My Thane

By Makarand Joshi,  Naturalist, Journalist & Travel Consultant The Shilahar rulers called themselves ‘Konkan Nripati’—the kings of Konkan. Their capital was Shristhanak, which is today’s Thane. The ancient history of this city is now known only through copper plates and stone inscriptions. Unfortunately, not a single monument from that period has survived. According to Thane’s history, the Shilahars ruled here from the 9th century until the end of the 12th century. They were not originally from Konkan; their native place was Ter (Tagar) in today’s Osmanabad district. In the beginning, they were subordinates to the Rashtrakutas dynasty. Towards the end of the 10th century, the Rashtrakuta dynasty came to an end, and the Shilahars began to rule North Konkan independently. Emperor Aparajita of the Shilahars made Shristhanak, that is, Thane, his capital. The Shilahar kings were deeply religious and devoted to Lord Shiva. Copper plates of that time mention donations made to differen...

Thane is a city that's always on the move. With more and more vehicles on our streets, you can always see a rush on the roads. But amid all the hustle, there's a simple, powerful tool that keeps us safe: road signs. These aren't just colorful boards; they are our silent guides, helping us navigate our city's roads safely. Why Are These Signs So Important? Think of a road sign as a friendly reminder, telling you what's ahead. Their main job is to inform, warn, and guide everyone—from drivers and bikers to pedestrians. By following these signs, we can avoid accidents, keep traffic flowing smoothly, and ensure everyone gets home safely. There are three main types of signs you see every day: 1. Mandatory Signs: These are the rules of the road that we absolutely must follow. Ignoring them can lead to fines and, more importantly, put you and others in danger.  They are usually round with a red border, like the 'No Entry' sign. The classic 'Stop' sign is a ...

Thane faces rising extreme heat, worsened by humidity. The ‘felt temperature’ (heat index) refers to how hot it actually feels to your body when humidity is high. For instance, average summer maximum felt temperatures in Thane are almost 3°C higher than the dry temperatures, clearly showing how much humidity adds to heat-related stress. Experts warn that heat events will grow longer, more frequent, and more widespread. To tackle these serious risks, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), in partnership with the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), has developed the Heat Action Plan (HAP) for Thane City 2024. This plan aims to make Thane a heat-resilient Smart City by reducing the impacts of heatwaves. What is the Thane Heat Action Plan (HAP)? The Heat Action Plan (HAP) aims to prevent heat-related deaths, illnesses, and economic losses in Thane. When: The system uses colour-coded alerts based on the felt temperature (heat index). For example, in the month of May: the yellow...

Welcome to Thane, a city that's constantly evolving and growing, now embracing us as its new citizens! You might see modern residences, glittering shopping malls, and beautifully planned gardens along Ghodbunder Road today, but did you know that this very road, and the historic fort at its end, hold stories stretching back centuries, making Thane a city truly unique and special? Long before it became the Smart City we know today, Thane was the proud capital of the Shilahara dynasty for nearly a thousand years. Over time, its boundaries kept shifting and expanding. In ancient times, Thane flourished as a prosperous port and a vibrant hub of international trade. Silk textiles and fragrant spices were exported overseas from its bustling markets. The city was especially famous for its exquisite woven silk, crafted by over 900 skilled silk weavers and more than 1,200 cotton weavers who brought glory to its name. The name ‘Ghodbunder’ itself tells a fascinating story about Thane’s rich p...

Thane is known as the “City of Lakes,” and among its many lakes, Pokharan Lake, often called Upvan Lake, stands out as one of the most loved and historically important. Today, it is a peaceful place for walks, prayers, festivals, and evening relaxation. But few people know the full story of how this lake came into existence, how it has changed, and how we can help protect it for the future. A Lake Built for a City’s Need The story of Pokharan Lake begins not in recent memory, but back in the late 19th century, during the British era. At that time, Thane was facing a serious problem of clean drinking water. The town's wells were drying up in summer. Several attempts were made to solve this issue, but nothing worked until 1880, when the British government approved the ‘Pokharan Water Works’ project. This was a well-planned and ambitious scheme. A storage reservoir was created at the base of the Yeur hills, around 4 km from Thane town. An earthen dam was built, nearly 1,000 feet long ...