Quick answer: Chhota Kashmir is a small landscaped garden with a boating lake inside Aarey Milk Colony in Goregaon East, Mumbai. It is a long-standing weekend picnic spot, and the area around it was a popular Hindi film location. No official body publishes its timings or ticket prices, so check locally before you go, especially for boating, which may not run during the monsoon.
Chhota Kashmir at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Location | Aarey Milk Colony, Goregaon East, Mumbai |
| What it is | A garden on one side of the colony road and a small boating lake on the other |
| Timings and entry fee | Not published by an official source as of October 2026; check locally before visiting |
| Best time to visit | October to February, when Mumbai is cooler and drier |
| Time needed | One to two hours |
| Nearest suburban station | Goregaon (Western line), then an auto-rickshaw into the colony |
What is Chhota Kashmir?
Chhota Kashmir (“little Kashmir”) is a pocket of manicured lawns, trees and water in the middle of Aarey Milk Colony. The name comes from its scenery: green slopes and a quiet lake that remind visitors of the Kashmir valley. The garden and the lake sit on opposite sides of the road that runs through the colony, so you can walk between them in a couple of minutes.
Local families come here on weekends for picnics, couples come for a quiet walk, and nearby schools sometimes bring children on outings. Visitors also note birds such as egrets, mynas and parrots, and plenty of butterflies in the gardens.
About Aarey Milk Colony
Chhota Kashmir makes more sense once you know where it is. Aarey Milk Colony is a large green area of about 16 sq km in Goregaon East, on the edge of Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The colony was set up in 1949 as a dairy settlement, and its dairy was inaugurated by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on 4 March 1951.
Much of Aarey is forest. In September 2020 the Maharashtra government declared roughly 600 acres of the colony a reserved forest. Aarey has also been at the centre of a long public debate over the car depot for Mumbai Metro Line 3 (the Aqua Line), which was built inside the colony after years of protests and legal challenges.
Chhota Kashmir and Hindi cinema
Aarey’s green slopes have long attracted film-makers. Much of Bimal Roy’s Madhumati (1958) was shot in the area, and in 1977 about 200 hectares of Aarey land was set aside for Film City (Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari), which is still one of India’s busiest shooting complexes. The story goes that when shooting in Kashmir or Shimla was too costly or impractical, producers used gardens such as Chhota Kashmir as a stand-in.
An earlier version of this article named a specific song from the film Aradhana as having been shot here. We could not confirm that from a reliable source, so it has been removed.
Things to do at Chhota Kashmir
Boating on the lake
The lake opposite the garden is known for its small rowing and pedal boats. Aarey’s records describe a tank of about 3 to 4 acres in the colony that is let out for boating on a fixed-rent basis, so the boating is run by a private operator rather than a government body. Boat timings, ride lengths and prices are set by that operator and change from time to time. An earlier version of this article gave boat timings of 11 am to 3 pm and a fare of ₹20; we could not confirm either, so ask at the boat counter.
Picnics and walks in the garden
The garden has open lawns, shaded spots under the trees and space to spread out a picnic. It is a calm place to sit for an hour, and it is busiest on weekend afternoons.
Birdwatching and photography
Because it sits inside a large green belt, Chhota Kashmir is a good spot for casual birdwatching and nature photography, particularly early in the day when it is quieter.
Timings and entry fee
No official website publishes timings or ticket prices for Chhota Kashmir as of October 2026. An earlier version of this article said it was open from 10 am to 6 pm every day with a ₹20 entry fee; those figures could not be verified and have been removed. Aarey is a working dairy colony and forest area, so access can also change on some days. Check locally, or call ahead if you can, before making a special trip.
Best time to visit
- October to February: the most comfortable months, with cooler, drier weather.
- Monsoon (June to September): Aarey is at its greenest, but heavy rain can make roads slippery and may stop boating.
- Time of day: mornings and weekday afternoons are quieter than weekend afternoons.
How to reach Chhota Kashmir
- By suburban rail: Goregaon station on the Western line is the usual starting point. From there, take an auto-rickshaw east into Aarey Colony.
- By road: Aarey Colony lies just off the Western Express Highway near Goregaon. Taxis and app cabs can reach Chhota Kashmir directly, and BEST buses run through the colony; check the BEST route finder for current routes.
- By your own vehicle: roads inside Aarey pass through forest, so drive slowly and watch for animals and pedestrians.
Tips for visiting
- Carry water and your own snacks; facilities are basic.
- Take your litter home. Aarey is a forest area and plastic harms its wildlife.
- Keep children close near the lake, and follow the boat operator’s safety instructions.
- Avoid the area after dark; roads inside the colony are poorly lit in places.
Places to visit near Chhota Kashmir
- Mumbai Film City (Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari), carved out of Aarey land in 1977, is close by.
- Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai’s large forest park, borders Aarey.
- Powai Lake lies to the east, on the far side of the hills.
- Inside the national park, the Buddhist Kanheri Caves make a good half-day trip.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Chhota Kashmir in Mumbai?
It is inside Aarey Milk Colony in Goregaon East, a short auto-rickshaw ride from Goregaon station on the Western line.
Is there boating at Chhota Kashmir?
Yes, the lake opposite the garden has small rowing and pedal boats run by a private operator. Timings and prices change, and boating may stop in heavy rain, so ask at the counter.
Why is it called Chhota Kashmir?
Its green slopes, trees and lake are said to resemble the Kashmir valley, and it was used by film-makers as a nearby stand-in for Kashmir.
Is Chhota Kashmir open every day?
No official source publishes its opening days or hours as of October 2026. Check locally before you visit.
Details checked in October 2026 against published records on Aarey Milk Colony and its history. Chhota Kashmir’s timings and boating charges are set locally and change, so check before you visit.
