Kandivali

Kandivali or Kandivli (Marathi कांदिवली) is the name of a suburb of Mumbai, India. It is also the name of the railway station in Kandivali suburb, on the Mumbai suburban railway, on the Western Railway (India) line.

History

Artfacts found near Kandivali indicate that the region was inhabited since the Stone Age. The township was semi-rural up to the 1980s, with agricultural land, hutments and villages. With the real estate boom in the 1980s and 1990s, many residential projects started to shift northward. The area has also witnessed the highest appreciation in land value in Mumbai. It is now considered a posh residential location of western suburbs of Mumbai with a number of upmarket constructions and complexes. Bus and trains run through the community.

Demographics

The original inhabitants are the Maharastrian, the East Indian Catholic community who reside at Kandivali village, there is a community of SKP (Somovanshi Kshatriya Pathare) who are originally from mumbai residing in Kandivali village, this community own properties, land in this area, Koli (fishermen) who reside in the Charkop village. Now Kandivali (West) is a stronghold of Gujaratis and Kandivali (East) being cosmopolitan with Maharashtrians, Gujaratis, etc. It is one of the densely populated suburbs in Mumbai.

Divisions

Western suburban railway line divides area in two parts as Kandivali (West) and Kandivali (East). The Kandivali railway station was built 100 years ago in 1907, then known as Khandolee. The station probably derived its name from the Marathi word "Khaan" meaning mine. The area around Western Express between Malad and Kandivali had numerous stone quarries and was once famous for Malad Stone. Many heritage buildings in Mumbai were constructed with Malad stone between 1860 and 1930, notable among them are David Sasson library, Bombay House, Western Railway building at Churchgate.

Kandivali (West)

Kandivali (West) includes village (gaon), M.G. Road, Kamla Nagar, Mathuradas Road, Shanker Lane, Parekh Nagar, Dahanukar Wadi, Mahavir Nagar, Patel Nagar, Poisar, Ganesh Nagar, Irani wadi, Ekta Nagar and Charkop. It is a beautiful place and a cosmopolitan area. The oldest place in Kandivali is Kandivali Village ("Gaon") which comprised of more than 5 families Mostly Pachkalshi's in 1800s. It developed a lot in 1900s. The Kandivali village is surrounded by all the basic amenities. It has a school, a college, a market, a temple, a hospital. The Kandivali railway station is just 10 minutes walking distance from this place.

There is a famous Masjid built in around the village area. The Kandivali village is one of the Old East Indian villages of Mumbai. It originally consisted of the Catholic [East Indian Community] families (such as the Mirandas, Mendes, Daniels, Rodrigues) and the Maharashtrian families (such as the Patils, Mhatre's, Joshis ). Also there is a beautiful church "Our Lady of Assumption Church" in the same area, which is one of the oldest churches of Mumbai, There is a famous Shankar Mandir in Kandivali village where there is a pond in which Lord Ganesha immersion is done well managed by a youngstar Krida Mandal , The area surrounding the Mandir is proper Kandivali village where localities stay they have own places which these days are converted to storied aparments , people staying when move out miss all the this, just beside village there is a bohra colony where a bohri Muslim community stay there are very peace loving people all business class and well educated the are in good terms with surrounding Maharastrian , There is a famous swimming pool in Kandivali which was built in 1965. It was a famous hotspot for youngsters in vacations. The M.G Road in Kandivali (West) has the famous Kala Hanuman temple which is visited by hundreds of devotees every day. Kandivali is also famous for 56 years old Shreeji Temple (Girirajji ni Haveli) on Mathuradas Road that was built by Kashibai Govindji Mandani in 1952 and is at present being taken care of by Nagardas Sunderji Dholakia & his three sons Ramesh, Kirti & Girish Dholakia. Today more than 5000 people visit this temple every month.

Kandivali was under British when they ruled India. Kandivali as it is all known was first called Candolim or candol by the British, and its neighbouring village was Poisar and Orlem . The Dhanukar river flowed from National Park through Kandivali, today it is just a "Nalla". They had their base in one of the older and first schools of Kandivali St. Joseph High School. Narvane Vidyalay, The families in 1800s did not work. They were landlords of the land of entire Kandivali

Other notable places in Kandivali (West) are Shankar Lane, Dahanukar Wadi, Kamala Nagar, Mahavir Nagar, Saibaba Nagar etc. Charkop is fast developing as a cosmopolitan area.

hankar Lane

This lane is named after the Shankar Mandir Located in the Lane. The residents of the lane are Gujaratis and Jains. The Shankar Lane has many Jain Temples located as well. It is the end of Kandivali and start of Malad. The property prices are high compared to the rest of Kandivali as it connects Kandivali with Linking Road and because of its vicinity to the station. This neighborhood has a mix of residential and commercial properties.

