Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Gilbert Hill

Situated close to Bhavan's college in Andheri (west), Gilbert Hill is a rare and unique volcanic structure that is now in the danger of collapsing because of haphazard growth of buildings around it.
It is a 200-foot (61 m) monolith column of black basalt rock in Andheri, in Mumbai, India. The rock has a sheer vertical face and was created when molten lava was squeezed out of the earth's clefts during the Mesozoic Era about 65 million years ago. This hill has been declared as a Heritage structure since September 2007. The Bombay HC has directed an IIT-Powai team to survey the hill and suggest measures for its protection.It has also stayed all constructions around the hill.
According to experts, this rare geological phenomenon was the remnants of a ridge and had clusters of vertical columns in nearby Jogeshwari which were quarried off two decades ago.These vertical columns are similar to the Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming, and the Devils Postpile National Monument in eastern California, USA.
The way up is by a steep staircase carved into the rock.
Right on top is the Gaodevi Durgamata Mandir set in a small garden.
Once you reach the top the panoramic views of Mumbai are breathtaking.
Getting there : If you drive down from the south, take the left (opp. NADCO shopping center),after the Andheri East-West linking bridge and then ask for directions to the Gaodevi Mandir. If you take public transport, get off at Andheri Railway station (West) and take an autorickshaw which should not cost you more than Rs.20/- depending on the traffic conditions. One can even walk it up from the railway station. Should not take more than half an hour.
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25 comments:

  1. Loved GaonDevi Mandir and the panoramic view of Mumbai.Wonderful.

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  2. Wow.... I wonder how you get information about all these places? Amazing... always get a new insight of my beloved Mumbai. Good post. Keep it up.

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  3. I had no clue this place even existed! Maybe I will try this on my next Mumbai visit :)

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  4. What a rare treasure within the bustle of the big city. Thanks for the detailed info on the rock. You never cease to surprise me with your unearthing of such sights.

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  5. We studied about Gilbert Hill in college (I majored in Geology), but till now have not visited this place. Similar columnar basalts can be found on St.Mary's Island or Coconut Island off Malpe near Udipi. Have you visited that place?

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  6. I'd love to visit this place the next time I'm in Mumbai. Thanks for giving the directions to get there as well as all the additional information.
    Lovely blog.

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  7. Wow never knew this place existed...thanks a lot for this info, I'll surely take time out from my hectic schedule and visit it once hopefully with my friends if possible :)

    Nice blog!

    Take Care.

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  8. the gilbert hill is very interesting. looks like a cliff :)

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  9. I lived in a hostel in Andheri for 5 months, and I had no clue of this place. Isn;t that sad.. :(
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  10. Lovely hill , nice place to explore .

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  11. Good information.. I was not aware of this hill despite living in Mumbai . Thx,...

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  12. Excellent bLogs ! I enjoy traveling, thinking and love animals, there seems to be some common things in us :)

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  14. Lovely post Deepak! I've never been to Mumbai but have always wanted to-and when I eventually do, will definitely check out Gilbert Hill.
    Thanks for voting for my Indivine post - I'm new to Indiblogger so every single vote makes me excited :-)

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  15. its amazing. just came back from there.

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  16. tx for this...i never knew about this place. wud try visiting it soon.

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  17. Thanks for sharing this info.. I was living so close by .. never had the chance to visit the place..msuch a serene atmosphere around the temple.

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  18. Nice writeup and photos
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