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Gateway of india |
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 Mumbai's principal landmark, the Gateway of India is a huge archway on the water's edge at Apollo Bunder. It is the starting point for most tourists who want to explore the city. This famous monument was built to commemorate the visit of the first ever British Monarch, King George V and Queen Mary in 1911.The Gateway was built by the British and designed by the architect George Wittet. The first stone was laid by the then Governor of Bombay on March 31st, 1913. The Gate was formally opened in 1924. It has since turned into a bit of an institution, and the streets behind it have become a Mecca for travellers, the Colaba Causeway is the main street with a melee of street vendors, shops, stalls and cafes. To the north, set in beautiful lush gardens, is the fascinating Prince of Wales Museum displaying a collection of ancient and medieval sculpture and Indian decorative arts, nearby the new National Gallery of Modern Art showcases Indian modern art. To the south is the Sassoon Dock, which at dawn becomes an area of intense and pungent activity as fishing boats arrive to unload their catch. |
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| History : The main idea behind the assembly of the Gateway of India was to
celebrate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay. Sir
George Sydenham Clarke, the then Governor of Bombay, laid down the
foundation stone of the monument in March 1911. However, his plan was
approved in 1914 and the reclamations at Apollo Bundar got completed in
1919. Designed by George Wittet, an architect, Gateway of India took
approximately 4 years (1920 to 1924) to get fully accomplished. |
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Juhu beach |
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 Juhu beach, one of the largest and frequently visited beaches in India, is an indispensable part of the city of Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra. The city represents the ever-changing face of today's India. Located on the shores of the Arabian sea, 20-25km north of the city centre the crowded beach with its numerous vendors, food stalls, entertainment outlets represents the pulse of the city. Though not exactly an ideal place for a quiet swim and a sunbath, the beach has a charm of its own. A pleasant place to be, this suburban beach is a great favourite with Mumbaites, and has plenty to offer everyone. Children simply love this place and it is a vendor's delight. It is an open-air restaurant with its innumerable food counters, an amusement park with its camel ride and playground with lots and lots of sand on the beach to make sand castles with. It is also a popular venue for immersions during the famous festivals of Bombay or Mumbai such as Coconut Day and the Ganesh Chaturthi. The snacks available here include spicy Bhelpuri, Sevpuri, Pani Puri, Chaat and local icecream known as Kulfi. |
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Versova Beach |
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 Versova Beach is among Mumbai's hot attractions. As a continuation of Juhu Beach, Versova Beach is separated by a creek. With splendorous Arabian Sea lunging on its sandy shore, Versova Beach is an ultimate fun destination. It is also home to Mumbai's largest fishing community - the Koils.Swimming is an exciting activity out here, but you need to be cautious during tides. The sea becomes violent in high tides, so it is not advisable to go here at such time. Sometimes the whole beach gets submerged in water due to glut of high tides. Even after all this, Versova Beach is still known for its charming locales and surroundings. Amongst all the scenes, the best scene at the beach is made by the fishermen, when they brace themselves to barge into the sea and get their first catch. |
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Chowpatty beach |
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 Chowpatty beach is among the most frequently visited beaches in Mumbai. Situated at the top end of Marine Drive, It is the only beach in the central part of Mumbai. Feel lucky to witness the annual thread-tying ceremony and Nariel Purnima at Chowpatty Beach in Mumbai. Here the idols of Ganesha are immersed on the last day of Ganesh Chaturthi.Chowpatty Beach in Mumbai is also famous for a huge line of stalls, selling Bhelpuri, Kulfi and Paan. The shooting galleries, snake charmers, monkey trainers, balloon sellers and masseurs- enjoy all of these at Chowpatty Beach in Mumbai. A larger portion of the terrain is left open for the public where people come to enjoy the evening sea breeze and the children to play. As a part of the city's cleanliness and beautification drive, Chowpatty is also being given a face lift. |
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Crawford Market |
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 Named after Bombay's first municipal commissioner, Arthur Crawford, the Crawford Market is at the northern end of the old British part of the town, and faces the crowded inner city. An elegant covered market, it dominates the skyline with its clock tower and steeple. The cavernous spaces inside are divided into sections for fruits, vegetables and meat.The building, completed in 1869, was donated to the city by Cowasji Jehangir. The friezes on the outside walls and the stone fountains inside were designed by Lockwood Kipling. It was the main wholesale market for fruits in Bombay until March 1996, when the wholesale traders were relocated to New Bombay. |
