Maharashtra’s
capital, Bombay, wears several hats or should we say crowns? Bombay
is not just India’s largest city, it is also its commercial
capital, industrial powerhouse, busiest port, fashion capital, home
to ‘Bollywood’ (India’s Hollywood), world’s biggest textile
market – the list goes on and on.
Bombay thrives on contrasts- the city is home to the richest and the
poorest of Indians, sleek limousines jostle rusty cycles, red
double-decker buses rumble past three-wheeler auto-rickshaws;
impressive high rises soar above crowded ugly slums and shanty
towns; glitzy shop fronts amid pavement stalls; glamorous film stars
and homeless beggars demand attention at traffic lights and amidst
all this are people, people, people everywhere, for Bombay is home
to some 13 million Indians.
Bombay is like
little bits of India all rolled into one sprawling city. So, don’t just
pass through as you head for Rajasthan or Goa, but stay awhile in city.
Explore its sights and soul – the promise of a heady experience awaits
you.
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State:
Maharashtra
Language
Marathi, Hindi, English, Gujarati
Religion
Hindu, Muslim, Jain, Christian, Parsi
Sightseeing
- Gateway of India
- Flora Fountain
- Rajabai Clock Tower
- High Court
- Victoria Terminus
- Crawford Market
- Afghan Church
- Prince of Wales Museum
- The National Gallery of
Modern Art
- The Nehru Planetarium
- Mani Bhavan
- Elephanta Island
- Juhu & Versova
beaches
The city was given its name ‘Bombay’
by the Portuguese in recognition of its beautiful natural bay and even today
Bombay Harbour, a broad, sheltered bay located between the city and the
mainland, is one of the world's greatest natural harbours.
Like
a giant magnet, Bombay draws people from all walks of life - traders and
artisans, musicians and movie stars, peasants and industrialists,
entrepreneurs and executives, students and dropouts.
The sunset and the streetlights appear truly bewitching from the nearby
elite residential area of the Malabar Hill. Juhu and Versova beaches are
some distance away and are crowded with the city’s residents spending a
while amongst vendors hawking everything from camel and horse rides to
Mumbai’s famous ‘bhelpuri’
and ‘pao bhaji’.
Special Events Ganesha Chaturthi is one of the most important festivals
celebrated in Mumbai. The ten day long event held in August/September was
given religious and cultural dimensions to engender feelings of nationalism
and self-esteem by Lokmanya Tilak during the freedom movement. Colourful
pavilions house ornate statues of the God Ganesh and the nights come alive
with the folk dances- Dandiya and Garba- before the festival culminates with
the idols ceremoniously taken in procession to be immersed in the sea on
Chowpatty beach. The Hindu festivals of Dashera or Navratri and Diwali;
Muslim festivals of Id and Christian festivals of Easter and Christmas are
celebrated with great community participation and gusto.
The Elephanta Festival held in February on the
Elephanta Island is a festival of classical Indian dance and music organised
by the MTDC.
The Kala Ghoda Festival showcases the
country and particularly regional arts and crafts and is held every Sunday
from November to January.
