Vasai

Vasai (Marathi: वसई), historically known as Bassein or Baçaim is a historical village in the city of Mumbai in the Maharashtra state of India.

History

Vasai Fort Entrance

Vasai has demonstrated religious harmony throughout its history. Having been under Portuguese rule for a long period, Vasai has significant Portuguese cultural influence.

Vasai, which is not same as Sopara or Shurparak but rather a superset of it, has five rivers. Two of them, namely Vairarini in the North and Ulhas in the South, mark Shurparak’s limits. These rivers form the Vaitarna Creek and the Ulnnnnnnnnn nm bm,b,,mhas or Vasai Creek respectively. Three small rivers named “Pandu Nadi”, “Preta Nadi” and “Gaarudi Nadi” run off the Tungar Hills and meet the sea through the land of Shurparak, forming the Bolinj Creek, Sopara Creek and Vagholi Creek. All of these creeks are now drying off.

Bajipur, the original name of Vasai as it appears in Padma Purana, which was later restored during the rule of the Peshwas (hence Bajipur is often erroneously thought to have been named after Bajirao Peshwa). The Harivansha Purana’s Vishnu Parva Chapter 39, Verse 28, and Chapter 40, Verse 39, mentions “Shurparak” to be a city 500 bows wide and 500 arrows long (Note: Bows and Arrows were the early Hindu Units of Breadth and Length). According to Buddhist monks, in one of his former births, Gautama Buddha was Bodhisat Supparak, that is Bodhisattva of Shurparaka (Sopara). The Yadava Kosha also mentions “Shurparaka” as one of the chief places in Aparanta. The eighth edict of Ashoka shows that Shurparaka was the capital of Aparanta. The name “Vasai” appears on stone inscriptions in the Kanheri Cave writings and as "Vasya" in the Karla Cave inscriptions. Vasai is mentioned as “Bussy” in Ain-I-Akbari Ch. II-66, of Abu Fazal. It is called “Baxay” in Barbosa. Finally, after Indian independence, it was renamed as Vasai. Sopara had maritime links which has been attested even by Masudi, Ibn Haukal and Al Beruni between the 9th and the 11th century.

Map of Bassein (c. 1539)

Vasai was the seat of the various political powers namely Guhashayas, Mauryas, Sungas, Satavahanas, Guptas, Shilahaaras, Yadavas, Mughal, Portuguese, Marathas, British, Union of India (Since 1947 called Free India). Vasai boomed as a seat of knowledge where students and scholars from as far as Europe came to learn and also propagate their philosophy. It was trade center for spices, grains, sugar, and the ship building industry. The salubrious climate and the burgeoning profits saw many wealthy merchants in the Buddhist rule and fidalgosin the Portuguese rule ; blue blooded Portuguese nobles resided here in lavish villas. It later became the town where the Portuguese aristocracy sent their illegitimate sons rather than exhibit their illegitimate offspring. The floor of St Francis Church is paved with the graves of the Portuguese nobility along with their royal insignia.

Vasai has always been the largest contributor of scholars for the Vedic Religion who work in potato farms, Jain-Buddhist sects and priests to the Bombay Archdiocese. This place is a place known for the one of the four famous sarovars, Nirmal Sarovar of Vedic religion (none of the vedas refer to nirmal), called Mahasmashan during times of Lord Parashurama, it was one of the 84 Gacchas of Jains, it was the centre of learning for the Maitreya Buddhist sect, the sacred place with 3 tombs each of 5th, 7th and 38th Jagadguru Shankaracharyas namely Vidyaranya Swami, Padmanabha Tirtha Swami, and Narayan Upendra Swami.The diocese has also contributed India's First Catholic saint St. Gonsalo Garcia.

• 1414 – 507 AD – The political crisis reign the Shurparak and Mahikavati with clashes between Somavanshis, who now called themselves Paanch Kalshis and Seshavanshis. Thus Shurparak becomes very weak politically. This period was most tragic for India since, during this period, the west coast of India had practically no ruler at all, and this news spread out as far as Europe. Now European empires sent off their voyagers to discover the possibility of rule in India. At the same time, Mohammedeans prepare themselves to take advantage of this weak rule.

