Popularly called Ranee Baug after its namesake, the Victoria
Gardens are now rechristened Jijamata Udyan. They are botanical
gardens, sprawled over 48 acres and contain some of the oldest trees
in the city, some dating back two hundred years! At the entrance is
a charming Renaissance clock tower to match the Italian
Renaissance-style Victoria and Albert Museum (now the Bhau Dali Ladd
Museum) that houses an interesting collection of local
archaeological finds. Just behind it is the Mumbai Zoo, a depressing
place with animals in bare cast iron-and-stone cages. Avoidable. You
can however, opt for an elephant ride on weekends, but the best bet
is a stroll through the gorgeous botanical gardens or picnic on the
well-kept lawns
|
