Gilbert Hill is a 200 foot (91 m) monolith column of black basalt rock in Andheri, Bombay. The rock has a sheer vertical face and was created when molten lava was squeezed out of the earth's clefts during the Mesozoic Era about 65 million years ago. During that era, molten lava had spread around most of the Indian states of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, covering an area of 50,000 sq km. The volcanic eruptions were also responsible for the destruction of plant and animal life during that era.

According to experts, this rare geological phenomenon was the remnants of a ridge and had clusters of vertical columns in nearby Jogeshwari which were quarried off two decades ago. These vertical columns are similar to the Devil's Tower in Wyoming, and the Devil's Post Pile National Monument in eastern California, USA.

Atop the rock column, two Hindu temples; the Gaodevi and Durgamata temples, set in a small garden, is accessed by a steep staircase carved into the rock. The hill offers a panoramic view of the city of Bombay.

To get there via road, turn left at Kasimali Sakur Chowk on SV Road, just before Andheri railway station and ask for directions to the temple atop Gilbert Hill which is a minute's drive away.

References

• Adapted from Times of India (Bombay) article dated 16 December, 2004.