• Sultans of Gujarat continuously raid Vasai under leadership of Mahmud Begada, and ultimately in 1513 AD. Mirat-I-Ahmadi mentions the hold of Mahmud Begada till 1517 AD. Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat and foe of Humayun, hold Vasai since 1517 AD and start heavy destructions between 1513–1530 of Stone Temples of Hindus and Burud Raja’s Palace, destroy stone lined “Tirtha Sthalas “Lakes and reservoirs. Now Bahadur Shah from Gujrat had complete hold over Vasai.

Portuguese pirates of Goa and the local chieftains raided vasai as and after the rule of sultans started weakening fighting mughals. Vasai was burnt twice by Portuguese. Mosques, which were built on Temples were destroyed and new churches were built on them. Now the town was called Baxay. It was filled with the men of Bahadur, who were Moors (Muslims of mixed Arab and Berber descent). These pirates started merchandise exchange and started great movement of shipping from Malabar laden with arecas, cocoa and spices, which were later, sent along Red Sea.

• 1526 AD – Portuguese establish the first factory.

• 1529 AD – Heitor da Silveira attacks Ali Shah - burns and plunders Vasai. Mosques which were built on temples were destroyed. New Churches were built on destroyed mosques. Religious Conversions starts under guidance of hoary Franciscan missionary Fr. António de Porto who are helped by the orthodoxy of local Hindus.

• 1532 AD – Governor of Diu Malik Tokan of Bahadur Shah re-fortifies Vasai. Establishes 15000 Cavalry and Infantary.

• 1533 AD – Portuguese General Nuno da Cunha along with Diogo de Silveira and Manuel de Machado bring 150 Ship – 4000 men (half Europeans, Half Goan and attack Vasai. Bahadur Shah cedes Vasai. Religious Conversions restart under guidance of hoary Franciscan missionary Fr. António de Porto who throws bread in the well and those who drink water from that well are automatically ostracized from Hinduism by shamedi Brahmins who do not hesitate to confiscate the lands and belongings of the converted before ostracizing their people. Also, the rule of King of Portugal João III starts, at whose request the Inquisition formally started in Portugal but not in India.

• 1536 AD – António Galvano opposes Muslim attack on Vasai, lays foundation cornerstone for the reconstruction of Bacaim Fort.

• 1537 AD – António Galvano furiously pulls down certain Muslim Mosques which were built on the foundation of Hindu temples and in their place builds Cathedral of St. Joseph. Portuguese empire seemed to favour the Franciscans. Though this continued till 1634 AD, but due to the changes in the Papal intimacy towards Jesuits (famously called Troops of Pope), Portuguese empire had to allow them in Bassein too.

• 1542 AD – 1580 AD – Clergymen under guidance of fathers of Jesuit College start conversions of natives into Christianity by preaching. Basically Portuguese backed Franciscans. Immediately at the advent of Portuguese rule, the Jesuit missionary of zeal Francis Xavier from Spain, arrive in Vasai in 1544 AD, and twice in 1548 AD and train the pastors for Evangelisation of the true faith. Francis Xavier is famous for his quotation, “ Every time a new convert smashes his idol and caste, my joy knew no bounds”. Soon the Portuguese stripped lake banks pulled down around 200 temples and used the stones in building Portuguese Churches, forts and houses, religious and state buildings whose ruins still remain in Bassein.

• 1583 AD – Bacaim becomes full fledged trade centre with trade of rice, corn and timber for ship building. St. Joseph Cathedral construction completes, 5 Convents, 13 Churches, an orphanage and a hospital built in the city of Bacaim which was never done during the Brahmin rule. Of which Dominican Church was built in the Fort under the invocation of São Gonçalo.

Jesuits intensify their evangelization movement to increase support against invaders of other faiths and to increase the number of Catholics as against Protestants. (this is funny where did the Protestants come into picture ?), which were on rise in Europe. The methods adopted for conversions were numerous, which is clear from the “Monita Secreta” which reveal “Secret Instructions of the Jesuits”, Jesuit way of missionary work is also revealed from the fact that in 1738, English rulers at Bombay have observed Jesuits to be hostile and treacherous since they tie up with peshwa a Brahmin ruler and shamedis and take control of whole of India technically the shamedis are responsible for British rule of India.

