Tuesday, 6 May 2014

Bassein a Popular Tourist Spot near #Mumbai



Bassein is a very popular tourist destination which is located quite close to Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra. This place is famous for its beautiful beach
as well as ancient historical monuments and religious places. The beach filled with white sand dotted with palm trees on one side and the vast blue ocean on the other side is a perfect gateway for having some quality time with friends and family. It is a perfect place to spend some quite peaceful evening. Because of its close proximity to Mumbai, it is one of the hotspots for the urban Mumbaites who come here frequently for picnics and weekend gateways. 

In the ancient days Bassein served as an important shipbuilding centre, especially in the 17th century during the rule of the Portuguese. In 1739 Marathas defeated the Portuguese and captured this site. Because of the Portuguese rule, this place bears close resemblance to Goa which has been an important centre of Portuguese, even after the independence of India. Standing testimony to the rule of the Portuguese is the ancient fort which was built by them. Though most of it is in ruins, it still commands a great deal of interest and attention. Surrounding this fort is a groove of palm trees which adds more beauty to the soothing environment. 

Along with the beach, some other important tourist attractions are Vasai Fort, Vajreshwari Temple, Akloli hot springs, Sadguru Nityanand Maharaj Samadhi Mandir etc. it is also famous for its Portuguese cuisine which is served by the locals. Another major attraction nearby is Nalasopara, which is just about 10 kms from Bassein. This place was the former capital of Konkan in about 1500 BC to 1300 BC. It is also famous for another reason as it is considered to be the place where Buddha’s previous incarnation lived. One can find many Buddhist relics in this place. There are also some very ancient churches out here which was built by the Portuguese. 

This place is just about 77 kms from Mumbai which is a major metropolitan city with an international airport and major railway station. From Mumbai one can get plenty of transport options to Bassein like taxis, buses and even train to the nearest railway station on Bassein Road. Once you are here there are plenty of accommodation options ranging from reasonable budget hotels to luxurious accommodations. Home stays are also quite common here. 

There are a host of things you can do here ranging from sightseeing to shopping, water sports, tasting the sumptuous local cuisine and many more. People mostly come here to get away from the maddening crowds of the cities and its hectic life. It is close, affordable and beautiful, thus having all the ingredients of a perfect holiday destination. Because of its historical importance it is more attractive and popular. It is a great place to spend some quality time with friends, families and even colleagues. Be it a family holiday, college tour or office outing, it is suitable for all. 

Best time to visit –February, March, November and December.  

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