Gilbert hill — Attraction in Mumbai

A hidden wonder in the city of dreams. This hill is important, both historically and geographically. It is a 200 ft monolith single stone) column of black basalt rock at Andheri. The rock has a sheer vertical face and was formed when molten lava was squeezed out of the Earth's clefts during the Mesozoic Era about 66 million years ago.

There is also a temple on the top of this hill which has actually helped in saving this unique structure. Concrete jungle around has reached till 5 ft close to this hill. There are only two other such structures on entire Earth, such is the uniqueness of this hill.

To reach: Azad Nagar Metro station is the closest from where you can walk for 10-12 mins or also take an Auto that can reach in 2-3 mins. Even a car can be easily driven to the foot of this hill by this route.

There is another route from Navrang cinema through slums, but it is very narrow, not easily accessible, need to walk upwards for 10 mins as even a two wheeler is not easy to ride here, also not really safe, so better go from Azad Nagar metro station side which is much better, safer and a cleaner route.

To reach by the Azad Nagar metro route using Google Maps, select the Gaondevi temple on this hill as the destination. If you select Gilbert Hill, it will take you through the second route which is not really a...

Gilbert hill is a relic from the past. It is from the time when dinosaurs roamed the planet earth. It is approximately 65 million year old. The columnar structures you see at the Gilbert hill are called columnar basalt, they are formed when the entire Deccan region of India was active volcano and lava was flowing like a liquid. Recent studies point that one of the reason for the extinction of the dinosaurs is Deccan volcanism which also created the Gilbert hill. So that way Gilbert hill is a very important structure which needs to be preserved. But unfortunately due construction work in nearby places, its columns are falling down. Also lot of encroachment has happened in last few decades which has created serious threat for the hill. Similar structure called Devils tower, which is in USA is so well preserved and they have declared it as a national monument but Gilbert hill stands ignored. Public awareness is needed to preserve the...

Calling this monolith a rare site would be an understatement! This is a 66 milion year old piece of rock, and there are only three of these in the world.

There's a beautiful temple of Durga on top with idols of Ganesha and Hanuman as well. Even if you aren't religious, everyone should visit this place at least once just to gawk and marvel at how amazing and old our planet is. How are we even supposed to comprehend something that came 66 million years ago?!

PSA: Mumbai cab and autowalas know about this place but act oblivious to make you go round and round in circles and increase their fare. It happened to me and a few other travellers I found on top at the temple. And the priest there explained the same to us. I asked around locally and found other locations for landmarks.

When boarding any transport, ask for Andheri Jamatkhana near Noor Masjid. Don't even mention you want to visit the...