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Gateway of india |
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 The Gateway to India was built in 1911 to commemorate the visit to India of King George V and Queen Mary. The archway is built from honey-coloured basalt in a style derived from Gujarati architecture of the sixteenth century. In the days of the steam liner, the Gateway was for many visitors their first and last sight of India but today it acts purely as a colourful tourist stop, and attracts hawkers, snake charmers, and beggars. The neighbouring Taj Mahal Hotel was built in 1902 by JN Tata, after he was allegedly refused entry to one of the city's European hotels on account of being 'a native'.
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Victoria Terminus (Shivaji Terminus) |
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 The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly known as Victoria Terminus Station, in Mumbai, is an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India, blended with themes deriving from Indian traditional architecture. The building, designed by the British architect F. W. Stevens, became the symbol of Bombay as the ‘Gothic City’ and the major international mercantile port of India. The terminal was built over 10 years, starting in 1878, according to a High Victorian Gothic design based on late medieval Italian models. Its remarkable stone dome, turrets, pointed arches and eccentric ground plan are close to traditional Indian palace architecture. It is an outstanding example of the meeting of two cultures, as British architects worked with Indian craftsmen to include Indian architectural tradition and idioms thus forging a new style unique to Bombay. |
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Marine Drive |
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 Built in the 1920s, Marine Drive runs along the shoreline of the Arabian Sea from Nariman Point to the foot of Malabar Hill. It is Mumbai’s most famous thoroughfare and a favourite spot for watching the sunset. Lined on the landward side by a crescent of crumbling Art Deco buildings, it is lit up at night prompting travel agents to dub it the Queen’s Necklace. At the top end of Marine Drive is Chowpatty Beach, the only beach in the central part of Mumbai. Though not ideal for sunbathing or swimming, it is a popular, though hectic place to spend an afternoon, surrounded by beach traders, entertainers and beggars. It is the best place to watch the annual Ganesh Chaturthi Festival (during August/September) when vast models of Lord Ganesha are immersed into the sea. |
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Versova Beach |
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 Versova Beach presents a scenic coastline, nestled cozily in Greater Mumbai. It is separated from Juhu Beach, attributable to a creek. The glorious Arabian Sea charge the sandy coast with its cooling waters. Absolutely a fun destination, Versova Beach is residence to the oldest inhabitants of Bombay, the Kolis - a fishing community. One can visit this lovely place anytime round the year, yet months between September and February offers the best time, when the city observes less clamminess. |
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Chowpatty beach |
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 Situated at the northern end of Marine Drive, it is a stretch of sandy beach and attracts hordes of people during the weekends and on holidays.
A 'food-mart' of stalls have become a permanent feature and offer a range of eatables from 'bhel-puri'. The local speciality, to 'chaat', 'kulfi', coconut and other snacks.A larger portion of the terrain is left open for the public where people come to enjoy the evening sea breeze and the children to play. As a part of the city's cleanliness and beautification drive, Chowpatty is also being given a face lift. |
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Crawford Market |
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 The colourful indoor Crawford Market is where locals of central Mumbai go shopping for their fruit, veg and (for the brave) meat. Rudyard Kipling was born just south of the market in 1865 and an ornate fountain designed by his father, Lockwood Kipling, sits between old fruit boxes at the market's centre. He also designed the frieze depicting Indian peasants in wheat fields which hangs above the main entrance. The animal market at the rear sells everything from poodles to parrots in small cages. North of the market are the narrow lanes of Kalbadevi. This predominantly Muslim area is a seething mass of people and traffic and is the location of several markets selling jewellery, textiles and leather goods. The most famous is the Chor Bazaar, Mumbai's 'thieves' market', which sells ‘antiques’ and miscellaneous junk - don't place too much faith in authenticity of anything here. This area is also home to the Jama Masjid and the Mumbadevi Temple which is dedicated to the patron goddess of the island's original Koli inhabitants. |
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Juhu beach |
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 Situated in the suburbs of Mumbai, Juhu Beach has practically everything that Chowpatty offers and is a favorite place to visit for all Mumbaites. Juhu Beach has Arabian Sea to its west and Santacruz and Vile Parle to its east. Children simply love this place and it is a vendor's delight. It is an open-air restaurant with its innumerable food counters, an amusement park with its camel ride and playground with lots and lots of sand on the beach to make sand castles with. It is also a popular venue for immersions during the famous festivals of Bombay or Mumbai such as Coconut Day and the Ganesh Chaturthi. The snacks available here include spicy Bhelpuri, Sevpuri, Pani Puri, Chaat and local icecream known as Kulfi. |
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Flora Fountain |