• 1607 AD – Bacaim gets international acclaim to be place of Shipbuilding, place of export of building stone; (these stones are used to construct all Goan Churches).

• 1618 AD – 1634 AD – Portuguese give conversions a slow down and start maintaining good relations with native unconverts to avoid conflicts, curses and thus grow their trade in rice, pulses, grains and coconuts. They allow 200 native Christians to stay within the walls of Bacaim along with better class of Christians. Though craftsmen and Hindu Brahmins were not allowed to live within the walls . The Jesuit college gets reformed with fine library of commentaries, works on history and morals, increase hospitality and made public places of entertainment unnecessary.

• 1674 AD – 600 Arab pirates from Muscat landed at Bacaim and plundered all churches outside of the walls and did cruel violence on native converts and unconverts. This marked the decay of Portuguese power. These Arabs settled in the now what is called as "Hathi Mohalla" and later spread in Papdy. Seeing this as right opportunity, Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj recommends More Pandit to settle in Kalyan and forced Portuguese to pay one forth of Bacaims revenue.

• 1690 AD – Bacaim striken by pestilential plague continuing the Bacaim city along with Ahmedabad, Surat, Deccan and Bombain for seven to eight years. About two thirds of the city lost the life in this deadly disease. During this period Phadke of Aggassi renovated the Bhavani Shankara Mandir.

• 1702 AD – The economic crises in London adversely affect the trade from Vasai.

• 1728 AD – Portuguese Officer sent from Goa observes that outposts, stockades, forts and grassion of Bacaim was in poor state with only unskilled and untaught and undrilled robber like soldiers left in the fort. Portuguese take strong steps to restructure the Bacaim’s administrative structure.

• 1737 AD – 38 AD – *1737 AD – 1738 AD – Marathas march towards Bacaim.

They seize Arnala to drive out the Portguese. General Shankarji Pant informed Chimaji that Arnala fort is a strategic FORT for the naval forces that were on route to attack the Portuguese. Chimaji approved the assault on the fort. Shankarji Pant consulted and sought assistance of the local people to attack the Arnala fort; among them were Govindji Kasar and Gavraji Patil from Bolinj. Shankarji sent Gangaji Naik, Bajirao Belose and Rayajirao Surve to lead a battalion of 400 soldiers to lead the attack on Arnala fort. This attack was coordinated along with naval force commanded by Manaji Agre.

On March 28, 1737 Maratha forces attacked the fort and surprised the Portuguese who were caught with their guard down. The Portuguese retreated and gave up the fort. The Maratha victory was commemorated with a plaque installed on the northern wall of the fort and is still visible today. Soon after the Maratha victory, Shankarji Pant began reconstruction of the fort. By January of 1738 three bastions were completed. The three bastions were named Bahirav, Bhavani and Bava. The construcation was completed by March of 1738. Later Marathas occupied Versova and Dharavi.

• 1739 AD – Seize of Bacaim begins on 17 th February 1739 under able leadership of Bajirao’s brother Chimnaji Appa. Marathas exhibit besiegning force, skill, courage and perseverance and thus Portuguese lose their commander Silveira de Menezes. But Portuguese Garrison defends with highest courage and constancy with hand grenades, musketry and mortars, using their technically advanced weapons and artillery, the Portuguese inflicted high casaulties on the Marathas . Angre’s fleet plays brave role and on 16 May 1739 Marathas defeated Portuguese with might.

Portuguese offered to capitulate, but requested to allow marching out with honours which Marathas accepted, as a mark of humane protocol to the defeated army. Bacaim fell from Portuguese as a stately tree never to rise again.

• 1739 AD – Bacaim was named as Bajipur after the Peshwa Bajirao. To restore the Hindu Culture and resettle the unconverted natives they incurred upon by the Portuguese Rule, Peshwas brought a flight of well trained, well learned Brahmans to purify the native converts willing to reconvert to their original Hindu fold of four castes Racist / Casteist View and made them fit to take their place in their old castes. To the converts unwilling to come back to Hindu Fold or to those who were born out of Portuguese Peshwas striped the churches it was latter in 19th century that these churches were reconstructed during the British rule of India.

