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Explore Borivali's Free Attractions: Ancient Caves, 450-Bell Shop, Mumbai's Highest Trek
With no entry fees at several attractions, including Mumbai's highest trekking point and a unique bell collection, Borivali proves that a great day out doesn't have to cost a rupee.
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Borivali, now dubbed Mumbai's 'Northern Hub' thanks to the full operationalization of Metro Lines 2A and 7, has become a major 'Quad-Transit' interchange offering 20-minute traffic-free rides to business centers. But for those looking to spend their time rather than their money, the suburb also packs a surprising number of free attractions, from ancient Buddhist caves carved into basalt to a fish park with eight large aquarium tanks.
The list of cost-free outings is long and varied. Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) offers free access to its forests, a trek up to the 468-meter-high Jambulmal point, Mumbai's highest, and a visit to the 2,400-year-old Kanheri Caves, according to multiple sources including local lifestyle blog LBB and Whatshot Mumbai. The caves, a complex of Buddhist rock-cut monuments, are part of the park and open to the public without an entry fee. The Global Vipassana Pagoda in Gorai, Borivali, another major free attraction, is open daily from 9 AM to 7 PM and serves as a meditation center hosting free Vipassana courses.
Unusual Sights: A Fish Park and a Bell Shop
In IC Colony, Borivali West, visitors will find Mumbai's first Fish Park, a free attraction open from 5 AM to 8 PM. The park features eight large aquarium tanks displaying diverse tropical fish species, according to LBB, Samedayagratour, and Curly Tales. The park is spread over 10,000 sq ft, with each tank holding 25-30 tropical fish. A running track also circles the park, making it a popular morning spot as well as an afternoon outing.
For a completely different kind of spectacle, there is Ghanta Wala Pan Mandir in Lokmanya Tilak Nagar. This unique, free-to-visit shop displays 450 bells of various shapes and sizes, a collection that has become a minor landmark in its own right. It is featured on LBB and in a YouTube video documenting the shop's eccentric charm.
Parks, Beaches and Street Shopping
Beyond the headline sights, Borivali offers several other free spots. Veer Savarkar Udyan in Borivali East is open 24 hours with free entry, featuring green lawns, flower beds, and a lake, according to LBB. Gorai Beach, about 16 km from Borivali railway station, is a free public beach where visitors can stroll and view the Arabian Sea, as per multiple sources. For those who enjoy street shopping and food, Jambli Galli offers a free, bustling experience. Mangrove-line hikes are available at Kutchi Ground in Yogi Nagar and at the Dahisar Dmart dead end, according to LBB and Reddit threads.
The free attractions come as Borivali's public transit connectivity improves. Metro Lines 2A and 7 now offer 20-minute traffic-free rides connecting the suburb to business districts, making these free outings even more accessible to residents and visitors alike. For anyone looking for a low-cost day in Mumbai's northern reaches, the suburb's mix of ancient history, natural beauty and oddball local landmarks delivers without asking for a single rupee at the gate.