Girgaum Chaupati commonly called as Chowpatty is one of the most crowded tourist attraction in Mumbai. It is one of the most famous public beaches in Mumbai. Located in the heart of the city, this beach is known for its local delicacies that one enjoys best with friends and family.
This beach retreats the local mumbaikars from their daily routine. Some people come here to hang around with friends and family and some come to relax themselves after a hectic days schedule. Watching the beauty of sunset is what I go for. It is really something that is worth watching! It looks beautiful!
How to reach?
By taxi or local buses- Chowpatty is well connected with roads one can reach easily by a taxi. Local buses are also available.
By train- Charni Road station is nearest to Chowpatty. From station one can go walking or by a taxi up to the beach.
Why I like to visit there?
Food Stalls:
There are many stalls at Chowpatty which offers various type of food, be it fast-food, South Indian food, chaats like bhel-puri pani-puri or Chinese everything is available. There are also stalls which sell the best kulfis, golas and of course various type of ice creams.
Apart from these stalls, there are vendors selling roasted peanuts, butta, tea, coffee and spicy raw mangoes along the entire beach.
Other reasons:
Many activities are put up at beach to entertain the crowd, like monkey dances, sometimes there are snake charmers who try to entertain us with their antics. Apart from this sometimes there are fortune-tellers also, who try to gain attention of the people at the beach. This beach is also a good place to go for jogs early in the mornings.
Best time to visit-
The beach can be visited any time in the entire day. But I usually go to witness the beauty of sunrise and sunset. The beach is not very crowded in the mornings but it is jam packed at evening time.
One should visit the beach during the festival of "Ganesh Chaturti" as the elephant headed god of good fortune is immersed in the sea with a lot of enthusiasm. It is quite a site for the sore eyes.
I would not recommended anybody to go this beach during monsoons because of the high tides and water logging.
Good:
1) The food at the stalls is very tasty.
2) There are many things going around the beach which keep you entertained.
3) Very convenient to reach by road or train.
Bad:
1) The beach is not very clean.
2) Not sure about the hygiene level of the food served in the stalls.
Overall:
A visit to this marvelous beach will leave you calm and peaceful. Though this beach does not offer any water sports like many other beaches, but all those things that it offers is very unique. Though this beach is not very clean yet its fun to be there. A ramble on Mumbai’s Chowpatty will leave behind an experience of a lifetime.