Chimnaji Appa restores the Nageshwar Mandir near Naga Kunda, Builds Hanuman Mandir over a church which might have been built on a mosque or temple foundation in the Fort . And oldest Trivikram Mandir in Fort over st. anthony churchand Vamana Mandir of Aggasi said to have been established by Shri Vamadev Tirtha Swami in 388 BC. built Bhavani Shankara Mandir of Aggasi over our lady of light church, Papdy Kshetrapaleshwar Mandir which was built over our lady of Fatima .

• 1767 AD – Dutch wished to establish the factory at Bassein.

• 1774 AD – The Bassein town was taken by British but was again restored to the Marathas.

• 1780 AD – British led by Godrad attacked Vasai from 13 November to 10 December and acquired Vasai from the Marathas.

• 1783 AD – Under the treaty of Salbai (March 1782) Bassein was restored to Marathas.

• 1802 AD – 31 December, the Treaty of Bassein was concluded.

• 1817 AD – Bassein with the rest of North Konkan passed to British. British soon start establishing modern Catholic Churches including Our Blessed Lady of Mercy at Merces, Our Blessed Lady of Remedies at Remedy, St. Michael the Archangel (Manickpur Church), Church of St. Thomas the Apostle at Sandor, Our Blessed Lady the Mother of God (Pali Church), Our Blessed Lady of Grace (Papdy Church)

• 1830 AD – British attempted to revive the industry in Bassein by starting the Sugar Factory, but the scheme failed from the death of Mr. Lingard the promoter.

• 1838 AD – Bassein almost became deserted with just a small population of fishermen, hunters, native converted and native unconverted ones. The population dropped down from 60499 in the beginning of 1802 AD to 10356 in 1881

• 1852 AD – The ruined Portuguese Church of Nossa Senhora da Vida was converted by British to a sugar factory. But the factory was soon closed due to losses incurred because of poor administration.

• 1856 AD – Road was built connecting Bassein to Manickpur (Umela).

• 1860 AD – The land of the fort was leased for thirty years to Major Littlewood, whose son cultivated the fields in the fort for some time. Franciscan Church was closed by bastion of Sam Sebastian under the pressure of British and Mrs Littlewood.

• 1864 AD – Bassein Municipality was established. A new town beside Par Naka was established in the village of Malonde. The Bassein Municipality limit included Old Fort, Malonde, Dhauli, Sandor, Mulgaon and many gardens and fields between Bassein and Papdy.

• 1869 AD – Mamlatdaar Office gets established. • 1947 AD – British Rule Vasai. • 1947 AD onwards – Rule of Union Government of India rule Vasai from New Delhi by the democratically elected representatives.

Communities based in Vasai

Vasai has 12 communities:

Kupari. Chambhar, Gawad Bhandari, Saraswats, Palshi, Kudal Deshkars, Panamali (Somavanshi Kshatriya Samaj), Bhandari (Seshavanshi Kshatriya Samaj), Samvedi Brahmans, Sandori Christians, Kupari, Aagri, Koli, Brahmins and East-Indians (Walkars).

Bhandari (Gawad Bhandari and others)

Gawad bhandari communiy is based in entire vasai tehsil and mainly in villages of Nirmal, Vasai, bhuigaon, Agashi. The surname include Gawad, Patil, Raut, Keni amd Kini. Other than Gawad Bhandari Community there are other Bhandari communities residing to vasai as well.

Panamali (Somavanshi Kshatriya Samaj)

The words "Somavanshi Kshatriya" mean the second caste in the hierarchy of the Hindu Varna System. "Soma" means "Moon", thus these kshatriyas belong to the "Chandra Vansha" i.e. "Moon Dynasty of Warriors".

Somavanshi Kshitriya Alias. Vadval/Pachkalshi/Chaukalshi/Panmali/Paan Bhandari:

Sopara and Mahim are said to be the land of confluence of the Somavanshi Kshatriya clan, one from Utkala(ancient Orissa) and other from Gujarat and still other from Magadha and Mahishmati. The Somavanshis of Vasai and Palghar taluka have a unique history.

