The temple of goddess Vajreshwari is near the historical cities of Vasai and Sopara in  Palghar District of Maharashtra. The temple is in the village Vadavali also known as Vajreshwari after the preceding deity where the temple is situated is on the bank of the river Tanasa.

Districts/Region

Bhiwandi Taluka, Thane District, Maharashtra, India. 

History

This temple is dedicated to Yogini Vajreshwari Devi, believed to be an incarnation of goddess Parvati (consort of Shiva). The old temple of goddess Vajreshwari Yogini was at a village called Gunj Kati. This was migrated to the present location during the Portuguese period due to the religious intolerance policy of Portuguese.
The present temple is located on a small hillock and accessed by a small flight of steps.
In the military campaign against the Portuguese of Vasai, Chimaji Appa, the younger brother and military commander of Peshwa Bajirao I had camped in the Vadavali region. In his prayers, he expressed his wish to renovate the temple for Vajreshwari goddess if they win this battle. Maratha got control over Vasai, and he renovated the temple of Goddess Vajreshwari.
The temple shows the Maratha architecture features. The sanctum houses six idols. The saffron colour idol is of the goddess Vajreshwari. The other images include Renuka (Parshurama's mother), goddess Saptashrungi Mahalakshmi of Vani and a tiger, goddess Vajreshwari's mount; are to the left of the goddess Vajreshwari. On her right of the goddess are the idols of the goddess Kalika (the village goddess) and Parshurama. The subsidiary shrine in the temple has idols of Ganesha, Bhairava, Hanumana and local deities like Moraba Devi. The assembly hall has a bell, which devotees ring while entering the shrine. A Yajna Kunda is outside the assembly hall. Temple premises also have few other shrines dedicated to Kapileshwar Mahadeva (Shiva), Datta, Hanumana and saints of the Giri Gosavi sect.
This region has plenty of natural hot springs, these are considered miracles. Pilgrims bathe in it. These hot water springs are locally known as Kundas and named after Hindu gods and goddesses. Several hindu Puranic traditions like Nirmal Mahatmya, Tungareshwar Mahatmya and Vajreshwari Mahatmya have references to Vajreshwari temple. The stories related to this temple also occur in Medieval cultic texts of a Shaiva cult named Natha Sampradaya.

Geography

The Temple of Vajreshwari is on the bank of the river Tanasa. 

Weather/Climate

The prominent weather in the region is rainfall, the Konkan belt experiences High Rainfall (ranges around 2500 mm to 4500 mm), and the climate remains Humid and warm. The temperature reaches up to 30 degrees Celsius during this season.
Summers are hot and humid, and the temperature touches 40 degrees Celsius.
Winters in the region have a comparatively milder climate (around 28 degrees Celsius), and the weather remains Cool and Dry.

Things to do

1.    Akoli is known for kund (hot springs). Around the kund, there are Shiva temple and Saibaba temple.
2.    Vajreshwari temple celebrates a festival on the occasion of Navratri. 
3.    Pelhar Lake is 3 KM from Vajreshwari temple. 

Nearest tourist places

• Ganeshpuri (2.1KM)
• Tungareshwar Temple  (12.7 KM)
• Hedavde Mahalaxmi Temple (13.2 KM)
• Kalyani village resort (6.3 KM)
• Vasai Fort (38 KM)
• Sopara Buddhist Stupa (28.8 KM)

Special food speciality and hotel

Maharashtrian food is local cuisine here. Several restaurants and dhabas serve a variety of cuisines.  

Accommodation facilities nearby & Hotel/ Hospital/Post Office/Police station

• DM Petit Municipal Hospital- 1.9 KM
• Vasai Police Station- 0.8 KM
• India Post- Bassein Post Office- 2.2 KM 

Visiting Rule and Time, Best month to visit

Vajreshwari temple is open in the early morning at 5:30 P.M and closes at 9:00 P.M
The best time to visit Vajreshwari is during winter between October to January. 

Language spoken in area 

English, Hindi, Marathi