The entertainment capital and India’s financial powerhouse, Mumbai is located in
Maharashtraand is the biggest metropolis of the state. Home to 21 million people, Mumbai along with the neighboring Thane and Navi Mumbai, is one of the most heavily populated regions of India. The city is diverse, vibrant, multi-cultural and has the most expensive home
and one of the largest slums in the world.
Mumbai was originally an archipelago of seven islands that, after a several transfers of power, landed with the British as part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza when she married Charles II of England. By 1845, the seven islands were merged as part of multiple land reclamation projects. The island city that we know today, one that extends up to Mahim/Sion, is a result of these reclamations. Over the centuries, Mumbai became an important port for the British thanks to its natural harbor. But Mumbai’s fortunes really rose during the American Civil War, which cut off cotton supplies from America to Great Britain. Traders made as much as 80 million pounds during this period giving rise to a new elite, Bombay’s very own merchant princes! Remnants of this glorious past — from dilapidated palatial bungalows to abandoned cotton factories — remain scattered in and around south Mumbai to this day. Much has changed since then. But the city continues to retain its cosmopolitan spirit and displays exceptional resilience in the face of difficult times. Few cities draw you to them, accept you as their own like Mumbai does. Mumbai’s energy is contagious. And indeed the city seems to have something for everyone — be it the people who travel to it for work or for pleasure.
The colonial buildings in south Mumbai are a sight for anyone visiting the city. Walk around the streets between Churchgate and Colaba to best experience the beauty of these buildings. Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus), Flora Fountain,
Gateway of India, Municipal Corporation and Police Headquarters, High Court, Asiatic Society and the Taj Mahal Hotel among many others make the south Mumbai district one of the quaintest areas of the city.
Marine Drive, a three km-long promenade is very popular among walkers. Also known as the Queen’s Necklace, when lit up at night, the lights along the stretch of the promenade resemble a string of pearls culminating at Chowpatty. Just off Marine Drive, is
Mani Bhavan that served as Mahatma Gandhi’s residence in Mumbai during the freedom struggle and is one of the most significant memorials associated to him. The first floor of the building screens films on Gandhi and plays recordings of his speeches. Another great attraction is
Haji Ali is located on a small islet in the Arabian sea. Built in 1431 the
dargah sees about hundreds of thousands of visitors across all religions every week.
With several of movie theaters, theme parks, clubs, pubs, art galleries and shopping spots, there is always something to do in Mumbai. If you love to shop, the streets of Mumbai that offer almost everything you could possibly need, can keep you busy from sun-up to sun-down. From theater to cinema, the city also has the potential to bring out the drama fan in you even providing you with the opportunity to visit the Film City located in Goregaon to get a first hand experience of Bollywood shoots.
Yet, with all the things you can do around Mumbai, a trip to this city is incomplete without a ride in the local trains. While the kaali-peeli(black and yellow) taxis may seem a little more alluring, the local trains connect the south of Mumbai to its northern extremes via three different lines: western, central and harbor.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN MUMBAI
Mumbai offers a wide range of hotels to tourists. One can find budget and star hotels to suit every budget:
LUXURY
Trident, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021, 022-6632-4343 (approx Rs 9,000 upwards)
The Taj Mahal Palace, Apollo Bunder Road, Mumbai 400001, 022-6665-3366 (approx Rs 12,000 upwards)
Grand Hyatt, Off Western Express Highway, Santacruz (E), Mumbai 400055, 022-6676 1234 (approx Rs 13,500 upwards)
MID–RANGE
Tunga Regale, Plot 31, Central Road, MIDC, Andheri (E) Mumbai 400093, 022-4102-1818 (approx Rs 4,000)
The Resort, 11, Madh-Marve Road, Aksa Beach, Malad West, Mumbai, 400095, 022-2844 7777 (approx Rs 2500)
Ibis Plot F 77, Vile Parle East, Junction of Nehru Road, Mumbai 400099, 022 6708-7777 (approx Rs 2800)
BUDGET
Hotel Skyway Inn, 21-22 Bernald Market, Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road, Opp Asha Krishna Building, Sakinaka, Mumbai 400072, +91-98193-75136 (approx Rs 700)
Hotel Popular Palace, 104/106, Mint Road, Ballard Estate, Fort, Mumbai 400001, 022-2267-9355 (approx Rs 1,000)
BEST PLACES TO EAT IN MUMBAI
The food of Mumbai aptly represents the city’s multi-cultural nature. From fancy restaurants to khau gallis (street food alleys), the city has it all. The Irani restaurants that serve the most amazing bun-maska chai and several other delicious meals, the Udupi restaurants in Matunga that serve delicious south Indian delights and the thela walas (cart vendors) on Chowpatty that take you through starters (chaat), a main course (pav bhaji) and dessert (malai gola, kulfi, ice cream) will all make eating out in Mumbai the most enjoyable part of your trip.
Serving some of the best Mughlai food you can have is a gem of a restaurant called Bademiya. Located right in between the Taj Mahal Hotel and Leopold Cafe in Colaba, Bade’s (as the place is locally called) is best known for its chickentikka rolls, baida roti and kheema. The food doesn’t seem to get over and the crowds show no sign of leaving.
If you aren’t too fond of turf and prefer surf, Mumbai’s greatest solution is Mahesh Lunch Home. With branches all over the city, the food is exquisite and the ambiance divine. Famous for its Mangalorean style preparations of seafood, its ladyfish, pomfret, lobster and crab (with butter garlic pepper sauce) are a must-have. Don’t forget, if you see a dish named Bombay Duck, it isn’t really a duck found in Bombay, it is the humble bombil fish, dried in the sun and deep fried in a delicious batter.
Yet another delight is the juice at Haji Ali Juice Center in Mahalakshmi. The coolness of its surroundings and the mouth watering juices and faloodas make it a favorite in the staggering heat of the city in the peak of its summer.
And if you’re ever in the mood for some authentic Goan food, head down to Colaba to find hidden between lanes of fancy, a tiny restaurant called Martin’s that will serve you the Goan staple, fish curry rice, prawn curry rice or an all day breakfast that does include pork sausages.
From bheja masala (brain masala) to faloodaand from kebabs to puran poli, the city will surely not disappoint you in terms of its food. Try the pav bhaji at Sardar’s in Tardeo, themysore masala dosa at Dosa Center near Sophia college, the kheema and seekh parathasat Sarvi in Byculla or the Bombay sandwich at Dheeraj’s stall opposite Mithibai college in Vile Parle (W) and you are sure to go home without a craving left dissatisfied.
No trip to Mumbai can ever be complete without biting into Vada Pav — a soft bread enveloping a spicy potato patty, served with a mix of sweet-n-spicy chutneys — served at almost every street-side corner but best sampled at Araam Vada Pav, across the street from Mumbai CST, Sri Krishna Batatawada (which steadfastly refuses to serve it with chutney and insisting on having it only with a deep-fried chilli) and Dheeraj Sandwich opposite Mithibai College in Vile Parle (W), which slathers copious amounts of butter along with the chutneys.
The average minimum and maximum temperature of Mumbai is as given below. The best time to visit Mumbai is also specified.
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