India /Maharashtra /Mumbai City /Mumbai

Sight Address : Versova Beach, Andheri West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400058.Edit

Detail InformationEdit

The Versova Beach is another popular beach located in Mumbai. This fascinating coast, which is a continuation of the Juhu Beach and separated by a creek, is situated in the suburbs of Andheri. The Versova village is home to a large community of fishing folk known as ‘Kolis’. This beach/village is famous for its fish market auctions which are held every day. During the ancient times, Versova was one of the main ports used for port-side transactions in Mumbai. Apart from the scenic beauty of the coast, gigantic rocks bordering the beach act as buffer, protecting the village from the enormous waves of the never-ending Arabian Sea. As the shoreline faces the vast Arabian Sea, watching the magnificent sunsets from this beach is a blissful experience. What is even more surreal is watching the fishermen heading out into the big blue and catching fresh fish. People in Mumbai visit this beach to escape from their tedious work life and to enjoy moments of peace. If you are looking for a whole new adventure or some solace, then Versova beach might just be the place for you. Read on for more.

Versova Beach

HistoryEdit

Versova was originally a small fishing village of the Kolis, situated to the north of the old Mumbai city.The original name of the village is “Vesave”, which derives from the Marathi word for “rest” (as in resting place). In 1694, a fleet of Arabs from Muscat landed in Versova and massacred every person they could find in the village.The village is mentioned in the writings of Gemelli Careri in 1695.Versova came under the Portuguese rule in the medieval period. The Portuguese constructed the Our Lady of Health Church in Versova, and a number of Kolis converted to Christianity during this period. By 1720, it had emerged as a small town, with a small fort and a growing trade in dry fish. By 1728, In 1739, the Portuguese lost the area to the Marathas, who strengthened the fort. A British force led by Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Keating defeated the Marathas in 1774.In 1800, the British established a training facility for artillery and engineering cadets. However, the facility was moved the old Bombay city after a fever epidemic affected nearly all the cadets, and killed many of them. The military establishment was completely