Take a break from the bustle of Mumbai’s city streets and relax amid the scenic confines of Kamala Nehru Park. Enjoy pretty sunsets, admire multicolored flower displays and discover a popular children’s play area. Kamala Nehru Park sits on the slopes of Malabar Hill, overlooking the Arabian Sea. It takes its name from the wife of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.
Stroll along the park’s tree-shaded pathways, which lead to a series of well-kept flower presentations and water features. Look for the Ashoka Pillar, crowned with an intricately carved, four-faced lion statue. Check out the Giant Boot, an attraction inspired by the nursery rhyme There was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe. Kids will have fun walking inside the boot and climbing the stairs to peer out of windows.
Areas of the park afford excellent views over nearby Girgaun Chowpatty (Chowpatty Beach) and Back Bay. Arrive for sunset and witness as the sun casts a pleasant light over the beach and bay. Then, watch as the waterfront promenade, Marine Drive, becomes illuminated by a series of bright lights. Locals call this the Queen’s Necklace because the lights resemble a string of pearls.
Kamala Nehru Park is open daily and admission is free. Ball games are prohibited, thus creating a peaceful ambiance. The park is a 20-minute drive from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. The easiest way to get to the park is via low-cost auto-rickshaws and taxis. Otherwise, take a train to Charni Road Railway Station, from where it’s about a 20-minute walk to the park. If you are feeling energetic, walk along Marine Drive, which stretches from Nariman Point to the foot of Malabar Hill.
While here visit other attractions located in the Malabar Hill neighborhood. Spot impressive animal-shaped trees and topiary art at the Hanging Gardens. Go to the Walkeshwar Temple to see pilgrims bathing in the sacred water of the 12th-century Banganga Tank. Alternatively, watch snake charmers and sample delicious street food at Girgaun Chowpatty.
