Versova Beach Mumbai
Versova Beach in Andheri Suburbs, Mumbai
Facing the Arabian Sea Versova Beach in Mumbai is known all over the city for its cleanliness. Beaches always offer a beautiful environment to tourists who long for thrashing waves. Shoring the North Western Mumbai, Versova is famous due to its beach and Versova Fort. Previously it was a land of the Portuguese till 1739, after that the Marathi Empire took over it defeating them. Recently the movement ‘Save Versova Beach’ has taken up a project to clean the area and on this world Environment Day the entire beach was freed from the garbage. Every Sunday the cleaning procedure continues and the area gets a new purified look. Due to such awareness, in the early month of 2018, sea turtles were spotted for the first time to lay eggs in the last twenty years which is a great achievement for the cleaning community. Tourists now feel a sense of relief and can breathe in the open air. People of all age groups are seen to frequent the beach. It is a nice area where you can spend quality moments with near ones.
The beach is inhabited by a community of fishermen, the kolis at the end of the beach on one side. The area is mainly occupied by them and fishing is regarded as the main occupation of this area. The building along the beach is protected from the waves by massive rocks. When there is high tide or during the monsoon, the beach is seen underwater, therefore neither inhabitants nor structures are permanent on the beach. The BMC and local citizens have undergone many attempts to improve the beach condition, but still, there is some gap in reaching the attempts such as no lifeguards have been installed there which is very much essential for the treacherous sea waves. The section at the northern part of the site is called rock beach.
History
The old city of Mumbai houses Versova where the fishermen have their huge community. The actual name of the beach is Visava which means rest in the Marathi language. Once in the year 1964, the beach was frequented by a group of Muscat and Arabs who killed everyone they saw in the village. The story was mentioned in Gamelli Careri in the year 1695. In the medieval period when the Portuguese occupied the region, they constructed a church in Versove, named Our Lady of Health Church. During that time, many Kolis were converted into Christians. By the year 1720, the area took up the form of a small town whose occupation was trading dry fish. Next, the Marathas took it up and strengthened the Versova Fort. After that in the 18th century, the British defeated the Marathas and took it over and created the engineering cadets.
Arriving there
The Versova line No. 1 in the Western terminus is the nearest station to the beach. From the station, the beach could be easily reached by foot, the distance of which is hardly a kilometer. Alternatively, there are many state buses that run from a few spots of the city to the Versova Beach. Taxis could also be hired for a comfortable journey to your destination.
Best season to visit there
The best time to visit the beach is the winter and spring season which starts from October to March. The other months are hot and humidity remains very high in the region which could be intolerable for some of you.
Activities
A few of the activities that are done in the beach is horse riding, snorkeling, and cycling. The season of Ganesh Chaturthi draws tourists from all over the country that shows interest to take part in the festival. Watching idol immersion at this time is a nice thing to do. Apart from this the beach always welcomes people to watch the sunset view which is an enchanting one. At this time photography is the best thing taken up by visitors.
The Versova Beach rather a small one is an attractive place for tourists for the huge fish market. It is a nice place where you can find people making deals in fish trading. The surreal view of the horizon and the natural beauty altogether make it a perfect weekend destination.
Things to do
Here are some popular things to do at Versova Beach:
- Beach Cleaning: Join the local community in their efforts to keep the beach clean by participating in beach cleaning activities.
- Sunset Watching: Watch the sun go down over the Arabian Sea and admire the stunning sunsets that the beach is famous for.
- Fishing: Go fishing and try your luck at catching some of the local seafood.
- Swimming: Take a dip in the Arabian Sea and enjoy the refreshing waters.
- Horse Riding: Take a horse riding along the beach and enjoy the scenic views.
- Yoga and Meditation: Participate in yoga and meditation sessions, which are often conducted on the beach.
- Street Food: Try the delicious street food that is available along the beach and savor the local flavors.
- Water Sports: Engage in water sports such as jet skiing, parasailing, and more.
- Picnic: Have a picnic with friends and family and enjoy a day out in the sun.
- Photography: Take stunning photos of the beach and capture its beauty.
These are just a few of the many things that you can do at Versova Beach. Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or just a fun day out, there’s something for everyone here.
Essential Information
Here is some essential information about Versova Beach:
Location: Versova Beach is located in the Mumbai suburb of Andheri West in Maharashtra, India.
Getting there: The beach is easily accessible by taxi, auto-rickshaw, or local trains. The nearest railway station is Andheri, which is just a few kilometers away from the beach.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Versova Beach is from November to February, when the weather is pleasant and sunny.
Things to carry: Visitors are advised to carry essentials such as sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and bottled water to protect themselves from the sun.
Facilities: The beach has basic facilities such as public restrooms and food stalls selling local street food.
Safety: Visitors should take precautions while visiting the beach, as the sea can be rough at times. It’s advisable to swim only in designated areas and to avoid venturing too far into the water.
Overall, Versova Beach is a great destination for a day trip or a relaxing weekend getaway. With its stunning views, clean sands, and relaxed atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
