It has everything to keep you fascinated for life and it is Mumbai! The city has a taste of everything that makes up the real India. Opulence or poverty, heritage buildings or slums, fine dining or roadside eateries, Mumbai is home to a dizzying array of contrasts, making it a dream city. Mumbai’s journey from obscure town to the country’s financial capital is long and interesting. Who initiated this transformation and when is still a matter of debate, however, there remains no doubt that Mumbai is the place for all aspirants.
Enjoying a charming location on the Konkan coast, Mumbai is bathed in gentle breezes from the Arabian Sea. Possessing beautiful golden beaches lined with swaying palm trees, the city has a natural charm of its own. Undoubtedly, the main charm of Mumbai is the Marine Drive. As the sun sets, the path is illuminated by street lights that form what is known as the Queen’s Necklace. Another beach that is almost identical to Mumbai is Chowpatty Beach. Best known for being the place where Ganesha idols are immersed during the annual festival, the beach is a location for many religious celebrations. The biggest draw here, however, remains the number of small restaurants serving popular local cuisine. Another crowded gap in Mumbai is Juhu beach which is quite a fun place with all the Bollywood film industry celebrities residing around it.
Mumbai has also done well in trying to preserve its natural beauty. Despite the fact that the urban jungle has multiplied, the population has still preserved green areas within the city. The Sanjay Gandhi National Park is a testament to this fact. It boasts of being the most visited National Park in Asia and the largest National Park within the limits of a city in the world. The park also has an ancient art reserve. The Kanheri caves are ancient caves that were carved out of the rocks there. An important archaeological site, the Kanheri caves are a major tourist attraction. Another green spot on the face of Mumbai is the Hanging Garden or Pheroze Shah Mehta Garden. It is located in the exclusive area of Malabar Hill and it is definitely a nice place to spend some relaxing time.
The charm that the city contains is reinforced by the architectural wealth that it possesses. An architectural marvel and astonishing colonial structure is the Gateway of India, a 20th century ceremonial gate erected for Queen Victoria, the then Empress of England. Fort St. George, the fort in and around which the city of Mumbai thrives is a formidable structure. Beautiful with old Victorian and Gothic buildings, the place is still a major financial and commercial center. The Prince of Wales Museum can be a delight for architecture maniacs and culture lovers. An excellent collection of antiques, the place is a must for all tourists. The most precious jewel of this treasure called Bombay is undoubtedly the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal (originally Victoria Terminus). A world heritage structure, it is a monumental building and a protected site. The magnificence and splendor of the structure can make anyone take it for a beautiful palace or a royal structure.
A cosmopolitan city in its truest sense, Mumbai is a melting pot of people from various cultures and different lifestyles. It is this characteristic of the city that has given it some of the best religious sites in the country. One of the most revered sites for followers of Islam is the tomb of Haji Ali. A white structure located in the middle of the sea, the place can only be accessed at low tide. According to the belief, Haji Ali was a rich merchant who erected this mosque. While on his journey to Mecca, he died and his body miraculously flowed back to this point where his grave now stands. Mumbai’s most prominent and revered temple is the Siddhivinayak Temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesha, definitely the favorite god of the city. The richest temple in the city, it is patronized by big politicians and most celebrities. A large number of churches, Parsi agiarios and even some Jewish synagogues are present in the city, representing its multicultural dimension.
The more extravagant side of Mumbai can be seen in the Bandra and Colaba areas. These areas offer the most luxurious markets, the most elegant pubs and the classiest restaurants. Kemps Corner, Breach Candy, Fashion Street and Colaba Causeway are some of the best places to hang out or just shop ’til you drop. However, the urban spirit is deeply felt throughout the city. The biggest and best malls can be found towards the suburbs of the city.
To accommodate the large number of travelers and tourists arriving here, there are a large number of hotels in Mumbai. From the simplest to the most luxurious, you have it all here. There are also a number of serviced apartments as well as classy business hotels catering to the needs of thousands of people who stay here.
Not just another Indian city, Mumbai is a world unto itself, Indian in every way, but so different and surprisingly mysterious.
