Mumbai or Bombay
Mumbai (Bombay) is the capital of Maharashtra State. With a population of about 14 million it is the second-most-populous city in the world. Mumbai is a major Sea Port on the west coast of India blessed with a deep natural harbour. Mumbai or Bombay is made up of seven islands: Bombay Island, Parel, Mazagaon, Mahim, Colaba, Worli, and Old Woman's Island (also known as Little Colaba). It is believed that the origin of the word ‘Bombay’ could have been a combination of the Portuguese word ‘Bom’ which means ‘Good’ and the English word ‘Bay’. In 1996 however the name ‘Bombay’ was officially changed to ‘Mumbai’.
Mumbai is the commercial and entertainment centre of India and is home to important financial institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India, the Bombay Stock Exchange, the National Stock Exchange of India. The corporate headquarters of many big and famous Indian companies like Tata Group, Larsen and Toubro, Godrej, Reliance, State Bank of India, LIC, etc. are in Mumbai. India's film and television industry, known as Bollywood, is named after Bombay and is centered around Mumbai . Bollywood is the largest producer of movies, not only in India but the largest in the world. Mumbai also has the distinction of being ranked seventh in the list of "Top Ten Cities for Billionaires" by Forbes magazine, in April 2008.
The city of Mumbai is one of contrasts and colour, forming a melting-pot for the vast numbers who come here every year to seek their destiny. It is home to students of all streams who flock to its famed colleges and training institutes every year. The famous Mahalaxmi Horse Racing Course is in Mumbai.
Mumbai has attracted tourists from around the world for its mix of history, unique Indian flavour and its pulsating night life. Popular attractions in Mumbai city are the Gateway of India, the Taj Hotel, Marine Drive, and the Elephanta Caves, just a ferry ride away from the mainland. Everyone is welcome, from budget travellers to guests at 5-star hotels, and there is something for everyone to see and do, no matter what your purse holds.
The recent terrorist attacks on the Taj Hotel and Oberoi Towers were tragic and sent shockwaves through Mumbai and the rest of the world. Two of the favourite landmarks of the city burned, as almost a dozen terrorists held people hostage inside, but eventually the siege came to an end, albeit with heartbreaking loss of lives. People from across the city pitched in with the much-lauded indomitable spirit of Mumbai to help clean up afterwards. The hotels are up and running now, in fact Mrs. Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, during her visit to India in July 2009, made it a point to stay at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai, in a show of defiance to the terrorists and in support of India.
During the English Colonial rule and before the days of flying, travel by sea was the way to come to India and the main port of entry into India was in Bombay, or now Mumbai. The English built a monument there called 'Gateway of India' to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay, to attend the Darbar in Delhi in December 1911. Please see the present day view of the area of the Gateway of India with the famous Taj Hotel beside it on the left.
It is best to visit Mumbai during the winter months of November to February, when temperatures drop and humidity is at its lowest.
Tour Packages
Hundreds of tourists take tour packages every month from Mumbai to see other parts of India, and there are tour operators for religious trips, adventure sports, family holidays, beaches of India, trips to the most popular tourist cities, and around Mumbai itself. For Mumbai tours, air-conditioned buses will pick you up from your hotel and take you to see tourist destinations such as the Gateway of India, the Prince of Wales Museum, Mahalaxmi temple, national parks and gardens, and Bollywood Film City, the heart of the Indian film industry like Hollywood is. Tour packages like this cost from Rs 1000 upwards.
Popular tourist destinations or holiday spots in India are Agra, Delhi, Goa, Kerala and Rajasthan. Tours to all these spots and many more can be arranged from Mumbai. Flight tickets within India are now offered online, sometimes at very competitive prices, while trains are the cheaper option, especially with an IndRail pass. Prices for the tour packages vary according to a number of factors; accommodation, modes of transport, number of places covered as well as other add-ons, but your operator will help you figure out the best price.
Where to Stay
Accommodation in Mumbai is varied and offers everything from tiny rooms to store your luggage and lay your head down at night, to opulent palaces converted to hotels, and contemporary luxury resorts. Around the International Airport, there are a range of five and four star hotels. Rates for rooms in the star hotels start from about US$ 150 and up. There is also a plethora of mid-level and lower-level hotels, and prices can go as low as US$15- a night. Hotels and accommodation are most expensive in Fort, Colaba, Churchgate, and Bandra, as these are some of the most posh areas. However, in all these suburbs too, there are cheaper options.
