Thane

Thane (ठाणे Ṭhāṇe), formerly known as Thana, is a city in North Konkan, Maharashtra. Its biggest claim to fame is that the first railway line laid in India was from Bori Bunder to Thane station.

Understand

Thane (tthah-nneh) is known as the Elder Sister of Mumbai, as Thane district was divided and part of Thane district that is from Mulund to Sion was given to Mumbai for its future development. Also, Mumbai depends heavily on Thane for water supply from lakes. Thane for all practical purposes is a suburb of Mumbai. Today Thane city area is 147 km² (57 sq mi) with more than 1.2 million population.

Thane was inhabited by people of the Agri and Koli communities, and their villages still exist today as "Chendani Koliwada", "Kopari Goan", and "Uthalsar". It also includes Majiwade, Balkum, Dhokali, Kolshet, Wadavli, and others. In 1825, when the British explored their newly annexed territories in Bassein, they discovered that Thane was inhabited primarily by Roman Catholics, who are both native and Portuguese, and that the latter was virtually indistinguishable from the former in skin colour and custom. The local villagers, like Kolis (fishermen), are converted into indigenous Catholics mostly from the villages of Chendani, Koliwada, and Majiwada. The Agri and Koli community people had their own cultures. Some of the upper-class East Indian families in the Khatri ward of Thane still speak Portuguese.

There are 30 lakes within and around the city, earning it the sobriquet of Lake City. Apart from being a source of water for Thane and its larger neighbour, Mumbai, the lakes are also tourist attractions. The areas surrounding the city are beautiful. The scenic locales, old forts, boat rides and resorts make Thane a great getaway from Mumbai.

This article also covers Kalwa, an important industrial hub in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The massive industrialisation around the Belapur Road, passing through Kalwa has supposedly turned it into one of the biggest industrial and manufacturing hubs in India. Now, its parks are also on the way to development in Navi Mumbai. The important old Mumbai-Pune highway passes through Kalwa. The leading industrial product exported from this suburb is fuel filters for Ford Motor Corporation.

Climate

Thane's climate is almost the same as Mumbai's climate but slightly cooler.

History

The earliest evidence of Thane appears in the works of the Greek geographer, Ptolemy, who, in his writings (135 - 150 AD) refers to a place called Chersonesus, which, according to researches, is the area around Thane creek. The city crops up again in the Middle Ages and slabs and copper plates dating back to the period have been discovered in Thane. One of them, dug up from the foundations of Thane Fort in 1787, dated 1078 AD, is apparently a land grant from Arikesara Devaraja, sovereign of the city of Tagara, wherein he address the inhabitants of a city called Sri Sthanaka. Friar Jordanus, a great traveler, who visited the city between AD 1321 and 1324, describes it as being under a Muslim governor. He leaves a detailed sketch of early Christians in Thane and refers to the martyrdom of four Christian priests in the region, more than 200 years before the Portuguese ever set foot in India. The celebrated Ibn Batuta and Abul Feda, contemporaries of Friar Jordanus, also came here. They refer to Thane as Kukin Tana and speak of its fame as a port from which ships sailed to the gulf carrying a kind of cloth called 'Tanasi' which was produced in Thane. Duarte Barbosa, a noted traveler, described Thane by the name Tana Mayambu 25 years before the Portuguese conquest. He paints a vivid picture of the town as one of Moorish mosques and temples, with many pleasant gardens. The Portuguese came to Thane about 1530 and ruled for over 200 years till 1739. Thane was then known as Cacabe de Tana. Work on the Thane Fort began in 1730. The Marathas, who conquered Bassein and Thane in 1737 and 1739, held sway over the region till 1784, when the British captured the Fort and ruled Thane, then also called Tana. They made it the headquarters of the district administration with a district collector stationed in Thane.

The Thane Municipal Council was formed in 1863 when the city had a population of 9,000 people.

