The Lakes of Thane
An introduction to water bodies of a city also called the City of Lakes
The TMC website lists 33 lakes in the city and considering Thane's rapid concretisarion in past three decades, it won't be surprising to know that new comers to Thane don't know that it is also called a City of Lakes. The lakes of Thane are spread all over and I list here five, of which two are in close vicinity to Rustomjee Urbania and three others are well-known lakes of Thane. Thane's lakes are spread all over the city and in past decades TMC has taken great care to clean up the lakes of weeds and silt, make walking paths and add recreational facilities for citizens. The fountains seen inside the lakes are those that oxygenate the water by pumping it continually in the air and help deodorise the water.
Jail Lake: No, you don't need to be jailed to see this lake. Yes, it adjoins the Thane Central Jail (which happens to be located in Thane Fort built by the Portuguese) and thus is named after the Jail. It was also called Castle Lake in the past. It could have been named Post Office Lake too as it is in front of Thane GPO. A lake of about three and a half acres, this one is a good example of TMC's lake rejuvenation. Right now it has clear water and you can see two aerators pumping the water continuously to add oxygen to it and keep the lake live. Recently, TMC has fenced the lake and also painted the wall yellow. Urbanians can approach it from Rabodi via Kalwa Bridge side or the Shreerang Sociery side. It is a very peaceful lake and safe too (remember there is a Jail nearby) waiting for you to visit soon.
Talaopalli or Masunda Lake: This lake is in what you can call the heart of Thane and is a prime recreational area. Considering its importance, it is the best maintained one at Thane and a hub for recreation and fitness apart from art and culture. The lake has a path laid all around for walking or running and one can see fitness enthusiasts at their pastime mornings and evenings. The Gadkari Auditorium on the lakeshore is popular destination for plays and other peformances. The lake water has been cleaned with much effort by TMC and is oxygenated through fountains keep the water odour free. Talao Pali has Victorias (horse driven carriages) offering horse cart rides sought after by visitors to the lake. Unusually, sea gulls are a common sight at Talaopalli attracted there by the food offered by visitors to the lake. At night, the lake is lit up colourfully and is thus a good subject for photography. A temple, the Mahadev Dhyan Mandir is at the centre of the lake and is colourfully lit at evenings. The lake also offers boating facilities. Street food is sold on the lake shore. There is also a statue of Shivaji in one corner of the lake. The Talao Pali area also hosts small eateries that serve Vadapav, popular local food. Parking here is a probelm so one is better off going there by autorickshaw. The old and famous places of worship - Kopineshwar Temple and St. John's Church are in close vicinity of Talao Palli.
Temple in Upvan Lake clicked early morning Dec 2018
Upvan Lake: This is also among most popular lakes of Thane more so for those in the romantic mood. It has an interesting history. Made to supply water to the Raymond factory on the same road (Pokhran Road number 1), now Upvan Lake is a hub for recreation. Cleaned up and made better by TMC, Upvan Lake is very popular amomg walkers and runners whom you can see in large numbers early morninga. The lake has a Deity of Lord Shiva inside. It does have a paved path all around it but the path is not in good condition throughout, so circumambulating the lake by foot is not easy. There is a small park on the periphery which is used by walkers. Tree planting has been done on the shores and there is a also an amphitheatre like area used during music festivals on floating jetties in the lake. A very memorable experience I had in January 2019 was attending early morning classical music concerts for the Times Sanskruti Festival (as the Upvan Lake Festival is now called). The festival in runs over many days each January drawing visitors from even outside Thane and has art, dance, music and shopping. The lake shore comes alive during the festival with hundreds of stalls selling food and other stuff. The lake has a jetty like structure with food stalls. Parking is easy to find around Upvan Lake as compared to rhe Masunda Lake. Upvan Lake adjoins Yeoor Hills and in monsoon you feel you are in a hill station with clouds moving near the Yeoor Hills. The Mayor's reaidence is located on the shores of Upvan Lake.
Upvan Lake with Yeoor Hills in background in Jan 2019
Ghosale Lake: Also called Ambe Ghosale lake and named after two sisters, this one is enroute Castle Mill and adjoins Shreerang Society. There actually were two lakes but one of them in s encroached and the one named Ghosale remains. From Rustomjee Urbania one can walk up to this lake in 15 minutes. It has a paved path laid all around and sees lot of walkers. It is right adjacent to homes all along its periphery on most parts. The lake sees paid games for children (trampoline). Being in a crowded junction this lake is not to be approached at evening.
Kachrali Lake: The TMC headquarters is in vicinity and that may be one reason for this lake to have been spruced up. A small lake wirh a path all around and homes all around too, it is a well visited spot at Panchpakadi (not too far from Thane's own Khao Galli or Food Street). The road adjoining does have parking. There are also some well known snack shops near Kachrali Lake.