Kamala Nehru Park is a theme park that is located right at the heart of India’s financial hub, Mumbai. It has lots of attractions for children and adults. It is also called ‘Shoe Park’ as it has a huge shoe house in the form of an old woman’s shoe.
HISTORY AND ATTRACTIONS
The park is named after Kamala Nehru, who was the wife of India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It doubles up as one of the oldest parks in the city of Mumbai.
Unlike many parks of its kind in many global cities, it evolved rather than being built completely from scratch.
Its most notable trait is the giant shoe structure that occupies the gate and which was designed by Soli Arceivala. He was an officer in charge of the environment in the municipal corporation.
The inspiration behind the giant shoe structure arose from a nursery rhyme that went like this, ‘There was an Old Woman who lived in a shoe!’
A lightning strike damaged the shoe structure a couple of years ago, but it was since been revamped.
Aside from the giant shoe structure, the park also features a hanging garden that traces its roots to the year 1881. It was designed and set in motion by Ulhas Ghapokar.
Attractions
The park has several attractions that may interest all kinds of people. Three of these stand out. These are:
Giant shoe structure
The giant shoe structure occupies the entrance to the park. It is popular with small children who love to climb and play with it.
This shoe takes the form and the structure of an older woman. It bears some blue paintings and is adorned with some rainbow colors.
Hanging gardens complex
At the core of the park is a series of hanging gardens. The garden complex covers 16,000 square meters (4 acres of space) and sits atop Malabar Hill.
It was developed and is presently maintained by the Hydraulic Engineer’s Department of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai.
Owing to its strategic location atop Malabar Hill, this park accords breathtaking views of the adjacent cityscape along with the Marine Drive below.
It also contains numerous trees, grasses, and flowers that are scattered out and about. Many people opt to retreat here to rest, relax, and mingle with many other like-minded visitors to the city.
Boot House
The ‘Boot House’ is also called the ‘Old Lady’s Shoe.’ For a large part, it is mainly popular among small children.
Most children with families go in and around here to capture camera shots with their children for future remembrance. Around and about the structure are numerous trees that offer adequate shade and great relaxation.
Rainbow Amphitheater
If you love theater, live performances, musicals, and other stage-based activities, you may wish to spend part of your time at the Rainbow Amphitheater.
It is a small closed theater that hosts some performances from time to time. To enjoy these performances, you have to schedule your visit to coincide with them.
Pergola
Inside the park is a pergola, an outdoor garden that features passageways, shaded walkways, a sitting area, and a series of hanging cane chairs.
Some pillars or vertical posts support the crossbeams above to bring about strong and reliable interior shades. It is a place you may retreat to for relaxation.
Echo Gazebos
The Echo Gazebo resembles the pergola in many ways in that it is also used for relaxation.
It comes in the form of a free-standing structure that is roofed but opens on all sides.
Its role is to confer some shade and a place for your relaxation when there is excess heat outside.
Compass View gallery
Deep in the park is a gallery that stashes and showcases many photographs and other collections from in and around India.
While at the park, you may also think of stopping by to see them.
A compass view also exists there, which you may use to track the directions of various facilities in and around Mumbai.
Minions selfie point
If you love taking selfies, the park also has some dedicated locations for you. That is the Minions selfie point.
It is a large open space where families and individuals may gather and take selfies either on their own or in the company of many others.
Ashoka Stambha
This is a tall and vertical pillar that occupies a prime portion of the park.
At the very top of the pillar is the four lion statues that face the ‘four corners of the earth. The base of the pillar is adorned with green grass, breathtaking flowers, and tri-color planter beds.
Sundial clock
A sundial clock wraps up all the attractions the park offers.
It is a special ‘clock’ that takes us back to the days of yore when sundials dominated the measurement and tracking of time.
Its value is largely ornamental and may hence be used as a photography background.
Special attractions for children
Apart from the common attractions above, the park also has numerous attractions specifically for young loved ones. We mention and explain them here below:
Relaxations
The park has great resources that may be used for relaxation. These include green shrubs, flowery bushes, and a series of shady trees.
Also dotting the entire landscape is a series of lawns that are fresh, green, and well-taken care of. That it is detached from the congested city center makes it great for unwinding.
Sightseeing
From this park, your loved young ones may behold many breathtaking landmarks and scenic views from afar.
Two of these stand out. They are the Marine Drive, also known as the ‘Queen’s Necklace’ and the Girgaon Chowpatty.
