Vasai, Historical coastal town in Palghar district, Maharashtra, India
Vasai is a coastal settlement on the Arabian Sea shore north of Mumbai in Maharashtra. The area spreads across flat terrain with several waterways, fields and small harbors along the waterfront.
The Portuguese took control during the 16th century and built a fort that became a trading post. The Marathas captured the settlement in the 18th century and changed its role along the western Indian coast.
Artisans across the area still operate looms and weave fabrics by hand, while salt pans near the shore have been worked for centuries. Fishers return to the beaches each day with their catch, selling directly at local markets that open early and draw buyers from nearby villages.
The Vasai Road railway station offers regular train connections to larger cities and nearby local destinations. Visitors will find older neighborhoods and ruins in the western part, while the eastern section is mainly industrial.
Thousands of small manufacturing units operate in the eastern part of town, turning the area into an industrial zone. This shift has reshaped the landscape and created new work opportunities for people from surrounding areas.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
