Vile Parle also known as 'Parla', is a suburb of Mumbai Parle. It has a strong base of Marathi and Gujarati population. The name 'Vile Parle' is derived from the names of two hamlets 'Irla' & 'Parla'. It is known so as the first Parle biscuit factory was located here. Vile Parle is divided into two parts: Vile Parle (East) and Vile Parle (West) separated by the western railway line.

The spiritual headquarters of Sanyas Ashram was founded 375 years ago at Suratgiri Bengali Kanakhal, Haridwar, Uttrakhand, India, along the Dashnami tradition as spread by Shri Jagadguru Aadi Shankaracharya. In the mid-1940 the foundations of Sanyas Ashram were laid at Vile Parle to spread the Sanatan Dharma or the universal virtues among men. The ashram became a complex of temples in 1952 when Prana Pratistha of several life like and life size gods was performed. The next two decades of 1970s and 1980s oversaw the temple complex prosper and grow into a mammoth center of spiritual, cultural, religious, and educational activity and development.

One of the major brands of confectionery and biscuits in India started in Vile Parle. There is still a factory in Vile Parle East, and is commonly known as Parle Biscuit Factory. Vile Parle is also home to the Garware Plastics Factory. Many leading IT companies including I-Flex headquarters are located in Vile Parle. Vile Parle is a center of cultural activities throughout the year. Dinanath Mangeshkar Sabhagrugha, one of the oldest and most prestigious locations in Mumbai, presents Marathi Theatre, programs and music. Institutions such as Lokmanya Seva Sangh and Tilak Vidyalaya Parle Sabhagruha Nadkari aided programs since 1922. Activities include Majestic Gappa (a forum where leading figures in all areas are interviewed), Bal-Jallosh (cultural activities for children), marriage, parenting and many others.

Kala Gurjari is a cultural association that promotes arts. They organize various cultural programs of their office (next to Khasiyat Restaurant, DJ Road, Vile Parle (W)), or the Juhu Jagruti Hall Mithibai Commerce college or Vidyabhavan Bhartiya, Vile Parle Andheri campus.

Parle is also well known for food joints; from Lucky Sandwich corner of downtown to Sai Samarth Dosa. In addition, you can never forget the taste of Maruti Pav Bhaji which can be obtained at the other end of Bajaj Road. Chan Chavdar, an interesting place, which serves Maharashtrian delicacies such as Vada Pav, Misal, Sabudana Vada, Sabudana Khichadi, potato poha, is particularly popular among college students and actors.