Sometimes I think why do I and millions of people like Mumbai so much? There are so many bad things and flaws in Mumbai like chocked nullahs, corrupt political system, bad roads, crime, road development projects being postponed, unhygienic conditions etc. Then why do I like this city so much? The reason is ‘X Factor’-the reason which can be understood but cannot be explained and which attracts everyone like a magnet!
HOW TO GET THERE?
Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra and lies on the western coast of India. It is approachable easily from the different cities of India through road, rail and air.
Distance of Mumbai from the important cities of India:
Mumbai-New Delhi – 1407 kms
Mumbai-Ahmedabad – 545 kms
Mumbai-Bangalore – 998 kms
Mumbai-Chandigarh – 1637 kms
Mumbai-Chennai – 1329 kms
Mumbai-Kolkata – 1987 kms
Mumbai-Nashik – 185 kms
Mumbai-Nagpur – 863 kms
Mumbai-Pune – 163 kms
Mumbai-Srinagar – 2275 kms
HOTELS IN MUMBAI:
There are a lot of hotels in each and every part of Mumbai. There are 5 star hotels like the Taj Hotels, Oberoi, Hilton, J W Marriot, Holiday Inn, The Resort, The Retreat etc, 4-star hotels like West End Hotel, Hotel Midtown Pritam, Hotel Ramee International, Hotel Citizen etc. Similarly, there are a lot of 3-star hotels too.
PLACES OF INTEREST IN MUMBAI:
GATEWAY OF INDIA: Gateway of India, located on southern tip of Mumbai is one of the finest imperial monuments made by the British in Mumbai . It was designed by George Wittet to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary. It is a large solid structure and made very properly. A must visit for everyone.
THE PRINCE OF WALES MUSEUM: This museum is also located in south Mumbai, just few meters way from Gateway of India. The large marble dome of the museum is quite attractive. The building of the museum is surrounded by a beautiful garden. The museum houses of art, scultptures and various pieces of 18th and 19th century. This museum is named after Prince of Wales who came to India and laid the foundation to it. But now, the museum has been renamed to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sanghralaya.
ELEPHANTA CAVES: These caves are located on the Elephanta Islands. To reach there, one has to catch the ferry near the Gateway of India. These caves date back to 4 th century AD. A visit to these caves is a must for everyone.
MANI BHAVAN: Mani Bhavan is situated in Gamdevi on Laburnum Road. Mani Bhavan was the house of Gandhiji during his visits to Mumbai. This place has been carefully preserved and still has old charm. In Mani Bhavan, the visitors are shown glimpses of the life of Gandhiji from his birth till death. Then there is also the room of Gandhiji and over here, his pen, inkpot and spectacles are preserved. A visit to this place is a journey through time!
TARAPOREWALA AQUARIUM: This is situated in Marine Drive. It was opened by the then President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad on May 27, 1951. This is one of the most popular places for children as well as adults. The aquarium consists of three rooms that contains of many types of fishes and even whales and turtles. In the aquarium, the visitors are also given information about pearls and different types of aquatic plants.
NEHRU PLANETARIUM AND NEHRU CENTRE: The Planetarium, located in Worli is named after Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It was inaugurated on December 12, 1979 by the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. This Planetarium gives a lot of information and facts of space and is recommended for all, especially children. Nehru Centre is located near the Planetarium. Nehru Centre consists of a drama auditorium, art galleries. It also includes ‘Discovery of India’, a permenant exposition, showing the history of the country, from the stone age till India’s independence. All this is shown by artistic works, photographs, audio visuals etc.
NARIMAN POINT: This place is called as ‘A piece of Manhattan transported to Mumbai’!! The reason for this is that Nariman Point is full of skyscrapers. It is mostly a commericial center and a majority of its part consists of luxurious restaurants and plush offices. This place is busy and crowded during the day and deserted during the night!
ESSEL WORLD AND WATER KINGDOM: These two amusement parks are located at Gorai. While Essel World consists of roller coasters, dashing cars and various such rides, Water Kingdoms consists of water rides. Both are excellent and give thorough entertainment.
SANJAY GANDHI NATIONAL PARK & KANHERI CAVES: Sanjay Gandhi National Park is located in Borivali. It now houses some wild animals like panther, leopard, antelopes, deer etc. The park also has a Toy Train which circles around the park and gives the visitors a glimpse of the animals living in their natural habitat. 5 kms from the National Park is the Kanheri Caves. The caves date back to 2nd century and are situated on the top of a hill. Climbing hills and exploring caves is quiet an enjoyable experience, especially during the monsoons.
KAMLA NEHRU PARK: The park, situated on Malabar Hill, opened in the year 1952. It gives a nice view of Marine Drive. It also consists of a children play park. The important feature of this park is the giant Old Woman’s Shoe.
JUHU BEACH: This is the most popular beach of Mumbai. It has lots of food stalls and some enjoyable rides like Swinging Ship, Giant Wheel, Merry-go-Round etc. Walking on the beach is enjoyable. The Pav Bhaji, available in the food stalls, is too tasty!
MUMBADEVI TEMPLE: The word ‘Mumbai’ is derived from this temple, which worships Goddess Mumbai.
BABULNATH TEMPLE: This temple was made way back in 1780. A stone lingam of Shiva is worshipped here. (The scene where Vivek Oberoi and Rani Mukherji marry in the movie ‘Saathiya’ was shot here)
MAHALAXMI TEMPLE: In this temple, the goddess Laxmi, Saraswati and Kali are worshipped. This temple is one of the most popular temple of Mumbai. During Navratri, devotees stand in long queues for hours to worship the goddesses.
SIDDHIVINAYAK TEMPLE: This temple, which has the idol of Ganesha and Hanuman, too, is very popular.
HAJI ALI DARGAH: This Dargah houses the mausoleum of Haji Ali. It is situated 500 yards out in the sea. A narrow rock causeway is built as an approach road to Haji Ali Dargah.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
Black and yellow coloured metered Taxi and Auto-Rickshaw, BEST Buses and Electric Local Trains are the public transport used in Mumbai. Majority of the people of Mumbai or Mumbaikars, as they are called, use the Local Trains as the means of transport.
Many industries have flourished in Mumbai such as Cotton Textile Industry, Diamond Industry, Natrural Gas, Handicrafts, Leather etc. But the most popular industry in Mumbai is the one, which is an indispensable part of 90% of the Indians-The Film Industry!! Most of the movie stars of Bollywood have settled in Mumbai. Mumbai also has its own film studio. In short, if one wants to make name and fame in Bollywood, one should come to Mumbai!
The most favourite snack in Mumbai is Wada Pav!! Wada Pav is cheap, tasty and liked by all the Mumbaikars. It was ‘invented’ some 30 or 35 years ago by Ashok Vaidya, at an eatery at Dadar area of Mumbai. I would like to thank this great man for giving me and so many people a delicious food item!
(CONTIUNED IN THE COMMENTS SECTION)