Mumbai Mania

Finding an open space in Mumbai can be quite a task; a place to chill out with your friends or go for a stroll after a tough day at work. The number of open spaces as compared to the rising population is definitely less. It is so important to have a place where you can breathe some fresh air and unwind from the chaos of the city. There are patches of greenery spread across the city either in suburban areas or heart of the city.

Let’s travel to some of the open spaces available in Mumbai, which acts as the lung of the city.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Popularly known as Borivali National Park, it is a well-preserved natural oasis in the heart of an urban sprawl. A protected area spread across 9000 hectares, the park is fringed by a flourishing population of more than 12million people. That makes this park one of the largest in the world located within city limits.

The park is just an hour's drive from South Mumbai, and one can see the change in the environment instantly. We've been there for a trek and had a lovely experience. It has a mix of lifeforms, from different species of flowers, plants, to migratory birds, and it also has a few panthers roaming around after dark. People come for their morning walks, or trekking to Kanheri Caves, sculpted by Buddhist residents, bird-watching, as different species of birds are visible here. Overall its a good place to visit and be one with nature.

How to Reach National Park?

Suburban trains is the ideal way to reach the park, it can be boarded from Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Central Railway) or Mumbai Central (Western Railway), which are about 40 km. and 36 km. respectively from the park. You can get off at Borivali station, from there take a rickshaw to the park, which is less than 2 km away.

Manori

One of the few nice beaches in Mumbai, Manori is 40 kms away from the city. The quaint fishing village is a great hangout to watch the sunset or see the waves lashing on the shore. The beach is about two kms long and fringed with palm trees and rows of seafront hotels, making it a weekend retreat for locals. Cliffs along the beach stretch gives a good view of the shore. A little further away from Manori is Gorai beach. Both were famous for their night-long parties at one point of time. Now its filled with couples and families who want some peace on the weekend.

How to Reach Manori?

Malad station, on the Western line, is the nearest railhead. From Malad one can take a rickshaw to Marve. Catch a 15-minute ferry to Manori village, from there a short trek of about 15 minutes will take you to the top of a cliff that overlooks the beach.

Aarey Milk Colony

I passed this area on the weekend, and was really glad to see the vast green expanse and picturesque surroundings. It was a refreshing change and just felt so peaceful. Situated in Goregaon East, a suburb of Mumbai, on the main Ghodbunder Road, Aarey Milk Colony is quite well-preserved, so far. The huge area comprises gardens, a nursery, lakes, an observation pavilion from where people can see the scenic landscape, picnic facilities, and milk plants. The city gets its dairy products from here, and also my favorite drink - Energee - is produced here. Some of the must see places in Aarey Milk Colony are the Aarey Garden Restaurant, Chota Kashmir and the boating ride on a serene lake. Many school children come here for sightseeing tours of the bottling plants and dairy farms.

How to Reach Aarey Milk Colony?

The best way to reach Aarey would be to board a train to Goregaon Station, from Churchgate or Mumbai Central. Get off on the west and a take auto rickshaw going towards Western Express Highway.

Navy Nagar
As the name suggests, the area is a cantonment area for the Indian Navy and Army personnel. Situated in Colaba, extreme south of the city, the place is a mini township in itself.

We’ve often gone there for a bike ride, and it feels as if you are in a different zone altogether. The place has residential societies, a mini theatre, where only the navy and army is permitted, restaurants, church, school etc.

The area is well maintained and has a large amount of greenery. The only Golf Course in South Mumbai is located in the US club in Navy Nagar, which also hosts the Navy ball every year.


IIT (Indian Institute of Technology), Powai

Nestled on the banks of Powai lake is IIT, one of the largest institutes in the state. Powai lake is a large artificial lake in north-eastern part of Mumbai. The campus area is huge, clean and green, due to its proximity to Sanjay Gandhi National Park. You will find several outsiders in the campus as well, sitting by the lake, or cycling or just riding around. It sure is a pleasant ride.

How to Reach IIT Mumbai?

The closest railway stops to IIT Mumbai is Kanjurmarg and Vikhroli, both are on Central line.

These are some of the open spaces in Mumbai, if I have missed out on any, do let us know, and we can add it.