Bombay
Overview:
‘Mumbai’, formerly ‘Bombay’, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is also the commercial and entertainment capital of India. Home to more than twenty million people, it takes pride in its cosmopolitan and liberal population. Being the “Land of Opportunities”, it is the most populous city in India, and the third most populous city in the world. Mumbai is also home to the biggest film industry in the world. The city is as ancient as it is modern; both spectacularly rich and devastatingly poor. It is one of the most stifling and stimulating cities on the planet. At times it is overwhelming, yet this metropolis is endlessly fascinating. Mumbai is comprised of seven islands ; which were originally home to communities of fishing colony. The seven islands are Matunga-Siomn, Parel, Mahim, Wadala, Old Woman’s Island, Mazagaon and Colaba. Mumbai was reshaped by the Hornby Vellard project, which undertook the reclamation of the area between the seven constituent islands from the sea. Completed by 1845, the project along with construction of major roads and railways transformed Bombay into a major seaport on the Arabian sea. Being a coastal city, Mumbai has a tropical wet and dry climate. Favorable climate in Mumbai gradually comes around the mid of October, and continues to March.
For centuries, the seven constituent islands were under the control of successive indigenous empires before being ceded to the Portuguese and subsequently to the British East India Company. The gradual mixing of the foreign culture with various local cultures of the regular stream of migrants from other parts of India, has transformed Mumbai into a potent melting pot, which in-turn has given rise to great wealth, gleaming skyscrapers, fashion-savvy locals, number of grand colonial architectural marvels, a myriad of various worship places serving different castes, creed and religions, popular and still revelant ancient bazaars, and a surprising number of art deco buildings, and other tourist spots and attractions. It is a city of extreme inequality where affluence and abject poverty co-exist side by side. The sprawling, overcrowded and chaotic yet hospitable Mumbai, welcomes all its visitors and guests, with wide open arms. The population of this alpha world city are very tourist friendly. Infact many guided tours of the city are available and led by enthusiastic and multi-lingual locals. Being among the world's top ten centers of commerce in terms of global financial flow and the financial epicenter of India; generating 5% of India's GDP, accounting for 25% of industrial output, 70% of maritime trade in India and 70% of capital transactions to India’s economy, Mumbai finds itself in a vicious circle of constant jamming of traffic. Being a coastal city, Mumbai has a tropical wet and dry climate. Favorable climate in Mumbai gradually comes around the mid of October, and continues to March. The best way to discover all that the city has to offer is by opting for car rentals or radio cabs in Mumbai. These services, are available in a wide variety of four wheeled vehicles, from the cheap and economic Tata Indica cabs to Mercedes and other cars from the luxury car rental range in Mumbai. These chauffeured radio taxi services in Mumbai have the option of air-conditioning, and the comfort of a car, this translates into unprecedented comfort from the hot and humid climate; the long hours of waiting, while stuck in traffic and the general haggle, one might need to do while trying to hire a public transport. People reaching the city by airways or railways can hire prepaid taxis or Mumbai airport taxi service to reach their destinations, at affordable and very economical taxi fares. There are a number of other places of interest that one can visit by hiring cabs in Mumbai. Car rentals in Mumbai also make it easy for people on business trips to commute from one part of the city to another. Cabs from Pune to Mumbai are also available. Thanks to the advancement in technology, one has the option to book taxi in Mumbai via an entry –level mobile smart-phone. One is sure to be amazed by the unique blend of splendor and dismay in Mumbai, which is best witnessed while travelling through the city in a taxi cab.
Places to Visit:
Gateway of India – This triumphal arch with four turrets, constructed to memorialize the visit of King George V and Queen Mary, boasts of elaborate latticework on yellow basalt stone.
Elephanta Caves - Hewn out of rock, these caves date back to 600 AD. They caves present a complex yet intriguing collection of courtyards, shrines, porticos, grand halls and inner cells, all in arranged in a symmetry that’s distinctive to Indian rock architecture.
Juhu Beach – It’s a spectacular coastline bustling with merry-makers that invites people of all ages for long refreshing walks along the shore. You can treat yourself to a cup of coffee while enjoying the cool breeze and feel your exhaustion ebb away.
Marine Drive – Sauntering along this windswept esplanade, which is flanked by the sea on one side and mighty skyscrapers on the other, is the best way of exploring Mumbai. Lined with glimmering streetlights and looped between, Nariman Point, a concrete jungle often referred to as Mumbai’s Manhattan, and the plush green slopes of Malabar Hill, it is also called the Queen’s necklace. Savor the local food while taking in the majestic sights.
Events:
Kala Ghoda Festival - early February, featuring an array of art related celebrations, such as sculpting demonstrations, art exhibitions, concerts, literary events and theatrical performances within a number of parks around central Mumbai. The festival culminates only by the ninth day.
Filmfare Awards - mid-February, the Indian version of the Oscars, hosted by the Hindi film industry and attracting many famous movie stars
Ganesh Festival (Ganesh Chaturthi) - late August / early September, a magnificent celebration held each year on the birthday of Lord Ganesha, who was actually part man, part elephant. This festival includes models, images and ceremonies all over Mumbai.
