How to Reach Mumbai
Mumbai is well connected by road, rail, air and sea routes. The main airport, railway stations and bus stations and seaports are mentioned below.
How to Reach Mumbai by Air: International flights from major cities worldwide land at Mumbai’s Sahar International airport. All large Indian cities are connected by flights to Mumbai’s Santa Cruz Domestic Airport.
How to Reach Mumbai by Road :
Bus services connect Mumbai to the rest of Maharashtra and the neighboring states of Goa, Gujarat and Karnataka.
How to Reach Mumbai by Rail :
Mumbai is connected to the rest of Maharashtra and by an extensive rail network. Trains from capital cities of neighboring states and other leading cities arrive at Mumbai’s Churchgate, Chhatrapati Shivaji and Central stations.
How to Reach Mumbai by Sea: Merchant ships and small craft regularly ply from international ports to Mumbai.
History of Mumbai
The coastal city of Mumbai, embellished with the “diamond necklace” in the form of the Marine Drive, was originally an amalgamation of seven islands, which were inhabited by the Koli fishermen since the 2nd century. Although it was successively ruled by the Hindu rulers since the 6th century AD, but it was finally taken over by the Sultan of Gujarat in the 14th century. However, he too lost it to the Portuguese, who then christened the archipelago Bom Bahia, which means “Good Bay”. During the time of colonial rule in India, the islands were ruled by the British government till 1665, after which they decided to lease it to the East India Company and the Company rented it for a meager annual sum of 10 pounds. After being taken over by the merchant company, Bombay’s advantageous position as a seaport was utilized to the optimum and a trading port was built there. As a result of this, traders and merchants from the other parts of the country were lured to the islands with the promises of prosperity and huge grants of land. Gradually, within the course of 20 years, Bombay became the economic capital of the western part of India. In the 1720s, the fort was finally built and then started the process whereby the seven islands were joined together to form a single united mass of land. However, in 1864 the fort of Bombay was disassembled and the city started to be fashioned in the colonial style. Then began what we can call the economic boom of Bombay and it prospered to become the main center of trade and commerce in India. The name Bombay, however, is no longer used, for in 1996, according to the legislation passed in the Parliament of India, the city was renamed Mumbai, in order to retain the essence of Marathi culture. The name Mumbai has its roots in the name of the Goddess Mumba Devi, who was worshipped by the Kolis, a community of fisher folk who are the original inhabitants of these islands.
Geography of Mumbai
The city of Mumbai lies in the state of Maharashtra on the western coast of India and is situated in what is known as the Salsette Island in Portuguese and Shasti Island in Marathi. The western coastal region of India, also known as Konkan has the Ulhas River and the Shasti Island is located right at the tip if this river. The total land area covered by the city of Mumbai is 468 square kilometers. Although in the northern regions of the city the topography is quite mountainous ranging form a height of ten to fifteen meters, but the major part of the city is obviously at the sea level. The city of Mumbai is dotted with the three major lakes, namely the Tulsi Lake, the Powai Lake and the Vihar Lake. These are the major suppliers of water to the inhabitants. The location of Mumbai is also a haven for bio-scientists because the swamps and the mangroves, along the coast are famed for their biodiversity. Although we do find the soil to be mostly sandy, owing to its nearness to the sea, but in the hinterlands we do find traces of the loamy and the rich covers of the alluvial soil. Geologists consider Mumbai to belong to the Zone III region because they detected three “fault lines” in the region, which implies that the region is prone to earthquakes, which may range upto an intensity of 6 to 7 on the Richter.
Transport in Mumbai
Although Mumbai ranks almost at the top in the category of the most populous state of India, but because of its superior transport facilities the inhabitants do not face much trouble. BEST or Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport is a government organisation, which caters to the city’s demand for public road transport, especially buses. But the main means of transportation in Mumbai is its railways, which criss-crosses the city across its length and breadth. Whether it is the suburban areas of the city, or the central and its western parts, railways provides effective connectivity to all the areas. Besides these, the autorikshawservices in Mumbai are also quite frequent and is one of the most used means of public transport. International and the domestic arlines operate from the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. Airline offices spread acros the city offer facilites for booking flight tickets worldwide.
