Mumbai,
the capital of the state of Maharashtra, is the most populous city of India.
Also known as the financial capital of India, the city is home to important
financial institutions like the RBI (Reserve Bank of India), the BSE (Bombay
Stock Exchange) and the NSE (National Stock Exchange of India). The city
boasts of natural harbour, that handles nearly 50 per cent of India's
passenger traffic and a significant amount of cargo. Mumbai is originally an
island, which is connected to the mainland by bridges. The main part of the
city is concentrated at the southern end of the island and the northern end
is lightly populated. Mumbai is home to Bollywood, the Hindi film industry.
The Sanjay Gandhi National Park is another popular attraction here. Because
of the immense business opportunities, Mumbai has attracted migrants from
all over India. The city spreads over an area of 437.71 sq.km and it has a
population of 11,914, 398. Mumbai has a multilingual population, Hindi is
the most common language spoken. Other spoken languages are Marathi,
Gujarati, Urdu etc.
Climate & Clothing in Mumbai
Due to its closeness to sea, the temperature in Mumbai shows little
seasonal fluctuation. During summers (April to June), temperature averages
32oC, although the temperature can reach up to 40oC occasionally. Winter
months of November to February, are cooler and the temperature drops to a
minimum of 18oC. Monsoon arrives in the city by early July, heavy rains
sometimes causing the flooding of streets and roads. The best time to visit
Mumbai is between October and April, when the air is pleasant and humidity
is less.
Accommodation in Mumbai
Some of the most popular hotels of Mumbai include The Taj Mahal Hotel (5
Star/ Apollo Bunder), The Oberoi ( 5 Star/ Nariman Point), The Leela
Kempinski (5 Star/ Sahar, Andheri East), Taj Lands End (5 Star/ Bandstand,
Bandra West), Taj President (5 Star/ 90 Cuffe Parade, Colaba), The Retreat
(5 Star/ Madh Marve Road), The Resort (5 Star/ Madh Marve Road), West End
Hotel (4 Star/ 45, New Marine Lines), The Ambassador (3 Star/ Veer Nariman
Road) etc.
Tourist Attractions of Mumbai
»
Gateway of India : Mumbai's principal landmark, the Gateway of India was
constrcuted to commemorate the visit of King George V to India in 1911.
Built of yellow basalt, the design of the monument is derived from the
Muslim architectural styles of 16th century.
» Prince of Wales Museum : The museum is located
beside the Wellingdon circle, near the Colaba Causeway Hotel Enclave. Built
in the Indo-Saracenic style the museum has sections for arts, miniature
paintings, archaeology and history.
» St. John's Church : Built in the year 1847, the
church is dedicated to the soldiers who lost their live in the Sind campaign
of 1838 and the Afghan War of 1843.
» Marine Drive : Built on land reclaimed in 1920,
the road runs along the Back Bay. Officially known as Netaji Subhash Road,
Marine Drive starts at Nariman Point and runs up to Malabar Hill.
» Chowpatty Beach : Chowappaty beach is the most
famous beach in Mumbai. Although the beach is not ideal for swimming and
sunbathing, it offers plenty of other activites.
» Mani Bhavan : Located on the
Laburnum Road near August Kranti Maidan, this is the building where Mahatama
Gandhi stayed on his visits to the city between 1917 and 1934. Today, the
building houses a pictorial exhibit of Gandhi's life and a library.
» Malabar Hill : Situated at the end of Back Bay,
this is a posh residential area. The area is little cooler than other parts
of the city and it offers fine views over Back Bay.
» Jain Temple : Built in 1904, the marble temple is
dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankar, Adinath.
» Hanging Gardens : Located atop Malabar Hill, these
beautiful gardens were laid out in 1881.
Airports
Sahar
Airport is the international airport of Mumbai, which is located at a
distance of 30 kms from the city centre. Airlines operate flights from
Europe, Far East and Middle East to Mumbai. Santa Cruz airport is the
domestic airport, just 4 kms away from the city center. Indian Airlines
connects Mumbai with major cities like Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai.
Local Modes of Transport
Travelling within Mumbai is very easy and systematic. The local buses run
by BEST are the most efficient mode of transport in the city, while the
local trains are the fastest and cheapest way to travel within the city.
Taxi and auto-rickshaw are other modes to move around.
Entertainment Options
Whether in downtown or in the suburbs, Mumbai offer a variety of
entertainment options. As Mumbai is home to Bollywood, the Hindi film
industry so you will find glamour everywhere. Multiplexes and cinema
theatres are the most popular modes of entertainment in Mumbai. The city has
a vibrant nightlife as it is dotted with several discos, night clubs, pubs,
bowling alleys and amusement parks.
Shopping in Mumbai
Shopping in Mumbai is a lifetime experience, as the city has a number of
intriguing markets. Chor Bazaar, Crawford Market, Zaveri Bazaar and Colaba
and Flora Fountain are some of the popular shopping areas here. At Chor
Bazaar you will find jewellry, wood items and leather goods. Crawford Market
is known for flowers, fruit, vegetables, meat and fish while Zaveri Bazaar
is famous for the varied ranges of jewellery. Colaba and Flora Fountain are
located in the heart of South Mumbai; the markets are famous for buying
ethnic artifacts and departmental stores.
Tourist Offices
