Sanjay Gandhi National Park

About:

Known as the lungs of the city of Mumbai, the Sanjay Gandhi National Park is a respite to the hustle and bustle of city life. It is in fact the largest park to be build within city limits in the world. It is a tiny park enclosing an area of just over 104 square kilometers. Despite its small size, it has got the best varieties of trees, bird, mammals, herbs and insects. Stunning wildlife, fabulous flora and fauna, and supreme natural beauty make this place a mind blowing tourist destination.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park – Introduction
The most visited park in India and the world, the Sanjay Gandhi National Park welcomes over two million people very year. It is the best place to visit for a refreshing trip to rejuvenate oneself from the tiring city life. The great collection of flora and fauna, the refreshing cool breeze, the bird songs, the shadows of the tres make this place a wonder.
Flora
The park is a tree lover's delight at all times of the year, with every changing season offering up its own distinctive beauty. The forest cover in the park can be divided into two main categories i.e. South Indian moist deciduous and semi-evergreen.
These two types can be further classified into four subcategories and they are moist teak-bearing forest, mangrove scrub, southern moist mixed deciduous forest, and western subtropical hill forest.
The region has good biodiversity and major trees and plants include Kadamba, Teak, Karanj, Shisam, and species of Acacia, Ziziphus, Euphorbia, Flame Of The Forest, Red Silk Cotton and many more varieties of flowers. During the monsoon, almost the entire park is awash with the rainbow hues of the flowers that bloom here and all over the Western Ghats.
Among the many breathtaking sights, a sight not to be missed is the seven-yearly mass flowering of the "Strobilanthes" (Karvi). A distinctive feature of the Western Ghats and of the park is that tourists can watch thousands and thousands of these wonderful flowers covering the hilltops, bathing the landscape in a magical purple.
Fauna
The park is known to shelter wildlife right from the time urbanization began in Mumbai. One can have encounters with several species including Spotted Deer, Black Naped Hare, Barking Deer, Porcupine, Palm Civet, Mouse Deer, Rhesus Macaque, Bounet Macaque, Hanuman Langur, Indian Flying Fox, and Sambhar.
One is surprised by the density of leopards in this park despite its nearness to an urban settlement. One can also encounter here a Hyena or four horned antelope.
The reptilian world has 38 species to show off. Tourists can see crocodiles in the Tulsi Lake, and Pythons, Cobras, Monitor Lizards, Russell's Viper, Bamboo Pit Viper and Ceylonese Cat Snake here.
The invertebrate world has a wide representation - Crabs, Spiders and Insects of all kinds thrive within the green glades of the park. The Giant Wood Spider, Signature Spiders, Black Wood Spiders with their large net-like webs in monsoon is a fascinating treat.
Last, but certainly not the least, are the 150 species of beautiful winged creatures that represent the amazing butterfly world.
Avifauna
The National Park is known as a real Bird Watcher's Paradise. The park is the nesting ground for 274 kinds of birds - that's almost a quarter of all bird species found in India. The park has a large number of bird species like Jungle owlets, Golden orioles, Racket-tailed drongos, Minivets, Magpies, Robins, Hornbills, Bulbuls, Sunbirds, Peacock, and Woodpeckers. At many times, migratory and resident birds like Paradise flycatcher, Kingfisher, Mynas, Swifts, Gulls, Egrets, and Herons have also been seen here.

 

Location info:

Address:Borivali, Mumbai
District: Thane & Mumbai-Suburban
Nearest City: Mumbai
Best time to visit: The best Time to visit Sanjay Gandhi National Park is from the month of October to the month of May. The climate during this period remains predictable and comfortable.

Climate/Weather:

The climate in Sanjay Gandhi National Park is very cheerful. Its maximum temperature goes up to only 38 degrees whereas the minimum temperature falls just to 18 degrees. It receives an annual rainfall of 2355 millimeters.

Interesting things to do:

In the Lion Safari Park, visitors can view lions as close as six feet away, from the special park vehicles. Children particularly enjoy riding the colourful toy train here, as it winds its way through the vast park.