Normally the surnames of Somavanshis are Raut, Chaudhari, Mahapatra (Mhatre), Save (Saave) and Gharat (Non Agri). These are the six important families of Somavanshi Kshatriyas. Of these Thakurs were locatedin Mahim, Rauts in Bajipur, Chaudhari’s in Sopara, Mahapatra (Mhatre) in Nirmal region, and Saave in Kelva. Later some of these clans were segregated and were named as Vartak, Patil and those who went to Mumbai region were called Churi. (Any references for this data ?? ) palghar panchali both side in vadwal-chaukalshi his surname is all of villages patil

Palshi

Palshi community consists of 7 Kul (Sapta Kul).They originally belong Sapta Sindhu Region of Kashmir, which is now called “Shardi” near Muzzafarabad in POK .These people are very honest, gentle and scholarly people with fair complexion, height and physical stature; typical of Kashmiris. King Bindusar brought them to Prathishthanpur around 700 BC for 3 jobs. 1) Mooli, 2)Vali and 3)Pali.

1) “Mooli” means to recognize medicinal roots from forests and prepare medicines from them.

2) “Vali” means assisting and administrating various temples and Dharmashalas on behalf of Rajas.

3) “Pali” means organizing and coordinating people to perform various mega-yajnas and poojas. Administrating the goods required for the Pooja and Yadnya and make provisions for the presiding Brahmins.

It is speciality of this community, that their valour was such great that none of their families converted themselves to Christianity as happened to Shamedis and Bhandaris. That's why these families enjoy high respect among Hindus of Vasai and Mahim. Every marriage ceremony of Panchkalshis and Shamedis are considered incomplete without the presence of Palshis. Shamedis and Panchkalshis find themselves unfortunate if a Palshi refuses to attend the ceremony.

The Vasai Agris reverted in 1820 .The priest who purified and took them back was Ramchandra Baba Joshi, a Palshe headman. One Bhai Mukund Joshi, also a Palshe headman, succeeded Ramchandra. The name of the priest who admitted the Agris in 1828 (November 12) was Vithal Hari Naik, a Palshe gentleman of Vasai. Thus Palashi’s have a great role in saving the Hindu religion in Vasai. Even Pachkalchi is also diverted into Desai which means lanlorad

Samvedi (brahmin)

The 'Shri Samvedi' are an Indian community, originating from a group of classical musicians and dancers singing Samveda. They are follower of Samveda. They are Samvedi Brahmans. They are Nayaks and Gayakas, believed to have been originated from Orissa, and who live in 12 villages around the Nirmal Sarovar of Bassein (Vasai), earlier called Shurparak which is in fact and old name of present day sopara.

Their deity is Nirmaleshwar, located towards right of the 7th Jagatguru Shankar acharya Padmanabha Tirtha Swami Samadi and outside the 5th Jagadguru Shankaracharya Vidyaranya Swami Samadhi Mandir on the Nirmal hillock.

The word “Samvedi” is the colloquial term from the original Sanskrit word “Shamaneedresh” (“Shaman = Entertainment”, “Edresh = “Attributed”), meaning those workers in the royal court entertaining the King. The king appointed these people to offer music services at the Samadi place. Shamedis used to offer the “Sanai – Choughada – Mridanga – Bheri – Veena” during the dawn and night worship at Nirmal Jagad Guru Shankaracharya Samadhi Mandir, Shri Sureshwar (Suleshwar) Mandir and the Bhavani Shankara Mandir (Agassi).

Their Family deity is considered to be the goddesses Bhuvaneshwari and Vimala. These goddesses are said to reside in the Utkala. Samvedis came as expert to Shurparak during the Buddha era rom the place called Utkala, now named as Orissa. Some historians place the date of their arrival in Vasai as late as 1825 AD, since none of the Shamedi person has any written or cultural evidence of their existence before the advent of Peshawas Nor is there any mention of Samvedi community in the Bakhar of Sashti or Mahikavati this provides as a support to the above theory. ^{(All the mythology seems to have been written down here, seems that sanity check is needed )}

There are seven surnames related to this profession.

