Voices of a Mumbaikar: February 2016

As Mumbaikars, we always hear ourselves cribbing about the lack of interesting and serene places to visit over the weekends. We lament that the city has gone to the dogs and beyond, with intense urbanization usurping the already thinning green cover. Also, with unauthorized slums popping up on vacant plots, the Mumbaikars are left with absolutely no open areas and parks for leisurely walks or just relax and breathe easy.

But for now I would like to give you some reason to feel pleasantly surprised about the city. For all those who have stayed in Mumbai for as long as to consider it as 'their own city', I will highlight some of the interesting facets which are only vaguely known to most of us.

Presenting the six spots in and around Mumbai you must consider visiting or exploring if you have not already.

SOUTH MUMBAI

We have heard South Bombay being referred to as Fort many times So why is South Mumbai called as Fort area?

You won't believe it but there was a Fort wall which actually ran from Lions Gate to Crawford Market with a gate in between called Church Gate. The Church Gate was situated where the Flora Fountain is currently. The wall was built by Britishers to guard/protect them against any invasions from the Arabian sea. Also, the British had a clear view from these fort walls on to the sea since the three popular maidans were right outside the fort walls. And guess which maidans were these...yes you are right. They are the Azad, Oval and Cross Maidans.

Get some more interesting tidbits like these on South Mumbai's Heritage Cycle Rides on weekends. (Visit odati.com)

Any weekend is fine but preferably in Dec and Jan when Mumbai weather dips a notch.

The Gateway of India - The Gateway of India was rumored to be built to welcome King George V & Queen Mary in 1921 for his grand arrival into the country but the Gateway could not be built in time and was completed only in 1924. Again ironically it was Gateway of India where the Britishers left the country in 1948 after India's independence.

Taj Mahal Hotel. Thanks to the Watson Hotel located opposite Kala Ghoda where Jamshetji Tata was refused entry by British. Today we have the world famous Taj Mahal Hotel at Gateway of India, which was built to spite the Britishers.

Municipal Corporation Building, a beautiful Gothic styled building which unfortunately gets overshadowed by its neighbor the glorious VT Station. Records also support that at these environs Phansi Talao or Gallows Tank, where public hangings took place, was located.

Gateway of India, up close.

Dhobi Ghat (Washerman's Lake), Near Mahalaxmi station.
In British times, dhobis used to wash the British soldiers clothes' here. It was filled up in the mid-17th century as the city began to expand. The lake used to be fed by a number of underground freshwater springs, which were recently uncovered while constructing the subway in the locality.

Dhobi Ghat

The glorious Victoria Terminus Station is now known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. Its the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in the world, functional for what it was meant to be originally.

Brun Maska and Watermelon Juice - A must have at any Irani cafe

SHILONDA TRAIL, NATIONAL PARK (SGNP), BORIVALI

SGNP is supposed to be the largest national park in the world located within city limits. The quiet and peaceful Shilonda trail inside the National Park initiates along the plains just before the Kanheri foothills and winds along gently to make a good long hike.

Entry to this trail is restricted unless you visit the same with naturalists/forest guards/wildlife experts on their trails. One needs to just pay additional Rs. 50 over the entrance fee for SGNP. You can go on an enchanting walk in the woods here with BNHS like I did. (bnhs.org)

Best time to visit anytime through out the year but preferably early part of the year (Jan/Feb) or just after the onset of rains (July/August).

Palash ke Phool

Tiger's Claw marks

Spotted

The park in its splendour

Dragon fly

Mom n Me

Cormorant

Babbler

Camouflage

Made for each other!

Pagoda Nest

Charoli Tree

OVALEKAR WADI, BUTTERFLY GARDEN

Ovalekar Wadi Butterfly Garden is a home for 132 species of butterflies which are seen throughout the year. It is an open air butterfly garden located in Thane(w), off Ghodbunder Road. Nearly ten years ago, enthused by a program on butterflies conducted by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Rajendra Ovalekar decided to covert his two acres of agricultural land into a butterfly garden.

Sanctuary magazine organizes a lovely visit to this garden along with the popular naturalist Mr. Isaac Kehimkar and Mr. Ovalekar (owner of the garden) who provide great insights on butterflies and the awesome sights at this place.

There are two butterfly seasons. The first one is from the first week of March to the second week of May, and the second season is from the second week of September to the second week of November.

Ovalekar Wadi is open to visitors only on Sundays, from 8 to 2, for a nominal fee. For bookings, call Rajendra on +91 9820779729 or visit sanctuaryasia.com for more details.

Common Jezebel

Common Pierrot

Glassy Tiger

Wood Baron using its proboscis for sucking the juicy meal

Common Tiger

Common Emigrant

Blue Mormon - State Butterfly, second biggest in the country

Powder Puff

AAREY COLONY

Aarey Milk Colony (established in 1949) is situated in Goregaon East, a western suburb of Mumbai. The colony is spread over 16 square kilometers (4,000 acres) and is located off the Western Express Highway

You can visit this place on your own any time throughout the year. Feel the serenity and calm surroundings and experience your body relax and get recharged within minutes.

A Beautiful Sunrise in Aarey

One of the many cattle sheds in Aarey Colony

Road to Serenity

Old structures which now stock bundles of hay

RANI BAGH

Jijamata Udyaan (Marathi: जिजामाता उद्यान) formerly called Ranichi Bagh (meaning Queen's Gardens) after the original British name ... Jijabai Bhosale Udyan, is a zoo and garden located at Byculla, in the heart of Mumbai.

Forget the zoo which is not worth mentioning but you must definitely explore the neighboring garden, especially with naturalists from BNHS on their trails. (bnhs.org)

Tamhan - Maharashtra's State Flower

Ripe Jack fruits weighing heavily on the tree

Kailashpati - Flower of the Cannon Ball Tree

Haldi Kum Kum or Lantana Shrubs

Chinese Fan Palm Tree

Bats...Hanging around!

VASAI FORT

Fort Bassein or Vasai Fort is a large fort in Vasai village, in the Vasai taluka (county) of the District of Palghar, Konkan Division.

Here again you can go
on a nature trail with BNHS. They provide some fascinating insights about the birds and the trees found here and of course Vasai Fort itself. (bnhs.org)