Dombivli

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Dombivli
—  suburb  —
Dombivli
Coordinates: 19°13′06″N 73°05′12″E / 19.218433°N 73.086718°E / 19.218433; 73.086718Coordinates: 19°13′06″N 73°05′12″E / 19.218433°N 73.086718°E / 19.218433; 73.086718
Country	India
State	Maharashtra
District	Thane
Government
• Body	Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation
• Mayor	Vaijayanti Gholap
• Municipal Commissioner	Ramnath Sonawane
Population (2011)
• Total	12,46,381
Languages
• Official	Marathi
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	421 201 to 421 206
Telephone code	0251
Vehicle registration	MH-05 [Kalyan RTO]

Dombivli, an important town in Thane district, Kalyan taluka is located about 50 km from Mumbai. Thane, the nearest city, is only about 20 km away. The population of the twin city Kalyan-Dombivli, per 2011 census counted 12,46,381 (52% males and 48% females). Dombivli is renowned for its Marathi culture and continually high literacy rates.

History [edit]

Dombivli's history dates back to a very ancient period. In the year 1075, King Harpal Dev referred to Dombivli on stone inscriptions, which were situated in Mahul village, near the Turbhe port. Dombivli has been in existence for over eight centuries.

The stone writings referring to its existence in the years 1396-97 still exist in Dombivli. The Portuguese stationed themselves at several places when they came to Dombivli. Existence of Dombivli can also be traced back approximately in the year 1730 during the Peshwa rule. In the 19th century, farmers cultivated paddy and sold it in the areas from Kalyan to Mumbai.

Dombivli was surrounded by the ruins of the following villages.

1. To the west - Chole village (Thakurli West)
2. To the east - Ayre village
3. To the south - Patharli village
4. To the north - Thakurli East

In the year 1880, the first person who settled down in Kopargaon near Dombivli was late Shri-Narayan Atmaram Patkar. With his two ships, he used to trade in rice and other commodities through the Kalyan Creek.

Government [edit]

On October 1, 1983, Dombivli municipal council was merged with that of neighbouring Kalyan, to form a new governing body, Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC).

Demographics and Culture [edit]

The population of Dombivli has over the years been subject to dynamic influences. The suburb's population is predominantly Maharashtrians but people from all over the country have made Dombivli their new home. Significant number of people from states of Kerala, West Bengal, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab regions are to be found here. The religious makeup of Dombivli is mostly Hindu. The Muslim, Sikh and Christian communities are also present in significant numbers.

One of the significant cultural events of Dombivli is the Navavarsha Swagat Shobha Yatra that started in the suburb in late 1990s. This procession is organised on the first day of the Hindu new year popularly known as 'Gudhi Padwa'. The culture of organizing a Navavarsha Swagat Shobha Yatra is now been actively replicated across the state in major cities like Thane, Pune and Nashik.

Apart from the Navavarsh Swagat Shobha Yatra, Dombivli has an actively maintained a mixed culture with people celebrating almost every festival from Diwali to Ganeshotsav to Dandiya Raas to Christmas.

Ganesh Mandir, Khidkali Shiva Mandir, Venkateshwara (Balaji) Mandir, Bhavani Mandir and Shani Dhaam (Prati Shani-Shinganapur) are some of the most prominent religious places. The Ganesh Mandir serves as a place of worship to many Dombivlikars and witnesses a huge crowd during all the major Hindu festivals.

The town of Dombivli is rich in local culture, history and religion. Visitors to this town will be able to find a good number of cultural places to visit. Here are some of the things you shouldn't miss out on when visiting Dombivli.

Gudhi Padwa Celebration - Dombivli's main population consists of Maharashtrians. Gudhi Padwa is a festival celebrated in March or April, to mark the beginning of the new year according to the Hindu calendar. The best place to view this celebration has got to be the Ganesh Mandir, which interestingly began celebrating this festival. Even if you cannot make it in time for the festival, you can always visit the temple, which happens to be one of the most famous temples in the whole of Dombivli.

Shri Mayureshwar Temple - This temple is one of the newer temples to be constructed in the town of Dombivli. One can expect a feeling of bliss and peace when paying respects in the Shri Mayureshwar temple. It is also architecturally beautiful to see.

Phadke Road - This is the heart of Dombivali. It is one stretch road from Ganapati Temple to Dombivali Railway Station. It is a must watch place during major Hindu Festivals. Main events, Gudi Padva, Dussehra, Ganapati, Diwali, New Year eve. It is said that people from Ghatkopar till Ulhasnagar are found here during festivals.

Dombivli in the Guinness Book of World Records [edit]

More than 3,600 women came together at the 'Mumbai Pooram festival' at Dombivli (East) to create a world record for the largest ever performance in the world. A team from the Guinness Book of World Records was at the venue to record the feat. The dance performed was Kaikott kali, which is the dance performed by Keralite women for Onam.They dance around a rangoli made with flowers.

Economy [edit]

The industrial part of this place has a number of factories manufacturing dyes, paints, and industrial / agricultural chemicals. Heavy metal factories manufacturing a wide variety of equipment are also based in this region. A few nationally prominent industrial establishments that have manufacturing plants in Dombivli are Gharda Chemicals, Vicco Labs, Lloyd Steel and Deepak Fertilizers. The suburb has three railway stations under its jurisdiction: Dombivli, Thakurli and Kopar, upper Kopar railway station (used by Diva-Vasai and Panvel-Dahanu-Boisar trains).

There are a number of tycoons in infrastructure industry attracted towards Dombivli. There are many mega residential complex situated in Dombivli, some of them are Regency Estate, Shankeshwar Nagar, Lodha Regency, Lodha Heritage, Casa Bella, Casa Rio, Casa Rio Gold etc.

Transportation [edit]

Train: Dombivli is on the central line of the Mumbai suburban railway network. It is also one of most crowded railway stations during peak hours on the central line. Though none of the long journey express trains halt at this station but well connected Mumbai (CST) - Kalyan line helps you to catch those long journey trains at Thane or Kalyan.

Bus: Dombivli is connected by state highway to Panvel and Kalyan. Municipal corporation provides local bus service KDMT within city. NMMT buses are available from Dombivli to Navi Mumbai.

NMMT Routes in Dombivli

History [edit]

"Dombivli Shaharacha Itihaas", the History of Dombivli suburb was twice biographed. Once in late 1950 and recently in 2000. It is believed that The Name Dombivli is derived from its inhabitants. The "Dombs" or the ones who actually perform after death cremation of Hindus on the pyre. Since Kalyan was the place in the history Dombivli was supposed to be the outskirt of erstwhile Kalyan.

The locals popularly known as "Bhoomi putras" or the sons of the soil are from the Agri and Koli Community. Agris are those who owned or own paddy fields and salt pans, where-as Kolis, the fishing community ruled the seas.

See also [edit]

• Snehal Gaware Murder

References [edit]

External links [edit]

• Local Government site