At the outskirts of Mumbai, the city of Thane and rural part of Thane and Palghar districts begin. Thane is very special as it is home of Aadiwasi communities of Maharashtra, who are as name suggests the original residents of Maharashtra.Thane district spreads across 4214 sqkm. Thane comprises of Vasai, Bhiwandi, thane city, Kalyan, Shahapur , Murbad, Kalyan, UlhasNagar and Ambarnath while Palghar comprises of Talasari, MOkhada, Javhar, Dahanu, Vikramgad and Wada mostly the Adivasi Residence belt. The two districts were divided on 1st August 2014.

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Thane was ruled by Maurya and Shilahar dynasties in ancient times. It was known as 'Aprant'. King Bimb ruled Thane and had army post at this place. Portuguese taken over this place but was won over by Maratha's thanks to the heroics of Chimaji Appa, brother of Bajirao Peshwa in the battle of Vasai Fort. In 1784 Britishers won it again from Maratha's and retained till India gained Independence.   

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Thane and Palghar has Six Municipal councils, highest in the State. While Thane city is becoming hot destination for residence, Business hub and IT sector, the other parts of Thane like Bhiwandi, Kalyan are famous for Industrial belts. 

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The Districts find original habitat of Adiwasis in Maharashtra-Thakur, Dhondiya, Warli, Katkari, Dubala, Malhar Koli, Mahadev Kolui, Bhilla, Kathodi. 

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Demography of Thane

4214 Sq Km  comprises of 7 Talukas and 6 Municipal Corporations and 4 Administrative areas. 

Population: 81,31,849   male: 43,77,747  Female: 37,54,102 Literacy: 87.24% Density: 1925 Gender Ratio: 886

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Tourism

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Temples:                                                                            Forts:

1. Siddhivinayak Mahaganpati : Titwala                         1. Ballalgad                  5. Palasdurg             10. Chanderi

2. Haji Malanggad: Kalyan                                                2.Balwantgad              6. Vajrgad                  11. Ajobagad

3. Temple of Shiva, Ambarnath                                       3. Mahuli                      7. KamanDurg

4. Vajreshwari, thane.                                                       4. Bhandardurg          8. Malanggad

                                                                                                                                  9. Durgadi

Thane and Palghar are humid and hot. Humidity rises as you travel from sea to the middle of Thane. Thane and Palghar also enjoy good rains. 

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District has three major dams: i) Modaksagar on Vaitarna River which is the lifeline of Mumbai and Thane cities as these mega cities drink water from Modaksagar, ii) Tansa on Tansa river which is more famous for electricity generation project and

iii) Bhatsa on Bhatsai River.  Waitarna river originates in Trambkeshwar in Nashik and flows East-west in Thane to meet the Arabean Sea in Palghar District. Tansa is subriver of Vaitarna. Ulhas is another important river originates near Borghat in Sahyadri ranges. Dasuri is river which has diverted due to Sashti island. Its first diversion meets Arabian sea while other meets to Vasai Creek. Kalu, Bhatsai nad Barwi are sub-rivers of Tansa. This River System has made the land of thane fertile with black soil. Rice, Wari and Kulith are major crops. Land is also fertile for horticulture and horticulture. 

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Fisheries is another major occupation due to vicinity to the sea. Thane and Kalyan are known for Besalt mines and Ghodbandar for Sand. Bhiwandi is known for Textile businesses and Warehousing. Kalyan and Ulhasngar are famous for small industries and heavy industries. 

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Thane has been naturally gifted with beauty: Sahyadri hill range at one side and Sea at the other. Its vicinity to Sahyadri hills

give it dense forest cover (40%) which is natural habitat for diversity including famous wild life sanctuary, and 11 forts as listed above. There is enough open land where various adventure sports and trekking is carried specially in Murbad and Kalyan region. Wada, Vikramgad and Jawhar are known for Adivasi residence and thus one can enjoy life of the Adiwasi and also the hill station at Wada. 

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Mumbai Agra NH3, Mumbai-Ahmdabad NH8 and Mumbai-Banglore NH4 are National Highways while Bhiwandi Thane and Murbad-Thane are State highways.

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Siddhivinayak Temple of Titwala was built by Chimaji Appa after his Vasai victory and is famous among 8 Ganpati Temples in Maharashtra.  There was Ashrwam of Rishi Kanva here in ancient times. Hajimalang is the pilgrim of a Muslim priest on Malanggad Fort (which was built by Shilahar kings). Importantly, the pilgrim is worshiped till date by Hindus. There is also a famous ancient Temple of Shiva built by Shilahar King Chitraraja in the 10th Century. The temle is known for its beautiful structure and Designs. Vajreshwari of Bhiwandi is famous for Vajreshwari Temple and naturally hot water kundas. 

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Bhandardurg Fort is near Aasangaon Railway Station in Shahapur Taluka. It was own by Shivaji Maharaj later. Dugadi fort has its won importance as it was built by Shivaji Maharaj after he started Maratha Navy in Kalyan n 1656. 

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