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Ajanta Ellora cave |
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 Ajanta cave : The caves of Ajanta are not practically caves, however these caves are none other than the temples built out of living rocks. It lies in a horseshoe shaped escarpment, overlooking the narrow waghora river gorge.This small town is a World Heritage Site of UNESCO, consisting 30 extraordinary rock cut cave temples. Ever since the year 200 BC, its ravine had been a great monastic centre. The earliest & finest examples of Buddhist paintings in India can be seen at the Ajanta caves, in existence the morals of Ajanta executed between the 2nd century BC & 5th century AD. Ellora Cave : Ellora caves are also remarkable presence worldwide for its splendid architectural structures. Ellora caves are regarded as a world heritage site of India. There are almost 34 monasteries & cave temples at ellora, hewn from a long escarpment, dated back from 600 to 1000 AD are among the most splendid examples of rock cut architecture in India. They are one of the world's biggest rock hewn monastic temple complexes. It has beautiful paintings & stunning sculptures of Buddhist, Hindu & Jain faiths. The temples at ellora are dedicated to Buddhism, Jainism & Brahmanism. The mammoth complex was carved out of huge rocky cliff face. |
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Aurangabad caves |
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 Aurangabad caves were artificially dug out on soft rocks. There are about 10 caves in Aurangabad found in two distinct locations. The western group and eastern group each consisting of 5 caves are a plethora of Tantric Hinduism Architecture and Iconography. Out of these 10 caves the 3rd and the 7th caves are the most fascinating ones. The 3rd cave has scriptures depicting scenes from Jataka Tales and the 7th cave has sculptures of Bodhisattva. Among the 10 caves of Aurangabad, 9 were monasteries.The 4th cave of the western group is the oldest. There is a Stupa in front in a collapsed condition. The other western caves are Buddhist Monasteries which are also known as Viharas. There are open courts surrounded by open cells. It's believed that the Viharas were built to give shelter to the Buddhist monks. The 6th and 7th cave falls in the eastern group. These caves depict the most fascinating work of art. There are sculptures of women in exotic hairstyles and ornaments, Buddha and also Ganesha. To the left of cave 7 there are sculptures of Bodhisattva praying to rescue from the 8 dangers of life representing death. A few km away from Aurangabad is the famous monument of Bibi-ka-Maqbara. |
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Victoria Terminus (Shivaji Terminus) |
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 Victoria Terminus was opened on January 1st, 1882 as the main railway station of Mumbai. Designed by F.W. Stevens, this Gothic building features carvings of peacocks, gargoyles, monkeys, and lions. Domes, turrets, spires and stained glass windows are other architectural items of note. The style of the Victoria Terminus is more like a cathedral than a railway station. The terminal was built over 10 years, starting in 1878, according to a High Victorian Gothic design based on late medieval Italian models. Its remarkable stone dome, turrets, pointed arches and eccentric ground plan are close to traditional Indian palace architecture. It is an outstanding example of the meeting of two cultures, as British architects worked with Indian craftsmen to include Indian architectural tradition and idioms thus forging a new style unique to Bombay. |
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Marine Drive |
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 Marine drive stretches as far as 2 kms. and engirdles the psyches of each Mumbaikar coating them with an air of sweetness that takes all their worries away. A tired employee zipping past the busy road, a hassled lover, romantic couples, friends, enthusiastic tourists are a mere fraction of the crowd who seek solace in the fresh milieu of Marine Drive. The sight from a distance is as breathtaking as it is just a few steps away. Recently renamed Netaji Shubhash Chandra Bose Road, Marine Drive is nicknamed, the 'Queen's Necklace' as the twinkling lights along the promenade gives a spectacular view to the onlookers. Enjoy while you walk, play or sit on this restless road in Mumbai. |
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Flora Fountain |
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 Flora Fountain in Mumbai lies in the midst of one of the busiest parts of the city. This is an aesthetically architectured white marble statue with a jutting fountain presenting a hypnotic aura untouched by the chaos that surrounds this piece of art.Built in 1869 in the honor of the Governor of Mumbai, Sir Bartle Frère, the Flora Fountain is an epitome of the Roman Goddess Flora, the deity of abundance and prosperity. The timeless beauty and splendor of the statue has earned it a heritage status. The Flora Fountain was erected by the Agri-Horticultural Society of Western India when Cursetjee Fardoonjee Parekh donated Rs. 20,000 for its construction. The complete built up incurred a cost of Rs. 47,000, then a princely figure. Designed by R. Norman Shaw, Flora Fountain was sculpted in imported Portland stone by James Forsythe. It now wears a white coat of oil paint. |
