Byculla is an area in South Mumbai known for its historical architecture and chawls. It boasts a rich history of heritage buildings, churches, and mosques, which reflect the past of Portuguese and British rule. The place is known for offering a wide range of properties, including premium and affordable. Since it is located in South Mumbai, the connectivity is excellent to access all the areas and locations in Mumbai. It is well connected by the Mumbai Suburban Railway, and bus routes including those serving South Mumbai, South Central Mumbai, Central Mumbai, and North East Mumbai. People love to visit this location as it is home to popular attractions, including Byculla Zoo, A botanical garden, Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, and Veermata Jeejabai Statue. Due to high visitor footfall, the place has seen development with the construction of roads and flyovers to manage traffic in the area. To know the place more, let's explore the list of the best places to visit in Byculla.
List of Top Places to Visit in Byculla
1. Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo
Established in 1861, Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo is one of the most famous places to visit in Byculla. The place was initially the botanical garden, but later the zoo was added to the garden after 30 years. This is the oldest garden of Mumbai, which covers a 50-acre area. The garden was known as Victoria Garden, which was later renamed after Jijamata, the mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The place is the only garden in Mumbai that features Palladian style architecture. The entire complex comprises the Byculla zoo and botanical garden, which people love to visit as it is a one-stop destination for both adults and kids.
2. Funshalla
Founded in 2020 by Karima Hasanali Ladak and Nirav Mahendra Shah, Funshalla is the best play destination for kids. It offers an air-conditioned indoor playground where kids can enjoy multiple gaming activities, including a sandplay area, an adventure zone, a trampoline, and wall climbing. Each area offers a 90-minute session, which is enough to explore every place properly. Along with the play zone, they also offer a cafe which has a wide range of healthy food for kids. They offer a membership plan for their regular customers and party packages to host birthday parties or any kids' celebration. The entry fees for the place are 400 for children under 3 years of age and 500 for children above that, which may slightly increase on weekends. The place is a must-visit spot for kids.
3. Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum
Established in 1857, Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum is Mumbai’s oldest museum. The museum building underwent a comprehensive restoration to address damage. It is a cultural institution owned by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. The museum collection includes miniature clay models, dioramas, maps, lithographs, photographs, and rare books, which showcase the city’s history and heritage. The museum documents the Evolution of Mumbai from seven islands to a commercial hub. The place is best for students, history lovers, and those who want to know the core history of Mumbai.
4. Hasnabad Dargah
Hasnabad Dargah is a big dargah located in Byculla, Mumbai. The place is a tomb of the Aga Khan, the leader of the Khoja community in Mumbai. The Dargah is constructed with white marble and resembles the Taj Mahal. And this is why the place is also known as the Taj Mahal of Mumbai. Though entry is limited to the members of the Ismaili Shia Muslim Community, others may not get the opportunity to visit the place from inside, but the place is peaceful and silent. People admire the construction of the tomb and the serene location, despite being located in a bustling city.
5. Magen David Synagogue
Established in 1864, Magen David Synagogue is a significant landmark showcasing a blend of Jewish and Indian architectural styles. The Synagogue is known for its bright blue facade, frontal column, and clock tower. This four-story clock tower is a prominent feature of the synagogue's exterior, which catches the eye of visitors. The Synagogue was extended by David Sassoon's grandson, Jacob Sassoon, to accommodate the growing Jewish population. This is another best place to visit in Byculla, which will surprise you with its beautiful architecture.
6. Gloria Church
A heritage Catholic Church, Gloria is also known as Nossa Senhora de Gloria. The church is located on the oldest Roman Catholic Church sites in Mumbai. The church was founded by the De Souza e Lima family in 1632 and was later demolished in 1911. The current building was built in 1913. The church is one of the prominent sights and a significant landmark of Mumbai. The place is a popular tourist attraction, which opens Monday-Friday from 9 am to 3 pm. The church is a place of worship and is open to everybody who wishes to go.
7. Japanese Garden
Located in Byculla, the Japanese Garden is the best and most organized garden, which is known for its well-maintained and clean atmosphere. The park offers various amenities, especially designed to enhance your experience. The garden provides a peaceful and calm environment, especially for nature lovers, which allows visitors to unwind and appreciate the natural beauty of this place. It's located within the park area, which allows visitors to explore other places as well. The garden offers a variety of experiences and is suitable for people of all ages.
8. Penguin Park
Another attraction for visitors in Mumbai is Penguin Park. It is the name of the penguin enclosure at Veer Jija Mata Udyan in Byculla, Mumbai. The place has housed the Humboldt penguin brought from South Korea. They are known for their white and black plumage. The enclosures are designed to mimic their natural habitat, including rocky areas, saltwater pools, nesting boxes, and soft flooring. The place is best to visit for nature lovers and is suitable for all ages.
9. Giant Mushroom
A large, eye-catching, mushroom-shaped structure is a famous tourist attraction in Byculla, Mumbai. The structure is known for its unique design and stands out due to its large size and unusual mushroom shape, which makes it easily recognizable. According to some sources, it is a power-generating structure inspired by a fictional scenario with energy harvesting capabilities. Visitors love this place and consider it a worthwhile place to visit in Byculla, Mumbai.
10. Virmata Jijabai Statue
The Virmata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan houses the beautiful bronze statue of Jijabai and her son Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which is 9 feet tall and was installed in 1992. The statue is made up of Bronze, which was covered with a copper meghdambari in 2022 by Brihan Mumbai Corporation. The place is one of the best tourist attractions in Byculla, Mumbai, a visit which will never be forgotten.
Conclusion
Byculla is the heart of Mumbai, which houses many iconic historical places. Visitors love to visit these places and praise them for their uniqueness and beauty. Since the place is easily accessible, people face no difficulty while visiting. The roads are good, and the flyovers are well constructed to manage traffic in the area. Along with housing the best tourist places, Byculla also offers a wide variety of properties, from affordable to luxury, for people who wish to own. The place has the largest vegetable market in Mumbai (even larger than Crawford Market). It is a must-visit place if you wish to know the History of Mumbai.
