Bassein
Bassein
used to be a place for ship-building in the beginning of the seventeenth century
. it was here that the Marathas besieged the Portuguese in 1739.
The ruins of the Portuguese Fort still stand almost hidden by brushwood and
palm groves. About 10 kms. to the north-west lies Nalasopara village, the capital
of the Konkan from about 1500 B. C. - 1300 A. D.
Many Buddhist relics were discovered here. Nalasopara is believed to have been
Gautama Buddha's birthplace in a previous life.
To the north of Nalasopara is the Agar of Agashi and to the south the Agar of
Bassein.
About an hour by bus from Bassein station are the Vajreshwari temple and Akloli
hot springs.
Also easily accessible is Ganeshpuri with the Sadguru Nityanand Maharaj Samadhi
Mandir, the Bhimeshwar temple and the other ashrams.
There are several beautiful churches in Bassein, a reminder of the Portuguese
presence.
Getting there: Bassein Road, on Western Railway, is the nearest railhead.
By road, Bassein is 77 kms. along the Mumbai- Ahmedabad highway.
