« INDIA • Discover India • West India • Mumbai
Discover Magical Mumbai
Mumbai is India's largest city (by population) and is the financial and commercial capital of the country as it generates 6.16% of the total GDP. The architecture of the city is a blend of Gothic Revival, Indo-Saracenic, Art Deco, and other contemporary styles. Most of the buildings during the British period, such as the Victoria Terminus and Bombay University, were built in Gothic Revival style
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» Babulnath Temple
Babulnath Temple is one of the oldest places of worship in Mumbai. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is also known as Great God, the 18th-century temple is a peaceful place full of limestone and marble where figures from Hindu mythology are intricately carved into the interior. Overlooking Chowpatty Beach atop a small hill in South Mumbai, Babulnath Temple was built in 1780 after five buried idols were discovered in the area. Come on Mondays to see devotees of Shiva come to obtain blessings at this holy site …
» Bandra-Worli Sea Link
Epic bridges are a hallmark of big cities. From the Golden Gate to the Brooklyn Bridge, these concrete and steel structures have become the icons of urban skylines. India's expansive Bandra-Worli Sea Link, which connects the western suburbs of Mumbai to the well-heeled neighborhood of Bandra, is no exception. Travelers love the epic views that await them as they ascend from the color and chaos of Mumbai into the calm, open road …
» Bandstand Promenade
Every city has its prime people-watching spot, and in Mumbai, that spot is the Bandstand Promenade. Just over a half mile (1 kilometer) long, this stretch of pedestrian walkway hugging the coast has become one of the city's most popular hangout spots. On any given day, you'll see locals jogging or relaxing in the park and young couples sneaking in displays of affection away from the prying eyes of parents. On weekends and evenings, the promenade's amphitheater hosts concerts and performances …
» Banganga Tank
In the heart of Mumbai's most exclusive district, Banganga Tank is one of the oldest and holiest sites in the city. First built in 1127 AD during the Silhara dynasty, this natural freshwater spring is surrounded by the stone-turreted temples and colorful shrines of Walkeshwar Temple Complex. As you sit on the pool's surrounding steps, notice the wooden pole which appears like an arrow in the middle of the water. Said to point to the center of the earth, legend has it that, 5,000 years ago …
» Bhaja Caves
The Bhaja Caves are located in a hill station in the Western Ghats in Maharashtra. These Buddhist shrines were carved out of the mountain face here as far back as the 2nd century BC, providing a fascinating insight into Buddhist culture at that time. The Bhaja Caves share architectural features with the Karla Caves situated nearby, but are usually less busy to stroll around and explore. The most impressive feature of the Bhaja Caves is its large chaitya (prayer hall), believed to be one of the earliest of its type …
» Bhuleshwar Bazaar
Among the densely-populated neighborhood of Bhuleshwar in South Mumbai, a dazzling array of colorful saris, golden jewelry and second-hand furniture shops line the crowded streets. At the heart of this scene is the Bhuleshwar Bazaar, where the locals shop for their fruit and vegetables and visitors marvel at the bustling scenes, doing their best to blend in. The other markets in the Bhuleshwar neighborhood include Crawford and Mangaldas, plus Zaveri Bazaar and Chor Bazaar …
» Bollywood
With their casts of thousands, troupes of dancing girls, handsome heroes, star-crossed lovers, tinsel, glitter and sheer joie de vivre, Bollywood movies capture the essence of India. Bollywood symbolizes Indian cinema, and Mumbai is at the center of the country's film industry. More than 900 films a year are filmed in the city, making it the world's busiest cinematic center. Bollywood films tend to be musicals, designed around massive song and dance set pieces …
» Bombay High Court
The Bombay High Court, one of Mumbai's most beautiful examples of Gothic revival architecture, was built from 1871 to 1878, with the first sitting in early 1879. On the top of the black stone building's two octagonal towers, you'll notice statues representing Justice and Mercy, but some of the most interesting sculptures are found within. Local lore tells of a dispute between the English contractors responsible for the construction of the Bombay High Court and a Parsi subcontractor …
» Bombay Panjrapole
The Bombay High Court, one of Mumbai's most beautiful examples of Gothic revival architecture, was built from 1871 to 1878, with the first sitting in early 1879. On the top of the black stone building's two octagonal towers, you'll notice statues representing Justice and Mercy, but some of the most interesting sculptures are found within. Local lore tells of a dispute between the English contractors responsible for the construction of the Bombay High Court and a Parsi subcontractor …
» Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
Formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) is one of the most prestigious and extensive art and history museums in India. Located near the Gateway of India in South Mumbai, the museum is set in a domed Grade I Heritage listed building, built in the Indo-Saracenic architectural style. The museum itself is home to an impressive collection of more than 60,000 artifacts, encouraging visitors to take a journey through India's rich history and varied culture …
» Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus)
Surely one of the world's most ornate and ostentatious train stations, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is so grand it's protected as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Formerly called Victoria Terminus, and still popularly dubbed VT, the station stands as a mock-Gothic celebration of colonial might and the glory of the railway age. With its turrets, domes, gargoyles, spires, lion-topped gateways, stained-glass windows, glazed tiles, carved arches and decorative brickwork …
