Vasai, near Mumbai, is very ancient Holy place for Hindus. The history of Bassein ( Vasai) dates back to Treta Yuga. Bassein (or Vasai or Oppire or Orparak or Shorparag or Shurparaka as it was called from time to time) was established by Bhagawan Parashuram. Bhagvan Parshuram established Vimaleshwar Mandir and Vimala Sarovara. He established the 64 yoginis in and around Vasai, since the yoginis were considered to be the devotees of His mother Goddess Renuka. He also established 108 Teertha Kundas or Pushkarinis in Vasai. This is quoted in the Holy Edict Skanda Purana and Padma Purana (Lotus Purana). During Buddha Era around 600 BC Samvedis came to Vasai as expert singers. As quoted in “ Shree Shivlilamrut” During the Buddhist rule, their following of Vedic Dharma was loosened. At the advent of Adya Shankaracharya in Nirmal around 497 BC, the Buddhist Monks were defeated in the debates and returned to the Vedic Fold. Hinduism in the Samvedis returned and they started strict following of the Vedic Dharma. They regarded Adi Shankara Jagadguru as their cardinal preacher. Further, as stated in Shree Shivlilamrut, Shankaracharya was born in Nirmal and he defeated bad spread of Jainism. Some Buddhists were left, who used to criticize the Vedic Philosophy. The King Jalauk of Kalinga took the then Jagat Guru Shankaracharya of Eastern India, i.e. H.H. Shankaracharya of Puri, to Shurparaga. He was 5th Shankaracharya of Puri named Swami Vidyaranya. His Holiness Swami Vidyaranya defeated remaining Buddhist Monks from Karla Caves, Mahad Caves, Kaneri Caves, and Shruparak and strongly revived the Vedic Dharma.  Jagad Guru Shankaracharya Vidyaranya Swami of Puri Peetham took Mahasamadhi at the Nirmal Vimaleshwar Mandir in B.C 404 on  Kartik Vadya Ekadashi. Emperor Jalauk (son of Ashoka) built a big Samadhi Mandir according to the Orissa architecture. Nirmal Kshetra has been visited by various Shankaracharys thereafter.   A two weeks ( 14 days) Yatra is held at Nirmal from Kartik Vadya Ekadashi to Margshirsh Shuddha Ekadashi, every year. This year it is held from 14^th November, 2017 to 30^th November, 2017.Nirmal and Vasai as a whole is a very beautiful place to visit. Shri Shankaracharya Samadhi Mandir, where the Yatra is held is surrounded by two beautiful lakes, Vimaleshwar and Nirmal. Once upon a time this lake was regarded as one of the largest lakes in Asia. Now the lake is divided in two parts, because of the road running between them and reduced in size because of constructions and encroachments. It is learnt that Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation has a Beautification plan for Nirmal Lake. Hope it materializes soon to add further beauty to Nirmal. You can have a holy deep in the lake during Holy Jatra and can enjoy the Jatra. Nirmal can be visited either from Nala Sopara or Vasai Road Railway stations by bus or Auto Rikshaw.   Kalamb beach is at Nirmal. Datta Mandir on a small hill at Giriz, Shani Mandir at Wagholi, Arnala, Vasai Fort, and the Famous Jivdani Mandir at Virar are in the vicinity of Vasai, Nala Sopara and Virar stations on Western Railway.   Do visit this ancient holy place. #YehHaiIndia