Anand Mahindra spots a rare dinosaur-era rock in the middle of Mumbai in Andheri, found only in the US and Ireland

Mumbai’s crowded skyline hides a secret from the time of dinosaurs. In the middle of busy Andheri stands a 66-million-year-old volcanic rock formation that most residents pass by without noticing. The rare site has now grabbed attention after industrialist Anand Mahindra said he had no idea such a global geological wonder existed in his own city.

Anand Mahindra shared his surprise in a post on X, writing, “Travel bucket-list items can be right in your hometown
A quick check showed that Gilbert Hill is one of only three volcanic columns in the world, yet I had no clue it was here in Mumbai"

How do we make this a more visited destination?

His comment has sparked fresh interest in Gilbert Hill, a natural monument that has quietly survived decades of rapid urban growth.

Also Read: ‘Salman Khan ji kya pehen te hai...’: Watch how Dabangg star reacted to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s fashion remark

A rock older than Mumbai itself

Gilbert Hill was formed around 66 million years ago during massive volcanic eruptions that shaped the Deccan Traps. These eruptions took place when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth, long before Mumbai came into existence.

The towering basalt structure rises nearly 200 feet above surrounding homes and roads, making it one of the city’s oldest surviving natural landmarks.

A rare formation shared by only three countries

What makes Gilbert Hill exceptional is its rarity. It is one of only three volcanic columns of its kind in the world. Similar formations exist only in the United States and Northern Ireland.

Also Read: ‘Salman Khan ji kya pehen te hai...’: Watch how Dabangg star reacted to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s fashion remark

The rock’s sharp vertical walls were created as molten lava cooled and cracked into tall columns, giving it a striking and unusual appearance.

Declared protected, yet ignored

Authorities declared Gilbert Hill a national monument in 1952 to stop quarrying and mining. In 2007, the Mumbai civic body granted it heritage status for added protection.

Despite these measures, the site remains largely overlooked. It sits surrounded by buildings, slums, and traffic, with little tourist presence or public awareness.

A climb that offers calm above chaos

Visitors can climb a steep staircase carved into the rock face to reach the top. At the summit are two small temples dedicated to Goddess Gaodevi and Goddess Durgamata, visited regularly by locals.

From the flat peak, visitors get a clear 360-degree view of Andheri, offering a rare moment of quiet above the city’s constant rush.

A question that resonates beyond Mumbai

Mahindra’s post has raised a simple but striking question about how cities value their hidden heritage. As Mumbai continues to grow vertically and outward, Gilbert Hill stands as a reminder that some of the city’s most extraordinary landmarks are not modern marvels, but ancient survivors waiting to be rediscovered.