Gilbert Hill - 66 Million Years Old Hidden Historical Monument in Mumbai, India.

Millions of people travel daily to Dream city of India, Mumbai but I am sure people hardly know that Mumbai has a unique volcanic structure in Andheri which is known as Gilbert Hill. Gilbert Hill is a 200 ft (61 m) monolith column of black basalt rock at Andheri, Mumbai India  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 which is about 66 million years ago. 

The man who studied and codified this was by American geologist G K Gilbert, in whose honor the hill in Mumbai is name. In 1952, Gilbert hill was declared a monument of national importance by the Geological Survey of India.

Gilbert Hill is encroached by buildings and slums. it has a staircase which will take you on Top of hill where you will find Gaondevi temple. Once you reach on top you will be able to see expanse of Mumbai suburbs in a 360 degree view. Buildings, clustered slums, green open grounds, clear blue sky and a sunrise or sunset view (depending on the time of your visit) is what you can expect, positively. 

 Gilbert Hill Surrounded By Building.

Gaondevi Temple once you reach on top of the hill.

View from the Top. 

History of Gilbert Hill:

The extinction of dinosaurs was the last mass extinction of life on Earth and resulted due to a meteor strike that triggered volcanoes all across the world that ultimately formed the land that we walk on today. A gigantic bubble of lava froze in mid-air at three different places in the world and formed three gigantic rocks that is testimony to the earliest life that roamed the Earth. 

Aerial View of Gilbert Hill. 

                                                                   Devils Postpile

If you observe the above picture we can clearly see the difference how Devil Tower in Califonia  and Devil Postpile Wyoming are well preserved as compare to Gilbert hill. More then million tourist visit every year to Devil Tower, and Devil Postpile, on the other hand Gilbert hill in Mumbai is currently facing an identity crisis, as realty business agents are encroaching the area around the remaining structure.

Two years ago huge boulders started falling onto the Sagar City Complex and slums below. Local residents associations and politicians have now persuaded the state PWD to fence off the hill from top to bottom just like the Mumbai- Pune Expressway. residents of Sagar City Complex which has been built right into the hill, the public works department (PWD) for the foundation stone ceremony of the netting task. They worshipped the same rock that had collapsed onto the building recently.
 

Its good to see that government has engaged in protective the 66 million old structure. It is said that first phase of Rs 5.5 crore involves installing steel nets around 19,000 sq m surface area of which 13,000 sq m is critical, apart from anchoring and putting lights on the hill. This should likely take a year. The next phase of Rs 5 crore may begin next fiscal. They are also planning to install a lift along the side if the heritage committee approves.

Getting There :

 If you drive down from the south, take the left (opp. NADCO shopping center),after the Andheri East-West linking bridge and then ask for directions to the Gaodevi Mandir.  If you take public transport, get off at Andheri Railway station (West) and take an autorickshaw which should not cost you more than Rs.20/- depending on the traffic conditions. One can even walk it up from the railway station. Should not take more than half an hour.

Author Note:

India might be having many hidden structure like Gilbert Hill, government along with all the people in India should try promote such place. It is correctly said that we don’t value what we have. Mumbai has this 66 million old structure which is on the edge of destruction, rather than saving this heritage Structure Mumbai government is working on Bullet Train Project, Mono Project, Shiv Smarak Project Etc. I am not against any of this project, India is still a developing and to become a developed country this all project are necessary.  I would request all the reader to share your point of view and if you know any such hidden heritage structure do share the same in comment box below.