Caves and nature in Mumbai

Caves, Lakes & Protected Areas

This collection features the diverse natural landscapes found within Mumbai’s urban boundaries. It includes the ancient Kanheri Caves, a complex of over 100 Buddhist rock-cut monuments inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The list also highlights vital freshwater sources like Vihar and Tulsi Lakes, which supply the city's water, and the artificial Powai Lake. Additionally, the coastal mangroves represent a critical ecological zone that protects the shoreline and supports local biodiversity and migratory bird populations.

Kanheri Caves

Located within Sanjay Gandhi National Park, these 109 rock-cut Buddhist monuments date from the 1st century BCE to the 10th century CE. The site includes prayer halls, monasteries, and elaborate stone carvings, showcasing ancient water management systems and religious architecture.

Packerworld

Powai Lake

Powai Lake is an artificial lake, situated in Mumbai, in the Powai valley, where a Powai village with a cluster of huts existed.

Nichalp / CC BY-SA 3.0

Vihar Lake

Vihar Lake is located near Vihar village on the Mithi River within the precincts of the Borivali National Park, also called the Sanjay…

Nichalp / CC BY-SA 3.0

Tulsi Lake

Tulsi Lake is a fresh water lake in northern Mumbai. It is stated to be the second largest lake in Mumbai and supplies part of the city's…

Packerworld / Cc-by-sa-3.0

Powai Lake

Powai Lake is an artificial lake, situated in Mumbai, in the Powai valley, where a Powai village with a cluster of huts existed.

Mangroves

Mumbai’s coastal ecosystem consists of extensive mangrove forests along the Gorai and Malad creeks. These protected wetlands serve as critical flood barriers and provide a habitat for diverse marine life and migratory birds, including flamingos during the winter season.