Ambarnath Akoli

About Ambarnath Akoli

Ambarnath is a small town located near Akoli in Thane district of Maharashtra. This town is on Mumbai-Pune railway line. Ambarnath houses a fascinating temple dedicated to Lord Shiva dating back to the 11th century. It is built in a peculiar form of architecture known as “Hemadpanti” style. An inscription on the north gate bears the date of construction, 1060 AD. When Mahamandaleshwar was the King, the temple was built in the memory of its predecessor. This king was one of the Shilahar Dynasty which ruled from 800 to 1240 AD.

Rarely one can come across a temple, which can compare even remotely with the Ambarnath temple. It is said to be the only temple of its kind in the country. The ancient Shivalaya of Ambarnath is worth visiting. It has been compared in the fascinating and delicate complication of design to the famous Delwara Temples of Mount Abu.

The temple is situated in the hollow of a hill and has got three entrances. To the south of the temple one can find the most commanding view of the giant forms of “Tavli” and “Malanggad” or “Bava Malang”. The original Linga in the shrine is worshipped to this day.

Interesting things to Visit

Essel World:
This amusement park is located at Gorai, at a distance from the hub of the city. The main attractions here are the 34 rides that comprise of roller coasters, rainbows, bumping cars. The complex houses many cafeterias and restaurants. Nearest Railway Stations: Malad or Borivali, from where the journey must be made by road and sea (Ferry). Also approachable by road via Bhayandar on Western Express Highway. Open: 1100 to 1900 (off season) 1000 to 2000 (April-June & October-December).

Water Kingdom is just next to Essel World and claims to have the largest wave pool in Asia. It has water slides and swimming pools for kids as well as elders.

Bassein (Vasai):
Bassein or Vasai was an ancient Portuguese settlement located about 48-km to the north of Mumbai, near the Thane creek. The Bassein Fort was constructed in 1532 by Bahadur Shah, Sultan of Gujarat. You can see ruins of the Fort and the Cathedral of St. Joseph and the Churches of St Antony and St. Paul. The city walls are still intact. There are also decorative gateways inscribed with coats of arms and Portuguese graves dating back to 1558.

Ganeshpuri:
This is a small town near Bhivandi, about 40 km from Thane which is the residence of Swami Nityananda Maharaj. An ancient temple is also there with four tanks called kundas. The kundas are some 800 years old. It is more famous for its hot water springs.

Titwala Ganesh Mandir:
Titwala is about 75-km from Mumbai located in Thane district, Maharashtra. It is considered as sacred pilgrim center as it houses Mahaganesh Temple and the temple of Shri Vithoba. There is also a fascinating temple dedicated to Ambarnath, dating back to the 11th century, which was built in the ‘Hemadpanti’ style of architecture.

Nearest Visiting places

Matheran:
Matheran, 70 kms from Thane, is a hill station of natural beauty and pollution free environment. It is situated 750m up in the Sahyadri Ranges of the Western Ghats. Matheran is a 11 km hike by road from Neral and accessible from the foothills by a toy train. There are fine views from the top. Best season is November-February and April-June.

Tansa wildlife sanctuary:
This sanctuary is located 90km from Mumbai in Thane district. The sanctuary with an area of about 320sq.kms has around 54 species of animals and 200 species of birds in the sanctuary. Major wild animals are Panther, Barking deer, Mouse deer, Hyena, Wild boar etc. Tansa Lake flows through the sanctuary. Best time to visit is November -May.

Lonavla and Khandala:
Lonavla and Khandala are two hill resorts 5kms apart at an altitude of around 600m in the western ghats. Khandala is a quite village overlooking a picturesque ravine and surrounded by wet season waterfalls. Located 106km from Mumbai, on the Mumbai-Pune railway line, Lonavla is a good base to visit the Karla and Bhaja caves and also the Rajmachi, Lohagen and Visapur Forts nearby. Karla and Bhaja are rock-cut-caves which are among the oldest and finest examples of Hinayana Buddhists rock temple art in India. The Walwan Dam at Lonavla was built in 1915 to supply hydroelectric power to Mumbai’s textile mills. Best time to visit is during the monsoon.

Kashi Mira:
Kashi and Mira are two villages in Thane Taluka located close to each other. The surroundings of the two villages abound in natural beauty and scenery. Just after leaving the check-post at Dahisar is an open surface with the backdrop of hills with zigzag paths leading up the hills. And it is this flushy background that has given these two villages the name “Kashimira”.

Jawhar Palace:
It is called the “Mahabaleshwar of Thane District”, when compared in beauty and climate. And places to see are the majestic Dadara Kopra Falls, Jai Vilas, the palace of the tribal kings, the Hanuman and Sunset Points and the enthralling Shirpamal, where Shivaji chose to camp on his way to Surat. Jawhar also offers you the unique opportunity to expose and enlighten yourself with the tribal way of life especially with the Warli paintings.