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MANI BHAvAN |
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 Mani Bhavan Mahatma Gandhi Museum is located on Laburnam Road, Mumbai in Maharashtra. Its location is near the August Kranti Maidan, where 'Quit India' movement was launched in 1942. Gandhian literature, photographic exhibits, framed letters and 3-D tableaux of key events in Gandhi's life are displayed here. The home of the diamond merchant and the Indian National Congress supporter Revashankar Jhaveri has been turned into a museum. It is the house where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his frequent visits to Mumbai between 1917 and 1934. Gandhi's room and belongings including his books, his trademark 'Charkha' (spinning wheel) and 'Charpoy' (rope bed) are displayed here. It is place, where Gandhi first learned how to use the spinning wheel. There is also a library of Gandhian literature and books read by Gandhi, which includes lots of Tolstoy and Shakespeare and a well-thumbed copy of 'Les Miserables'. |
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Madh Island |
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 Madh Island barely escapes being called a peninsula since only a small creek, bounded by mangroves, cuts it off from the mainland near Aksa. At low tide, one can almost walk across the beach sands from Dana Paani beach in Erangal to Aksa beach.The very scenic Erangal village is one of the prominent villages in Madh Island. The villagers of Erangal are mostly traditional farmers who cultivate the adjoining farmlands. Today, Erangal is dotted with several holiday cottages and bungalows too. Madh Island's proximity to the sea and its secluded nature has resulted in several hotels being set up there. Many of the city's rich have bungalows here. The area is also known for its rave parties. Many movies as well as TV serials are also filmed here. There are two old forts situated in this area. Another attraction on Madh Island Beach is the Madh Fort also called Versova fort. It is believed that this fort was built by the Portuguese as a watchtower and later used as a training camp for cadets. You could come over here for a fresh bout of breeze and fort's picturesque locale that is sure to enthrall you. |
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The Kanheri Caves |
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 The Kanheri caves complex is situated in the midst of dense jungle within the Sanjay Gandhi National Park - public entrance at Borivli East, Mumbai. It is a looong walk from the main gate so go by your own vehicle or rent a private car. Some of the caves date back to 2 BC, they were Buddhist dwelling places on the ancient trade route from Nala Sopara to Junnar. Some of the caves have carvings and some have large colonies of bats. It is possible to walk all the way to the top from where you can see the lakes that supply water to Mumbai as well as the Nala Sopara coast. From the top you can also walk across a large plateau and exit through a long forested trail either to Yeoor in Thane, or to the main Kanheri Caves road near the Forest rest houses. This route is a must do for nature lovers, but permission from the forest office is recommended. In the monsoons, the caves complex become a veritable waterfall paradise, albeit very slippery. An excellent days trip for visitor to Mumbai, as also for residents who have not discovered the treasure in their own back yard. A guide can be hired at the caves, for a negotiable fee. Better to go in groups. |
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Shirdi |
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 Shirdi is one of the biggest and most popular pilgrim shrine located 300 kms in distance from city of Mumbai. It falls in the Ahmednagar district. Shirdi is the abode of ‘Sai Baba’ that attracts devotees and regular tourist from all over the world. Followers of all religions have faith in the beliefs and teachings of Sai Baba, which is why the place is seen crowded throughout the year with visitors. The doors of this holy shrine are opened to everybody without any discrimination.Though Shirdi is known for home to Sai Baba, but it also has a Dwarkamai mosque where Sai Baba spent most of the time of his life. June, July and August are the best months to visit this place. One can easily reach Shirdi by hiring private taxis or taking tourist buses from Mumbai. Other palaces to see here are 'Guru Sthan' – a memorial site, ‘Chavadi’ – a place where Baba used to spend nights, Lendi Gardens and Khandoba Temple. |
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Aksa beach |
