PARKS, Mumbai

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Main attractions of the national park are a Lion Safari and a Tiger Safari for encouraging Eco-tourism. The safari is a 20 minute ride in a caged green bus through a 30 acres fenced forest area. There are about 25 lions and lionesses although you'll hardly view that number as they roam far away from the route that park buses follow.

There are 4 tigers that are kept semi-confined in a 50 acres fenced area that is toured by the buses. A 5 m high and 2,200 m long protective fencing surrounds the area. This is done so that all visitors can safely view lions and tigers in their natural habitat. Tigers are mostly visible but often inside the cage which detaches the feeling of seeing them in natural habitat.

Rate
Adults : 50 INR
Duration : 30 mins

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Sanjay Gandhi National Park has a very clean fair sized lake which offers boating to the visitors. The boats are typically the pedal boats for 2 passengers with a fixed rate for first 20 mins and then 15 mins increment.

At one side of the lake there is a nice bridge for vehicles and pedestrians which marks the boundary for the boats as well. The lake water is much more cleaner than what you can expect in polluted city.

Duration : 15 mins
Timing : 9:00 a.m to 12.30 pm and 1.30 p.m. until 5.30 p.m.
Charges : INR 15
2 Seater Boat : INR 60 for 20 mins

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Inside the National Park on top of Pavilion Hill (190 m height) there is a Mahatma Gandhi Memorial. You need to hike the hill top to reach there. There is a Gandhi Samadhi monument and garden around it.

The place is very clean serene and nicely designed. From the memorial surrounding view is stunning and you can see Mumbai city very clearly from the top.

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Sanjay Gandhi National Park previously known as Borivali National Park is a large protected area in the northern suburb of Mumbai city. The area of the park is 104 sq. km and is surrounded on three sides by India's most populous city. It is one of the major national parks existing within a metropolis limit in Asia and it is said to be one of the most visited National Parks in Asia. According to estimates, around 2 million visitors visit this park annually.

Tourists also enjoy visiting the 2400 years old Kanheri caves sculpted out of the rocky cliffs which lie within the park. The Park encompasses two lakes, Vihar Lake and Tulsi Lake, which meet part of the city's water requirements. The park is said to be the lungs of the city as it purifies much of the air pollution of the city.

The Park entrance is located in the eastern section of Borivali, 0.9 km from Borivali station, which is 33 km north of Churchgate station, with suburban trains running every 3 minutes. From Borivali station, one can walk or hire an auto rickshaw to reach Sanjay Gandhi National Park. It is well connected with all parts of Mumbai and Maharashtra by road. The Western Express Highway (NH 8) passes by the park entrance.

The park provides self driving, cycling, walking & hiking facilities within its area. There are plenty of child entertainment as well including Children's Park, Tree House, Rides etc.

Timing : 9 AM to 6:00 PM (If you don't leave the park by 6:30 PM INR 100/- per person will be charged)
Entrance Fee: (Free on National Holidays for first half of the day till 2 PM)
Adults : INR 30
Cars : INR 100

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Shivaji Park is the largest park in Mumbai located in Dadar West within 10 minutes of walking distance from Dadar Railway Station. The park is of tremendous historical and cultural value because of the political and social gatherings it has witnessed, both in pre and post-independence days.

The Park is named after Great Maratha Emperor Chhatrapati Shivajirao Bhosle. A statue of Shivaji is located inside the park with little uncommon way of depicting him without open sword. Shivaji Park and Cricket are just cohessive. The ground produced some of the greatest cricketers of Indian Cricket over the years by the likes of Sunil Gavaskar & Sachin Tendulkar.

Historically it's a place with fabulous cultural mix which you can witness by Ganesh Temple as well as a Kali Temple. There are benches around the park for hanging out although it might be difficult to get a place in the evening. The ground hosts many festivals including Durga Pooja, Dushera, Ramleela as well as political gatherings.

Esselworld in Bombay can be considered the poor man's DisneyLand in this part of the world. This is an amusement park built a few years ago that is situated near the Gorai Beach. For families with kids, this would be a refreshing break for a day as kids would love the various rides in this park. For more information and prices, how to reach, timings etc try the website listed below

After getting tired of the concrete jungle visit Sanjay Gandhi National Forest for a real jungle.

The lion Safari and Bus service is closed on Monday.

You can see the Kanheri Caves. Take a treck to the highest point in Mumbai and see Powai, Tulsi and Vihar lakes. You could arrange for a privite guide to do a night safari and in hopes to see a wild leapord.

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Like so much of what I saw in India I had little idea what to expect at the Hanging Gardens of Mumbai.
I remembered the fanciful, artistic impressions of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon in childhood Biblical picture books but knew nothing of those here.
My inadquate guide book contained no illustration or description but our energetic Parsi guide provided us with all the detail we could absorb.

She was a woman in her early 60's with degrees in English, foreign languages and science (and , also had ,she said - a husband, totally resistant to moving with the times and undertaking domestic duties while she was at work!).
From her we learned about the declining Parsi population of Mumbai - which has the largest percentage of all the Parsis in India, and about their beliefs and religious practices.

The Gardens are officially named Ferozeshah Mehta Gardens, in honour of a famous lawyer and politician. I'm afraid I cannot now recall more about this man - about whom our guide was unusually, refreshingly outspoken (on all topics), but had the feeling she thought he was a colonial lackey because he had accepted a Knighthood.

The gardens were created on the side of Malabar Hills in 1880 on terraces above the city resevoirs. We arrived fairly early in the morning immediately after our first walk around the busy streets of Mumbai. The freshness and beauty of the gardens were like coming to an oasis in the desert. The colours in the beautiful flower beds were augmented by the beautiful saris worn by a group of Indian women visiting at the same time as us.
Topiary has been developed into a high art form here and the fantastic animal shapes of the hedges are a sight to behold.
If a city walking tour leaves you feeling a bit jaded head up here to recover!