Stone laying ceremony took place on 12–14 November 2014. The construction of this temple is likely to be completed by September 2016.

Samarthwadi/GuruPanchayatan

Samarthwadi is a beautiful, adhyatmik (spiritual) temple located in Kasgaon, near Badlapur. In this stressful life, relaxation in one's adhyatma (soul) is very necessary. In the same way Upasana (becoming one with the deity) in the form of Japa (chanting), Tapa (meditation) and Daan (almsgiving) should be done in the presence of beautiful nature. This beautiful place gives an experience of Heaven.^[6]

Maghi Ganapati Mahotsav

Along with Ganesh Chaturthi, the other grand festival (mahotsav) of Ganesh is called Ganesh Jayanti, or more popularly "Maghi Ganapati", which is a celebration of the rebirth of Lord Ganesh and is grandly and widely celebrated in Badlapur. Maghi Ganapati falls in the month of Magh in the Hindu-Marathi calendar (February–March). During this period the coastal part of Maharashtra has little or no rain, as compared to August (the period of Ganesh Chaturthi). Hence Maghi Ganapati is celebrated as grandly as Ganesh Chaturthi is in other parts of the state.

During Maghi Ganapati a large fair takes place in Badlapur. During the fair, mechanized idols of mythological characters are made, and plays of mythological stories are performed with these idols. People flock to see these plays every year. The fair is attended by many people coming from far-off places. The festival lasts for 10 days, in a very festive atmosphere, especially during evenings.

Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj Temple, Kanhor

Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj Temple - Kanhor is among the well known religious places, located in a serene and scenic place. The temple is situated just outside Badlapur village on a small hillock surrounded by fields and greenery all around. The enchanting natural beauty around the temple is another attraction for the devotees who visit the temple.^[7]

Moolgaon - Khandoba Temple

The temple of Lord Khandoba is located in Moolgaon, a small village around 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) from Badlapur Railway Station. From the temple you can have a panoramic view of Badlapur, Kulgaon and Vangani. The best time to visit this place is during September to November.

Shiva Temple

The neighboring town of Ambarnath has a famous seventh century Shiva temple constructed in the "Hemad" style, also known as Hemadpanti sculpture, which is about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from Badlapur. The distance is covered in just 20 minutes by foot or 7 minutes by auto.

Satsang Vihar

Sri Sri Thakur Anukulchandra Satsang's Ashram is in Hendrepada, Kulgaon area (LBS Marg (Road), Hendre Pada, Kulgaon, Badlapur West). It is one of the oldest Ashram in Badlapur and has the biggest temple in that locality.

GaonDevi Temple

GaonDevi Temple is situated just 10–12 minutes' walk or 5 minutes by auto to the east of Badlapur. There is another temple of Lord Shiva situated near the lake. Recently Gaondevi Temple has been rebuilt very beautifully at the site. Every year in the month of March–April or on the day of Hanuman Jayanti (birth of Lord Hanuman), Yatra (pilgrimage) is held. The palkhi procession starts in Patil Pada village (near railway station) and ends at the temple. This procession is really impeccable and worth seeing.

References

1. Manjrekar, Prakash (28 June 2012). Kondeshwar Waterfall - Badlapur, Thane...MAHARASTRA. YouTube. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
2. "Kondeśwar Temple (Badlapur, Thane)". Tīrtha Yātra. 22 April 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
3. Kapadia, Harish (2004). Trek the Sahyadis. pp. 51–56. ISBN 978-8-173-87151-1. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
4. "Tavli Trek". IndiaHikes. 2010. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
5. "Vishnubaaug: Environment Theme Park". 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
6. "Guru Panchayatan Sansthan". Retrieved 28 September 2014.
7. "Kanhor Temple". Shri Gajanan Maharaj, Kanhor. Retrieved 28 September 2014.

External links

• Badlapur.co.in  : Official City Website
• Kulgaon Badlapur Municipal Council
• Badlapurcity.in : Find Everything In Kulgaon-Badlapur