Getting Around in Mumbai
Mumbai has a vast network of public transport, and it is easy to find a train, bus, taxi or rickshaw to get you from Point A to Point B. The local trains are the fastest means of getting anywhere in a city that faces traffic jams around the clock. They are usually crowded, and you’ll have to keep tight hold of your belongings, but the journey is cheap and efficient. Buses are another low-cost option, but will take time lumbering through congested streets and can get uncomfortably hot and dusty. Taking a taxi or rickshaw are more expensive options, with the AC cabs or private taxis being the most expensive, but they are more comfortable and give you breathing space. Train and local bus tickets cost between Rs 4-10 onwards, auto-rickshaws and taxis are metered and are cheap when compared to other parts of the world.
Tourist Attractions in Mumbai
The most famous tourist attraction in Mumbai is the Gateway of India, built in 1911 to welcome King George V and Queen Mary on their visit. Also recommended for a first-time visit to Mumbai are the Nehru Planetarium, Prince of Wales Museum, Haji Ali Mosque, the ISKCON temples. There are two UNESCO world heritage sites in or near Mumbai, the The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus - CST, formerly known as Victoria Terminus Station and the Elephanta Caves about 10 Kilometers (6 miles) by boat. They are both worth a visit.
Mumbai’s Art Attractions
Art is a flourishing field in Mumbai, as one can see at the Jehangir Art Gallery and the National Gallery of Modern Art in South Bombay. The Prince of Wales Museum and the Bombay Natural History Museum offer a quiet place for an afternoon browse.
Historical Tourist Spots in Mumbai
For a taste of history, check out the Bombay Heritage Walks in the city. For the last ten years, the group by the same name has been conducting walks around Fort, the city’s well-maintained historical area. Explore the Kalaghoda art district, the serene Jewish synagogues, and the famed University and High Court buildings and the Rajabai clock tower. Also interesting are the Banganga area, Flora Fountain, and the Mint.
Nightlife in Mumbai
Mumbai is a city of people who work hard during the day, and party hard during the night. Discotheques, clubs, lounges, restaurants, resto-bars, theme restaurants, and a whole lot more do very well, and offer entertainment to all ages and all budgets. Zenzi, China House (where the most beautiful people of Mumbai party), Poison or Bling, Prive, Busaba, and Shiro offer a chance to let your hair down and have a blast! For a place with more character than a discotheque, head to Colaba and do a pub-crawl between Café Mondegar, Café Leopold, Alps Restaurant and Beer Bar, Tavern or Bootleggers. Expect to pay a minimum of Rs 1000 for entry to some of the discotheques on Saturday night.
Eating Out in Mumbai
Food is an excuse for socializing in Bombay, and you’ll find various forms of snacks, meals, and titbits to nibble on everywhere. For quick meals and dynamo-efficient staff, go for breakfast to a South Indian restaurant. In town, visit Kailash Parbat, Kamat’s or Sahakari Bhandar in Colaba. Apart from the usual McDonalds, Pizza Hut, TGIF, Ruby Tuesday and others, Bombay has excellent Thai, Italian, Lebanese and Mediterranean restaurants. But for tourists, it’s usually the Indian food that is the attraction. Try Mughlai specialties like biriyanis and kebabs at Delhi Darbar in Colaba, gorge on fish and crabs cooked in coastal fashion with spices and coconut in Mahesh Lunch Home or Gajalee, and enjoy vegetarian meals at Cream Centre. Prices vary from Rs 300-Rs 1000 per head.
What to Buy in Mumbai
For truly unique items to shop for, take a look around at the local Indian souvenirs. Buy sandalwood carvings, silverware, rugs and linen, and Indian clothes, as well as a lot more. Pick up Indian aromatic spices if your country allows you to carry them back, or special teas and coffees. Darjeeling tea and coffee that tastes of the monsoon is always a good gift for someone back home, or for yourself. Silver jewellery, anklets, Indian silks and pashminas, ethnic mirrorwork bedcovers or sofa throws and bedsheets in muted pastels or flaming reds and oranges are available in Colaba as well as FabIndia stores. Colaba Causeway is a veritable treasure trove for tourists on a budget, since you can find everything from the stores here, and at half or less than half the price. Leather sandals, embroidered and sequinned slippers, jewel-toned silks and funny little purses and pouches fascinate both local shoppers and tourists alike.