Suddhagad Fort:
Sudhagadh Fort is located near Pali- a famous pilgrimage center in Maharashtra. It is one of the rarely visited forts in Konkan region. The fort is one among those forts, which are still in good condition. It can be covered during a trip to Pali and Mahad in Ashtavinayak.

Help Line/Phone Number

Nearest Hospital:

Akshay Hospital
Kolbad Naka, Kesar Mill, Thane West, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Wokchardt Hospitals Limited
Mulund Goregaon Link Road,Mulund West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400078

Spectrum Health Care
Thane, Maharashtra

The district of Thane to the North East of Mumbai offers a unique hill station of Jawahar. A distance of 125 miles from Mumbai, the hill station is closer to Nahsik though. The area was a major tribal kingdom of Maharashtra. You can get the feel of the tribal life by visiting few protected tribal villages of the region and those with nimble fingers can learn a trade or two……more

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Location info

• Address: Akoli,Thane,Maharashtra,India

• District: Thane

• **Nearest City:**Mumbai

• Best time to visit: Nov to Feb.

Climate & weather

Climate is subtropical,with mild winters and warm summers.

Things to do at Ambarnath Akoli

Lakes and Hills:
Thane the city of Lakes has around 30 lakes. The most beautiful of them is the Masunda Talao, also known as Talao Pali. The lake offers boating and water scooter facilities. Some of the other popular lakes are Upvan Lake, Kacharali Talao, Makhamali Talao, Siddheshwar Talao, Bramhala Talao, Ghosale Talao, Railadevi Talao etc.

How to reach Ambarnath Akoli

• **Nearest Railway Station:**Ambarnath Railway Station.

• Nearest Airport: Mumbai International Airport.

• Road Transport: State transport ply buses regularly to Ambarnath from almost all-important places in Maharashtra.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Dharamshalas and hotels are available at Thane.

Best time to visit Ambarnath Akoli

Throughout the year. Festivals and special occasions see large gatherings. Winter (November–February) is the most comfortable season.

Timings & opening hours

Typically open from 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily. Specific darshan timings may vary by shrine.

Entry fee & tickets

Free entry. Special darshan tickets, pooja services, and prasadam may have separate charges.

Duration needed

2–4 hours for darshan and temple complex exploration. Pilgrims often stay overnight.

Safety tips

Follow the designated queue for darshan. Keep valuables secure — large crowds can attract pickpockets. Stay hydrated in long queues. Follow the specific dress code of the shrine.

Things to carry

Modest clothing, water bottle, small change for offerings, prasad counters accept cash, and a mat to sit on during queues.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest airport: depends on location. Nearest railway station: well-connected to major cities. Regular bus services and taxis available.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, and Vi all provide excellent coverage across Maharashtra’s cities (Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur) and major tourist areas. 4G is reliable along highways and in most towns. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Tadoba, Melghat, and certain ghat sections. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and cafes.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Maharashtrian cuisine — missal pav, vada pav, puran poli, and local thalis — is widely available.

History of Ambarnath Akoli

This pilgrimage site holds deep religious significance in Maharashtra. It attracts thousands of devotees throughout the year, especially during festivals and special occasions.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road to Ambarnath Akoli. It is advisable to fill fuel before heading to remote areas, especially hill forts and wildlife sanctuaries.

Frequently asked questions

What are the opening hours? Most major pilgrimage sites open early in the morning (4:00–5:00 AM) and remain open until late evening (9:00–10:00 PM). Specific darshan timings may vary.

Is accommodation available nearby? Yes, most pilgrimage centres have extensive accommodation ranging from free dharamshalas to paying guesthouses and hotels. Booking ahead during festival seasons is recommended.

How do I reach this pilgrimage site? The site is connected by road to major cities. Regular bus services and taxis are available. The nearest railway station and airport provide long-distance connectivity.

Quick facts

• Location: Maharashtra
• Best time to visit: October to March for comfortable weather
• Significance: Important religious and spiritual site for devotees
• Dress code: Traditional and modest attire recommended
• Photography: Check local guidelines; photography may be restricted in inner sanctums

Map & location view

• Destination: Ambarnath Akoli
• State: Maharashtra, India
• Region: religious precincts of Maharashtra
• How to reach: Accessible by road from nearby towns and cities. Local transport options include buses and taxis.
• Google Maps: Search for “Ambarnath Akoli, Maharashtra” on Google Maps for precise directions and navigation.

Photo gallery of Ambarnath Akoli

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Ambarnath Akoli on popular travel photography sites and social media.