Karjat is a town and taluka headquarters in the Raigad district of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Situated on the banks of the Ulhas river at the foothills of the Sahyadri (Western Ghats) range, Karjat lies roughly midway between Mumbai and Pune and serves as an important junction on the Central Railway. The town is known for its scenic surroundings, monsoon waterfalls, the nearby hill stations of Matheran and Khandala, and its long association with the Hindi film industry through several film studios located in and around the area.
Key facts
| Type | Town and taluka headquarters |
|---|---|
| State | Maharashtra |
| District | Raigad |
| Region | Konkan division |
| Civic body | Karjat Municipal Council |
| River | Ulhas |
| Nearest hill station | Matheran |
| Railway line | Central Railway (Mumbai–Pune route) |
| Languages | Marathi (official), Hindi, English |
Geography
Karjat is located in the eastern part of Raigad district, in the transitional zone between the Konkan coastal plain and the Deccan plateau. The Ulhas river, which originates in the nearby hills, flows past the town and is a defining feature of the local landscape. The terrain is hilly and heavily forested in parts, with the Western Ghats rising sharply to the east. The Bhor Ghat, through which the railway and old highway climb towards Pune, lies a short distance from the town. The region receives heavy rainfall during the south-west monsoon, which feeds numerous seasonal waterfalls and streams.
Transport
Karjat railway station is a significant station on the Mumbai–Pune section of the Central Railway. Local (suburban) trains from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus terminate at Karjat, and most express trains running between Mumbai and Pune halt here. Historically, additional banker locomotives have been attached at Karjat to assist trains negotiating the steep gradient of the Bhor Ghat. The narrow-gauge Matheran Hill Railway, a UNESCO-recognised heritage line, branches off from the nearby Neral station, a few kilometres from Karjat.
By road, Karjat is connected to Mumbai, Panvel, Khopoli and Pune. The Mumbai–Pune Expressway and the older National Highway pass through the wider region, with Karjat lying a short distance from both routes.
Economy and culture
The local economy combines agriculture, particularly rice cultivation in the surrounding villages, with tourism, real estate, and services linked to commuter and weekend traffic from Mumbai and Pune. The proximity to Mumbai has made Karjat a popular location for film and television shoots, with several studios and outdoor sets located in the area.
Karjat is also a base for trekking and adventure tourism. Notable destinations within the taluka include the Kondana Caves, an ancient Buddhist rock-cut complex; the hill forts of Peth (Kothaligad), Bhivgad and Songir; and the Ulhas valley, which is used for white-water activities during the monsoon. Religious sites in the region include the Kondeshwar temple dedicated to Shiva and several smaller temples along the riverside.
Administration
The town is administered by the Karjat Municipal Council, while rural areas of Karjat taluka fall under the jurisdiction of village panchayats and the Raigad Zilla Parishad. The taluka is part of the Raigad Lok Sabha constituency and is represented in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly through the Karjat assembly constituency.
Note on naming
Karjat in Raigad district should not be confused with the town of Karjat in Ahmednagar district, which is a separate taluka headquarters in western Maharashtra. The Raigad Karjat is sometimes informally described as a far suburb or extended commuter town of the Mumbai metropolitan region, owing to its rail connectivity with Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.