Majithia Haveli at S V Road, Food Stall and Majithia Nagar

There is one big haveli called as Majithia Haveli located at S V Road. and also one more Shree Goverdhannathgini Haveli behind Shoppers Stop.The Majithia Haveli has been a symbol of resurgence of Kandivali from one time small residential locality to the new young and dynamics of the society.Next to Majithia Haveli is Majithia Nagar which has been known for its Ganpati and Navratri.

Kamala Nagar, Patel Nagar and JP Buildings

Kamala Nagar is located in the center of Kandivali - (West). Not far from its historical old mate "Patel Nagar". Several festivals are celebrated here, and attract up to 5,000 visitors.The Patel Nagar has seen an new influx of building in its vicinity. Especially the new JP series of buildings such as Jeevan Anand, Jeevan Swapna and Jeevan Asha has bought in new vibrancy in the area. The extension of Patel Nagar with the JP Buildings has made Patel Nagar and Mahavir Nagar closeby.

Charkop Village

The original inhabitants are Kolis. All villagers gather at the Dingeshwar Temple once a year to perform Palkhi and Satyanarayan Maha-Pooja. There is a lake where the Ganpati Immersion takes place. There is a Municipal Marathi School and a Secondary School named "Ekveera Vidyalaya' run by a Trust, Shri Ekveera Dnyan Prasarak Mandal. The Trust runs Primary & Secondary Schools in Marathi.Property prices in charkop area has increased since the announcement of Mumbai metro project which will begin in Charkop.

Poisar

Poisar is known for its Catholic School. There is a well known Jari - Mari Temple where hundreds of devotees come every day to worship. In the same complex there is Shiva Temple, Ganesh Temple, Shri Hanumanji Temple and Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple. The place still has many old fashioned houses behind the Church. Many Tamil Christian reside at Poisar, apart from East India and Goans.

The Poisar market is a regular feature in the morning at the ground adjoining the Church; people from the neighbouring areas come to shop for their essential commodities.

The area is also famous for "Raghuleela Mall" and Poinsur Gymkhana.

Kandivali (East)

Kandivali (East) includes Thakur complex, Samata Nagar, Thakur Village, Asha Nagar, Hanuman Nagar and Lokhandwala township. It has one of the highest population concentration in Mumbai. Ashok Nagar at kandivali (East) in Mumbai is one of the oldest residential area.

Samata Nagar

Samata Nagar is one of the oldest areas in Kandivli. Most of the buildings in Samata Nagar are of MHADA. The main road from Samata Nagar further inward leads to Thakur Village.Recently the redevelopment Project of Samata Nagar is given to Shapoorji & Pallonji builders. Samata nagar Will soon see tower of around 21 floors. This Area Has Everything i.e, Post Office, Bus Depot, Reliance Bill Payment centre, MTNL building, Nationalized Banks, Co-operative Banks.Also One Garden has been made in year 2008 "Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Udyan".

Thakur Complex

Thakur Complex was developed in 1990s by Thakur and Sons.It is one of the most sought after addresses in the suburbs after Bandra, Juhu, Parle and Andheri, mainly for the amenities, such as schools and restaurants.

Lokhandwala Township

Lokhandwala Township comprises buildings constructed by Lokhandwala Construction Pvt. Ltd. (www.lokhandwala.com). The Township is a self sufficient suburb within Kandivali, with the newly built Lokhandwala Foundation School in the centre of the complex. Nursery school like FUNSKOOL is also there.It is mainly a residential area.The population is a heterogeneous mix of Maharashtrians, Mangalorians, Gujaratis, Bengalis, Tamilians, Malayalees, Biharis, UPiites. Krishti, the association of Bengalis at Lokhandwala, has organised the Sri Sri Durga Puja starting in 2005, and also organises Mahakali Puja and Saraswati Puja with equal enthusiasm and participation of its members and residents.Oberoi Gardens is a building in Thakur Village. It has a swimming pool, tennis court and a gym.

Ashok Nagar

Ashok Nagar at Kandivali (East) in Mumbai is one of the oldest residential areas in Kandivali (East), most of the residents in this locality belong to the Marathi Gujarati and Marwari families but there are also many Maharashtrian families residing here. There are couple of Derashars for Jain, one in Damodarwadi and another opposite Children's Academy School. This area also has a famous Swayambhoo Ganesh Mandir. 'ASHIRWAD' is one of oldest housing society it about 40 years.

