Malabar Hill Elevated Nature Trail and Banganga Lake

Travel Date : 19th April 2026
Mode of Travel : Private Car

 

The End of a Struggle and a New Beginning

    That eight-month struggle, and the silence that followed the failure within it. It has been only 19 days since my mother’s passing; her departure has left a profound impact on my soul. Navigating through this desolation and trying to pull myself out of a withered state of mind was (and still is) incredibly difficult. However, to break free from this cycle of grief and find the strength to stand again, I decided to take a step forward. With the support of Shailesh Dada, I mustered the courage to perform a 'Seemollanghan' to cross the threshold of my home and seek solace in the vast embrace of nature.

    Initially, we had planned to visit the sea forts in the Palghar district. However, due to a sudden heat wave, we had to cancel that plan. To escape the scorching sun, we decided to visit the 'Malabar Hill Elevated Nature Trail' in Mumbai. To avoid the heat and enjoy the tranquility of the early morning, we completed our booking for 6:00 AM (the entry fee for this trail is ₹25 per person).

    Rather than going as just the two of us, we decided to invite other senior and enthusiastic members. Accordingly, we posted a small announcement on our WhatsApp group, "Bhraman Mandal." In no time, six people were ready to join the initiative: myself, Shailesh Sawant, S. J. Pawar, Ravi Sawant, Dnyanesh Tawde, and Latesh Jadhav.

Traces of Memories and the Start of the Journey

    As usual, whenever I have to leave early for a trip, the excitement keeps sleep at bay; this time was no different. I finally managed to fall asleep around 3:30 AM, only to wake up an hour later at 4:30 AM to start getting ready. In the past, whenever I woke up at dawn, my mother would wake up with me. She would lovingly prepare tea and breakfast. I clearly remember our Bhimashankar trek in November 2024; she had woken up at 4:30 AM just to make Ambolis (savory pancakes) for me. Every journey and adventure of mine used to begin with her blessings.

    Today, the circumstances had changed. But, cherishing her memories and gathering my strength, I stepped out of the house at 5:00 AM. Shailesh Dada and Pawar Uncle were already waiting for me downstairs. Soon, Latesh Dada arrived as well. Since Dnyanesh Uncle wasn't answering his phone, I worried he might have given us the 'slip' as usual! 😀 However, his call came shortly after. It turned out that Shailesh Dada was trying to reach him via WhatsApp call while his mobile data was turned off. Finally, all hurdles were cleared, and our journey began.

    We all gathered at Ravi Uncle's building as planned. From there, in his car, our journey truly commenced. Although it was a five-seater car and we were six people, the enthusiasm was so high that even the cramped seating felt like part of the fun. With everyone's chatter and laughter, the journey truly came alive.

    After a scenic drive across the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and the newly launched Mumbai Coastal Road, we reached the Malabar Hill area. Despite the early hour, finding a parking spot proved to be a bit of a challenge, costing us about 10 minutes. We arrived at the main entrance of the Malabar Hill Nature Trail at approximately 5:50 AM. Since our tickets were booked for the 6:00 AM slot, we waited in line for a brief 10 minutes. Promptly at 6:00 AM, the security guard scanned our tickets and granted us entry to the trail.

500 Meters of Serenity: The Malabar Hill Trail Experience.

    The ambiance of the nature trail is incredibly picturesque and serene. Surprisingly, even in the early hours of the dawn, the place was buzzing with content creators busy filming Instagram Reels. It was quite a sight to see the creators going to any length with their own set of 'monkey antics' just to get that perfect shot! 😆. Since the natural morning light was still dim, the artificial lights installed along the track gave the entire trail a magical, glowing aesthetic. Built through Mumbai's remaining patches of greenery and mangroves, this trail offers a rare escape into nature amidst the city's 'concrete jungle.' However, for seasoned trekkers like us who are used to rugged mountains and deep valleys, it lacked a bit of that 'wow factor.' Since the trail is only about 500 meters long, it takes barely 15 to 20 minutes to complete. Naturally, we spent the rest of our time capturing the scenery and focusing on photography.

