Sanjay Gandhi Park Mumbai takes visitors away from the bustling city center and into what appears to be remote wilderness. It is the only national park in India located within the city and is filled with more than 100 ancient Buddhist rock-cut caves, a lake, a lion, and a tiger safari zoo.
The park also includes the famous Kanheri cave complex and two lakes, Tulsi and Vihar, which supply Mumbai with water.
The authorities organize nature walks to introduce visitors to the fantastic flora and fauna. Today we are talking about one of these places that will delight nature lovers.
Local conservation NGOs such as Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) [13] and World Wildlife Fund India (WWF-India) [14] bring together groups of city dwellers from Mumbai.
Sometimes in partnership with other organizations, on regular guided tours along the Walk the nature trails of Sanjay Gandhi National Park[26][27] and organize special trips when the rare Kawi flower is in bloom, which happens every eight years.
It covers the area of other suburbs such as Goregaon, Malad, Kandivali, Dahisar in the western suburbs of Mumbai, and Bhandup, Mulund in the eastern suburbs. Krishnagiri National Park is the only protected forest located within the city.
Mumbai’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park is home to two important temples: the Trimurti Digambar Jain Temple and three towering white statues of Lord Adinath, Bahubali, and Bharata as the Mahadeo Shiva Temple near the Buddhist caves at Kanheri.
From the Gandhi Memorial itself, you can see the park on one side and the Borivali extension on the other. If you continue to the summit from the caves of the Upper Kanheri Trail, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the bustling city center.
Dr. Anish Andheria has been very familiar with Sanjay Park over the years and has written here about its magical systems and landscapes that combine to make it one of the unique wilderness areas in the world.
Described as “outstanding wildlife” on the Maharashtra Forestry Department website, the tourism-oriented brand of Sanjay Gandhi National Park draws heavily on vocabulary from pre-modern religious artifacts (preserved as Kanheri caves), surrounding Surrounded by lush primary forest biodiversity. SGNP’s “special wilderness” also permeates Mumbai’s self-image.
Mumbai has a lot to offer its visitors in beaches, parks, temples, caves, amusement parks, and more. Kanheri Caves, Vihar Lake, Tulsi Lake, Cinema City, Chota Kashmir, Crocodile Park, Chikuji-ni-Wadi, Essel World, and the Water Kingdom are nearby. The forest has two artificial lakes full of crocodiles and migratory birds all year round.
Entrance At Sanjay Gandhi Park Mumbai
The entrance to the park is located in the suburb of Borivali. It extends to the city of Thane to the north. Except for its northern part, which is in Thane, the rest of the parking area is in Mumbai. The park’s main entrance is located on the Western Express Highway in eastern Borivali, 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of the busy city center.
If you are driving, please enter the park’s main entrance from the east exit of the Western Highway Borivali. Shuttle buses connect the park entrance and Kanheri Buddhist caves every hour (except lunch and Mondays).
The main entrance to the park is in Borivali, a northern suburb of Mumbai, 0.9 km (0.56 mi) east of Borivali Railway Station, which is connected to Mumbai and Maharashtra by road and rail.
Kanheri Caves
The Kanheri Caves, located in Mumbai’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park, are listed heritage sites protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). More than 2 of them are hidden in the lush greenery thick forests.
The Kanheri Caves, over two thousand years old, are also an important tourist attraction within the park every year. Cave complex in the middle of the park is located on a scenic but isolated trail through the forest.
The 2,400-year-old Kanheri Caves were an important Buddhist learning center and pilgrimage site carved by Buddhist monks between the 9th and 1st centuries BC.
Two Artificial Lakes
Tulsi and Vihar, were built by the British to supply water to the city of Mumbai. The water from these lakes is used to supply drinking water to the vast population of Mumbai. Together, the two lakes provide a significant portion of South Mumbai’s water needs. The rest of Mumbai city’s drinking water comes from other protected areas such as Tansa and Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuaries.
The park has two artificial lakes, Tulsi Lake and Vihar Lake, which meet the water needs of Mumbai’s population. The central part of the parks is the catchment area of the lakes and is closed to visitors.
The park’s vast size allows cyclists to indulge their desire to cycle through a relative space, which is otherwise impossible given the snarl of Mumbai traffic. If lakes, greenery, or historical sites do not interest you, you may be interested in the park’s fauna.
Read More: Royal Garden Water Park
Written by Sumit Tripathi. A Content Writer who loves to write about different topics. I like to share my knowledge with others. Connect with me on Linkedin.
FAQs
- In which state is Sanjay Gandhi National Park?
Sanjay Gandhi National Park is an 87 km2 (34 sq mi) protected area in Mumbai, Maharashtra State in India. It was established in 1969 with headquarters at Borivali. The 2400-year-old Kanheri caves are sculpted out of the rocky cliffs within the park. - What is the entry fee of Sanjay Gandhi National Park?
The entry fee to visit Sanjay Gandhi National Park is Rs. 58 for adults and Rs. 31 for children. A shuttle service operates between Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Kanheri Caves. - What is the best time to visit Sanjay Gandhi park?
The best time to visit the national park to spot birds is between October to April. However, August to November is the best time to spot butterflies. The 2400-year-old Kanheri Caves, located within the park, is another popular tourist attraction. - Is the car allowed in Sanjay Gandhi National Park?
Entry of private vehicles will be prohibited into the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) when it reopens for tourists after the lockdown. Sixteen battery-operated buses will ferry people inside the park, especially to the Kanheri caves. - Is Sanjay Gandhi National Park safe for couples?
The SGNP is turning into a dangerous spot for lovers. The secluded areas in the park may protect young couples from their families’ eyes, but they draw the attention of criminals lurking in search of prey. - Is Sanjay Gandhi National Park worth visiting?
Stunning park, worth a visit to see the caves. Climb to the top, and you get a spectacular view of the park and Mumbai in the distance. There is a waterfall but quite a walk away.