A visit to view the fresh blooms at Sanjay Gandhi National Park’s orchidarium left us wondering why this floral oasis in the city remains an underrated gem
The orchidarium inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park
If you walk a few steps past the popular Garden of Fragrance inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park, you can witness an early (and imaginary) Mumbai monsoon. The sprinklers inside the orchidarium rain over you once every hour, dropping the temperature to a pleasant 20 to 25°C. Although a young fellow visitor was quick to exclaim, “Ewww, Mumma. This place smells like mud,” it took nothing away from the beautiful sight of nearly 200 variants of orchids on display.
Dendrolirium lasiopetalum, Dendrobium aphyllum and Pomatocalpum spicatum
A stark contrast from our previous visit in 2024, the space is thriving, thanks to orchidologist Kiran Sharma, who took charge over a year ago. “Our immediate goal is to bring the orchidarium on par with international standards,” she reveals during our walkthrough of blooms from the Western Ghats to the Himalayas and other Northeastern hill ranges.
Kiran Sharma
Did you know?
The popular prey-eating carnivorous Pitcher plant from your science textbooks is on display at the orchidarium. It is the only one species of the plant native to India, Nepenthes khasiyana, from the Khasi hills of Meghalaya and Assam.
Dendrobium barbatulum and Acampe ochracea. PICS/SATEJ SHINDE
Enthusiast’s wishlist
Spiranthus sp and Vanda tessellata
>> Better signage at the gate and inside the park to lead visitors to the orchidarium
>> Information panels accompanying each species
>> Dedicated drop and pick-up connectivity via buggy service. The orchidarium sits nearly 1.3 km away from the entry gate.
Spathoglottis plicata and Calanthe tankervilleae
85+
Wild orchid species at the orchidarium
200
Total varieties of orchids at the orchidarium, including cross-bred hybrids
300
Orchid species in the Western Ghats. Nearly 100 of them are endemic to the Ghats, meaning they cannot be found elsewhere
TIME 8 am to 5 pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
AT Orchidarium, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivli East.
ENTRY Park entry fees apply
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