Since year 2005, there is a new addition to the locality and i.e. Kalpataru Gardens. It has a swimming pool and health club. The flyover (still under construction) connecting East to West will land at Shopper Stop in West and Near Kalpataru in East.

Ashok Nagar is hardly 10-15 minutes walking distance from Kandivali station, however there are also shared Auto Rickshaws from station which takes visitors to Ashok Nagar for Rs. 4/- per head.

This locality has developed rapidly over the last decade and although this locality was known for middle class residents, a lot of rich and upwardly mobile people are now buying property in this area.The Ashok Nagar skyline has now changed a lot in the last few years with many of the old residential buildings demolished and re-constructed with high rises. The crime rate in the area is almost 0% and people in the locality are generally very professional and helpful. Being close to kandivali station is another added advantage for residents staying in this locality. Growel's 101 - Big Bazaar retail mall along with Cinemax theatre is hardly 10 mins walk from this area. Besides, the Western Express highway is just 1.5 km away, the Domestic and International airports are hardly 20-22 km away from Ashok Nagar.

There are many good quality food stalls (for Dosas, Bhelpuri, Panipuri etc..) in this locality

The famous schools in Ashok Nagar are :-

* SweetLand Nursery school, specially for nursery kids.
* Children's Academy High School.
* EuroKids - One of the famous No.1 Pre-School chain in India.
* C. U. Shah Sarvajanik High School.

Some of the festivals celebrated in this locality are Holi, Ganesh festival, Navratri festival and Mahavir Jayanti.

Industrial Estates

Kandivali (East) is home to many industrial estates, businesses and service providers. Some of the famous industrial estates in Kandivali (East) are Akurli Industrial Estate, Gundecha Industrial Estate and Bonanza Industrial Estate.

These industrial estates are mostly converted into commercial offices. Kandivali (East) is home to many medium to large sized companies as well.

Big Bazaar

Big Bazaar is a mega-shopping mall located on the station road (Akurli Road) near Kandivali station. Big Bazaar is located between Akurli and Gundecha Industrial Complexes. A new exit is constructed linking Big Bazaar with Western Express Highway on the Eastern side. This has reduced the traffic problems on the Akurli road on peak hours. Many people refer to Big Bazaar as Walmart of India.ref

Gundecha Industrial Estate

Gundecha Industrial Estate is a large spacious industrial estate located next to Big Bazaar. Many important Indian companies have their corporate office in Gundecha Estates. Google named [http://www.cgsinfotech.com CGS Infotech] a company based in Gundecha Industrial Estate as one of its Authorized Reseller in India in 2006. Google also conducted valuable training programs. Gundecha Industrial Estate is close to India's National Highway Number 8.

Landmarks

* Girirajji Haveli, Mathuradas Road, Kandivali (West)
* Shankar Mandir, Shankar lane, Kandivali (West)
* Shoppers Stop
* Majithia Nagar & Milap Cinema
* Munishvrut Swami Jain Dehrasar @ Mathuradas Road, Kandivali (West)
* Upashray on the SV Road (Opposite Shankar Temple)
* Vasupujay Swami Jain Dehrasar @ Shankar Lane, Kandivali (West)
* Shri Krusangali Devi Akurli Mata Temple and Hanuman Temple at Akurli Road at Kandivali (East)
* Bohra Masjid, M.G. Road, Kandivali (West)
* Fame Kandivali at Raghuleela Mall, Kandivali (West)
* Fame Thakur Kandivali (East)
* Sai Dham Temple, WE Highway, Kandivali (East)
* Lokhandwala Foundation School, Akurli Road, Kandivali (East)
* Thakur Educational Campus, Thakur Village, Kandivali (East)
* TeraPanth Bhavan, Thakur Complex, Kandivali (East)
* Growel's 101 Mall - Also known as BIG BAZAAR at Kandivali (East)
* Our Lady of Remedy High School(estd. 1926), Poinsur, Kandivali (West)
* Kamala Vihar Sports Club - Mahavir Nagar Kandivali - (West)
* Shopper's Stop, Near Shankar Lane, Kandivali (West)
* Charkop Talao called as Dingeshwar Talao (Lake) - West
* The Roadside Food At Milap
* The Roadside Food At Patel Nagar
* Motor Training School
* Damu nagar
* Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel School - Shantilal Modi Road - West

References

* [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/16/Dapoli.html FallingRain Map]

Education

* St. Joseph's High School
* Our lady of remedy high school
* Swami Vivekanand International
* Thakur Public School
* Dhanamal High School
* Gundecha High School
* Ryan International School
* Thakkur International
* Lokhandwala Foundation School
* Anudatta Vidyalay school

there are many schools in kandivaliit was a forest area firist