There are also several car rental agencies in Mumbai, from where you can rent a car while visiting this vibrant city.
Historic Buildings and Places of Mumbai
The city of Mumbai is home to some of the most important and beautiful buildings in India, each of which have rich history of their own. The Gateway of India, one of the most representative monuments of India is located in south Mumbai. This arch was built in order to memorialize the arrival of Queen Mary and King George V in India in 1911. This famous monument is built with basalt and it rises to a height of 26 meters, which clearly bears marks of the Indo-Saracenic or the 19th century British architecture used in India, juxtaposed with touches of the Muslim style popular in the 16th century. If you wish to catch the glimpse of the old city, the Naval Dockyard will be the ideal place to be. The dockyard was built in the 18th century, when Bombay was still an archipelago of seven islands. The Naval Dockyard has now become the operating center of the Indian Navy. One of the attractions of this heritage site of Mumbai is the clock tower. Besides these, the other important buildings include the National Gallery of Modern Art, which houses some of the best artifacts and exhibits by some of the renowned painters and sculptors of India, along with some of Pablo Picasso’s paintings and artifacts and statues of Egypt. The Jehangir Art Gallery is the other major historical building in the city, the foundation stone of which is laid by Cowasji Jehangir. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum, also known, as the Prince of Wales Museum is another historical building, which was constructed in the 20th century to mark the visit of Edward VII. When looking for historical sites, you possibly can never miss out on the Bombay Stock Exchange, which in fact is Asia’s oldest stock exchange, located in the downtown of the city, on Dalal Street.
Hotels in Mumbai
Mumbai being the economic capital of India and a favorite tourist destination, the city is dotted with numerous and various kinds of hotels. Whether you are in the look out for the deluxe 5 star ones or you prefer the budget hotels, in Mumbai you will be spoilt for choice. The Taj Mahal Hotel, The Taj President Hotel, Hotel Oberoi Towers, and the Oberoi Hotel are some of the major deluxe hotels, which cater to the international traffic as well as the socialites and the elites in the city. In the category of the first class hotels in the main city you have the Ambassador, Gordon House, The Shalimar and the Sea Rock, while if you venture in the suburbs, you will find the first-class facilities in the hotels like Tulip Star, Sea Princess, Hotel Ramada and Sun-n-Sand, to name a few. If, however, you are on the look out for some budget hotels in this expensive city, check out the Godwin Hotel, Hotel Sea Garden and the Garden Hotel, all of which are in the main city. On the other hand, if you want a perfect balance between comfort and economy, the best option for you will be to opt for the moderately priced hotels like the Sahil, West End and the Suba in the main city, while the hotels like the Royal Garden and the Ajanta Hotels in the outskirts of the city. For catering to the needs of the business classes, there are also quite a few varieties of hotels near the main airport of Mumbai. The Grand Maratha Sheraton, Hyatt Regency and Le Meridian are some of the big names, while you can also look for first-class facilities in the Orchid and the Mirador, and in the category of the budget hotels here you have Hotel Kohinoor and the Sahara Star.
Getaways from Mumbai
Mumbai can be the focal point of some of the most romantic and enjoyable getaways in Maharashtra. If you want a break from the bustle of the city life during your vacation, there are numerous picturesque locations around Mumbai, which you can opt to visit. If you intend to have a short trip for a day, the Elephanta caves can be a very good option. The Elephanta caves are the rock cut temples, which have been done by carving out two adjacent hills. The most interesting aspect of the trip will be the boat ride on the sea, because the caves are located at a distance of approximately 9 kilometers from the main land of Mumbai. Here you will find the shrines of various Indian gods like Brahma, Vishnu and Lord Shiva who according to the Hindu Mythology are symbolic figures of the Creator, the Preserver and the Destroyer respectively. Besides Elephanta, the Karla Caves and Kanheri Caves are also quite popular with tourists because they are the strongest remnants of Buddhists architecture and culture. If, on the other hand, you wish to find recluse from the city buzz the ideal getaways from Mumbai for you will be places like Matheran and Lonavla. The quiet and extremely picturesque hill station of Matheran provides you with all that you need for a perfect romantic break. With its winding paths shaded with thick foliage of evergreen trees and the sweet chattering of the birds providing you the background score, the enjoyable rides in the toy trains and the adventure of trekking in the hills around, Matheran is the place to be. Besides Matheran, the hill stations of Lonavala and Khandala are the other two favorite hideouts, just at a very small distance from Mumbai. These two places generally enjoy a very pleasant and cool climate, as they are located at a height of 600 meters on the Sahyadri range. With the meandering streams and majestic waterfalls, a visit these two places can add more excitement and color to your vacation in Mumbai.
