Virar is a coastal city in Palghar district, Maharashtra. The northern third of the city of Vasai-Virar, it is administered by Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation. It lies in the south part of Palghar district, and north to the city of Mumbai. It is an important part of Palghar District because Palghar is the outermost part of northern side of Mumbai Metropolitan Region and comes under Police Jurisdiction of Mira-Bhayander, Vasai-Virar Police Commissionerate.

Chimaji Balaji Bhat (1707–1740), commonly referred to as Appa or Bhau, was the son of Balaji Vishwanath Bhat and the younger brother of Bajirao Peshwa of Maratha Empire. The high watermark of his career was the capture of Vasai fort from the Portuguese.