1. The one who used to compose poetry- drama and act in the drama used to be called as “Nayak” the family of Nayak’s later was called by surname “Naik”.
2. The musicians who used to play the musical instruments made of Brass or Bronze (Vartakam) were called “Vartakah”. This community later was called by surname “Vartak”.
3. The main Singer or main actor in the drama was called as “Mahapatra”, the community of these Mahapatras were later called as “Mahatre”.
4. The chief musical director who used to guide the group of musicians were called “Jyoshih”.The community of these Jyoshis were later called by surname “Joshi”.
5. The commentators of the Musical programme were called “Vache”, later these were called “Vaze”.
6. The one who used to make- up the actors by decorating them with “Patt” i.e. dress, crown etc. were called “Pattolika”. These makeup men community were later called “Pattils” i.e. “Patil”.
7. The surname "Deshmukh" is also found in some samvedis. These 7 surnamed people belong to the following Gotras viz. 1) Bharadwaj 2) Kashyap 3) Atri 4) Kaushik 5) Vashishtha 6) Angirasa.

The traditional profession of Samvedis was to present Music, Dance and Dramas at the Royal Palaces and in the Holy Mandiras as a part of the social awareness of religion. Later during the period of Raja Pratap Bimba the profession shifted to that of cultivating sugarcane and nagvel/panvel leaves since they sold their profession to the Rigvedic Brahmins. The cultivation of paddy was added to the profession in the late 17th century.

The Samvedi society Main villages are as follows 1) Umralla 2) Bolinj 3) Gaas 4) Kohprad 5) Bhuigaon 6) Wagholi 7) Navale 8) Vatar 9) Nalla 10)Mardes 11)Nandakhal i.e. Nandigram

Out Of this 11 villages Umralla, Bhuigaon & Wagholi are too big in terms of area.

Agari

The name Agri comes from Agar, a Salt-pan or bounded farm. The Agri of Maharashtra are also known as Agle and Kharpatil The tradition common among them is that they originally dwelt at Mungi Paithan and were transported to the Konkan by Bimbaraja. Two son's Agla and Mangla, were born to the sage Agasti; the former the ancestor of the Agris, the latter of the Mangelas (Fishermen). The first was told to support himself by the manufacture of salt from the sea, the latter by fishing.

Some Surnames Bhamber, Bhoir, Bholekar, Chavan, Choudhari, Danki, Dasalke, Dhumala, Driyacha, Dukre, Gaikwad, Gavad, Gavil, Shivasi, Gharat, Ghodinde, Gondhali, Gore, Gulvi, Jadhav, Joshi, Kadu, Kalaj, Kamane, Karbhari, Kari, Keni, Khambalker, Khanda-Agle, Kharik, Khuntale, Kokati, Kotval, Kutilkar, Madhovi, Mali, Mandre, Mhatre, Mohile, More, Mukadam, Mukul, Naik, Navare, Pangdi, Patil, Pavar, Sare, Sasai, Shelar, Shirke, Sigola, Thakur, Kirad, Vaghoda, Vaze, Yadav. Christian Agris, who reverted to Hinduism in 1820 and others in 1828. They are also known as Nave or New Marathas. Their manners and customs are the same as those of other agris and they worship the Hindu gods. The chief evidence of their having once been Christians is to be found in their surnames, which are Gomes, Soz, Fernat, and Minez. The Vasai Agris reverted in 1820. The priest who purified and took them back was Ramchandra Baba Joshi, a Palshe headman. One Bhai Mukund Joshi, also a Palshe headman, succeeded Ramchandra. The name of the priest who admitted the Agris in 1828 (November 12) was Vithal Hari Naik, a Palshe gentleman of Vasai.^{(Useless details which have no significance to reality as existing today)}

Sandori Christians

Sandori Christians also called Vadvals, Somavanshi. These are mainly from the Sonar (goldsmith), Sutar (Carpenter), and some Bhandari communities of the native Hindus who were converted during the times of Portuguese (However this is unsubstantiated as Christianity was existing in Bacaim before the Portuguese arrived. Common belief in this region is that Christianity was propagated from South India where St Thomas had preached ). The culture of Sandori Christian differs from that of Kuparis (Kado's). The villages of Mulgaon, Remedy, Sandor, Merces, Girij, and Papdy which fall under Vadval and Bhuigoan, Nandkhal, Umralla, Gass, Nirmal, Agashi fall under Kado community respectively. Sandori Chritians have done lot for the social development and thus Vasai has a lot of good and developmental institutions. However this rapid urbanization has created a lot of issues in this region like scarcity of electricity and water. Also land grabbers have become rampant in annexing land belonging to locals by bribing local government officials.

