Murbad

Geography

Murbad is located at 21.5°N 73.4°E / 21.5; 73.4 with an average elevation of 83 meters (272 feet). In Murbad, there are about 206 villages with a total population of 18,725. The climate of Murbad is mostly hot and humid. The nearby Sahyadri mountains cause heavy rainfall in Murbad; in July, the average rainfall is 53.7 inches. The dry season in Murbad is in January, when the area receives an average rainfall of less than one tenth of an inch. Murbad stays primarily within a 15 degree range, with an average low of 72.7 degrees Fahrenheit (22.6 degrees Celsius) in January and an average high of 86.9 degrees Fahrenheit (47.6 degrees Celsius) in May.

Murbad is surrounded by Shahapur Taluka in the north, Ambernath Kalyan and Ulhasnagar Taluka in the west, Ahmednagar District in the northeast, and Pune District in the east.

Murbadi, Kalu, and Shai are the major rivers of Murbad. All of them are seasonal and flow westwards.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Murbad had a population of 15,823, consisting of 54% male and 46% females. Murbad has an average literacy rate of 73%; the national average is 59.5%. Literacy rates is 80% among males and 65% among females. Approximately 15% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Transport

Air - The nearest airport is Chattarpati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai (about 78km away)

Rail - The nearest railway station is Kalyan, Badlapur, Titwala on the Central Railways line. Road - Murbad lies on the Kalyan to Ahmednagar National Highway (No.222). The Murbad - Malshej State Highway (222) is in good condition, but village roads in adjacent villages are yet to be developed - as well the highway.

Educational institutions

The Buddhist International School (CBSE) Bhuvan, Murbad,

Wisdom English High School, Murbad,

New English School Murbad,

Nirmala B Todalikar Vidyalaya,

Swami Vivekananda Eng. Med.,

Aadarsh Vidyalaya, Murbad,

JSM College, Shivale

MV's Commerce Hub, Murbad

Around Murbad

Murbad Taluka is settled in the natural depression of Sahyadri Hills. It has been developed as a tourist destination. A historical memorial event, "Mhasa Jatra", happens near here annually during which lakhs of people visit Murbad. Mhasa Jatra (Yatra) is held on Paush (10th month of Hindu Marathi calendar) Purnima (Full Moon Day), which is approximately in the month of January every year. The tradition of Mhasa Yatra is more than 200 years old and the presiding deity is Khamblingeshwar, or Mhasoba (Lord Shankar). Devotees come in to offer their prayers to Lord Shankar from different parts of Maharashtra and neighboring states. Jatra is held over a sprawl of 1.5 to 2 km surrounding the temple in Mhasa village.

Malshej Ghat is situated in the Thane/Pune district, and is near the borders of Thane and Ahmednagar districts; it has an average height of 700m[1]. Malshej Ghat comes alive in the monsoon season (June–September), when innumerable waterfalls abound in the area. It receives many local hikers, trekkers and adventure-lovers during this period. In the winter season, Malshej Ghat is home to the exotic flamingos who migrate there.

Fort Siddhagad is an ancient hillfort built by the Shilahaar royal family in 9th century AD. The tomb of freedom fighter and martyr Bhai Kotwal lies at the base of this fort's south side. It is the highest hillfort in Maharashtra (with a height of about 910 meters). The central top of this fort is a particularly exciting and tough climb. Visits for the fort are best undertaken in the winter or summer season.