Economy

Thane is witnessing a gradual transition from being a manufacturing hub to an economy driven by services sector. The state government in general and MIDC in particular are also acting as a catalyst to boost this transition. The Wagle Estate MIDC is gradually becoming a major IT & ITES, services industry hub. The Ashar IT Park marks a key milestone towards achieving it.

Most of the global IT & ITES companies have started shifting focus and relocating to Thane on account of its cost efficiencies and highly skilled low attrition manpower. The IT parks are built using state-of-the-art technology, packed with all the ingredients comparable to any international IT park.

Get in

By plane

The nearest airport is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM ^IATA), Mumbai. Once you get off, you will need to take a taxi or hire a car. The distance to Thane is about 36 km (22 mi), the drive can take between 45 and 75 minutes depending on the traffic.

By taxi

Mumbai's taxis are allowed into Thane. The prepaid taxi service available at the airport is the recommended hassle-free way of getting to Thane. The fare you pay at the counter includes the toll you need to pay when you leave Mumbai.

By train

The best way to get to Thane from Mumbai using public transport is to take the local train service.

Although Andheri is the nearest railway station from the airport a better option would be to take an auto-rickshaw to Kurla or Ghatkopar station(both these stations fall on the central suburban line) and then board any suburban Northbound Local Suburban train (all local suburban trains halt at Thane) to Thane. You have the option to board a fast or a slow train. But the better option is to board Thane Local Train which ends at Thane station. Trains can be located by abbreviations for example T - Thane so any train with the T abbreviation on the Digital Train time display will end at Thane.

The auto-rikshaw ride to Kurla or Ghatkopar stations would cost a little more, about ₹60 to ₹70, compared with Andheri which will be about ₹40 to ₹50 but you would end up saving 1-1½ hour. An added benefit is that you get to board a direct train to Thane thus avoiding the change over at Dadar.

Another option if you are coming from the airport is, to take an auto-rickshaw to Andheri station which is served by the Western Railway and buy a ticket to Thane. You need to take a southbound train towards Churchgate and get off at Dadar (which is the interchange point) if possible avoid peak hour journey if you are new in Mumbai especially between 8 and 11AM or between 6 and 8PM, get on the Central Railway Line and then take a northbound train to Thane. This method is recommended only if you are adventurous at heart and are not carrying any luggage.

Thane is also well served by long-distance trains, many of which stop at Thane station en route Mumbai.

By car

Toll gate while entering Thane via Eastern express highway.

Two main roads enter the city from Mumbai. The older one is the Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg (commonly abbreviated as LBS Marg) and Eastern Express highway. Both of them are toll roads - the toll gate (called naaka) for the former is called Teen Hath Naka while that for the latter is called Check Naka. The toll at both the naakas is ₹30 one way which is somewhat unfair because there is a huge difference in the condition of the two roads.

LBS marg is invariably congested, encroached upon and potholed. It goes through the heart of Mumbai's Mumbai/Central Suburbs. The Eastern Express highway is wide, well-maintained and smooth. It goes through an uninhabited area where development is prohibited. Use this road to get in, even though the distance will be slightly more. The roads intersect at Marathon chowk ("Marathon square", because that's where the Thane Mayor's Marathon starts.). LBS Marg then goes right through the city, while the Eastern Express highway skirts it and turns into NH - 3 highway to Nashik and Agra.

By bus

There are very few BEST buses that go right up to Marathon Chowk (It is known as "Teen Haath naka")- 399 and 496 Ltd. Once you get off, catch a TMT bus or auto-rickshaw. From this spot Thane railway station is hardly 10-12 min walk if you go by following Gokhale Road, & auto should not cost more than ₹10-15.

BEST bus kinglong number 700 for Borivali, from Thane railway station east, frequency every 15 minutes. early bus 6AM last bus 11:30PM

Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) also called ST bus service from Thane railway station West frequency every 15 minutes.

