{{Use Indian English|date=December 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}} {{AI-generated|date=November 2025}} <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Indian cities for details --> {{Infobox settlement | name = Palghar | other_name = | settlement_type = Town | image_skyline = {{multiple image | border = infobox | total_width = 270 | image_style = | perrow = 1/2/2 | image5 = Sunset at Dahanu Beach, Dahanu - panoramio.jpg | image6 = Kelwa beach , Palghar , Maharashtra , India.jpeg | image1 = Vajreshwari Vogini Mandir, Maharashtra - panoramio (30).jpg | image3 = Dahbosa Waterfalls.jpg | image2 = Vajreshwari Temple.jpg | image4 = Tandulwadi fort.jpg }} | image_alt = | image_caption = Vajreshwari Temple, Dahbosa Waterfall, Tandulwadi Fort, Dahanu Beach, Kelwa Beach | nickname = | pushpin_map = | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = | image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|frame-align=center|plain=y|type=shape-inverse|id=Q1191|frame-width=370|frame-height=300|stroke-width=3|frame-lat=18.92|frame-long=76.68|zoom=6|type2=point|coord2={{coord|19.69|N|72.76|E}}|marker-size2=medium}} | map_alt = | map_caption = Palghar in Maharashtra | coordinates = {{coord|19.69|N|72.76|E|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flagicon|IND}} India | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name1 = Maharashtra | subdivision_name2 = Palghar | established_title = <!-- Established --> | founder = | named_for = | government_type = Municipal Council | Tahsildar = | governing_body = Palghar Municipal Council (PMC) | leader_title = Member of Parliament | leader_name = Hemant Savara, BJP | leader_title1 = MLA | leader_name1 = Shrinivas Vanga, (Shivsena)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maharashtra By-Election: Shiv Sena Retains Palghar Assembly Seat |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/maharashtra-by-election-shiv-sena-retains-palghar-assembly-seat-1277948 |access-date=2022-08-31 |publisher=NDTV}}</ref> | unit_pref = Metric | area_total_km2 = 4696.99 | area_footnotes = | area_rank = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 7 | population_total = 68931 | population_as_of = 2011 | population_footnotes = | population_density_km2 = auto | population_rank = | population_demonym = | demographics_type1 = Languages | demographics1_title1 = Official | timezone1 = IST | utc_offset1 = +5:30 | postal_code_type = PIN | postal_code = 401404
| area_code = 02525 | area_code_type = Telephone code | registration_plate = MH-48 | website = https://palghar.gov.in/ | footnotes = | demographics1_info1 = Marathi | official_name = }}
'''Palghar''' ({{audio|Palghar.ogg|pronunciation}}) is a prominent town in the Konkan division of Maharashtra state, India, and a municipal council. It is strategically located within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, and has been the administrative capital of the Palghar district since 2014. Palghar plays a crucial role in Western Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway in the busy Mumbai-Ahmedabad rail corridor. The town is located approximately 87 kilometers north of Mumbai, about 35 kilometers north of Virar, and about 24 kilometers west of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway at Manor. Palghar is located in western part of Maharastra.Mumbai is approximately 50 km from Palghar.
== History == Palghar has a history intertwined with the ancient district of Thane. The tehsils of Jawhar, Vasai, and Palghar are known for their rich historical legacy.
Palghar also played a crucial role in the Quit India Movement of 1942, where it was one of the important points in the Chale Jao Movement.<ref>{{cite web |title=Palghar District |url=https://palghar.gov.in/history/ |website=District of Palghar |access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref>
== Demographics == At the 2011 census of India,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India}}</ref> Palghar had a population of 68,930. Males numbered 36,523 (52.9%) and females 32,407 (47.1%). The literacy rate was 77.52%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; male literacy was 81.2% and female literacy 73.35%. 11.8% of the population was under 6 years of age.
Marathi is the most widely spoken language with Varli, Vadvali and Vanjari dialects. Followed by Gujarati spoken by a sizeable Gujarati and Muslim population.
Palghar has an urban population of 33,086, thus about 48% of the total population lives in the urbanized area.
{{bar box |title=Religion in Palghar (2011)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.census2011.co.in/data/town/802784-palghar-maharashtra.html|title=Palghar Population 2011|website=Census 2011}}</ref> |titlebar=#Fcd116 |left1=Religion |right1=Percent |float=right |bars= {{bar percent|Hinduism|darkorange|81.94}} {{bar percent|Islam|green|11.07}} {{bar percent|Jainism|brown|2.86}} {{bar percent|Buddhism|blue|2.38}} {{bar percent|Christianity|dodgerblue|1.21}} {{bar percent|Others|black|0.53}} }}
== Culture == Various communities inhabit Palghar, with the predominant castes being the Kunbi, Mangela, Vaity, Macchimar, Bhandari, Warli (Adivasi), Katkari, Malhar Koli, Vanjari, Vadval, and Mali (Sorathi).