‘Mumbai’, formerly ‘Bombay’, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is also the commercial and entertainment capital of India. Home to more than twenty million people, it takes pride in its cosmopolitan and liberal population. Being the “Land of Opportunities”, it is the most populous city in India, and the third most populous city in the world. Mumbai is also home to the biggest film industry in the world. The city is as ancient as it is modern; both spectacularly rich and devastatingly poor. It is one of the most stifling and stimulating cities on the planet. At times it is overwhelming, yet this metropolis is endlessly fascinating. Mumbai is comprised of seven islands ; which were originally home to communities of fishing colony. The seven islands are Matunga-Siomn, Parel, Mahim, Wadala, Old Woman’s Island, Mazagaon and Colaba. Mumbai was reshaped by the Hornby Vellard project, which undertook the reclamation of the area between the seven constituent islands from the sea. Completed by 1845, the project along with construction of major roads and railways transformed Bombay into a major seaport on the Arabian sea. Being a coastal city, Mumbai has a tropical wet and dry climate. Favorable climate in Mumbai gradually comes around the mid of October, and continues to March.
For centuries, the seven constituent islands were under the control of successive indigenous empires before being ceded to the Portuguese and subsequently to the British East India Company. The gradual mixing of the foreign culture with various local cultures of the regular stream of migrants from other parts of India, has transformed Mumbai into a potent melting pot, which in-turn has given rise to great wealth, gleaming skyscrapers, fashion-savvy locals, number of grand colonial architectural marvels, a myriad of various worship places serving different castes, creed and religions, popular and still revelant ancient bazaars, and a surprising number of art deco buildings, and other tourist spots and attractions. It is a city of extreme inequality where affluence and abject poverty co-exist side by side. The sprawling, overcrowded and chaotic yet hospitable Mumbai, welcomes all its visitors and guests, with wide open arms. The population of this alpha world city are very tourist friendly. Infact many guided tours of the city are available and led by enthusiastic and multi-lingual locals. Being among the world's top ten centers of commerce in terms of global financial flow and the financial epicenter of India; generating 5% of India's GDP, accounting for 25% of industrial output, 70% of maritime trade in India and 70% of capital transactions to India’s economy, Mumbai finds itself in a vicious circle of constant jamming of traffic. Being a coastal city, Mumbai has a tropical wet and dry climate. Favorable climate in Mumbai gradually comes around the mid of October, and continues to March. The best way to discover all that the city has to offer is by opting for car rentals or radio cabs in Mumbai. These services, are available in a wide variety of four wheeled vehicles, from the cheap and economic Tata Indica cabs to Mercedes and other cars from the luxury car rental range in Mumbai. These chauffeured radio taxi services in Mumbai have the option of air-conditioning, and the comfort of a car, this translates into unprecedented comfort from the hot and humid climate; the long hours of waiting, while stuck in traffic and the general haggle, one might need to do while trying to hire a public transport. People reaching the city by airways or railways can hire prepaid taxis or Mumbai airport taxi service to reach their destinations, at affordable and very economical taxi fares. There are a number of other places of interest that one can visit by hiring cabs in Mumbai. Car rentals in Mumbai also make it easy for people on business trips to commute from one part of the city to another. Cabs from Pune to Mumbai are also available. Thanks to the advancement in technology, one has the option to book taxi in Mumbai via an entry –level mobile smart-phone. One is sure to be amazed by the unique blend of splendor and dismay in Mumbai, which is best witnessed while travelling through the city in a taxi cab.
Places to Visit:
Gateway of India – This triumphal arch with four turrets, constructed to memorialize the visit of King George V and Queen Mary, boasts of elaborate latticework on yellow basalt stone.
Elephanta Caves - Hewn out of rock, these caves date back to 600 AD. They caves present a complex yet intriguing collection of courtyards, shrines, porticos, grand halls and inner cells, all in arranged in a symmetry that’s distinctive to Indian rock architecture.
Juhu Beach – It’s a spectacular coastline bustling with merry-makers that invites people of all ages for long refreshing walks along the shore. You can treat yourself to a cup of coffee while enjoying the cool breeze and feel your exhaustion ebb away.
Marine Drive – Sauntering along this windswept esplanade, which is flanked by the sea on one side and mighty skyscrapers on the other, is the best way of exploring Mumbai. Lined with glimmering streetlights and looped between, Nariman Point, a concrete jungle often referred to as Mumbai’s Manhattan, and the plush green slopes of Malabar Hill, it is also called the Queen’s necklace. Savor the local food while taking in the majestic sights.
Events:
Kala Ghoda Festival - early February, featuring an array of art related celebrations, such as sculpting demonstrations, art exhibitions, concerts, literary events and theatrical performances within a number of parks around central Mumbai. The festival culminates only by the ninth day.
Filmfare Awards - mid-February, the Indian version of the Oscars, hosted by the Hindi film industry and attracting many famous movie stars
Ganesh Festival (Ganesh Chaturthi) - late August / early September, a magnificent celebration held each year on the birthday of Lord Ganesha, who was actually part man, part elephant. This festival includes models, images and ceremonies all over Mumbai.
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