Badlapur travel guide

Badlapur, India

By the Travel Wiki editorial team

Badlapur

Introduction

Badlapur sits on the banks of the Ulhas River in the Thane district of Maharashtra, within the Konkan division and the wider Mumbai Metropolitan Region. It is governed by the Kulgaon-Badlapur Municipal Council, and its railway station on the Central line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway places it within reach of Thane City and the rest of the suburban network.

For a traveller, that makes Badlapur a straightforward stop rather than a destination in its own right: a river-side city in the Mumbai orbit, useful as a base for the surrounding Thane district and easy to reach by train.

Before you go

Badlapur is best understood as a residential town that doubles as a weekend escape for Mumbai, so plan your visit around what draws you there: the two major dams and the waterfalls that appear during the monsoon. The town's quiet surroundings, natural environment and somewhat cool temperatures are its main appeal, and its proximity to Mumbai makes it easy to reach. Because the waterfalls are a seasonal phenomenon tied to the monsoon, timing matters more than anything else — outside that period you will find the dams and the town's calm residential character rather than falling water. Bear in mind that Badlapur has grown into a major residential area with a mix of communities and social classes, so expect a working town rather than a purpose-built resort.

Getting there

Badlapur is linked to Mumbai, Pune and Bhiwandi by both rail and road. The nearest airport is Mumbai International Airport, roughly 65 km away, and the nearest major railhead is Kalyan, a junction connecting to destinations across India.

The most practical way in is by local EMU train: services run round the clock between Badlapur and Mumbai, so you can time your arrival without worrying about a last connection.

Getting around

For longer journeys, suburban trains on the Central line do the heavy lifting, running day and night between Badlapur and Mumbai, so you are not tied to a fixed timetable. Badlapur has its own station on this line, and if you are arriving from further afield, Kalyan is the nearest major railhead and the junction connecting to destinations across India. Road links to Mumbai, Pune and Bhiwandi make buses a viable alternative, particularly if your starting point is not on the Central line. There is no metro or tram system serving Badlapur, so plan your journeys around trains, buses and road transport. Within the city, three-wheeler autorickshaws and online cabs are available and are very affordable — for most visitors these are the best way to get around quickly, whether you are heading to the station, a market or an address across town. App-based cabs are useful when you want a fixed fare or a door-to-door ride. Walking is a genuinely appealing option too: many people choose to walk around the city, and you will find it easy going, in part because of the clean air. If your destinations are within the town itself, consider simply strolling rather than taking a vehicle. From Mumbai International Airport, there is no direct rail or metro link, so either take a taxi or app cab to a Central line suburban station and board a local train towards Badlapur, or arrange a cab for the whole road journey.

Where to stay

For a modest stay, Rajhans Lodge offers basic budget accommodation, while Bhoj Resort sits in the mid-range bracket and includes a range of facilities with its rooms. At the upper end, Rainy Resort is the most expensive option in town.

Food & drink

Badlapur keeps things simple when it comes to eating: the town's hotels and food joints serve traditional Indian food, and the roadside stalls are where you should stop for vada pav. For something more drawn out, Farmer's Den is a riverside resort set up for day trips and overnight picnics, with multi-cuisine dining, plenty of space and greenery, and barbecue nights.

There are bars around town serving wine and other alcohol. If you visit during winter, try Moha Wine.

What to see and do

Badlapur's sights are split between its religious sites and its water. The Gajanan Maharaj Temple at Kanhor sits just outside the village on a small hillock ringed by fields and greenery, and the natural setting is as much a draw as the shrine itself. At Moolgaon, roughly six kilometres from Badlapur Railway Station, the Khandoba Temple looks out over a panoramic view of Badlapur, Kulgaon and Vangani; the months around September to November are considered the best time to go. Further out lies Kondeshwar, where a temple to Lord Shiva stands beside a waterfall and pond. It is remote and free of urban noise, but the water is genuinely dangerous: the turbulence and unseen crevices beneath the surface have caused many accidents and fatalities, so treat the falls as something to look at rather than swim in. For gentler water, you can swim at your leisure in the Ulhas River or play it safe at the area's water parks, among them Rainy Resort Water Park and Shanti Sagar Water Park & Resort. Bhoj Resort, near Bhoj Dam on Kondeshwar Road, offers sauna, steam bath, rain dance, a swimming pool and tent camping, with day packages that include meals. Simply strolling the city and sampling the street food is a worthwhile way to pass an afternoon.

Three days in Badlapur

Day one: Arrive in Badlapur and get your bearings. The town sits in Thane district, within Maharashtra's Konkan region and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, and it is easy to reach by Central Railway from Mumbai, Thane City or Kalyan, whether by EMU or by road. Once you are settled, walk the area around Kulgaon and the Badlapur Municipal Council offices to get a feel for the place, then spend the late afternoon by the Ulhas River, which runs through the town. For dinner, look for a local Indian meal and, if you want a drink with it, a glass of wine at Moha Wine.

Day two: Give the day to Badlapur's temples and its green edges. Start at the Gajanan Maharaj Temple, the town's best-known religious site, and take your time there. Later, head out towards Kanhor for a slower look at the countryside around Badlapur. If you would rather stay closer to town, simply walk and see how daily life moves between the railway line, the river and the market streets. Note that the weather here is warm and humid for much of the year, with a heavy monsoon, so plan indoor or temple time for the wettest hours.

Day three: Use Badlapur as a base for the wider region before you leave. Kalyan, Bhiwandi, Thane and Mumbai are all within reach, and Pune lies further out, so you can shape the day around what you want to see next. If you are flying out, Mumbai International Airport is the departure point, and the trip back into the city is straightforward by train or road. Before you go, sort out your onward travel - a local transport app is useful for planning the rail and road legs. Accommodation in and around Badlapur includes Rajhans Lodge, Bhoj Resort, Rainy Resort and Farmer Den, so pick whichever suits your route.

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