Ovalekar Wadi Butterfly Garden — Attraction in Thane

I am writing this review to save you from the disappointment and inconvenience.

After I first heard about this garden 5 years ago, I kept this place on my Must Visit places. I kept on postponing to visit this place as it was very far away from my home. Finally, after 5 years, I decided to visit this 'butterfly garden'. I called up and spoke to the owner of that place, Rajendra. I asked him if the park was open and when I could come. He replied by saying that the park is open and I can come in the morning to see the butterflies. They open the park which is known as Ovalekar wadi - only on Sundays in the morning.

They do not have their own website where you can find the information about it or book the tickets. All they have is a single web page which mentions the timings and some photographs. The butterfly garden felt a little 'fishy' to me and I could literally hear the song, "Golmal hai bhai sab golmal hai". But, I wanted to strike that place off my list and so I decided to give it a chance. How wrong I was!! :-(

I took a OLA ride and travelled almost 50 kms. The park fees was Rs.150 or so and I went with my family. In the name of the butterfly garden, it is a small 'wadi' but just TWO butterflies! Yeah, you read it right. Just 2 butterflies in the whole garden. Keep reading.

We were a total of about 25 people in a group. Rajendra started by showing us cocoon of the butterfly and started to explain their cycle. Then, he took us in his 'garden' and showed us again the same thing in a different way. It happened for almost an hour and half and then he concluded that it was nice having us all. All of us were dumbstruck as he did not show us a single butterfly forget about 'butterflies'.

I then asked him in front of the group, 'But, what about the butterflies? Where can we see them?" To that he replied, "Oh yes! Talking about the butterflies, people come here and expect to see the butterflies in off season. You will have to come at some other time for that." Seriously? I told him that it was not fair and he should have told me over the phone about it instead of wasting our time, efforts and money come to his barren butterfly garden. He did not have any answer for that and started to give dumb lame excuses. Some of the other people in the group also got bitter about this but that person did not even have the shame to return us our money and apologize for the same. His attitude was such that. 'Jo ukhadne ka ukhado".

There were many small children in a group who have come to see the butterflies. Everyone of us were disappointed but Rajendra was very indifferent about it. Even his assistant who was taking thousand of pictures of a single ordinary butterfly to show off as he was an award winner of National Geography channel. He looked shabby and literally wearing space suit! The garden was not at all maintained properly.

In conclusion, I would say that somewhere inside me already knew about it and I did not listen to my voice. It was my experience but your experience could be great - who knows?

You could find some 'great reviews' about people writing about this garden but mostly about how 'great' their homemade food was! Seriously? Are they giving reviews for butterfly garden or butterfly restaurant? Find out...

A Nature-Inspired Day at Ovalekar Butterfly Garden

Our visit to the Ovalekar Butterfly Garden was an enriching experience that brought us closer to the fascinating world of butterflies and their ecosystems. Surrounded by lush greenery and thriving biodiversity, the garden offered a wonderful retreat into nature’s lap.

One of the first highlights was spotting the beautiful golden chrysalis, a stage where a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. Observing this delicate marvel reminded us of nature’s intricate design and life’s constant evolution. The guide, who was exceptionally knowledgeable, enthusiastically explained the importance of these stages, engaging us with detailed insights and fascinating anecdotes.

We then came across caterpillars on host plants, munching on the fresh leaves. It was exciting to see these tiny creatures in action, contributing to the ecosystem. The garden also showcased vibrant flowering plants, which acted as nectar sources, attracting numerous butterflies.

Among the unique flora we observed was the Sapota (Chikoo) tree, with its dense green leaves and small brown fruits. It was an excellent example of how such trees provide shade and habitat for various organisms. The guide pointed out interesting details about the tree, the lifecycle of butterflies, and the symbiotic relationships between the plants and insects, making the walk both interactive and educational.

The butterfly garden was not just about butterflies; it was a holistic introduction to an ecosystem. We saw flowering shrubs like the bell-shaped pink flowers, standing tall and inviting pollinators. The garden’s diversity extended to the ground, where children delighted in exploring beneath the trees, uncovering fallen leaves and tiny critters.

The intricate relationship between plants, caterpillars, and butterflies was the key takeaway from our visit. The guide’s in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm enhanced the experience, leaving us with a greater appreciation for nature’s delicate balance. From the golden chrysalis to the vibrant flowers, each element seemed to tell a story of interdependence and harmony.

In the end, the Ovalekar Butterfly Garden left us not only with beautiful memories but also with a renewed sense of responsibility to preserve and nurture...

If you are a butterfly enthusiast, you must visit this garden. The Ovalekar wadi butterfly garden has been maintained as a family home and Mr. Rajendra Ovalekar has grown a variety of butterfly host and nectar plants. He takes care of his plants very fondly. His patient efforts for the last several years, have turned this place into a butterfly sanctum. There are a number of plant for butterflies to feed and lay eggs, which assures their continuous presence.

The garden is open on Sundays 9 AM to 12.30 PM. The best time to visit are just after monsoon (August-September), but if you visit any other times you can surely see up to 20-30 butterfly species and their early stages. It is advised to come soon so that you can make the most of your time and take pictures. If you are lucky you can also see Blue Mormon here, the state butterfly of Maharashtra, which we saw today on our visit.

There is an orientation lecture by Mr. Ovalekar which covers basic aspects of butterfly life cycle, enriched with his personal gardening experiences. He has vast knowledge about plants, butterflies and associated insects, which he passionately shares with everyone. Butterfly activities such as puddling, courtship, fruit-baiting, oviposition can be regularly spotted here. Visitors can participate in the day-to-day gardening activities such as weeding, mulching, seed collection. This experience is very enriching for school-children and elders alike. Ovalekar wadi can be easily reached using public and private transport. The garden has basic restroom facilities and a comfortable public sitting area. It is advised to carry sufficient drinking water and your own food items, especially if you have small children with you. Please make sure to maintain the garden as it is and not to litter or damage any plants/insects. Like any nature outing one has to be patient while watching butterflies and be mindful of weather conditions. The place is generally safe being a private property, but care needs to be taken and one should avoid getting into deep vegetation. Also avoid touching/consuming any plant parts without knowledge. The place is definitely recommended for a Sunday outing and you will be inspired to start your own butterfly garden. You will keep...