Sanjay Gandhi national park & Kanheri caves

The Sanjay Gandhi National Park

The Sanjay Gandhi National Park, or as commonly known, the Borivili National Park. A miraculously preserved forest land in the heart of an urban area, this park is very much within the city limits.

The thick forest cover of the park acts as the lungs of the city supplying fresh oxygen and acting as a sink. By serving as a huge natural generator of life-sustaining oxygen for the twin cities of Thane and Mumbai.

The forest also is an excellent catchment area for the Tulsi and Vihar lakes which provides drinking water supply to the Mumbai city.

The park is one its kind, which is surrounded by a metropolis and is still sustaining a sizeable population of Panthers. Panthers are the largest predators that roam this forest and can easily be spotted after dark; they even some times stray into residential area adjoining the national park.

How to reach:

Accessible from Borivili and Goregaon railway stations of Mumbai Suburban railways.

Where to stay: There are some rest houses, charges for 4 people Rs 200 with a Rs 100 per head extra charge, and Rs 200 as a deposit. The meals will be prepared by the chef on duty. The check in and check out timing is 8 a.m

There are some rest houses, charges for 4 people Rs 200 with a Rs 100 per head extra charge, and Rs 200 as a deposit. The meals will be prepared by the chef on duty. The check in and check out timing is 8 a.m

There are two bamboo cottages in the forest, which can hold approximately 100 people.

Best time to visit:

For bird watching, general viewing and visit to Kanheri Hills, November to February is ideal, when the weather is cooler. However April-May is the best for mammal tracking, as water supply is limited and visibility is the greatest as the animals come out to cool off at the watering holes.

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The Sanctuary timings are :

09.00 hrs to 17.30 hrs

:

09.00 hrs to 17.30 hrs

The Tiger/ Lion Safari is closed on Mondays
Rates per trip:
Adult -Rs.30, Child (5 to 12 years of age): Rs.15 Child below 5 years: Free. :
Adult -Rs.30, Child (5 to 12 years of age): Rs.15 Child below 5 years: Free.

Kanheri Caves

The Kanheri Caves which date back from 1st century BC to the 9th century AD, is located within the park area presents an glimpse of the history and the culture of Buddhism in India. There are about 109 Buddhist caves, carved out of the rock. Most are simple small chambers, known as Viharas (cells for monks). Few are larger and deeper chambers known as Chaityas (used for worship). The main Chaityas has huge figure of the standing Buddha - 7 m. tall - on each side of the entrance.

A series of 34 pillars surrounds the interior hall and an Stupa (shrine) at the far end. The entire structure is carved out from the stone.

These caves are a Buddhist establishment of monks who dwelled on the ancient trade routes. The whole cave area is the site of nearly 100 or more inscriptions - three of these are in Pallavis, two in Sanskrit, one in Devnagri and the rest in Brahmi script.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park map