By Shraddha C. Sankulkar
Mumbai’s urban landscape is rapidly changing due to the newly built state-of-the-art coastal road and the underground metro (like the London Tube) facility that keeps the city moving in all directions. Andheri is a suburb in Mumbai, which is in the heart of North Mumbai. Corporate executives, students, business and media folks are seen buzzing in and around this extremely busy area. Amidst the concrete jungle that surrounds Andheri, unknown to most commuters, one rock structure silently stands still in this area since pre-historic times!! The structure is popularly called as ‘Gilbert Hill’, and as per geological calculations, it is believed to have been created after molten lava from volcanic eruptions cooled down during the Mesozoic era, approximately 65 million years ago!
It is fascinating to know that this 200-feet black basalt rock monolith structure has clusters of vertical columns like the Devil’s Tower National Monument, Wyoming and the Devil’s Postpile National Monument in Eastern California, U.S.A. All three structures are believed to have formed around the same time. In 1952 Central Government of India declared Gilbert Hill as a National Park and later it got the status of Grade II heritage site. For a first-time visitor it can be quite a struggle to search and reach the footsteps of Gilbert Hill. When at the top of the hill, a breath-taking panoramic ariel view of the surrounding area can be experienced. On a clear day, one can see the nature blessed campus of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Colleges on the East, on the West is Juhu, on the North is Versova and on the South side Powai hills are visible. A Hindu temple is situated on the top of the hill, which is dedicated to Goddess Durga. It is popularly called Gaondevi Durga temple and is believed to be established approximately 450 years ago. The temple has been renovated and well maintained. Visiting Gilbert Hill during sunset is highly recommended to experience a rare moment of tranquility amidst the ever noisy and cacophonic Andheri. It’s hard to believe that the rock structure has stood there since pre-historic times and must have witnessed the ebbs and flow of Mumbai’s metamorphosis from being a set of 7 islands to its modern-day form of being a huge megalopolis!
Though at first glance, Gilbert Hill seems to be a lifeless rock structure, but as one explores it, one notices that it nurtures life around it. The chirping birds, particularly parrots, and the mesmerizing fragrance of the frangipani flowers freshen up the air and the mind too. Above all, the toughness that the 65 million years old Gilber hill possesses, matches with the tough spirit of Mumbai that revolves around the elegant hill!
Photos Courtesy: Aditya Chichkar and Shraddha C Sankulkar
