Birla Mandir, Shahad

Birla Mandir at Shahad, in Ulhasnagar taluka of Thane district, is a Hindu temple to Vithoba, or Pandurang, and the goddess Rukmini, deities at the heart of Maharashtra's Varkari tradition. It was built by the Birla family of industrialists, who have raised temples to many deities. It stands near the Century Rayon works on the Kalyan–Nanded road, west of Kalyan, and is known for its setting and architecture.

Built of stone, it has the look of an old temple, with many figures carved on its walls inside and out and stone elephants at the entrances. Several Hindi films have shot scenes here, among them Suhaag (1979), whose song 'Ye yaar sun' features Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor, as well as Prem Granth and Golmaal. Shahad station, next to Kalyan Junction, is the nearest stop, with auto rickshaws from there, and a garden beside the temple, Shivaji Udyan, has a mini train for children.