If we look into the historical background of Valsad District, we cannot overlook the arrival of the Parsi community at Sanjan Port, which marked one of their earliest settlements in India. From Sanjan, the Parsi community spread to different parts of the country. Their famous religious place, the Fire Temple at Udvada, is located in Pardi Taluka of Valsad District. There is also an ancient Jain pilgrimage site at Bagwada, situated on National Highway No. 8 near Udvada, which attracts a large number of pilgrims throughout the year.
The Khed Satyagraha and the grass agitation launched by the late Shri Ishwarbhai Desai in Pardi Taluka brought the area into national prominence.
Parnera Hill, located about 5–6 km from Valsad on the road towards Pardi, is historically associated with the fort of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. A large fair is held here on Ashtami during Navratri. Thousands of pilgrims visit the temples of Chandrika Mataji, Kalika Mataji, Hanumanji and Lord Shiva situated on the hill. A dargah located there is also visited by members of the Muslim community.
The Sahyadri mountain ranges extend across the eastern part of the district. Valsad District has a population of 17,03,068 and an area of 2,951.29 sq. km. The district has good civic facilities and a comparatively well-developed standard of living. Valsad is also an important railway centre, with facilities such as locomotive sheds, a railway dispensary, the Area Manager’s Office, railway colonies, and a training centre of the Railway Protection Force. The district also has a large APMC market for the sale of agricultural produce, including mangoes and chikoo.
Dharampur and Kaprada talukas of Valsad District are predominantly tribal areas situated in the Sahyadri mountain range. The hill regions of the district have considerable tourism potential due to their flowing rivers and streams, high mountains, dense forests and natural beauty. However, accommodation and boarding facilities remain limited in some remote and inaccessible areas.
A District Science Centre is located at Dharampur, equipped with modern scientific instruments and exhibits that demonstrate various principles of science. It has become an important attraction for science enthusiasts not only from Valsad District but also from neighbouring Maharashtra and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
At Barumal, the temple of Bhagwan Bhav Bhaveshwar, featuring an idol made of eight metals, was established under the guidance of Mahamandaleshwar Vidyanandji Saraswati Maharaj and is emerging as an important pilgrimage centre. The Sahyadri Srushti Centre, developed by the Forest Department under the supervision of Shri P. S. Valvi, the then Divisional Forest Officer of Valsad South Division, is also a popular attraction for travellers on the Valsad–Nashik route. The centre showcases the rich forest biodiversity of the region, including numerous naturally occurring herbs, trees and medicinal plants.