Palghar


title: "Palghar" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["palghar", "cities-and-towns-in-palghar-district"] topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palghar" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
namePalghar
settlement_typeTown
image_skyline{{multiple image
borderinfobox
total_width270
perrow1/2/2
image5Sunset at Dahanu Beach, Dahanu - panoramio.jpg
image6Kelwa beach , Palghar , Maharashtra , India.jpeg
image1Vajreshwari Vogini Mandir, Maharashtra - panoramio (30).jpg
image3Dahbosa Waterfalls.jpg
image2Vajreshwari Temple.jpg
image4Tandulwadi fort.jpg
image_captionVajreshwari Temple, Dahbosa Waterfall, Tandulwadi Fort, Dahanu Beach, Kelwa Beach
image_map
map_captionPalghar in Maharashtra
coordinates
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_nameIND India
subdivision_type1State
subdivision_type2District
subdivision_name1Maharashtra
subdivision_name2Palghar
established_title
government_typeMunicipal Council
governing_bodyPalghar Municipal Council (PMC)
leader_titleMember of Parliament
leader_nameHemant Savara, BJP
leader_title1MLA
leader_name1Shrinivas Vanga, (Shivsena)
unit_prefMetric
area_total_km24696.99
elevation_m7
population_total68931
population_as_of2011
population_density_km2auto
demographics_type1Languages
demographics1_title1Official
timezone1IST
utc_offset1+5:30
postal_code_typePIN
postal_code401404
area_code02525
area_code_typeTelephone code
registration_plateMH-48
websitehttps://palghar.gov.in/
demographics1_info1Marathi
::

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| area_code = 02525 | area_code_type = Telephone code | registration_plate = MH-48 | website = https://palghar.gov.in/ | footnotes = | demographics1_info1 = Marathi | official_name =

Palghar () is a prominent town in the Konkan division of Maharashtra state, India, and a municipal council. It is strategically located within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, and has been the administrative capital of the Palghar district since 2014. Palghar plays a crucial role in Western Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway in the busy Mumbai-Ahmedabad rail corridor. The town is located approximately 87 kilometers north of Mumbai, about 35 kilometers north of Virar, and about 24 kilometers west of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway at Manor. Palghar is located in western part of Maharastra.Mumbai is approximately 50 km from Palghar.

History

Palghar has a history intertwined with the ancient district of Thane. The tehsils of Jawhar, Vasai, and Palghar are known for their rich historical legacy.

Palghar also played a crucial role in the Quit India Movement of 1942, where it was one of the important points in the Chale Jao Movement.

Demographics

At the 2011 census of India, Palghar had a population of 68,930. Males numbered 36,523 (52.9%) and females 32,407 (47.1%). The literacy rate was 77.52%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; male literacy was 81.2% and female literacy 73.35%. 11.8% of the population was under 6 years of age.

Marathi is the most widely spoken language with Varli, Vadvali and Vanjari dialects. Followed by Gujarati spoken by a sizeable Gujarati and Muslim population.

Palghar has an urban population of 33,086, thus about 48% of the total population lives in the urbanized area.

|title=Religion in Palghar (2011) |titlebar=#Fcd116 |left1=Religion |right1=Percent |float=right |bars=

Culture

Various communities inhabit Palghar, with the predominant castes being the Kunbi, Mangela, Vaity, Macchimar, Bhandari, Warli (Adivasi), Katkari, Malhar Koli, Vanjari, Vadval, and Mali (Sorathi).

The Vanjaris are a nomadic tribe with origins in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. Their language is distinct from standard Marathi, with significant influences from Rajasthani and Gujarati.

The Vadval community is the most numerous in Palghar. They are believed to be descendants of the Yadava dynasty of Devagiri, who settled in the region. The Vadvals are unique, as one of the few Marathi-speaking communities belonging to the Kshatriya varna but not part of the traditional 96-clan (96-Kuli) Maratha caste.

The Warli painting and the renowned Tarpa dance highlight the artistic contributions of the Warli community. Warli art has a history stretching back over a millennium and is celebrated internationally. The Warlis are considered some of the earliest settlers in the region, and their culture has significantly influenced the subsequent cultures in and around Palghar.

The Koli (fishermen) community of Palghar is a testament to the city's connection with the Arabian Sea. Fishing forms a significant part of Palghar's trade and diet and plays a crucial role in cultural events. The Kolis are further divided into subcastes such as Vaity, Mangela, and Bari.

Art, crafts and tourism

Tourist attractions in the district include:

Economy

The economy of Palghar is primarily driven by the primary and tertiary sectors. As the administrative seat of the Taluka and District, Palghar hosts numerous government offices, providing employment opportunities to many residents.

Agriculture, Animal husbandry, dairy farming, and fisheries are extensively practiced in the rural areas surrounding the city, playing a significant role in fueling the local economy. The region is known for its production of rice, fruits, and dairy products.

Historically, Palghar was notorious for wood smuggling in the post-independence era. This illicit activity has been largely curbed due to stringent measures by the Forest Department and local police. Additionally, the region's secluded beaches were once favored by smugglers who used them to offload goods and transport them to Mumbai by road to evade customs.

Transport

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/Palghar_railway_station_-_entrance.jpg" caption="Palghar railway station"] ::

Palghar is well connected via road and rail transport. The town serves as a divisional head of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), providing direct connectivity to several towns across Maharashtra and Gujarat, including Surat, Vapi, Valsad, Vadodara, Bharuch, Ankleshwar, Anand, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Miraj, Sangli, Pune, Vaduj, Thane, Ulhasnagar, Bhiwandi, Aurangabad, Ahmednagar, Kalyan, Alibag, Nandurbar, Bhusaval, Shirdi, and Nashik.

The Palghar railway station is a significant stop on the Western Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway and the Ahmedabad–Mumbai main line. In addition to Shuttle/MEMU/EMU (local trains) services, many long-distance trains also halt at this station.

Sports

Cricket is the most popular sport in Palghar. Local tournaments are held at various locations in the district.

References

References

  1. "Maharashtra By-Election: Shiv Sena Retains Palghar Assembly Seat". NDTV.
  2. "Palghar District".
  3. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  4. "Palghar Population 2011".
  5. Desai, Meera. (2009). "The Vanjaris: A Study of Their Socio-Cultural Identity". Raj Publications.
  6. "The Vadval Community of Palghar".
  7. Chaudhary, Santosh. (2023). "Warli Art: A Millennium of Tradition". Art and Culture Journal.
  8. Patil, Rajendra. (2018). "The Maritime Traditions of Kolis in Palghar". Coastal Heritage Publishers.
  9. "Palghar District".
  10. Patel, Ravindra. (2017). "Agricultural Practices in Palghar District". Rural Development Publications.
  11. (2020-11-15). "How Palghar Curbed Wood Smuggling". The Hindu.
  12. "MSRTC Palghar Division".
  13. "Palghar Railway Station".
  14. "Shardul Thakur Profile". ESPNcricinfo.

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palgharcities-and-towns-in-palghar-district