SANJAY GANDHI NATIONAL PARK
Surrounded by rolling hills covered with deciduous forests, the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (formerly Borivali National Park) stretches across most of the northern suburbs of Mumbai, and is one of the few in India within a metropolis. It is home to 1,300 species of plants, more than 274 species of birds, 170 species of butterflies, 35 species of mammals, and 78 species of amphibians and reptiles. It is believed to attract over 2 million visitors in a year.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park
NEED TO KNOW
Borivali East • 022 2886 0362/0389 • sgnp.maharashtra.gov.in • Open 7:30am–6:30pm Tue–Sun • Adm ₹53, children 5–12 yrs ₹28, below 5s free
Butterfly Garden, Nature Information Centre & Camping: 022 2886 8686; [email protected]
Animal Safari: open 9:30am–4:30pm, every 30 minutes; adm adults ₹70, children 5–12 yrs ₹28, below 5s free
Van Rani: open 9:30am–5:30pm, every 30 minutes; adm adults ₹45, children 5–12 yrs ₹17, below 5s free
Vihar and Tulsi Lakes: boating adm 4-seater ₹73, 2-seater ₹36
- Water, fruit juices and snacks such as namkeen (savoury potato or gram flour snack) and chips are available inside.
1. Nature Trails
The park covers almost 20 per cent of Mumbai’s land area, with at least seven incredible green trails and treks open for visitors. These include the peaceful Shilonda trail and the exciting Nagla Block trail.
2. Butterfly Garden
Best visited from September to January, the butterfly garden within the park is home to many species of the beautiful insect. A handbook on how to identify them is also available.
Butterfly on a leaf
3. Camping
The park authorities offer well-serviced tents on rent to visitors. One can avail of a customized nature-based itinerary that includes star-gazing and rock climbing, as well as overnight forest camping.
4. Animal Safari
To promote eco-tourism, the park offers a popular 20-minute ride – lion and tiger safari – through selected sections of the forest. Visitors can glimpse the wonderful flora and fauna here, and also visit the wildlife interpretation centre for details.
Deer at Sanjay Gandhi National Park
5. Van Rani
Translating to “Queen of the Jungle”, this narrow gauge rail, also known as the toy train, takes visitors on a 15-minute ride around the periphery of the Gandhi Tekdi, past the deer park, and along picturesque bridges.
6. The Kanheri Caves
Magnificent relics of the Bodhisattvas and the Buddha have been found in this 2,000-year-old complex of 160 rock-cut caves. At this protected archaeological site were once viharas, meant for living; while the larger chaityas were meant for worship.
A chaitya at the Kanheri Caves
7. Gandhi Tekdi
A domed memorial to the Father of the Nation, the Gandhi Tekdi is surrounded by lotus ponds and set in a small garden. It can be reached by a narrow road, as well as on foot.
8. Trimurti Temple
Three 9.5-m- (31-ft-) tall idols representing Lord Rishabhanatha, also known as Adinatha, and his sons, Bahubali and Bharata, stand at Trimurti Digambar Jain temple within the park.
9. Vihar and Tulsi Lakes
Constructed in the 1860s to supply drinking water to the whole city, the Vihar and Tulsi lakes were reputedly the first structures in this subsequently protected area. There is an abundance of various migratory birds and crocodiles here.
The lakes as seen from above
10. Nature Information Centre
The educational wing of the park, the Nature Information Centre organizes various nature-based activities. It also offers many diverse displays, as well as scaled models of the enclosures within its boundaries.