If you can stay on at night, you will be able to watch the bright lights that adorn the Mumbai skyline.
Marine Drive View Form Kamala Nehru Park
Games and plays
Of course, no outing with a kid is complete without some games and plays. This park understands that fact only too well. That is why it has the ‘Boot House’ for use for gaming by the young ones.
In this facility, children can play hide-and-seek, climb the stairs safely to the top and hang out with friends.
Snacks and foods
Second to games and plays are the snacks and foods. Indeed, your loved young one will, from time to time, crave these kinds of feeds.
The park also lets hawkers sell to your kids many street foods and other snacks that are easier to eat and digest.
These include the vada pav, ice lollies, bhelpuri, and chaat.
Selfies and general photography
Wrapping them all up is the selfie and general photography resources. Throughout the renovated park are points from whence your kids may position themselves to take awesome photographs.
There are numerous possible backgrounds. They range from walls to attractive designs and, of course, the Minion point.
How to reach
Already made up your mind to visit here? You need to know how to get to Kamala Nehru Park. We explain them hereunder:
By Air
Take a flight from wherever destination to land at the local Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport Mumbai. The airport itself is some 21 km from the park.
To get to the park from the airport, we strongly recommend that you hire a cab as it is safer, more convenient, and likely to get you to the venue within the shortest time possible. Most estimates place the travel time to the park from the airport to just under 40 minutes.
By Road
Just if you are already in India, you may choose to get here by road. Take a bus or a cab from any destination, and it will take you to Mumbai Central Depo. This is a mere 5 km away from the park. You may complete the journey on foot if you have no child or take another bus to the park.
Alternatively, you may choose to drive yourself here on your own. To ensure that you do not get lost along the way, make use of the traffic-beating Google map. This GPS-enabled app spares you from the possible risks of getting lost along the way by guiding you through appropriately.
You can book an Uber or Ola cab from anywhere in and around Mumbai to Kamala Nehru Park.
By Rail
If you are short on cash, have plenty of time at your disposal, and are already in India, consider taking the rail. There are daily runs between the city of Mumbai and other major hubs in India. These draw from larger nearby cities like New Delhi, Bangalore, and Ahmedabad.
The train journeys are generally longer, more fixed, and overcrowded. On the positive side though, they are cheaper. Prepare yourself hence to withstand the congestion. The train you choose will generally stop you the Mumbai Central, which is 6 km from the park, or the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, which is 5 km from the park.
The best time to visit
The best time to visit here is during the cool winter seasons that start in October and end in March.
At such times, the weather is cool and pleasant enough to enable you to enjoy the resources that the park has to offer.
The great cool weather does negate the bright and intense heat that makes the visitors quite uncomfortable when out in the open.
Timing and Entry fee
Overall, the park is open every day, including the weekends and public holidays. It opens its doors at 5:00 AM and closes at around 9:00 PM local time.
There is no entry fee levied on the visitors. On top of that, there are no fees levied on the children’s activities like selfies and games.
Attractions around Kamala Nehru Park Mumbai
The area around and about the park also contains numerous attractions that may interest any visitor.
Marine Drive
Due to the elevated aspect of the park, it is possible to behold the Marine Drive and Chowpatty Beach below. From this vantage point, you may also behold the spectacular sunsets while also capturing photos of the areas of attractions.
Bandra-Worli Sea Link
This is a cable bridge that straddles the coastline of the Mumbai strand while also connecting the Bandra to the west to the Worli to the South of Mumbai. It measures 5.6km and is spectacular to behold.
Gateway of India
The “Gateway of India” is an arch-monument that was initiated and erected to commemorate the landing of King-Emperor George V and Queen-Empress Mary at Wellington Pier, Mumbai, in December 1911.
Kanheri Caves
These are a group of more than 100 Buddhist rock-cut monuments and caves that are located deep in the forests of Sanjay Gandhi National Park. They offer great photography and attractions to people who choose to pay a visit.
Global Vipassana Pagoda
Global Vipassana Pagoda is a hall that is devoted to the issues of meditation. Its capacity is about 8,000, and it draws in Buddhists from all over India. If you are a Buddhist who loves meditation, this place is a ‘must-visit.’
INVITATION TO VISIT
It is pointless to read through the explanations above and not visit these exciting places in Mumbai. That is why we now challenge you to make a plan to retreat to this area and spend a chunk of your time. When do you plan to pay a visit? Do you require further support from us? Please let us know…
