Located in the Thane district of Maharashtra, Kalyan is a hidden gem if you love exploring new places just around your city. While we know a lot of us would prefer snoozing in on the weekends, a trip to Kalyan is actually a pretty great idea. This city is essentially divided into two parts: Juna (Old) Kalyan and Nava (New) Kalyan. Also, if you ask the locals, they’ll tell you that the western section of the city is more developed that its eastern counterpart.
We decided to take a day out to go see what Kalyan had to offer. Come evening, we had our top 5 favorite things to do here and now it’s time to share these with you.
1. Head For An Early Breakfast At Dudh Naka
Replete with proper Kolkata feels, Doodh Naka in Kalyan still uses the tanga as a means of commute (for real). You can hail a tanga ride just for the experience, but we personally don’t encourage human labor. If you’re a Kalyanite, you’ll already be up and early to savor some delicious Malai Pav/ Pyaali Pav at this tiny stall called ‘A to Z.’ Here, they serve breakfast from 4 am and are very popular with the locals. We also tried the famous Lokmanya Misal here and the tarri was spicy and tart, just like any good place of misal would be. But what took the cake was a spot called Khidki Vada Pav. Apparently, these guys are a local favorite and people from Ulhasnagar and Bhiwandi come in for piping hot Vada Pav.
Also read: 10 Must-Try Vada Pav Variants You Have To Eat Now!
2. Visit The Durgadi Fort For A Renewed History Lesson
Located near the Mumbai-Agra road, this fort was the start point of Maratha Navy. Not only is Kalyan a major junction, but it was also a bustling towns since the ancient times. The Durgadi Fort is one of the few remnants from that era and its main entrance is called Ganpati Darwaja. Built by Chattrapati Shivaji, this historical monument is situated near the creek on a small hill. We loved strolling through, exploring bits and pieces of history that stand testimony to the times of our proud forefathers.
Also read: Kumbhalgarh Fort: The Second Largest Wall In The World
Address: Ganesh Ghat of Ulhas River, Dist, Kalyan West, Kalyan, Maharashtra 421301
Timing: 6 am – 10:30 pm
3. Explore The Gorgeous Green Campus Of Birla College
Known to be one of the primary landmarks of Kalyan, the Birla College campus boasts of green boulevards and wide roads. We loved exploring the interiors but our main interest lay in the streets outside. Known to have some of the best street food in the city, the lanes around here are your quintessential Khau Gallis. From Dosas to Frankie, from Manchurian to your Triple Schezwan Rice and Maggi, the food stalls here cater to every foodie’s fancy.
Address: BK Birla College Road, Gauripada, Kalyan, Maharashtra 421304
4. Dine Local Style At One Of Dhabas On Kalyan-Bhiwandi Highway
The beauty of Kalyan is this easy mix of the rural and urban mode of living. While you have all those quintessential city elements, you also have reminiscences of the village lifestyle. One of them being eating out with your folks at your favorite dhaba. The perks of eating here include that classic tandoor flavor which we so love. You should definitely try the Garlic Channa (serves as the perfect chakhna), Chicken Handi and of course, Fried Masala Papad. A lot of Kalyanites also head here every weekend to enjoy cheap alcohol with delicious homestyle cooking.
Also read: Find Authentic Amritsari Kulche At Chawla’s Dhaba In Mumbai!
5. End The Day With A Walk Across Gandhari Nadi
Popular among bikers, Gandhari Nadi is perfect for an evening stroll too. Spanning the width of the river is a bridge that serves as a great hangout point if you want to catch the sunset or simply relax after a long day. After you’re done with all your exploring stop by here to enjoy a few calming moments with the water. After all, all that hustle’s got to end with a well-deserved reward.
Address: Kalyan-Sape Rd, Chanakya Nagar, Khadakpada, Kalyan, Maharashtra 421305