    Along the trail’s railings, you'll find informative plaques detailing the local flora and fauna, which is a great touch for nature enthusiasts. During our early morning stroll, we spotted parakeets, kites, and crows. We spent a good amount of time capturing the scenery and, of course, taking a few selfies. Finally, the sun rose, and we were blessed with a golden view of the morning sun! The sight of the sunrise from behind the towering skyscrapers of Mumbai, with Girgaon Chowpatty stretching out below, was truly picturesque. The blend of nature’s beauty and the iconic Mumbai Skyline was a treat for the eyes. Security is tight here, with guards keeping a watchful eye through CCTV cameras installed at various points. Our allotted slot was from 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM, but the guards began notifying everyone to head back about 15 minutes before our time ended. By 7:00 AM, we exited through the main gate. As we were pondering our next move, we decided to head right over to the nearby Kamala Nehru Park, famously known as the Hanging Gardens, to continue our morning exploration.

Reliving Childhood: The Iconic Old Woman’s Shoe.

    Technically, Kamala Nehru Park and the Hanging Gardens are two distinct parks. However, for us and most long-time Mumbaikars the entire area is affectionately known simply as 'Hanging Gardens.' But of course, its most iconic landmark is the legendary 'Old Woman's Shoe' (Mhataricha Boot) 🤘. Stepping inside instantly triggered a wave of nostalgia. I vividly remember my very first school picnic back in the 1st grade; we had so much fun here, and those memories came rushing back! The park underwent a beautiful renovation a few years ago and is now impeccably clean, serene, and well-maintained. To be honest, we found spending time here much more relaxing and convenient compared to the Nature Trail. 

    The panoramic view of the Malabar Hill Nature Trail and Girgaon Chowpatty from here is simply breathtaking. The fascinating 'Echo Effect' at the seating area and the blooming lilies in the pond add a serene charm to the park. As we strolled further, we came across the iconic 'Old Woman's Shoe'. We couldn't resist the urge to climb inside, but a quick look at the signboards brought us back to reality entry is strictly for children under 12 years of age. Though we couldn't go in, seeing it brought back a flood of childhood memories! After capturing some keepsakes of the 'Old Woman’s Shoe,' we bid farewell to Kamala Nehru Park. 

    Our next destination was the historic Bhuleshwar Temple, but we faced a bit of a dilemma. Most of my friends hadn't had their morning bath and were hesitant to enter. I, however, was ready with a clear conscience, as my primary interest was to admire the temple's ancient architecture. But perhaps fate had other plans! A passerby gave us the wrong directions, leading us astray. We eventually decided to cancel the visit to Bhuleshwar and headed back to our car. From there, we drove straight toward the mystical Banganga Tank, which is about 2.6 km from Kamala Nehru Park. Within 5 minutes, we reached the Aditya Birla Vatika. Given the narrow lanes and the uncertainty of parking further ahead, we decided to park there and continue our journey on foot.

Walking towards Banganga, a simple confusion over the name 'Ram' led to a hilarious moment.

    Ravi Uncle and I were walking ahead of the group, chatting away. Suddenly, he asked me, 'Prathamesh, did Ram ever come here?' Now, in our group, we have a friend named 'Ramchandra Sawant' whom we affectionately call 'Ram.' Naturally, I thought he was referring to him.

Our conversation went like this:

Ravi Uncle: Prathamesh, did Ram come here?

Me: Yes Uncle, he did.

Ravi Uncle: (Curiously) When was this?

Me: During the lockdown, when his father passed away, he had come here to Banganga for the ashes immersion rituals.

Ravi Uncle: (Facepalming) 🤦‍♂️ Oh boy! I am talking about Lord Rama, and who on earth are you talking about!

Banganga Tank: Stepping Back in Time

    Within just 10 minutes, we reached the historic Banganga Tank. The informative plaques at the entrance offer a glimpse into its rich heritage, while the towering ancient Deepstambhs (stone lamp towers) standing outside instantly evoke a sense of antiquity. We spent some peaceful time sitting on the steps, watching the fish glide through the water and soaking in the spiritual tranquility of the place.
 The trend of filming Instagram Reels and photoshoots has taken over the Banganga area as well. While the vicinity is dotted with several ancient temples, it is disheartening to see the historical heritage getting encroached upon. On our way to the Walkeshwar Temple, we spotted some neglected yet priceless ancient sculptures on the steps including Kirtimukhas, Hero Stones (Virgal), and idols of Goddess and Lord Ganesha.