BRTS Buses originate from Cadbury Junction for Backbay and Nehru Planetarium

Most private buses from various parts of the country will stop in Thane. Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses will ply from various parts of Maharashtra to Thane.

Thane Municipal Transport (TMT) commuters helpline number 1800-22-9901 to get information about TMT buses

By auto-rickshaw

Note that auto-rickshaws from Mumbai cannot enter Thane city limits. You will have to change over to another one at the toll-gate.

Get around

By car

Ram Maruti Road, Gokhale Road and LBS Marg are the important roads to criss-cross this area. The other important road is Ghodbunder Road which connects the eastern and western halves of the city and joins the Eastern Express Highway.

By bus

Thane Municipal Transport (TMT) runs a bus service through the city. Even Brihanmumbai (BMC) has started bus service in selected parts of the city

By auto-rickshaw

The most common way to get around in Thane is to hire an auto rickshaw. Payment is by meter. The amount to pay, however, is not the amount shown by the meter, but scaled up by a factor which changes whenever there is a rate adjustment. Check the tariff card for the right fare. Ensure Tariff card is stamped & signed by RTO. It is better still to know the approximate distance to destination and negotiate the charge lumpsum beforehand since the meters are invariably tampered with, e.g. Thane to Sion is 15-18 km and fair charge would be ₹130-140 (latest rate) but the meter will show ₹180-190. Thus fixing ₹140-150 before sitting saves you a lot of headache.

By taxi

If you are on a day trip from Mumbai, one of the options is to catch a taxi in Mumbai and use it to go around Thane city. You cannot flag down taxis in the city as you won't find any, but you can certainly hire one.

See

Masunda Lake

Upvan Lake

Yeoor Hills

• 1 Kalwa Naka. 24 hours daily. A historical landmark and historically a meetup place, still used as a meetup spot today. (updated Dec 2022)
• 2 Masunda Lake (Talavpali Lake). The lake is home to a small island with a Shiv temple on it and also a Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue behind it. It is one of the biggest lakes and ideal places to visit in Thane at night. This lake is situated just beside the famous drama theatre Gadkari Rangayatan. The lake also offers recreational activities like boating. Also, it offers people shops to buy fish (fish tanks) for home decoration. There are many restaurants and food stalls facing Talavpali Lake. (updated Jan 2020)
• 3 Shri Kopineshwar Mandir (near Talao Pali). It is one of the oldest temples in Thane. It was reconstructed by Chimajji Appa around 1750 AD. (updated Dec 2022)
• 4 St. John the Baptist Church (next to Masunda Lake). This church is over 400 years old. St. John the Baptist Church is adjacent to St. John the Baptist High School and Junior College. 
• 5 Upvan Lake (near Yeoor hills). It is known for hosting the Sanskruti Arts Festival. Here one can also view thousands of Ganpati idols which are brought here for immersion on the final day of Ganeshotsav. (updated Jun 2023)
• 6 Yeoor Hills (Mama Bhanja Hills). A group of picturesque hills within Sanjay Gandhi National Park. It is an unspoiled and pollution-free area, carpeted by natural foliage and fauna. Yeoor Hills is home to about 78 known species of birds and about 12 species of animals. Besides, it has the highest density of leopards in India. Access to the area is tightly controlled by the Forest Department, and no vehicles are permitted to enter after 20:00 hours. A trek through Yeoor Hills is an enchanting experience. The prime attraction here is the 150-year-old holy shrine of Mama Bhanja.  