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 Aksa Beach is a silent beach and is among the least visited beaches of Mumbai. This clean beach is the best to see the variety of snails and beautiful shells. Aksa beach is a natural tranquil escape. This beach is located only 40 km north of the centre of Mumbai near the suburb of Malad. It offers much serenity making it hard to believe you're still so close to the city. Aksa Beach is a popular vacation spot in Aksa village at Malad close to Malvani in Mumbai. Earlier it used to be a quiet and deserted beach that was very clean and was a habitat for a variety of sea creatures with plentiful snails and shells on the beach. The steady influx of visitors especially around weekends has made it a coveted destination for city-people who want to escape to its natural setting. |
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Elephanta caves |
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 Elephanta is located around 10 to 12 kilometers from Gateway of India at south Mumbai, This cave is very famous tourist attraction and specialized for rocky old temples. Inside there is lord shiva and Trimurty idol statues just in entrance known for Indian craft and carving work done since ancient old age. It were Portuguese who named it Elephanta caves because they found an idol statue of elephant near the caves.Specialty is a 20 feet height idol of Load shiva with three head, so called 'Trimurty Sadashiva', and more of such old age sculptures and idols inside. A very good place to be seen for all those historical place lovers photographers taking photos of same. |
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HANGING GARDENS |
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 The Hanging Gardens was built early in the 1880’s, over Mumbai’s main reservoir. It is often said that these gardens wee made with the purpose to cover the water from the contaminating activities of the nearby Towers of Silence. The hanging gardens, parched on the slope of the Malabar Hills looks south from Malabar Hills, over Colaba. A unique feature of the Hanging Gardens is that the hedges are cut in shapes of different animals. Apart from that, there is a beautiful flower clock in the Hanging Gardens which also attracts a lot of people. The garden is built over three reservoirs that are pumped to supple the drinking water of the city. |
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Lonavala |
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 Lonavala is another popular hill station of Maharashtra located at a height of 625 meters and 96 kms in distance from Mumbai. The term 'Lonavala' has been originated from the Sanskrit term 'lonavli', which suggests numerous caves.This hill station is often referred as the 'Jewel of the Sahyadri Mountains' due to number of tourist attractions that it offers in terms of making a holiday a perfect vacation of a life time. These attractions include Karla, Bhaja, and Bedsa caves along with the two fortresses - Lohagad and Visapur, Rajmachi Point in addition to Ryewood Park, Shivaji Udyan, Tungarli Lake, Bhushi Dam and Lonavla Lake. Khandala Dari is a nice place to go for trekking and hiking. One can trek through Monkey Hill to reach Gambhirnath Caves, an additional site to visit. Lonavala provides a panoramic view of the lush green surroundings of the Sahyadri ranges. The peaceful environs of the town, which provides a great escape from the hustle and bustle of Mumbai city, attract tourists to this place. Travelers can take a walk along the waterfalls, the grassy abundance and hills in and around Lonavala. The mountainous terrain of Lonavala is ideal for trekking and hiking. |
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Tower of Silence |
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 The Tower of Silence is located on top of the Malabar hill and strictly allowed for members of Parsi community. This community in Mumbai came from Iran in 9th Century AD and built this structure for the dead.Zoroastrian tradition considers a dead body unclean, i.e. potential pollutants. Specifically, the corpse demon was believed to rush into the body and contaminate everything it came into contact with, hence there are rules for disposing of the dead as “safely” as possible. vulture-tower-of-silence-mumbai To preclude the pollution of earth or fire , the bodies of the dead are placed atop a tower—a tower of silence—and so exposed to the sun and to birds(eagles and vultures) of prey. Thus, “putrefaction with all its concomitant evils is most effectually prevented.” |
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Kamla Nehru Park |
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 Named after the wife of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, Kamla Nehru Park is one of the most favored picnic spot in Mumbai. The park provides enough outdoor entertainment activities for the kids and revives the childhood memories of the elders. Sprawling over an area of 3300 sq meters on the top of Malabar Hills, Kamla Nehru Park provides panoramic views of the city, especially of the Queen’s Necklace and the Chowpatty Beach. The Kamla Nehru Park in Mumbai is a famous school picnic spot in Mumbai for its year round cool weather condition in contrast to the humid weather in rest of the Mumbai and the attractions for children like a shoe like structure, “Old Woman’s Shoe”. This old shoe structure amuses the kids to spend hours playing in it. |
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