Borivali, India

Welcome to Borivali, a vibrant suburb located at the north-western end of Mumbai! With a large Gujarati population followed by others, Borivali is a cultural melting pot that has something for everyone. Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or foodie, this charming destination will not disappoint. Let’s explore the top attractions, landmarks, and notable people that make Borivali a must-visit.

History
Borivali has a rich history that dates back to pre-historic eras. The Mandapeshwar Caves and Kanheri Caves, which are rock-cut architectures and Hindu shrines of Lord Shiva, are some of the prime examples of the impressive history of this place. The name Borivali means the town of berries, which existed because of the sweet fruit called borr (Marathi) meaning berries in English. Traditional tribes and East Indians lived in Borivali, which developed from what was once a congregate region of smaller towns.

Demographics
Borivali is a densely populated suburb that has a large population of Gujarati people followed by Marathis. The suburb has three dominant languages, with Gujarati being the most dominant language spoken by 44.13% of the population. The official language Marathi is spoken by the natives of the land and migrants from other parts of Maharashtra, while Hindi is the main language of communication and trade and commerce in the suburban region of Mumbai and Mumbai Metropolitan region.

Landmarks
Borivali boasts of many gardens, including the Veer Savarkar Udyan on Lokmanya Tilak Road, which is an ideal place for all and has facilities like a jogging track, boating area, kids play-garden, and skating. Another popular garden is the Tukaram Ombale Garden/Fish Park located in I.C. Colony, which can be accessed from the Link Road and the I.C. Colony last bus stop. The Jhansi Ki Rani Laxmibai Joggers Park is also a must-visit for nature lovers and has a small fee for entry. For those looking for entertainment, Oberoi Sky City is an upcoming township with skyscrapers, a mall, and a 5-star hotel. The Orion is an upcoming Business Park on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Rd at Borivali West.

Attractions
One of the main attractions of Borivali is the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, previously known as the Borivali National Park, which is one of the famous national parks within the metro limits of a major city and one of the most visited national parks in the world. Gorai Beach is another popular attraction located on the western end of Borivali, and one can reach here by crossing the Gorai Creek in a ferry. EsselWorld, one of Mumbai’s largest amusement parks, and Water Kingdom, Asia’s largest water park, are also located in Borivali. For those interested in spirituality, the Global Vipassana Pagoda is a must-visit.

Transportation
Borivali is well-connected by roadways, railways, autorickshaws, taxis, and BEST buses. The Borivali railway station is a major railway station on the Western line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway network and has access to all stations from Churchgate to Virar. The platform has good connectivity for Express trains, which go to different states around the country. Connectivity has increased with the two metro lines set to pass through Borivali, viz. Mumbai Metro Line 2 and Mumbai Metro Line 7.

Notable People
Borivali has produced many notable people, including Asha Bhosale, a singer; Haribhai Parthibhai Chaudhary, a politician, National Leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party; Jaywant Dalvi, a Marathi author; Drashti Dhami, a TV actress; Bhavya Gandhi, a TV actor; Avdhoot Gupte, a Marathi classical singer; Bose Krishnamachari, a Malayali painter; Dhondutai Kulkarni, a Hindustani classical singer; Ram Naik, a UP Governor, and former minister; Ratnakar Pai, a Hindustani classical singer; Rohan Shah, an actor; Rohit Sharma, an Indian cricketer; Vinod Tawde, a Member of Legislative Assembly, Minister; and Disha Vakani, a TV actress.

Schools & Colleges
Borivali has a range of schools and colleges, including Ryan International School, VIBGYOR Group of Schools, Swami Vivekanand International School, Saint Francis DAssisi High School, Mary Immaculate Girls High School, Our Lady of Vailankanni High School, Abhinav Vidya Mandir, The Teddy Bears Kindergarten, and JBCN International School.

See Also
Dattapada, Devipada, Kandivali, Dahisar, Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

References