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Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo (Byculla Zoo or Rani Baug)

Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo (Byculla Zoo or Rani Baug) (2024)

The Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo is in Mumbai. It is a famous tourist location and locals as well as tourists visit it whenever they have time. If you plan to visit Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Zoo, read this article to get an idea of what to expect.

How to Reach Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Zoo in Mumbai

Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo, locally known as the Byculla Zoo, is in Byculla. It is the oldest public garden in Mumbai. The Zoo was earlier known as the Victoria Zoo. Another name for Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo is ‘Rani Baug’, which translates to The Garden of the Queen. The Zoo opens at 9 AM and remains open until 6 PM. 

The nearest station to the Zoo is Byculla, which is on the Central Railway. However, you can also travel until Bandra and then take a private taxi to the Zoo. Several buses ply on this route as well.

Attractions at the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo (Byculla Zoo) in Mumbai

The Jijabai Bhosale Zoo has little in terms of wildlife today, but it is still an excellent place to chill and spend a lazy afternoon in Mumbai. The entry fee to the Zoo is minimal, so you see people from all walks of life making a trip. In some cases, you will even see entire schools coming to the Zoo to get a glimpse of nature and wild animals.

It has a botanical garden that is house to more than 800 species of plants and more than 3000 types of trees. The entire area spreads out on more than 50 acres of land.

On the Internet, you will see several criticisms of the Jijabai Zoo. For the most part, the visit is value for money – a quick escape from the humdrum of the city. The main attraction is the penguins, which were a political issue in the beginning. You can see cranes and other aquatic birds.

The other animals you can see are two elephants who have a spacious open area for themselves. Going ahead, you see a sloth bear as well as a hyena and two leopards. You can also see a Golden Jackal. Another glass enclosure houses snakes.

Along the way, you will also see a hippopotamus. There is a couple of Sambar deer and several spotted deer as well. There are some aquatic birds like Macau as well.

The Penguins in the Jijbai Zoo are in a separate structure, and photography inside is not allowed. About six penguins are remaining of the fifteen procured.

It is one of the few places in Mumbai that allow you to photograph for a charge. It is a godsend for amateur photographers looking to sharpen their skills. They get good backgrounds in the middle of a nicely kept place with lush greenery and an opportunity to click photos of birds, animals, and insects.

Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo (Byculla Zoo or Rani Baug)

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The Byculla Zoo has several structures inside that will keep you hooked until the end of the day. It has a tactile garden, a unique venture that strives to introduce the visually impaired to nature by planting trees and plants that cater to their smell and touch senses, like the lemon tree, the garlic vines, and others.

The Veermata Jijabai Udyan and Zoo will soon have a medicinal garden, which will impart information about the plants, fruits, and trees that offer natural ingredients to combat diseases and lead a healthier life. You can also spend time at the Butterfly Garden, home to several types of butterflies.

Some of the famous trees and plants that you see here are the Kailashpati tree, the APTA tree, and a tree that finds mention in the Mahabharata Epic.

It also has a restaurant inside that offers the delicacies of Mumbai and finger-food, so you do not need to plan for lunch and snacks. You will generally be visiting the Zoo in the mornings or the afternoons, and it gets sultry in Mumbai. So, make sure that you gather your sunglasses and suntan before you leave.

While this is about the animals and birds, the Jijabai Zoo is much more. The well-maintained gardens are home to several plants, flowers, and trees. The entire Zoo will be an excellent experience for children who like to explore and know more about animals and plants. The Zoo recently upgraded its experience with new attractions. The authorities are paying attention to the Zoo and are planning to bring more animals and plants from Australia, South Africa, and Asian countries.

The Zoo plans to have more exotic animals in the Zoo and have already acquired plots for the same. The additions that tourists can look forward to – in a few years – are the cheetah, zebra, gibbon, and others. All these steps will make the Jijabai Zoo one of the most interesting places to visit in Mumbai.

Places to Visit Near By

The Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo is at most a two or three-hour event, and if you are in Mumbai for a whole day, you can look at other options to soak in the day. Unlike the other iconic destination in Mumbai, Borivali National Park, the Jijamata Udyan is a smaller place and more accessible.  Beautiful Place to Visit Near By Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo - Borivali National Park
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Just fifteen minutes from Byculla is Churchgate, home to several cultural and historic destinations. One of them is the Leopold Cafe, which has a lip-smacking menu and has enough hard drinks for those looking to unwind after a day at the Zoo.  Best Place to Visit Near By Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo - Leopold Cafe

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You can also head over to Marine Drive, the place that gives you a mesmerizing view of the Mumbai coastline. Locals say that this three-kilometer long promenade is absolute bliss and a respite for people who are tired of the humdrum of the city but cannot do without it. The Marine Drive is one place that gives you a quick slice of Mumbai life – you see people from all walks of life move around in this area, even though it is one of the most expensive places in the world to live in.

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