A Visit To Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Sanjay Gandhi National Park, is an 103.64 sq km protected area in Mumbai. It is notable as one of the major national parks existing within a metropolis limit and is one of the most visited parks in the world. 

The rich flora and fauna this park holds, and natural beauty this park has, excited me to visit this park. Situated in Borivali East, this park is hardly 1 km walk from Borivali Station. This park has everything to keep you enrolled. It has a great natural environment, fresh air, a great variety of flora,  dense forest, lake for boating, toy train, tiger & lion safari, river, trail of 7 km to the topmost part and last stop, Kanheri Caves. A perfect Sunday treat.

Ticket can be booked online or you can buy them at the entrance. Current charges are as: 

1) Entry Charges for An Adult(12 and above) is Rs 58 and Rs 31 for Child( 5 to 12 years)

2) Mini Train also as known Van Rani's charges are Rs 50 for adult and Rs 19 for Child

3) Tiger and Lion Safari charges for an Adult is Rs 77 and Rs 31 for child.

4) If you are bringing your vehicle, then parking charges vary from Rs 50 to Rs 293 depending on the type of vehicle

Tickets for boating(Rs 44 to 88) and Kanheri Caves( Rs 30) are only available at the counter. 

So let's begin.

This is where your journey begins

Here your journey begins

You can clearly see the markings on the board. Similar boards are placed at various locations of the park to guide you. You can take any route mentioned in the board, either in your own vehicle, rented vehicle who charge Rs 50 per person, rent a bicycle or  cover your journey on foot. The best way to explore and enjoy the park is on foot. If you have good stamina and love for walk, then you should cover the distance on foot.

Gandhi Tekdi

Stairs To Gandhi Tekdi

The first major stop is Gandhi Tekdi. This memorial is dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi Tekdi is a popular tourist destination featuring a monument with a water point. A diversion as can be seen in map leads to Gandhi Tekdi. You can either drive or take stairs to reach the spot. You will get a great view of the park and city from here. It's here too, you will find a great variety of flora. A beauty which shouldn't be missed. 

View From Gandhi Tekdi

Tiger and Lion Safari

Lion and Tiger Safari is one the major attractions of the park. Tiger and Lion Safari is a 20 minutes ride in the fenced forest area. For security, no private vehicles are allowed in this protected area. Only caged buses of the park are allowed in this area.

For visitors, only one lion and lioness are kept behind the caged fences. Others are set free.

As is the name, so the style

Seeing the lioness, only one word can be said, "As the name, so the style" Sitting like a queen was she. That in itself was a beautiful scene.

Yawning like a baby

Tigers were also kept in the same protected area. If you visit the park in early hours, then you will find some tigers in open, who are set free in the park, to allow them freedom of movement in this natural beauty.

Greenery en-route

If you are on foot or on bicycles, then you shouldn't miss the greenery on route to Kanheri Caves. On route, you will also find small houses, tents build by people working in this protected area. They are allowed to live inside the park, and are living life of its kind in this area. Also, people and department have taken proper measures to ensure Natural beauty of this area is retained.

Kanheri Caves

Finally, after covering 7 kms from the starting point , you arrive at one of the oldest archaeological sites of India, THE KANHERI CAVES. The word kanheri comes from Sanskrit word "krishnagiri" which means black mountain.

Most of the caves are open and you can visit them and get an idea about how the life in that period was. If you can literally see the things, then you will be able to see the beds they had in their time, the structure of their house, i.e. the kitchen area, hall area and other areas of house. Plus you will also find water storage areas outside the caves on either side. 

 

At the end, relax at the top most point of the area. Enjoy the natural beauty, have a bite and enjoy the fresh air with city at the other end of the park.

Flowers at height

Greenery at the top

View from top

City at the other end of park

Visiting Sanjay Gandhi National Park will be a day well spent.

If you want to stay overnight in the park or want to go on treks then you should visit NIC. Nature Information Centre is like a road map to SGNP’s tremendous biodiversity. In the centre, sits a model representation of the park, beautifully depicting the geographical layout. The centre is a mix of illustrations, models and photographs, interactive media all coming together to inspire, educate and inform, not just aspects of the biodiversity but also the factors that threaten it.

Playing the vital role as an educational arm of the SGNP management, the NIC organizes activities like nature trails, bird-watching excursions, butterfly watches, treks and overnight camps led by experts.

So, if you have a zeal for trails, treks or camping then you should definitely give it a try. But for that you should book the slots in advance by either mailing them : nicsgnp78@gmail.com  or by call: 022-28868686.

In all, A visit to Sanjay Gandhi Nation Park, will be a learning experience and memory you will cherish for life. A day spent in natural beauty is not an easy thing to forget. So, when you are planning your trip to SANJAY GANDHI NATIONAL PARK?