The Vanjaris are a nomadic tribe with origins in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. Their language is distinct from standard Marathi, with significant influences from Rajasthani and Gujarati.<ref>{{cite book |last=Desai |first=Meera |title=The Vanjaris: A Study of Their Socio-Cultural Identity |year=2009 |publisher=Raj Publications |page=45}}</ref>
The Vadval community is the most numerous in Palghar. They are believed to be descendants of the Yadava dynasty of Devagiri, who settled in the region. The Vadvals are unique, as one of the few Marathi-speaking communities belonging to the Kshatriya varna but not part of the traditional 96-clan (''96-Kuli'') Maratha caste.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Vadval Community of Palghar |url=https://www.maharashtratimes.com/editorial/ravivar/kshatriya-wadval/articleshow/57871903.cms |website=Maharashtra Times |access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref>
The Warli painting and the renowned Tarpa dance highlight the artistic contributions of the Warli community. Warli art has a history stretching back over a millennium and is celebrated internationally. The Warlis are considered some of the earliest settlers in the region, and their culture has significantly influenced the subsequent cultures in and around Palghar.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Chaudhary |first=Santosh |title=Warli Art: A Millennium of Tradition |journal=Art and Culture Journal |volume=12 |year=2023 |pages=22–29}}</ref>
The Koli (fishermen) community of Palghar is a testament to the city's connection with the Arabian Sea. Fishing forms a significant part of Palghar's trade and diet and plays a crucial role in cultural events. The Kolis are further divided into subcastes such as Vaity, Mangela, and Bari.<ref>{{cite book |last=Patil |first=Rajendra |title=The Maritime Traditions of Kolis in Palghar |year=2018 |publisher=Coastal Heritage Publishers |page=85}}</ref>
=== Art, crafts and tourism === Tourist attractions in the district include: <!---♦♦♦ Only add an entry to this list if it already has its own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦---> <!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦---> * Arnala fort * Bhavangad Fort * Fort Vasai * Gambhirgad * Jivdani Mata temple * Kaldurg Fort * Kamandurg Fort * Kelwa Beach * Mahalakshmi Temple * Shirgaon Fort * Tandulwadi Fort * Vajreshwari hot water spring
== Economy == The economy of Palghar is primarily driven by the primary and tertiary sectors. As the administrative seat of the Taluka and District, Palghar hosts numerous government offices, providing employment opportunities to many residents.<ref>{{cite web |title=Palghar District |url=https://palghar.gov.in/economy/ |website=District of Palghar |access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref>
Agriculture, Animal husbandry, dairy farming, and fisheries are extensively practiced in the rural areas surrounding the city, playing a significant role in fueling the local economy. The region is known for its production of rice, fruits, and dairy products.<ref>{{cite book |last=Patel |first=Ravindra |title=Agricultural Practices in Palghar District |year=2017 |publisher=Rural Development Publications |page=132}}</ref>
Historically, Palghar was notorious for wood smuggling in the post-independence era. This illicit activity has been largely curbed due to stringent measures by the Forest Department and local police. Additionally, the region's secluded beaches were once favored by smugglers who used them to offload goods and transport them to Mumbai by road to evade customs.<ref>{{cite news |title=How Palghar Curbed Wood Smuggling |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/palghar-wood-smuggling/ |newspaper=The Hindu |date=2020-11-15}}</ref>
== Transport == thumb|Palghar railway station
Palghar is well connected via road and rail transport. The town serves as a divisional head of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), providing direct connectivity to several towns across Maharashtra and Gujarat, including Surat, Vapi, Valsad, Vadodara, Bharuch, Ankleshwar, Anand, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Miraj, Sangli, Pune, Vaduj, Thane, Ulhasnagar, Bhiwandi, Aurangabad, Ahmednagar, Kalyan, Alibag, Nandurbar, Bhusaval, Shirdi, and Nashik.<ref>{{cite web |title=MSRTC Palghar Division |url=https://msrtc.gov.in/palghar-division |website=Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation |access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref>
The Palghar railway station is a significant stop on the Western Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway and the Ahmedabad–Mumbai main line. In addition to Shuttle/MEMU/EMU (local trains) services, many long-distance trains also halt at this station.<ref>{{cite web |title=Palghar Railway Station |url=https://indiarailinfo.com/station/map/palghar-plg/176 |website=India Rail Info |access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref>
== Sports == Cricket is the most popular sport in Palghar. Local tournaments are held at various locations in the district.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}} *Shardul Thakur is a cricketer from Palghar (Mahim) who plays for India, for Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL and for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shardul Thakur Profile |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/player/shardul-thakur-475281 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref> *Aditya Tare is a wicket-keeper and a right-hand batsman from Palghar (Satpati village) who plays for Mumbai Indians in the IPL and for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}} *Ayush Mhatre is Right-Hand Top Order Batsman from Palghar (Virar) who plays for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL and for Mumbai in the Domestic Circuit of India.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ayush Mhatre Profile |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/ayush-mhatre-1452455 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=2025-05-07}}</ref>
==See also== * 2020 Palghar mob lynching
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Mumbai metropolitan area}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Palghar Category:Cities and towns in Palghar district