Gorai Beach

  • Gorai lies on a peninsula protruding off the northwest of the Salsette Island. This used to be a separate island called the Dharavi Island, with many creeks around it. After the reclamation near the island the Ghodbunder Creek is largely gone, and the Dharavi Island is now reduced to a peninsula on the Salsette Island. Esselworld, the amusement park, is located a little off Gorai. Another project that has come up is a 'Special Economic Zone'.

    Gorai has a large Roman Catholic population. The natives were converted by the Portuguese when they arrived here in the 1500s. Gorai has three churches. The Reis Magos or the Three Magi is located on the banks of the Vairalla Tank in Culvem. It was built by the Franciscan missionaries between 1595 and 1602. The newer church, also named after the Three Magi, was built in 1810. The third is the Infant Jesus Chapel built near the ruins of the old church.The Gorai beach is still laid back and less crowded than other beaches in Mumbai. The market here is a great place to check out how life goes on in the villages. You can even buy some local goodies.

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