» Chor Bazaar
Amid the crowded streets and crumbling buildings of the market area in South Mumbai, one of the largest and busiest flea markets in India has been trading for 150 years. Chor Bazaar literally translates as 'Thieves Market' in Hindi and Marathi, although this name only came about as a result of the British's mispronunciation of the original name, 'Shor', meaning 'noise'. Having said that, the market developed quite the reputation for selling stolen goods over the years, with local legend promising that if you lost anything in Mumbai you could always buy it back later at Chor Bazaar! …
» Chowpatty Beach
When Mumbai locals want to hit the beach, the sandy spot they choose is Chowpatty. Day or night, it's quite a scene, thronged with strolling families, beachside food stalls, beach masseurs and patrolling lifeguards. The arching stretch of sand is vibrant by day, with people paddling in the water or trying out the waves for waterskiing or windsurfing. But for the real Chowpatty Beach experience, come at dusk and stay on for the sunset and into the evening …
» Churchgate
South Mumbai's exclusive Churchgate district is home to some of the city's most iconic sites, including Elephanta Caves, the Gateway of India, and Rajabai Tower. Facing the Arabian Sea and dominated by the mile-long Veer Nariman Road, Churchgate is home to many of Mumbai's most prestigious companies and organizations, including the offices of the High Court. But what's in a name? Well, the island of Bombay was first in the possession of the Portuguese, and when their national princess, Catherine Braganza, married King Charles II of England in 1661 …
» Colaba
Most visitors to Mumbai eventually find their way to the bustling district of Colaba, the city's tourist heart and location of the iconic Gateway of India monument. It's an attractive area of crumbling colonial-era mansions and fascinating laneways, fishing docks, churches, vibrant vegetable markets and great selection of street-food stalls. As you take a wander through the district, seek out the opulent mix of Victorian and art deco buildings …
» Crawford Market
This fabulous market is Mumbai's largest, and also goes by the name of Mahatma Jyobita Phule. With its turrets and gables, it looks more like a medieval fort than a municipal market, and for visitors it's every bit as exotic. The market buildings were built in the 1860s and named for the city's first Municipal Commissioner. The exterior frieze was designed by the father of Rudyard Kipling, and the interior is lit by a lofty skylight …
» Dharavi Slum
Made famous by the movie Slumdog Millionaire, Mumbai's slum of Dharavi is recognized as one of the largest informal settlements in the world. The area, established in the center of the city in the 1880s during the British colonial era, is where struggling locals can find affordable rent, with illegal homes and commercial structures available for about $4 a month. Travelers to this religious and ethnic melting pot will find approximately 1 million people …
» Dhobi Ghat
At the world's largest outdoor laundry, every day for over 120 years the dirt has been washed from thousands of kilos of clothes by the dhobis (washermen and women) of Mumbai's Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat. Formed back in 1890, the famous laundromat is much loved by photographers who come to take colorful images of row upon row of washing troughs where hundreds of families clean piles of laundry that come from all over the city. Strings of brightly-colored clothes drying under the Mumbai sun also make for a popular picture …
» Elephanta Caves
Protected as a Unesco World Heritage Site, the Elephanta Caves are among Mumbai's most astounding temple sites, home to one of India's most precious collections of Hindu temple art. In Elephanta Island's labyrinthine network of subterranean caves, highly prized statues of Shiva and other deities, shrines, pillars, courtyards and halls are carved out of rock in high relief. Elephanta's collection of cave-temples date back to around AD 600 …
» Film City (Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagri)
Film City (or Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagri) is located in Goregaon in western Mumbai. Established in the late seventies to help the Bollywood film industry flourish, Film City is one of the largest film studios in India. This sprawling complex spans over 300 acres and features numerous indoor studios plus elaborate outdoor settings, including garden and mountain locations plus large-scale towns and villages. The Indian film industry is one of the largest in the world and the studios at Film City were constructed by the Maharashtra government …
» Gandhi's House
Hero of the pacifist movement and Indian freedom fighter, Mahatma Gandhi stayed at this ornately designed terraced town house on his visits to Mumbai over the period 1917 to 1934. The grand Gujarati-style mansion is now a museum, known as the Mani Bhavan. The museum's displays highlight Gandhi's life through dioramas, documents, photos, letters and memorabilia. It was in this house that Gandhi fasted and developed his philosophy of nonviolent protest …
» Gateway of India
Perhaps the ultimate symbol of Mumbai's former colonial glory, the art deco Gateway of India stands guard over Apollo Bunder Harbour in the city's south. The three-arched monument was completed in the 1920s, commemorating the royal visit of King George V in 1911. Just a few decades later, the arch saw off Britain's last remaining soldiers when India embraced Independence in 1948. The gateway's design has a Mughal flavor, topped with twin pinnacles …
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« INDIA • Discover India • West India • Mumbai
