Powai
Powai: the back story
Neighbourhood guide
About Powai: the back story
Powai grew up around its lake, made as an emergency water scheme when a shortage was feared in 1891; the first stage was finished in 1892 (BMC, City Development Plan). Today the lake is ringed by the towers of Hiranandani Gardens, the Westin and the Renaissance hotels, and cafés like The Nutcracker.
The lake
Powai Lake was dammed on a tributary of the Mithi river. Its water is no longer used for drinking, and the lake is now a landscape of open water, reeds and herons, with the towers of Hiranandani Gardens mirrored in it (BMC).
Staying and eating
The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake and the Renaissance stand side by side on the lake, close to the offices of Powai. The Nutcracker has a café at One Boulevard in Hiranandani Gardens, and Phoenix Marketcity in Kurla is a short drive away.
Come for the lake at dusk, when the towers are mirrored in the water.
Our advice: stay here for meetings in Powai, and take a taxi to the airport in good time.
Why it's on our list
- The lake
- Hiranandani Gardens
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Powai: the back story before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Powai: the back story are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest stations
- Marol NakaLine 1Line 33.2 km40 min walk
- MIDC - AndheriLine 33.5 km44 min walk
- SEEPZLine 33.6 km45 min walk
Key sights
- CSMIA airport (T2)4.1 kmCycle 17 minCar or taxi 17 min
- Jio World Centre (NMACC)7.4 kmCycle 30 minCar or taxi 27 min
- Juhu Beach8.9 kmCycle 35 minCar or taxi 32 min
- Bandra–Worli Sea Link15 kmCar or taxi 51 min
- Haji Ali Dargah18 kmCar or taxi 60 min
- CSMT (UNESCO)21 kmCar or taxi 69 min
- Marine Drive22 kmCar or taxi 71 min
- CSMVS museum23 kmCar or taxi 73 min
- Gateway of India23 kmCar or taxi 75 min
- NCPA23 kmCar or taxi 75 min
Main railway stations
- Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT)5.7 kmCycle 23 minCar or taxi 22 min
- Bandra Terminus9.4 kmCycle 38 minCar or taxi 33 min
- Dadar13 kmCar or taxi 44 min
- Mumbai Central19 kmCar or taxi 62 min
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)21 kmCar or taxi 69 min
- Churchgate22 kmCar or taxi 71 min