getting to Arnala by car?

Question

Hi, can anyone help me by giving detail route of a drive from Borivali to Arnala?

Answer 1

From wherever u r in Borivli, please get on to the Western Express Highway (NH8), also popularly known as Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway. It's on the eastern side of the railway lines. You will probably join the highway bang in front of National Park entrance gate.

Continue on the highway. First landmark will be Octroi and Toll naka while going out of Mumbai city.

Next will be Kashimira naka. Here a road will go towards Bhayander on ur left side. Don't turn and keep continue straight.

Next landmark will be Bhayander creek bridge. Keep on ahead.

Next will be Kaman phata on ur right side and a petrol pump on ur right. Keep going ahead and no turns.

Next will be a barren vasai naka on ur left. Just ahead u may see a petrol pump on ur right side, if there's no traffic.

Next will a crowded vasai naka. Keep going on the highway.

Next will be Pelhar phata also known as Nalasopara phata on ur left and few hotels on ur right. There's a small police chowky on ur left. Keep continuing.

Next will be a fairly deserted left turn to the Virar station. Take this turn to reach Arnala. If u miss this turn, you will see KT resorts on ur right after about a kilometre. Come back. Else u will reach a highway toll naka.

After turning on Virar phata, do not take any turns till u enter the Virar city areas. While entering the Virar city, u will notice 2 water tanks on a small hill on ur right. Ask for railway crossing there or keep continuing and take the first right turn. This will take u to Naringi railway crossing. Cross over and continue till u reach agashi road, a busy road in Virar city. On this road (towards west), please continue. You will have to cross following villages till u reach Arnala. These are : Bolinj (after 1 km of Bolinj, there will come a deserted diversion, take right turn.), Agashi, Cross Naka et al. And finally u will reach Arnala. Arnala is about 10 kms from Virar station. Virar station is about 10 kms from highway phata.

There are several resorts and hotels in Arnala. One with quality food and nice surroundings with cottages etc is Cbeach Resorts. You can visit their website cbeachresort.com. Venturing in Arnala sea is bit of a risky thing. (All seas are generally risk situations, but please heed to the local people's suggestions. They know better about the danger spots and tide times.)

ENJOY.

Answer 2

Arnala is a small fishing village about 17 kms from Virar. The Arnala fort is on a small island. The island houses a village, fort and a private resort.
A mosque and a temple peacefully co-exists inside, without any qualms. The watch tower at the tip of the island, is a source of mysterious stories.
Reaching there: One can reach Virar by road as well as the Western Railway. State buses ply between Virar and Arnala. One can also catch a rickshaw from Virar to Arnala.

History
The fort was originally constructed in 1516 by a local chieftain of Gujarat, Sultan Mahmud Begda. In 1530s, the Portuguese, after establishing at Bassein (Vasai), conquered this fort, started reconstruction and named it as Ilhas das vocas. The Portuguese retained control of the fort for over 2 centuries.
In 1737, Chimaji Appa, brother of Baji Rao I, took control of Bassein fort in a battle, the Battle of Vasai. Soon after this, Shankarji Pant, Chimaji's general persuaded him to take on Portuguese to get Arnala Fort. The first attack was routed by Portuguese' naval force. Soon it was followed by a second assualt, which took Portuguese by surprise and they lost control of the fort. Marathas controlled the fort till 1817, when they were attacked by British and forced to surrender.

Information courtesy: www.Wikipedia.org

posted by Monsoon @ 9:30 AM 1 comments
Sunday, May 14, 2006

An areal view of the island. Photo courtesy: www.wikipedia.org