Samvedi Christians

Samvedi Christians are an ethnic group based in and around the villages of Vasai. They were converted to Christianity and evanglised during the Portuguese rule in Bombay, while retaining much of their Brahman traditions. the language of these people is samvedi language a mixture of Marathi and Konkani. The villages are Gass, Nirmal, Bhuigoan, Nandhakhal, Nanbhat, Agashi, Shirlaiwadi, Bolinj & Rajodi . People in these regions have surnames like Tuscano, Lopes, Lemos, Rodrigues, Ludrik, Gonsalves, Ghosal, Lobo, D'cunha, D'costa, D'Monte, D'Mello, Damel, D'abreo, Dabre, Mot, Dodti, D'Souza, Soz, Almeida, Dabre, Kudel, Kordeiro, Pen, Pereira, Pirel, Correia, Farrel, Rumao, Goveas, Rodrigues, Machado, Fargose, Alphanso, Fonseca, Fos, D'silva, Figer, Mascarenhas, Vaz, Rebello, Fernandes, Gomes, Kharas, Crasto, Rosario, Luzar, Dias, Dalmet, Tellis, D'Brito some specify as Brito also etc. This people basically do farming in these areas as there is ample of water available in all seasons.they do farming of Onion, Brinjals, Tomatoes, White Onions, Spinach, Coriander etc. which is of sweet water. From This place the Vegetables go to Mumbai early morning by Train to sell in Dadar Market or at various places. By doing farming these areas are developed

Christian Churches in Vasai

• Holy Cross Church, Nirmal (One of the Oldest church in Maharashtra which has 33 Steps as Jesus Lived for 33 Years)
• Our Lady Of Grace Cathedral Church(cathedral), Papdy
• Shrine Of Our Lady of Remedies Church, Remedy
• * Our Lady of Mercy, Merces
• Our Lady of Fatima Church, Chulne
• St. Peter Church, Arnala
• St. Thomas Church, Sandor
• St. Francis Xavier Church, Giriz
• St. Mary Magdalene Church, Mulgaon
• St. Gonsalo Garcia Church, Gass
• St. Michael Church, Manickpur
• Mother of God Church, Palle
• Nirmala Mata Mandir, Umela
• Holy Spirit Church, Nandakhal
• Christ The King Church, Bolinj
• Our Lady of Lourdes, Shirlaiwadi
• Saint James church, Agashi
• St. Ignatius Loyola Church, 100 feet road
• Holy Family Church, Bhuigaon
• St. Joseph Church, Umralla
• St. Paul's Church, Nanbhat
• St. Roque's Church, Gokhivare
• St. Gonsalo Garcia Church, Barampur, Near Bishop's House

Gallery

• Colours Of Vasai
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  View of Ambadi Road from the skywalk at 6:30PM.-AG
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  Dattani Square, the upcoming mall.-AG
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  Dattani Square are seen from Umela Road.-AG
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  Icewine, the liquor shop at Stella, Vasai AG
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  'Mambos - The Lounge' at Stella, Vasai West.-AG
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  Vijay Sales, The electronic megastore, near D-Mart, Vasai West.-AG
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  Thie illumnated road towards Manickpur(and Papdi) in the evening.-AG
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  Horse riding at Suruchi Beach.-AG
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  Sunset at Suruchi Beach.-AG
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  The Vasai (West) bus stop.-AG
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  The skywalk near Station road, Vasai West.-AG
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  The crowd persists even after construction of the new skywalk.-AG
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  Chulna Talav (Vasai West).-AG