Experience the Mystery & Magic of Mumbai – India

Although you may have heard of Mumbai you may not know very much about it.  How about Bombay? Many people are surprised to learn that Bombay no longer exists, it had a name change and became known as Mumbai in 1995.

Mumbai is a fascinating city that encapsulates the very essence of India’s diversity and resilience. It is situated on the west coast of India and is renowned as the financial, commercial and entertainment hub of the country. 

So Where is it?

Mumbai is a collection of seven islands and is the capital of the state of Maharashtra. It’s on the west coast of India and has a deep, natural harbour which is extremely busy that with over 60% of all of the cargo that arrives in India.

A Brief history

In 300 BC, seven islands were made into a Hindu and Buddhist centre by the Maurya Empire. The seven islands are Isle of Bombay, Colaba, Old Woman’s Island (Little Colaba), Mahim, Mazagaon, Parel and Worli.

These islands were controlled by various empires and then taken over by Portuguese settlers who used it as a trading post. In 1668, the British East India Company took  over the islands and because their highly successful trading they pushed out the Portuguese. In the mid-19th century, under British rule, Mumbai (known then as Bombay) emerged as a major industrial and mercantile center. 

At this point, the islands were merged into ‘Bombay’ and the area continued to flourish as trade increased. The new found wealth of the area led to economic and educational development and improvement all through the 1800’s. As a result, it was the base for the movement for Indian Independence. When India finally gained Independence in 1947, the islands became part of the State of Bombay.

In 1960, the new state of Maharashtra was created. Bombay was made the capital and it was renamed Mumbai in 1995.

Mumbai comprises of a cultural heritage that is a rich amalgamation of traditions, languages, and lifestyles. From the iconic dabbawalas, who deliver thousands of lunch boxes daily with unparalleled accuracy, to the vibrant street food scene offering delicacies like vada pav and pav bhaji, Mumbai is a melting pot of flavors and experiences. 

Mumbai – home of Bollywood

Bollywood is the name that has been given to the extremely popular Hindi film industry. The name comes from the words ‘Bombay’ and ‘Hollywood’. Bollywood is one of the largest film producers in the world and the biggest in India.  Bollywood, is also globally renowned for its glitz, glamour, and larger-than-life productions, making Mumbai the dream destination for aspiring actors and filmmakers from across the country.

Cinema is huge in Mumbai and it has the largest IMAX theatre in the world. There is also an International Film Festival as well as an increasingly popular theater culture.

 

Transportation

Navigating Mumbai’s bustling streets can be a bit of a challenge, but the city’s transportation network keeps everything moving. The Mumbai Suburban Railway, famously known as the local trains, is the lifeline of the city and it ferries millions of commuters daily across its vast expanse. The BEST bus network complements the suburban trains, providing connections to even the most remote corners of the city. In recent years, the Mumbai Metro has emerged as a rapid transit system, and this has helped to ease the burden on the city’s congested roads.

What’s the weather like?

Mumbai is in a tropical zone and has two main seasons – humid and dry. Between March and October it has high humidity with the mercury soaring to over 30 degrees C / 86 degrees F. From June to September, it’s monsoon time. The annual rainfall is around 70.9 inches / 1.800 millimetres, with an average of 23.6 inches / 600 millimetres in July alone!

World Heritage Sites

Mumbai has two UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is an historic railway station, which looks a little like St Pancras Railway Station in London and is one of the busiest stations in India. It took 10 years to build and was originally called Victoria Terminus in honor of Queen Victoria who was also Empress of India. It was opened on her Golden Jubilee in 1887. It was renamed in 1996, after a Maratha King from the 1600’s and named a World Heritage Site in 2004.

The Elephanta Caves on Elephanta Island near Mumbai are hewn from solid rock and cover 60,000 square feet / 5,600 square meters. The caves are filled with beautiful sculptures and are thought to date back to 810 AD. The entire complex is said to be he home of Shiva (Sanskrit for ‘auspicious one’) who is the supreme God to Shaiva Hindus. It was made a World Heritage Site in 1987.

What can I see when I visit Mumbai?

There are a number of sightseeing tours in and around Mumbai that will keep you entertained and give you many wonderful experiences and memories.

Gateway of India

This is Mumbai’s most recognised monuments. It was built in 1924 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai. This is also where the last of the British troops departed from in 1947 when India gained Independence. 

Essel World – Contains Asia’s largest water park, Water Kingdom.

Girgaum Chaupati Beach – locally called Chaupati, which is pronounced chow patty. During the celebrations for Ganesh chaturthi, hundreds of people travel from all over India to this beach to immerse idols of Lord Ganapati in the Arabian Sea. On this festival day, Lord Ganapati, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, is said to be present on earth for all of his followers.

Plus the are a number of sightseeing tours in and around Mumbai that will keep you entertained and give you many wonderful experiences and memories.