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Bhiwandi, the city of power looms, is located just 25 miles from the financial capital of India, Mumbai. The city located in the coastal low lying plains of Konkan is virtually encircled by thin creeks leading to the Arabian Sea. Bhiwandi is developing into a major industrial hub in the State of Maharashtra. The proximity to Mumbai and location on major highways, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad and Mumbai-Nasik highway has given it an obvious advantage. Bhiwandi is bordering the cities of Thane and Kalyan, two important industrial cities of Maharashtra. The city has acquired the tag of a major industrial city of the State of Maharashtra with its textile mills. The city of Kolis was known by the name Kolwan. The tribal people of the region of Konkan were called Kolis and they are traditional fishermen. Some of the traditional wooden fishing boats can be seen even today in the Bhiwandi area. The Kolis have their own customs and speak a different dialect of Marathi. The regions North of Mumbai especially Versova have the maximum concentration of the traditional fishing community. The word Mumbai has been coined from the Koli Goddess Mumba; who rules all the waters. The city was a major port in olden times; cotton, rice, salt, oil seeds were the major exports from the port. Bhiwandi a city of about half a million in 2001 will be doubled by the end of 2007 as per the estimates of the Government. The bulk of the population forms the workforce for a number of textile and other industry. The first textile loom was setup by Khan Saheb Samad Seth in 1927. Today the city of Bhiwandi has about half a million power looms, though handlooms are few in number. No wonder Bhiwandi is the city of looms. Bhiwandi is not just textile and industry. The ample availability of low cost land on the outskirts of the city propelled the growth of theme and water parks. The Shangrila Resort and Water Park, the Great Escape Water Park, Vajreshwari Temple are few of the places of choice for Mumbaikers for a great weekend and healthy activity. The Pushkar Mela of Bhiwandi is the celebration time for most of the rural folk and Varhad Lake is the major get away for the city working population. The city is also famous for jewelers and one can find exotic designs in traditional silver and gold ornaments. But be a little careful with fakes. The city climate is hot tropical with above hundred degree heat in summers and high humidity. The winter period of October to April is the best to visit Bhiwandi. However the temperature is moderate through out the year but the proximity to the sea and high humidity would play spoil sport in outdoor activity. The people are friendly and quite accustomed to foreigners. It is a truly multi lingual city with Marathi, Konkani, Gujarati, Hindi and Urdu languages spoken and understood in various parts of the city. English is generally understood in the city limits only; you may need a guide if you intend visiting Koli fishing communities. The population is primarily Hindus with a sizeable percentage of Muslims and Christians also. The political stronghold of Shiv Sena in the region has fomented a Hindu jingoism. The city has experienced worst kind of religious riots in 1970s, 80s and post Godhra era. |
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