Interesting things to Visit:

The Kanheri Caves, Lion Safari, Tiger Safari, The gardens, And Trekking

Mobile range info:

How to reach?

Nearest Railway Station:The nearest railway station is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Junction. It is located some 40 kilometers from Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Borivali station is the nearest railway station connected to Mumbai CST and other Mumbai central railway Terminuses.
Nearest Airport: The nearest airport to Sanjay Gandhi National Park is the Santa Cruz airport which is at a distance of only 16 kilometers.
Road Transport:The Sanjay Gandhi National Park is well connected to major cities of Maharastra such as Nagpur, Pune, and Mumbai.

Nearest Visiting places:

Vanrani
The Park also featured a "toy train" that runs on a narrow gauge railway. The toy train Van rani, which means Jungle Queen, ran for around twenty-five years before it was discontinued in 2001 because of the poor condition of the track. The circuitous route covers a 2.5 kilometre distance parallel to the road leading to the Kanheri Caves. However in 2004, fresh bids were announced for the repair of the track, which was estimated to cost around Rs 30 lakh (3 million). Tickets would be priced at Rs 10 for adults and 5 for children.
In the forest there is a famous Jain temple called Trimurti. This temple is widely visited by Digambar sect of Jain community. It has huge 3 idols of lord Adinathh and his two sons, lord Bahubali and lord Bharat. Many Muni maharaj (Jain Saints) do stay here to preach the followers before moving ahead to other city or town.
Kanheri Caves
Kanheri or Kanhasela, as the two inscriptions from the place have named it, is the biggest Buddhist monastic establishment on the Konkan coast. It is situated in the heart of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and is one of the better-known sites in Mumbai.
The Prince of Wales Museum
The Prince of Wales Museum is one of the best museums in the country with the art, sculpture, old firearms, and rare coins and a priceless collection of miniature paintings on display.
The Gateway of India
The Gateway of India is a monument built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911. It is complete with four turrets and intricate latticework carved into the yellow basalt stone. You haven't actually been to Bombay if you haven't seen the Gateway to India . At the same time, it's the place where you can catch a boat to the Elephanta Island , a UNESCO world heritage site where you can see rock-cut temples and caves dating back to the 6th century.
The Marine Drive
The Marine Drive is the popular sea front having a long stretch of curved road with tall buildings on one side and sea on the other. It is also called the Queen's Necklace because of sparkling nightlights along its curved shape. It is the nicest area in Mumbai to have a stroll and relax in the cool breeze of evening hours.
The Juhu and Chowpatty
The Juhu and Chowpatty Beaches are the most famous beaches offering all the ingredients of beach activities like camel and pony rides, acrobats etc. together with a wonderful view of the coast.
The Hutatma Chowk area has a large concentration of impressive and important historical buildings, such as the fabulous Town Hall in neo-classical style

Nearest Petrol Pump:

Opp Daulat Nagar Near Railway Station
Borivali (West), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400092
022 28931839
022 28957477
09820106732

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

Vala Janu Hotels Pvt Ltd - 022 28921972
Hotel Gajanan- 022 28063427
Hotel Max Well -022 28450304
Royal Uniform Tailors -022 28951895
Royal Palms Hotel -022 28795000
Balkrishna Hotel -022 28452129
Hotel Sai Rameshwar -022 28908180
Hotel Next Sanjog -022 28653078

Things to carry:

Carrying a tour guide book will work wonder. It will help you gaining heaps of information about the region, which will definitely add delight to your touring experience.
Equip yourself with all necessary amenities like trekking kit, cameras and binoculars.
Always put a personal first-aid-box in your bag.
And plenty of water.

Tips & Suggestions:

Wear loose fitting and simple clothes that blend with the sanctuary surroundings.

Help Line/Phone Number:

Police Station:Kasturba Marg Police Station - Write a review
Next To Railway Station, Borivali (East), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400066 - 022 28059007
Nearest Hospital:Mohit Hospital & Iccu, Borivali (East), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400066‎ - 022 28970240
Society/Community Phone Number:Gorai Khadi,Gorai Road, Borivali West, Mumbai, 400091‎ - 022 28678234