My Heritage Chronicles

Some 60 kms to the east of Mumbai lies a satellite suburb of Ambernath, The name Ambernath literally means The Lord of the Sky. To many it's just a stop on the way to Karjat but some 2 kms from the station on the banks of Vadavan (Waldhuni) river lies a 11th century masterpiece - Ambreshwar Shivalaya.  History: Shivalaya also known locally as "Puratana Shivalaya" is said to be built in 1060 AD by Shilahara King Chhittaraja and completed / rebuilt by his son Mummuni. This is mentioned in the inscription engraved on the northern porch lintel of the temple. Historical records shows that this is the oldest existing temple built in Bhumija style of architecture which is popular in temples of western India, Northern Deccan and Malwa regions of India. If one has to believe in legendary tales than the temple was built by Pandavas from a single mass of stone in one single night.  Local excavations shows that Ambernath was populated as early as 200 BC and was kn...

For a person living in city or suburbs of Mumbai, Panvel is and has always been a node of Navi Mumbai city. A planned urbanised part of Mumbai Metropolitan Region. When Navi Mumbai was developed as a complete self contained township across the harbour of Mumbai, Panvel became part of the development project. But deep inside this planned city lies the treasure trove heritage - a legacy of old Panvel which dates back at least couple of centuries. Panvel city once was known as Panwell as well as Paneli and it flourished around land and sea route under Mughal's, Marathas, later Portuguese played their part and then came the Britishers. And this can be seen in the architecture of settlements which is influenced by Peshwa / Marathas, Konkani & colonial styles. Old Panvel has been around since 300 years and was primarily known for its rice market. Once a cluster of 153 small villages, Panvel has been a melting pot of different cultures and communities like Agri's, Koli...