Hanging Gardens
The Hanging Gardens, officially known as the Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens, is a popular public park and a tranquil green oasis situated atop Malabar Hill, one of the highest points in South Mumbai. The gardens were laid out in 1881 and were named after Pherozeshah Mehta, a prominent lawyer and politica l leader of the time. The unique name, 'Hanging Gardens,' comes from its clever positioning: the park is literally built on top of a series of covered, underground reservoirs that supply drinking water to a large part of South Mumbai. The construction of the garden was primarily to cover the water tanks, preventing the contamination of the water supply and also providing a much-needed green space for the city's residents. Because the garden is built over a solid structure, its plant life often seems to 'hang' or cascade over the sides, adding to its distinctive name. The gardens are particularly famous for their meticulously maintained shrubbery, shaped into fun and imaginative topiary forms, often depicting animals. One of the garden's biggest attractions is the adjacent Kamala Nehru Park, which is famous for the "Old Woman’s Shoe" structure, a popular climbing frame for children. From the western edge of the gardens and the nearby viewing points, visitors are treated to one of the most spectacular, iconic views in Mumbai: the sweeping, crescent-shaped expanse of Marine Drive, which, at night, famously lights up to resemble the 'Queen’s Necklace'. The gardens thus serve a dual purpose—as vital civic infrastructure providing water and as a cherished recreational and scenic retreat for locals and tourists alike.
General information
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Ideal Duration:
1 to 2 hours (For a leisurely walk and enjoying the view).Place Type:
Public Park, Garden, Viewpoint, Topiary, Water InfEntry Fees:
Absolutely Free Entry: Access to the Hanging Gardens (Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens) and the adjacent Kamala Nehru Park is completely FREE of charge for all visitors. As a public municipal park, there is no ticket counter or entry fee required.
No ...Absolutely Free Entry: Access to the Hanging Gardens (Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens) and the adjacent Kamala Nehru Park is completely FREE of charge for all visitors. As a public municipal park, there is no ticket counter or entry fee required.
No Hidden Costs: There are generally no associated costs other than the minimal cost of purchasing local snacks or drinks from the vendors outside the premises. Even the iconic "Old Woman's Shoe" is free for children to play on.
Parking Fees: If you drive a private vehicle to Malabar Hill, be aware that street parking or parking in designated areas may incur a nominal, hourly fee, which is regulated by the municipal corporation.
Photography: There is no charge for non-commercial photography or filming with phones or handheld cameras.Timing:
Regular Timings: The Hanging Gardens are generally open from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM every day of the week. Kamala Nehru Park usually follows similar timings.
Ideal Visit Time - Early Morning: 5:00 AM to 8:00 AM is the perfect time for fitness, ...Regular Timings: The Hanging Gardens are generally open from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM every day of the week. Kamala Nehru Park usually follows similar timings.
Ideal Visit Time - Early Morning: 5:00 AM to 8:00 AM is the perfect time for fitness, tranquility, and clean air. This is the calmest and most pleasant time to enjoy a walk and the sunrise.
Ideal Visit Time - Evening Sunset: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM is the peak and most popular time. This period is essential for witnessing the spectacular sunset and the transformation of Marine Drive into the 'Queen's Necklace'.
Avoid Mid-Day: Due to the tropical heat and humidity, visiting between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM is generally less comfortable, although the garden does offer some shaded areas. (Approx. )Special Events:
Gardening and Horticulture Shows (Seasonal) The garden sometimes hosts local horticultural exhibitions or flower shows, especially during the peak flowering seasons in the cooler months (December to February), showcasing prize-winning plants and new gardening techniques, attracting local enthusiasts...Gardening and Horticulture Shows (Seasonal) The garden sometimes hosts local horticultural exhibitions or flower shows, especially during the peak flowering seasons in the cooler months (December to February), showcasing prize-winning plants and new gardening techniques, attracting local enthusiasts.
Fitness and Wellness Events: Due to its popularity with joggers and yoga practitioners, occasionally, local fitness groups or organizations host public wellness events, free yoga sessions, or health awareness programs in the open lawns of the gardens, usually on Sunday mornings. Public Celebrations (Occasional) The park serves as an informal gathering point for locals during festive occasions, such as New Year’s Eve or regional festivals, particularly because of the spectacular view it offers of the illuminated city.Best Photo Spots:
The Queen's Necklace Viewpoint: The single most famous photo spot is the designated viewpoint on the western side, capturing the entire sweeping 'C' curve of Marine Drive below, with the Arabian Sea stretching to the horizon. This photo is best taken just after civil twilig...The Queen's Necklace Viewpoint: The single most famous photo spot is the designated viewpoint on the western side, capturing the entire sweeping 'C' curve of Marine Drive below, with the Arabian Sea stretching to the horizon. This photo is best taken just after civil twilight when the streetlights are fully on.
The Topiary Animal Frames: Photographing the whimsical, perfectly pruned animal topiary sculptures, especially the elephant or deer, is a classic shot. Framing a person next to these green figures captures the unique charm of the gardens. Inside the Old Woman's Shoe (Kamala Nehru Park) The large, colorful shoe house offers a fun and quirky photo opportunity, especially for families, capturing people climbing or sitting inside the boot structure.
Sunset Silhouette Shots: Position yourself on the viewing terrace facing the west. As the sun drops over the sea, taking a photo of a person silhouetted against the vibrant orange and pink sky creates a dramatic and beautiful effect.
