My Heritage Chronicles

The first thought that comes to mind when thinking about Kalbadevi area of Mumbai is the busy and bustling road throughout the day. The area is known for traders of bicycles and secondhand books, then there is "dawa bazaar" for everything related to medicines including equipment's at Princess street, another nearby hub is "electric bazaar" on Lohar chawl road, It is also hot-spot of textile markets and readmade garments. But earlier Kalbadevi was also known as a residential area and formed part of "native town" as British called it. It was the unplanned settlement outside the walled Fort area and got its name from the temple of goddess Kalbadevi. With increase in real estate prices in late 19th century, More and more people opted to sell their houses and move in Northern suburbs of Mumbai but even today there still exist pockets of residential areas in cross lanes and in nearby neighbourhoods. Kalbadevi road stretches from opposite Metro talkies to

Not many would be aware that history of Vasai or Bassein dates back to Treta Yuga, It is said that Lord Parshuram created the land from the sea right from Vasai to the coast of Kerala. He is said to have built Vimaleshwar Mahadev temple and Vimala Sarovar, He established 64 Yoginis in and around Vasai and since these Yoginis were followers of his mother Goddess Renuka, He also established 108 Teertha Kundas or Pushkarinis in Vasai. This is quoted in " Holy Edict Skanda Purana and Padma Purana". H.H.Shankaracharya of Puri Peetham (He was the 5th Shankaracharya) - Swami Vidyaranya arrived in Vasai and took Mahasamadhi at Nirmal Vimaleshwar Mandir in 404 BC. Emperor Jaluk who was son of Ashoka built a big samadhi mandir as per Orissa architecture. This temple was rebuilt by Chimaji Appa and is one of the most beautiful and serene places in Nirmal village. It is also said that 7th Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Puri Govardhan Peetham named Swami Padmanabha Tirtha to have arriv