Vibrant Virar

Virar is a coastal city in taluka Vasai and district of Palghar, India. It is clubbed into Vasai-Virar city, administered by Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation. It lies north to the city of Mumbai. It is a part of the outermost Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Virar lies on the western coast of Maharashtra, to the north of Mumbai and experiences warm, humid climate throughout the year.

The average annual temperature in the city hovers around 26.5 to 27.0 °C (79.7 to 80.6 °F). July is the wettest month while January is the driest.

The closest airports to Vasai-Virar are

Chhatrapati

The name Virar, as some believe, comes from the Hindu Goddess Ekvira, mother of the immortal sage Parshuram. Just as Tunga Parvat becomes "Tunga-ar", similarly "Vira" becomes "Vira-ar". Virar is also home to the ruins of a grand temple of Goddess Ekvira Devi on the banks of Vaitarna River at the foothills Tunga Parvat which according to folklore was gradually destroyed amidst the raiding and looting by Mohamedeans and the subsequent rule by Portuguese.

Local legend describes this site as the final destination of the Shurparaka Yatra.

A massive Kund dedicated to Goddess Ekvira stands in this city even today under the banner of Ekvira Theerth or Virar Theerth, west of which stone carvings about 3 feet long and 9 inch broad in size can be found. Female figurines of Yoginis of Ekvira devi can be found in the same vicinity alongside roughly cut stone statues of cow and calf, an identifier of the Govardhan Math which symbolises Moksha and footprints of a cow carved in stone.

Historically, Virar has been home to Agri (caste) Samaj primarily involved in fishing, salt-making and rice farming. Large number of Koli people are inhabitants of the region as well.

Virar and several other nearby regions including the coveted Vasai Fort was under the direct control of the Portuguese during the 16th century before being recaptured by the Maratha Empire in a hard-fought Battle of Vasai led by Chimaji Appa against the odds in 1739.

To celebrate his victory and to fulfil a vow taken in front of Devi Vajreshwari, Chimaji Appa had a temple built for the goddess nearby. The Vajreshwari Temple still stands there as a relic of Maratha glory. Maharaj International Airport (BOM) 37.15 km (23.08 mi)

Pune Airport (PNQ) 148.81 km (92.47 mi)

Surat Airport (STV) 188.29 km (117.00 mi)