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It’s enjoyable to visit a perfectly landscaped and manicured park, but sometimes the beauty of nature is best appreciated in its most untamed form. Fortunately, Powai has parks where you can do both!

The aptly named Forest Park, located off Forest Street in Hiranandani Gardens, is a park that feels more like being in the woods. Wild and jungli, it really is hard to believe that it’s located in the middle of a developed area.

Forest Park is particularly appealing in the monsoon season, just after it has rained, when the earth smells the richest and freshest. If you go in the wet weather, it’s likely that you’ll almost have the park to yourself. It’s perfect for those seeking solitude. There are walking tracks, and seats nestled randomly and cozily into the foliage.

These captivating photos, the majority of which have been contributed by Retired Commander Sanjeev Saikia, show the natural beauty of Forest Park.

For those who haven’t visited Forest Park yet, here’s a map of where to find it. It’s possible to enter from both Forest Street and Ridge Street (although the Ridge Street entrance is very narrow, and you have to look hard for it). The park is open throughout the day.

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Retired Commander Sanjeev Saikia, who took these delightful photos of Powai Lake, has been kind enough to share with us some more stunning photos, this time of flowers in Powai.

It’s good to take a moment out from our busy lives to appreciate the beauty and simplicity of nature. These flowers, with their intricate form and bold colours, are a real visual treat. They are just so captivatingly crafted.

Heritage Garden is another spacious, well maintained park in Powai. Although it’s not as large as Nirvana Park or Hiranandani Garden Park, it still has plenty of room to walk, relax, or play.

The main feature of Heritage Garden is its circular walking track. It also has a few sculptures dotted through it, large gazebo for relaxing in, and a separate playground for children. If you look carefully, you might even see a small squirrel or two! Another good thing about this park is that entrance is FREE!

Step inside Heritage Garden and take a look in these photos.

Heritage Garden is located on Cliff Avenue (near the intersection of High Street), Hiranandani Gardens, Powai. It’s open from 5 a.m. until 9.30 a.m. and again in the afternoon from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. The childrens’ playground is open from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. only.

For those of you who are yet to discover Heritage Garden, here’s a map of where to find it.

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True to its name, Hiranandani Gardens provides a number of parks and gardens for those seeking to relax amongst nature. In addition to the Asian-inspired Nirvana Park, there’s another large park in the area that’s simply known as Hiranandani Garden. It’s located behind China Valley restaurant on Orchard Avenue, with the entrance near the intersection of Ridge Street (a short distance past Eden Bungalows).

Although this park isn’t as attractively landscaped as Nirvana Park, it’s still very well maintained and offers quite a few distinct benefits. The spaciousness of the park, with its vast open areas, makes it perfect for children who want to run around and play games. There’s also a playground to cater for smaller children. Those who like walking or jogging will appreciate the park’s paved circular track, and early opening time. And what’s more, entrance to the park is FREE!

Here’s what the park is like inside.

Hiranandani Garden park is open in the morning from 5.30 a.m. until 9 a.m., and again in the evening from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Wondering how to get there? Here is a map.

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Article by lotus leaf, she blogs at http://lotusleaf-gardentropics.blogspot.com/

I spent the latter part of my holiday in Mumbai. Although I found the sweltering heat unbearable after my sojourn in the cool Himalayas, birds seemed to like the weather. They were busy mating and foraging. The Kite on the post is gazing intently at the water, probably to catch a water snake.

Kite

The Asian Openbill Storks, Anastomus oscitans are large birds which feed on the frogs and molluscs in the lake.

Asian Openbill Storks

There are many stories in the ‘Panchatantra’ about these storks. Besides the Storks, the lake has Herons, Egrets, Purple Moorhens, Spoonbills and Snakebirds and many other water birds whose names I don’t know.

Anastomus oscitans

Peaceful Powai Lake is an artificial lake that’s a popular attraction in the Powai area. Created by the British at a cost of 6.5 lakh rupees in 1890, the lake was once a source of water supply.

Although its water quality has rapidly decreased in recent years, Powai Lake remains an appealing place to spend time. A stroll along the pathways around Powai Lake is really relaxing, and you’ll be able to enjoy spotting a variety of water birds.

Commander Sanjeev Saikia (retired) shares with us his beautiful photos of Powai Lake and its bird-life in this photo gallery.

All photos copyright Commander Sanjeev Saikia (retired).

Aptly named Nirvana Park really feels like a piece of Nirvana in Hiranandani Gardens, Powai. Big city life can easily be tiring and stressful, even living in a relatively peaceful place such as Powai. Fortunately, Powai is blessed with arguably the most spacious and attractively landscaped park in Mumbai. Let’s take a peek inside Nirvana Park and see why it’s such a refreshing place to be.

From the moment you enter Nirvana Park, the effort that’s gone into maintaining this park is evident. In keeping with its name, the park has been given an oriental theme. One of the first things that you’ll notice as you stroll through the park are the Asian inspired lanterns. Walk a little further along and you’ll encounter the children’s play area, complete with fun slides. The ingenious way that it’s been constructed blends quite effortlessly with the rest of the environment.

Some people may have heard of Nirvana Park as a lover’s park. However, friends and families readily join couples in relaxing in this park. As is to be expected, there are plenty of benches and pavilions to provide seating. However, the elevated machan for viewing the surroundings is a pleasant surprise.

The soothing energy in Nirvana Park is palpable. Tensions are noticably melted away by the lush greenery, trickling water, and wildlife. There’s no doubt that at times, you’ll find yourself wondering if you’re really in Mumbai. Yet, soon you’ll notice that Mumbai’s ever present extremes are evident here too. Look up, and fancy looming apartment towers will catch your eye. Look to the side, and you’ll see that flimsy makeshift homes occupy the dusty space behind the high wire fence. Surreal, it certainly is. But it also serves as a poignant reminder to appreciate the simplicity of nature’s beauty, which is in abundance in Nirvana Park.

These photos reveal the natural beauty of Nirvana Park.

Nirvana Park is located opposite Powai Plaza, Central Avenue, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai. It’s open daily from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. The entry fee is 5 rupees for adults. Still camera fee is 10 rupees. Video cameras are not permitted. Neither is food.

Photos copyright Sharell Cook.