Bollywood – The Entertainment Industry
The entertainment industry of Mumbai is considered to be the largest after Hollywood, the American film industry, for it reaps the highest income for the state and is also a major contributor to the country’s economy. The entertainment industry of Mumbai, also known as Bollywood specializes primarily in the movies made in the national language of the nation, Hindi, which are also often released overseas and reap huge profits. Banners like Yash Raj Films, Dharma Productions, and Red Chillies Entertainment are some of the well-known producers of films in Bollywood and India. Bollywood, besides being the most prominent icon of the glitz and glamour in the country, is also the major source of employment for quite a handful of population in the city. In fact, Mumbai registers one of the greatest influxes of people from other states of India because of the specialized job opportunities provided by Bollywood. Movie halls and theatres across the city offer residents venues to view the colorful and thrilling movies produced by Bollywood.
Religious Places in Mumbai
Mumbai can be regarded as the microcosm of the secularism that India is known for. From churches to mosques, temples to synagogues, you will find them all. The Mount Mary Church is one of the most famous churches in Mumbai, which is situated in Bandra, one of the major suburban areas of Mumbai. This is one of the most popular pilgrimages for the Christians and draws a large number of visitors and tourists from all over the country. The Dargah (tomb or mosque) of Haji Ali is another famous religious place of worship for the Muslims. The mosque, constructed in 1431 has been built on a platform made on the sea. So caressed by the gentle waves and the salty winds, the dargah covers 4500 meters and its tower rises to a height of 26 meters. Mumbai also houses some of the most important places of worship for the Hindus. The Mahalaxmi Temple was constructed in the 18th century and history tells that the temple aws built after a statue of Goddess Laxmi, (the Hindu Goddess of wealth and prosperity) was discovered in the area. Besides these we also have the very famous Shirdi Vinayak Temple, which is a temple of Lord Ganesha (God of success) and it is believed that any honest wish made here is bound to come true. The Mumba Devi Mandir is also a very popular and ancient temple, which was constructed in 1675 in the honor of Goddess Mumba Devi, after whom the city of Mumbai gets its present name.
Shopping
Besides being the economic capital of India, Mumbai is also the major fashion hub of the country. Whether you are looking for the couture or the casuals, Mumbai will surely not dissapoint you on any count. The city is dotted with some of the best shoping malls in the country, where you can shop for anything under the sun. Whether you are looking for fashionable men and womens clothing, from international brands or you are in search of trendy jewelry and specialised stores, in Mumbai there is just no dearth of choice.
The Crawford Market is one of the most famous shopping hubs of the city. In this shopping area you will find anything from fruits to flowers to fish to vegetables. But if want something more elegant than this and you are planning to shop for fashionable jewelry, Zaveri Bazar is the place to be. On the other hand if you want to browse through the latest in home furnishings and carpets, you can look for them in the shops on the Mereweather Road. In the southern part of the city, the departmental stores and the specialised shops in and around Colaba and the Flora Fountain are the best places to look for the souvenirs and handlooms and handicrafts. However, if your want to shop for clothes in this very fashionable city, look for them in the Fashion Street of Mumbai, but in the shopping malls like the Orbit and The Courtyard, you will find the showrooms and boutiques of the international brands. Sarees and designer wear can be purchased from leading boutiques from the city.
Last but not the least, Linking Road, which joins the two important suburban areas of Khar and Bandra is also a shoppers’ paradise for from the shops lined on the both sides of the road you can shop for some of the best and cheapest goods along with some of the plush showrooms of various items like watches and toys.
Mumbai has a variety of other tourist attractions including its beaches, amusement and waterparks and entertainment centers. Enjoy a very eventful trip to Mumbai and discover the true beauty that lies beyond the glamor of India’s city of dreams.