    Seeing the original ancient structure of Walkeshwar replaced by a modern temple was a bit disappointing from a heritage perspective. I was initially hesitant to go inside, but my companion Shailesh Dada insisted we see the original Shivling and the sanctum idols. Respecting his request, we entered the Gabhara to witness the ancient Shivling and the exquisite copper idols. We also saw a beautiful marble Ganesha idol carefully preserved in a glass case. After taking the blessings of Lord Walkeshwar, we retraced our steps and returned to the serene banks of the Banganga Tank.

    My Personal View: When looking closely at the geographical route of Lord Rama's exile (Vanvas), the legendary connection between him and Banganga seems somewhat debatable. Historical and scriptural records suggest his path moved through Nashik (Panchvati), Bhandardara, and Kalyan towards Tuljapur, Lepakshi, and Kishkindha (Hampi). Mumbai, which existed as seven scattered islands at the time, doesn't find a prominent mention in this journey. It is often observed that whenever an ancient structure is discovered, it is quickly labeled 'Pandav-कालीन' (from the era of the Pandavas) to add a layer of mystical significance. I feel a similar narrative has been applied to Banganga. My intention is not to hurt anyone’s religious sentiments, but whether to believe in such folklore or look for historical evidence is entirely a matter of personal perspective.

    Leaving the pages of history behind, let’s return to the present. As we were exiting the Banganga Tank area, we noticed preparations for the Dashpind Shraddh (ancestral rituals) in the left corner. Right beside it, there were several stone slabs heavily coated in vermilion (sindoor). Driven by curiosity to find out what they exactly were, I stepped closer only to realize that these were none other than ancient Virgals (Hero Stones) or perhaps local guardian deities like Bhairoba and Kshetrapal. After capturing some photographs of these historic stones, we made our way out of the premises. Just then, Ravi Uncle suggested that we visit a nearby Math (monastery) before leaving.

Intricate Carvings and Ancient Serenity at Kashi Math.

    Our next stop was the historic Kashi Math. Right at the entrance, we were mesmerized by the intricate wooden carvings. Inside, there is an ancient idol of Lord Hanuman; since it is not coated with vermilion (sindoor), the delicate craftsmanship on the stone is clearly visible. As we explored the math further, we noticed that even the ceiling is made of wood, adorned with stunning carvings depicting significant moments from Lord Krishna's life. Additionally, the 'Navagrahas' (nine planets) are beautifully carved on the ceiling near the main entrance. Since photography is strictly prohibited inside the premises, we made sure to soak in every detail of this artistic marvel with our own eyes.

Kashi Math (Banganga): A Heritage of History and Culture

    Situated on the banks of the Banganga Tank, the 'Kashi Math' is more than just a religious monastery; it is a vital spiritual center belonging to the lineage of the Gokarna Partagali Jeevottam Math.

Foundation and Tradition:

• Community Connection: The Math is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Gaud Saraswat Brahmin (GSB) community.

• Historical Timeline: It is believed that the Kashi Math at Banganga was established between the 17th and 18th centuries.

• Institutional Affiliation: This sacred site functions under the supreme authority and guidance of the 'Shree Kashi Math Samsthan'.

    There are numerous ancient temples in the Banganga area that we were eager to explore. However, due to the work commitments of some group members, we had to cut our journey short and head back. We reached the spot where we had parked our car, right next to the Aditya Birla Vatika. We decided to spend some quiet time there. Every tree in the garden was in full bloom, and the maintenance was truly impeccable. Even the seating benches were neatly painted and well-kept. One could see the hard work of the gardeners in the way the plants were watered and pruned regularly. It's safe to say that such beautifully maintained gardens are a hallmark of South Mumbai! Feeling hungry on the way, we satisfied our cravings with hot samosas, dhokla, and tea. I reached home around 11:45 PM.

    But the moment I entered the house, memories of my mother came rushing back. Whenever I returned from a trek or any exploration, she would always ask 'How was the journey?' and 'What did you bring for me?' Back then, I used to jokingly answer, 'I go to wander in the woods, what could I possibly bring from there?' Today, the absence of those affectionate questions and her presence is deeply felt.

Without my Mother, a beggar am I, in this world of strange design,

Now all that remains is the longing, for her memories so divine.

My destiny once flourished, beneath her shadow of grace and care,

Now I stand orphaned and lost, in this world's crowded glare.

None in this world can ever be, as great as a Mother’s soul,

Her absence leaves a heavy wound, and takes a painful toll.

My home was once a temple, but the shrine stands empty today,

Mother, without your love, my life has simply withered away.

🙏