Mumbai Travel

Mumbai formerly known as Bombay is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most crowded city in India, and the second most crowded city in the world, with a population of about 14 million. Along with the neighboring urban areas, including the cities of Navy Mumbai and Thane, it is one of the most crowded urban regions in the world. Mumbai lies on the west coast of India and has a deep natural harbor. As of 2009, Mumbai was named an Alpha world city. Mumbai is also the richest city in India, and has the highest GDP of any city in South, West or Central Asia.

Mumbai consists of two separate regions: Mumbai City district and Mumbai Suburban district, which form two separate revenue districts of Maharashtra. The city district region is also usually referred to as the Island City or South Mumbai.

Mumbai has a steamy climate, specifically a steamy wet and dry climate under the Köppen climate classification, with seven months of dryness and peak of rains in July. The cold season from December to February is followed by the summer season from March to June. The period from June to about the end of September constitutes the south-west monsoon season, and October and November form the post-monsoon season

Mumbai Tourist Attraction:

Prince of Wales Museum

The Prince of Wales museum is main attraction of Mumbai. Built in the year 1914, it is enclosed by a beautiful landscape forming an ideal getaway for the people of Mumbai. The museum houses art, sculpture, rare coins, and old firearms and a priceless collection of miniature paintings. The Prince of Wales museum is regarded as one of the best museums in the country.

Gateway of India

The Gateway of India is another main attraction of Mumbai city. It was built to remember the visit of King George V and Queen Mary for the Delhi Durbar in 1911. Located at the Apollo Bunder, the gateway holds greater historical significance as the last of the British troops that left India by sea, marched through its portals. The tombstone is complete with four turrets and intricate latticework carved into the yellow basalt stone. You can also go for a short cruise through Mumbai’s natural harbor in one of the little motor launches that are stationed here.

Marine Drive

A stroll down the Marine Drive is the best way to discover Mumbai. This winding stretch of road with tall buildings on one side and sea on the other extends from Nariman Point to Malabar Hills. Due to its curved shape and many street lights, it was once called the Queen’s Necklace. A popular sea front, Marine Drive is also the main thoroughfare linking for the Malabar Hills to the southernmost points of Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Nariman Point, and the Fort.

Mani Bhawan

Mani Bhawan is one of the important places to visit in Mumbai. Presently functioning as a Gandhi memorial, it used to be the Mumbai residence of Mahatma Gandhi. It is from this well-known house No. 19, called Mani Bhawan, that Gandhiji was arrested in 1932. This two storied building houses a reference library with over 2000 books, a photo feature on the Mahatma’s life, some memorabilia, an old Gandhiji’s charkha and a film and recording archive. A least entry fee is required to get into the Mani Bhawan.

Juhu

Nicknamed as the uptown bourgeois paradise, Juhu Beach is a place that attracts a large number of visitors throughout the year. Characterised by walkers, screaming children and courting couples, the beach covers an area of about 5 kilometers. Juhu beach is pleasantly studded with many five star hotels offering the customers a splendid view of the coast. The beach remains obviously crowded on weekends. Moreover, the beach activities like camel rides, pony rides, acrobats, performing monkeys and entertainers will keep you enthralled all the time. Keep away from hawkers.

Kamla Nehru Park

Kamla Nehru Park, located at the top of Malabar Hills is another site to visit in Mumbai. The park also provides you a spectacular view of the city and the sunset. The Kamla Nehru Park also makes a favorite entry for the locals here.

Hanging Gardens

The Hanging Gardens makes another must see site in Mumbai. The park was built during the early 1880s over Mumbai’s main reservoir at the top of the Malabar Hills. Situated just opposite the Kamala Nehru Park, this terraced garden, also known as Ferozeshah Mehta Garden, is famous among the locals as well as tourists. The garden provides lovely sunset views over the Arabian Sea.

Chowpatty

Another sandy gateway of Mumbai is the Chowpatty beach in the suburbs of the city. Chowpatty is perhaps the most famous beach of Mumbai, characterised by the usual bundle and bustle of stallwalahs, people snoozing under the shade of its stunted trees, screaming kids, Ferris wheels, pony rides, wayside astrologers, monkey shows, and even the odd self-styled gymnast demonstrating their skill for a fee. Moreover, the bhelpuri shops and sometimes the film shoot or a street play also adds to the festive atmosphere of the beach. A beach of action, Chowpatty makes a must visit in Mumbai.

Aarey Milk Colony

One of the most modern milk colonies in the world is Aarey Milk colony of Mumbai. Located at a distance of 32 kilometers from main Mumbai city, it falls on the main Ghodbunder Road. Aarey makes a must visit in Mumbai not only for its complicated dairy and the many well fed cows but also for its surrounding natural beauty. A visit to the inspection pavilion here on a hill near the colony’s entrance also gives you a charming view of the surrounding areas. But the main characteristic of the colony is the 4000 acres of parkland with fine gardens. You can also try the fresh milk and snacks in the colony’s canteen here.

Tower of Silence

A strange site to visit in Mumbai is the Tower of Silence. Mumbai has a large number of Parsi populations. The Parsis have the custom of leaving their dead in the open. These exacting places are called “Towers of Silence”, where the vultures come to eat the dead. For the Parsis, this is regarded as the final act of charity. Mumbai’s Towers of Silence have almost disappeared today. Only a handful remains that attract a considerable number of tourists every year.

Jain Temple

Jain temple on the Malabar Hill, the houses frescoes depicting various events in the lives of the 24 Jain Tirthankaras. It also has a black marble shrine festooned with celestial personifications of the planets painted onto the ceiling. A great number of devotees as well as tourists come here every day.

Hotels in Mumbai

Four Seasons Hotel Worli, Mumbai Rs.13500
Taj President , Mumbai Rs.8400
The Park Hotel, Mumbai Rs.4000
Bamboo House, Mumbai Rs.1785
Hotel Sea Sands Juhu, Mumbai Rs.1870
Hotel Apex, Mumbai Rs.990