Do

• 1 Dadoji Kondadev Stadium (SR Bhosle Krida Sankul Stadium). A sports stadium used mostly for training. Its main ground has been built for cricket with an in-built six-lane running track for athletes. The complex also includes 5 badminton courts, a gym, a table tennis hall, 2 squash courts, a billiards room, a rummy room, a hall, a bar room, and a canteen. (updated Jul 2023)
• 2 Suraj Water Park, SH 42, Dongripada, Thane West. 10AM–6PM. An excellent water recreation paradise which appeals to people belonging to all age groups. Spread over 11 acres. Suraj Water Park is definitely an ultimate and out-of-the-world source of entertainment. Adult ₹800; child according to height: from 3'5" to 4'5" ₹650, below 3'5" free. (updated Jul 2023)
• 3 Tikuji-Ni-Wadi, Tikuji-ni-wadi Rd (get to Ghodbunder Road towards Ghodbunder, turn left at Manpada village), ☏ +91 22 2494 1100, +91 22 2494 1101, +91 22 2494 1102, fax: +91 22 2495 0544. Daily 11AM-7PM; water park open 10AM-6PM. A popular destination for picnicking families, known for its watersports, go-karting and other rides you'd find at amusement parks. The go-karting track isn't very good though. Additionally, there is a Shiva temple and marriage halls as a part of the resort. The lunch is fabulous, though fully vegetarian. You will also need to buy lunch for ₹180 as you can't carry any edible stuff in from outside. ₹250 for entry and most rides, including in the water park (₹275 on weekends.). (updated Jul 2023)

Buy

The old shopping areas are the ever busy Ram Maruti Road and the Naupada road towards Thane Station. There you will find shops on the roadside. New malls are coming up on Ghodbunder Road and the Eastern Express highway. Prominent among them are:

• 1 Big Shopping Center, Sai Nagar, Anand Nagar, Thane West. 10AM to 10PM. Shopping mall (updated Oct 2019)
• 2 Eternity Mall, Teen Hath Naka, LBS Rd, Kashish Park, Thane West. 1030AM-9PM. (updated Oct 2019)
• 3 High Street Mall, Samata Nagar, Sainath Nagar, Majiwada. (Cinema Star -5 Screen Multiplex, Brand Factory ,Reebok, Rajdhani, Bata, Buckaroo, Catwalk, etc.) (updated Oct 2019)
• 4 Korum Mall, Eastern Express Hwy, Samata Nagar, Thane West, ☏ +91 22 4114 4444. 10AM-10PM. Spacious mall featuring more than 130 national and international retailers, a food court, and a game arcade. (updated Oct 2019)
• 5 R-Mall Thane (R City Mall), Ghodbunder Rd, Opp Lokim Company, Dokali Pada, Manpada, Thane West, ☏ +91 22 2589 9482. 10AM to 11PM. R-Mall Thane has brands like Croma, Central, and Pop Tates. 
• 6 Wonder Mall, Ghodbunder Rd Kapurbawdi, Thane West. 
• 7 Viviana Mall, Eastern Express Highway, On, Service Rd, Laxmi Nagar, Thane West. 11AM-10PM. Shopping mall with brand-name retailers and a food court, plus an arcade, multiplex and kids' play area. (updated Oct 2019)

