An
Overview of Mumbai :
Mumbai formerly known as Bombay, is the capital city of the Maharashtra
state. One of the four metros of India, Mumbai is referred to as the
financial capital of the country. The city deals with all the major business
houses and also the headquarters of many Indian companies. Situated on
Salsette Island, Mumbai is made from a cluster of Seven Islands and derived
its name from Mumbadevi, the goddess of the Koli fisher folk. Mumbai has a
deep natural harbour, which handles more than half of India's passenger
traffic and a large amount of cargo. The city which never sleeps, cannot be
bounded by time frame of day or night. It remains always active with its
attractive shopping arcades, exciting sport activities, night clubs,
discotheques, theaters, music, restaurants and picturesque sights. Mumbai is
home to world famous Hindi Film Industry known as Bollywood, which is one of
the biggest entertainment industries in the world. The fast foods like Pani
puri, Bhel Prui and Bada Pau, offered by the roadside vendors are a major
attraction of Mumbai.
Climate of Mumbai :
As the city is located near the Arabian Sea, the climate is tropical. It
can be classified into two main seasons namely the humid season and the dry
season. The humid season (March to October) is characterized by high
humidity and temperature more than 30°C. The dry season (November and
February) is characterized by moderate humidity and temperatures. The
monsoon rains lash the city during the months of June to September. Annual
temperature ranges from a maximum of 38°C to a minimum of 11°C.
The ideal time to visit Mumbai is October to March.
Tourist Attractions of Mumbai :
» Gateway of India - The Gateway is an imperial
landmark of Mumbai, which is a must visit place in the city. The yellow
basalt arch of triumph was erected in 1924 by the British Government to
commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary during 1911. Built in
British architectural style the monument still evokes the fond memories of
that era. The place remains crowded with colourful balloon sellers, postcard
vendors and snake charmers.
» Prince of Wales Museum - Designed in the
Indo-Saracenic style, the museum is one of the finest buildings built by the
British government. The Prince of Wales Museum was specially designed to
honour the Prince of Wales on his first visit to India.
» Mahalaxmi Temple - Devoted to Mahalaxmi, the
goddess of wealth, the temple is one of the popular temples in Mumbai. The
temple houses the idols of Hindu goddesses Mahalaxmi, Mahasaraswati and
Mahakali.
»
Haji Ali Mosque - The Mosque rising out of the sea, enshrines the tomb
of Muslim saint Haji Ali. Everyday a large number of devotees visit the tomb
to pay honour to Haji Ali. The mosque can only be reached by a narrow path
only at the time of low sea tide.
» Chowpatty - The world renowned Chowpatty beach is
the major attraction for the tourists and also for the local people. The
beach is not ideal for swimming or sunbathing, but it is a good place for
family outings and leisures. Every morning the beach transforms itself into
a major centre of entertainment and commerce. The attraction of the beach
increases many times during the annual Ganesh Chaturthi Festival, when the
idol of lord Ganesha is immersed into water.
» Marine Drive - The street running along the
Arabian sea connects the popular areas like the Nariman Point , Chowpatty
Beach and Malabar Hill. Marine Drive or the Queen's necklace, houses the
Corporate offices of the top industrialists. The magical curve of its
streetlights attracts a large number of people at night, who come here to
get the spectacular view of the sea.
» The Hanging Gardens - The Hanging Gardens or
Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens is situated on the top of Malabar Hills. Built in
1880 the garden provides the much needed peace. It provides a fantastic view
of the setting sun over the sea.
» Kamla Nehru Park - Situated close to the Hanging
Gardens, the park is known for 'Old Woman's Shoe', well maintained hazes and
wider walkaways.
» Jain Temple - The popular temple stands on the
Malabar hills. It houses frescoes depicting many events from the lives of
the 24 Jain Tirthankaras.
» Siddhivinayak Temple - The temple dedicated to
Lord Ganesh has a black stone idol of Ganesha. Tuesday is the main worship
day of the temple.
Getting to Mumbai :
»
By Air - Sahar International airport (30 kms) is the major airport of
the city. Santa Cruz situated just 4 kms away from the city centre is the
domestic airport. The airlines operate several domestic and international
flights from Mumbai.
» By Rail - Mumbai is the major railhead of the
country. The city is the headquarters of two railway zones such as central
and western. Trains from all over the country are available for Mumbai.
Several local trains also ply within the city.
» By Road - Mumbai is well-connected by state
highways and national highways to the rest of India. The BEST and private
buses run within the city and the state.
