Shivaji Park

Ganesh temple at Shivaji Park

The open ground or maidan is flanked around its edge by a katta, a simple continuous low kerb edging that forms a makeshift seat - a popular hangout for the young and old alike.[2] The paved walkway around this perimeter is crowded with joggers and people taking walks. The inner circumference of the park is 1.17 kilometres (0.73 mi). The maidan area covers 112,937 square metres (27.907 acres), more than half of which is occupied by 31 tenants, the largest being clubs such as the Shivaji Park Gymkhana, and the Bengal Club. The remaining part of the ground and open spaces is available to the public for sports and other activities.[3] Other structures dotting the periphery of the grounds include the Samarth Vyayam Mandir (a gymnasium), Shivaji Park Nagarik Sangh (established in 1947), a children's playground, a park for the elderly called Nana-Nani Park, or Grandparents Park, the Scout's Pavilion, a Hindu temple dedicated to Ganesh, and a community library. The walkway is lined with large rain trees.

The most prominent entrance to the park is the one on the east side, intended only for pedestrians. A bust of Meenatai Thackeray, late wife of Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray, has been placed at this entrance. Previously a bust of Ram Ganesh Gadkari was present at the same spot. Bal Thackeray himself was cremated here.[4][5][6]

Political rally at Shivaji Park, 3 May 2008

The park was established in 1925 by the Bombay Municipal Corporation, during British Rule. It was known as the Mahim Park until 1927, when it was renamed after the 17th century king of the region, Shivaji, at the behest of a municipal councilor, Avantika Gohkale.[7] The Shivaji Park Gymkhana, then known as the Dadar Hindu Gymkhana, opened its first Tennis court on the grounds in 1927 and inaugurated its pavilion in November 1931.[8]

Besides being a venue for gatherings of freedom fighters in British India, after independence in 1947, Shivaji Park was the focal point of the Samyukta Maharashtra Chalval (the struggle for a consolidated Maharashtra) that led to the present Indian state of Maharashtra being formed in 1960. During this period, the legendary writer, journalist, playwright, poet and social leader Acharya Prahlad Keshav Atre led this movement, addressing crowds of hundreds of thousands at this ground, earning him the title of the 'Lord of Shivaji Park'.

Shivaji Park has been integral to the political gatherings of the local political party Shiv Sena, and has witnessed numerous other political rallies. In May 2010, the Bombay High Court declared the ground a silence zone after local residents filed a public interest litigation suit in September 2009, complaining about the noise pollution in the area on account of political rallies and gatherings.[9]

Shivaji statue at Shivaji Park

The statue of Shivaji, found on the western side of the park is one of the very few statues in which he is depicted without having drawn out his sword. Instead, Shivaji is shown simply leading the way with his arm outstretched. Sculpted in 1966 using donations from the local population, the statue is a rare example of the pacifist policies of the then state government of Maharashtra. It was considered a sensitive issue by the government to let this statue not depict the usual confrontational posture of Shivaji, who had fought many battles against the Mughal Empire.

Shivaji Park Ground

Shivaji Park is renowned as the cradle of Indian cricket. It is home to eight cricket clubs, such as those of Anna Vaidya and Ramakant Acharekar, which produced several international cricket players for India.

Some famous players who have trained here are Sachin Tendulkar,[10] Sunil Gavaskar, Ajit Wadekar, Vijay Manjrekar, Eknath Solkar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Chandrakant Pandit, Lalchand Rajput, Sandeep Patil, Ajit Agarkar, Pravin Amre, Vinod Kambli and Sanjay Manjrekar.

It is a feeder park to Ramnarain Ruia College and Poddar College in nearby Matunga.[11]

Shivaji Park Residential Zone with Shivaji Park ground and the Arabian Sea in the background

The area surrounding the park has many buildings dating back to the mid-1900s, and the Shivaji Park Residential Zone is some of the more sought-after real estate in Mumbai. The predominantly Marathi neighbourhood is home to well-known personalities from literature, theatre, commerce and sports.

Some prominent residents include:

• Manohar Joshi – politician, former chief minister of Maharashtra, and speaker of the Lok Sabha
• Raj Thackeray – politician and founder of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena
• Anup Jalota – musician and Bhajan singer
• Milind Soman – actor and model
• Sunil Prabhu – politician and former mayor of the city of Mumbai
• Ajit Agarkar – Indian cricketer
• Ajit Wadekar – Indian cricketer
• Sandeep Patil – Indian cricketer
• Sachin Tendulkar - Indian cricketer
• Dada Kondke – actor and film producer

• Shivaji Park Residential Zone
• Bhagnari

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Shivaji Park.

• Satellite view of Shivaji Park
• Mumbaikar.com