Eat

• Amruta Restaurant, Naupada, near the Railway Station. Amazing Paav Bhaji. Will surely make you lick your fingers. 
• BBQ Nation, Eastern Express highway service road, near new RTO, Green Road. Famous for Veg and Non-Veg Grill. Very nice place to be with family. Good ambience. 
• Dilip Pani Puri, Vegetable Market, Kopri. Noon-11PM. Amazing Sindhi Pani Puri and chat. 
• Gopalashram at LBS marg. Serves liquor till 6AM. The food isn't that great but if you are hungry at 3AM, check the place out.
• Goras Upahar Gruh and Goras Gruha, Gokhale Road for authentic Marathi snacks and sweets.
• Hotel Amantran, 1st floor Opp Jilha Parishad (Near Congress Office). Famous for Maharashtrian food, spicy and tasty menus with very good service. 
• Hotel Sindhudurga Kinara, 5, Surekh Aminity Complex, Savarkar Nagar, Thane West (wagle estate), ☏ +91 25838265. ₹100-500. 
• Hotel Vijaydurg:Famous for Malvani food with delicious & spicy prawns, crabs, shell masala, malvani thali with fried pamphlet, bombil, halva etc. Solkadi to drink after food for digestion, at Majiwada before Flyover from station end.
• Indian Swad at LBS marg. Good food and serves liquor till 2AM. Serves Indian and Oriental cuisine.
• Kunjvihar, Near Thane railway station, Thane(W). A famous place for Jumbo (i.e. oversized) Vada-Paav, a typical Mumbaiya delicacy. You can have it either spicy or very spicy. ₹17.
• Mahesh Lunch Home, Phokran Rd 1 (cadbury junction). Famous for good sea food. Ideal place for non-veg lovers. Good ambience. 
• Mamledar Misal, opposite Zilla Parishad Office
• Maria Family Restaurant, Maria Plaza, Pokhran Rd 2, Thane (W), ☏ +91 21736461 - 65. Maria Family Restaurant is one of the best family restaurant in thane. It is located at Majiwada junction, Having ample space of valet parking. Hotel is especially for Chinese, Indian & Punjabi dishes. There is different kitchen for Veg & Non Veg Food, & main attraction of children i.e. huge Fish Tank. 
• Moni's Near Malhar Talkies while entering Naupada market. It is a wonderful restaurant with a play area for children and fish tanks everywhere. The sizzlers are good if not the best and you could try the Royal Chicken sizzler if you ever do go there. The door man is rather peppy and the parking is always available on the adjacent road.
• Oriental Spice, Shreeji Arcade, Almeda Rd, Panchpakhadi, +91 22 2539 4917, +91 22 2542 1111. Chinese restaurant.
• Panchali is a bar and a restaurant. It is open till wee hours and is a better option than Gopal Ashram
• Prashant corner Panchpakhadi thane (west) A great place to try chaats and stuff.
• R-Mall, Ghodbunder Rd. opened 
• Raj Mata, Ram Maruti road, Thane. Famous for scrumptious vada pav, samosa pav. Be a sport and try this one out, and for a moment forget the calorie counting.
• Royal Challenge, Eastern Express highway service road, Near Nitin company, Thane (W). Vegetarian restaurant and bar.
• Sheetal Grille, Royal Inn, Old Agra road, Thane(W) +91 22 2538 4422. Indian restaurant and bar.
• Spices and Sauces, Restaurant (Spices and Sauces Hotel United 21), LBS Marg, Gokul Nagar,, ☏ +91 22 4157 9999. Attached to hotel United 21, spices and sauces are located 1 km from Thane station. The best place to have Murg Khandari Kebab as certified by Kingfisher Explocity Great Food Guide. 
• Tip top, fast food joint - near the railway station. A great place to try chaats and stuff. ₹15-50.
• Tip top restaurant, L.B.S. Marg, Near Teen Hath Naka, Thane (W) (attached to Hotel Tip top) Great Gujarati/Rajasthani thali for ₹160. (Buffet for ₹110)
• Pepper Fry, A-2, Eastern Express Highway, Deep Jyoti Society, Bhakti Mandir, Panch Pakhdi, Thane West, ☏ +91 22 4153 5225. Pan-Asian fine dining. (updated Sep 2019)
• Vihang Orchid, restaurant - at Ghodbunder road opposite Wonder Mall. A Multi cuisine restaurant where you can enjoy the dhaba on terrace.
• Woodland restaurant, L.B.S. Marg, Near Teen Hath Naka, Thane (W) Best South Indian food at very reasonable price. Very good service and simple and nice ambience.
• 1 Gauri Palace, Pune - Mumbai Hwy, Kalwa West, Kharegaon, Kalwa, ☏ +91 2225395415. (updated May 2021)

In addition, there is a McDonald's close to the railway station, another McDonald's at the Lake City Mall, a Pizza hut at Paanch Pakadi area & Wonder mall (see Buy) and a Dominos near Paanch Pakadi area & Hiranandani Estate.