The Tranquil Pathways: The shaded, tree-lined paths offer a chance for soft-focus, peaceful photos, capturing the lush greenery and the calmness of the elevated space, away from the bustling viewpoint. (Approx. )Photo Gallery
Things To Do
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Watch the Sunset and Queen's Necklace Illumination: This is the most essential activity. Find a spot at the western edge of the gardens or the viewing gallery nearby around 6:00 PM to watch the stunning sunset over the Arabian Sea and then wait for the lights of Marine Drive to switch on, creating the famous 'Queen's Necklace' effect.
Take a Leisurely Stroll and Admire Topiary: Walk slowly through the paths, admiring the meticulously shaped animal topiary sculptures. The entire garden is a pleasant walking space, ideal for a relaxed, slow-paced exploration and appreciating the vibrant, clean landscaping.
Visit the Boot House in Kamala Nehru Park: Step next door to the adjacent Kamala Nehru Park to see the iconic "Old Woman’s Shoe" structure. This is a must-do, particularly if you are traveli...
Information
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Why Famous:
The Queen's Necklace View: The gardens are most famous for offering the absolute best and most complete elevated view of Marine Drive and the crescent-shaped bay, affectionately known as the 'Queen's Necklace'. Tourists flock here, especially at sunset and immediately after...The Queen's Necklace View: The gardens are most famous for offering the absolute best and most complete elevated view of Marine Drive and the crescent-shaped bay, affectionately known as the 'Queen's Necklace'. Tourists flock here, especially at sunset and immediately after, to witness the spectacular lighting up of the boulevard.
Built Over a Water Reservoir: Its unique engineering—being constructed directly over Mumbai’s massive water supply tanks—is a major source of its fame. This clever civic design solution, hiding essential infrastructure beneath a popular public space, is a celebrated piece of Mumbai’s history.
Whimsical Topiary: The gardens are well-known for their eccentric and beautifully maintained topiary art, featuring carefully sculpted animal figures and geometric shapes out of living plants, making it a unique aesthetic attraction, especially for children.
Tranquil High Point: Situated on Malabar Hill, it offers a rare, peaceful, and clean retreat from the noise and pollution of the rest of the city, making it a famous spot for quiet reflection, yoga, and morning walks for the residents of South Mumbai. (Approx. ) -
Architecture:
Subterranean Reservoir Infrastructure: The true architecture of the Hanging Gardens is primarily the massive, hidden engineering structure beneath it: a series of large, interconnected, covered water reservoirs. These reservoirs were built to hold millions of gallons of fil...Subterranean Reservoir Infrastructure: The true architecture of the Hanging Gardens is primarily the massive, hidden engineering structure beneath it: a series of large, interconnected, covered water reservoirs. These reservoirs were built to hold millions of gallons of filtered water, utilizing the elevation of Malabar Hill for gravitational pressure to supply water to lower-lying areas. The gardens were then constructed directly on top of the concrete reservoir lids, providing a layer of protection and insulation.
Topiary and Landscaping Architecture: Above ground, the architectural theme is one of whimsical landscaping. The design focuses heavily on the art of topiary, where shrubs and bushes are carefully pruned and shaped into precise, often playful figures of animals (like elephants, deer, and giraffes) and geometric patterns. This deliberate, artistic shaping of living plants forms the visible 'architecture' of the garden.
The Viewing Terrace: While lacking grand structural buildings, the crucial dimension of the gardens is its elevated location. The perimeter offers a low-walled terrace that acts as a natural grandstand, providing the panoramic view over the city. This simple architectural feature maximizes the impact of the gardens' stunning geographical advantage. The gardens are designed on a relatively flat area that measures approximately 5,000 square meters, a deliberate effort to create a calming, open space high above the city's dense development. (Approx. ) -
How To Reach:
By Air: The nearest airport is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM), located about 22 kilometers away. Since the gardens are on the hilltop of Malabar Hill, a direct pre-paid taxi or ride-sharing service is the most convenient way to reach the location, t... -
Near Tourist Places:
1.
Kamala Nehru Park:
Adjacent park with the Boot House (Distance: 0. 1 KMS) 2.
Babulnath Temple:
Historic Shiva temple (Distance: 1. 5 KMS) 3.
Walkeshwar Temple Complex:
Ancient temple and Tank (Distance: 2. 0 KMS) 4.
Haji Ali Dargah:
Mosque in the sea (Distance: 3. 5 KMS) 5.
Girgaon Chowpatty:
Beach and street food (Distance: 2. 5 KMS) 6. Marine Drive (Queen's Necklace) Visible below (Distance: 3. 0 KMS, road distance) 7. Antilia (Ambani Residence) Prominent nearby residence (Distance: 3. 0 KMS) 8.
Taraporewala Aquarium:
On Marine Drive (Distance: 4. 0 KMS) 9.
Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya:
Museum in Gamdevi (Distance: 2. 5 KMS) 10.
Charni Road Station:
Nearest local train station (Distance: 2. 5 KMS)
Tourism Tips
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Health & Safety (Hill Climb and Wind) If walking up the hill from the station, be prepared for a long, steep climb. Once at the top, the sea breeze can be strong, so a light jacket or scarf might be useful in the cooler months. The area is generally very safe, but keep an eye on belongings in crow...
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