Drink

Some of the restaurants listed under Eat have bars where you can have a drink, but Thane is not a place known for its nightlife. The lower end bars tend to be sleazy, so you need to be careful.

• Amruta Restaurant, Naupada. Amazing Vegetarian food. Especially the awesome Pav bhaaji is sure to make to lick your fingers 
• Anytime (Coffee shop) (Anytime Coffee Shop, Hotel United 21), LBS Marg, Gokul Nagar, ☏ +91 22 4157 9999. 24. Can grab your cup of coffee at any time of the day. The only coffee shop which is open 24/7. 
• Cafe Coffee Day has two outlets here.
  • Desi Garbar, Shop No. 6 & 7, Akanksha Society, Panchpakadi, Thane(W)
  • Shop no 14,15, Ground Floor, Siddhachal Phase 4, Near Vasant Vihar, Pokhran Rd no 2, Thane(W).
• Green Guru (pure veg), near Karnavat Classes & behind Pushpak Hotel (near Thane station west). till 11PM. famous for paratha. ₹50. 
• Hotel Sindhudurga Kinara, 5 Surekh Aminity Complex, Savarkar Nagar, Thane Eest (near wagle), ☏ +91 2225806417. Malvani Food 
• Sundar Snacks Centre, nr Thane Station at a few minutes walk from Mcdonald's on Gokhale Rd opposite Variety Computer Shop. get best cutlets and South Indian snacks in Thane. You have to look for this one as it not facing road but inside a building entrance. ₹10-15. 
• Vijay Snacks, Gautam Arcade Kopri Colony, Thane (East) (near Mangala High School Thane East, 5 minutes walkable from Thane station). famous for its vada pav 

Sleep

There are many lodges near the railway station, but there is a lack of decent hotels.

• Hotel Royal Inn, Old Agra Rd (1 km from Thane station), ☏ +91 22 2538-5050, fax: +91 22 2538-4411, royalinn2@hotmail.com. The attached restaurant and bar Sheetal Grille serves Indian and Chinese. Has a couple of banquet halls. ₹2350-5000 + 10% luxury tax. 
• Hotel Sharanam, EEH Service Rd (opposite Ramkrishna Nagar), ☏ +91 22 2582-5225, fax: +91 22 2581-0305, info@hotelsharanam.com. Includes three restaurants Madhuban, Prakriti and Vardhana. Also has a banquet hall. ₹2500-3500 + taxes. 
• Hotel Tip top plaza, LBS Marg (Near Check Naka), ☏ +91 22 5593-5593, fax: +91 22 5593-5524, info@hoteltiptopplaza.in. Has one decent restaurant and many banquet halls with adequate conference facilities. ₹1700-3200 + taxes. 
• Satkar Residency, Pokhran Rd No. 1, Opp Sighania School (next to Cadbury Junction), ☏ +91 22 25985858. Has a restaurant. 
• United-21 (United-21), LBS Marg, Gokul Nagar (1 km from Thane station), ☏ +91 22 4157 9999. Four-star hotel with Wi-Fi connection and electronic safe facilities. Rooms for physically challenged persons are also available. ₹6500+taxes. 
• Vihang's Inn, Ghobunder Rd, ☏ +91 22 25842031 - 38, vihangsales@gmail.com, vihangkuberhospitality@yahoo.comMULTIPLE-EMAIL. Just over a year old, this hotel serves 32 rooms. 
• Hotel Alka Residency (Hotel Alka), Thane Station Rd (opposite Ashok Cinema), ☏ +91 9833375143, info@hotelalka.co.in. Hotel Alka has a multi-cuisine restaurant. (updated Jun 2020)

Go next

• Mumbai
• Navi Mumbai
• Vasai-Virar has some nice beaches, and an old fort built by the Portuguese.
• Ganeshpuri, near Bhivandi (Kalyan) has hot springs, a temple and an ashram of Swami Nityanand.