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 Cursetjee Fardoonjee Parekh donated this landmark structure Flora Fountain. Built in 1864, it was made of imported Poland stone and is located close to the church gate of the old (now vanished) British fort. Flora is the Roman Goddess of Flowers, her pretty alabaster face continually assaulted by grime and pollution. It stands at a busy five-point intersection in the heart of the commercial Fort area. The Flora Fountain was erected by the Agri-Horticultural society of Western India. It was originally meant to be named after Sir Bartle Frere, then governor of Bombay. However, the name was changed before the fountain was unveiled. It stood in the center of the town as it then was, but now this area is the heart of the business district of the town. This is the very heart of Mumbai, circumscribed by stately colonial buildings standing like proud old sentinels of a bygone era. Next to her are a pair of torch bearing stone patriots that rise from the Martyrs Memorial nearby. |
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HANGING GARDENS |
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 Formerly called the Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens, it was rechristened because of the gardens unique location. Sitting atop Malabar hills and close to the sea, it has become a tourist’s delight. The Hanging Gardens in Mumbai was built in 1880. The initial idea behind the park was to protect the three huge water reservoirs over which it is built. The combined capacity of the water reservoirs is 30 million gallons. This water, post-purification, plays a big part in meeting the Mumbai drinking water requirement. The garden underwent major refurbishment in 1921.It is one of the city’s prettiest sights. Well maintained lawns, a wide variety of full grown trees, an array of flowers, plants shaped as animals and fountains make it a blissful place. |
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MANI BHAvAN |
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 Mani Bhavan was a focal point of Gandhi's political activities in Mumbai between 1917 and 1934. The rooms of Mani Bhavan remain untouched and in the same condition they were when Gandhi visited.Mani Bhavan now houses a research library, a photo exhibit of Mahatma Gandhi's life, and other well preserved memorabilia. Hobbies & Activities category: Historic site; Historical museum; Library; Photo collection, exhibit |
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Madh Island |
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 Madh Island is a small island off the coast of Juhu, in the picturesque rural area of Mumbai's northwestern coast. It can be accessed from Mumbai by road or by ferry from the jetties from two places – Gateway of India and Versova. It is considered a quick, peaceful and inexpensive getaway from the maddening crowds of the city. Madh Island was once a separate island but with the growth of Mumbai city, it is considered a suburb today. There are a number of resorts and bungalows, and spots for picnics.Another attraction on Madh Island Beach is the Madh Fort also called Versova fort. It is believed that this fort was built by the Portuguese as a watchtower and later used as a training camp for cadets. You could come over here for a fresh bout of breeze and fort's picturesque locale that is sure to enthrall you. |
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Elephanta caves |
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 Elephanta Caves has been given the position of a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The exquisite architecture of these caves makes them a popular attraction for the tourists coming to Mumbai. The caves are believed to have been carved during the 9th to 13th century, in the ruling period of Silhara kings. The Portuguese vandalized majority of their sculptures in the 17th century. Take a flight of over 100 steps and reach the hill, where you will get the heavenly glimpse of the entire island and nearby caves.There are seven caves in total and the significant amongst them is the Mahesha-Murti Cave. On its very entrance, you will be welcomed by huge figures of doorkeepers which would really impress you at the moment. Within the temple, there is a huge hall with rows of pillars which appear to clutch the cave's roof. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Elephanta Cave Temples boast of excellent sculptural content, which also symbolize Lord Shiva in his both forms - 'lingam' as well as His life-sized statue. In the main chamber, there is a mysterious image of Trimurthi Sadasiva that is about 20 feet tall. |
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Lonavala |
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 Lonavala is at an altitude of 625 m and is the most popular weekend destination from Mumbai and Pune. Known as the Jewel of the Sahyadri it offers the tourist pristine woods and valleys, gushing waterfalls, historic caves, and scenic vistas. The surroundings hills were the stronghold of the Maratha rulers, who practised guerrilla warfare from here, against the Moghuls and later the British. Lonavala now houses holiday homes of celebrities and industrialists, as well as a plethora of holiday resorts. Its other famous cousin town, Khandala lies just 5 Km away. Lonavala provides a panoramic view of the lush green surroundings of the Sahyadri ranges. The peaceful environs of the town, which provides a great escape from the hustle and bustle of Mumbai city, attract tourists to this place. Travelers can take a walk along the waterfalls, the grassy abundance and hills in and around Lonavala. The mountainous terrain of Lonavala is ideal for trekking and hiking. |
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Tower of Silence |
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 Mumbai A peculiar site to visit in Mumbai is the Tower of Silence. Mumbai has a large number of Parsi population. The Parsis have the custom of leaving their dead in the open. These particular places are called "Towers of Silence", where the vultures come to eat the dead. For the Parsis, this is regarded as the final act of charity. Mumbai's Towers of Silence, have virtually disappeared today. Only a handful remain that attract a considerable number of tourists every year. |
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Kamla Nehru Park |
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 Kamla Nehru Park is among Mumbai's best hunt for entertainment and greatly popular amongst the kids. Perched at the top of picturesque Malabar Hill, Kamala Nehru Amusement Park covers an area of 3,300 sqmts.Its name owes to Kamala Nehru, the wife of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. With greenery all around and well-maintained and manicured garden, the Kamala Nehru Park is the place where you could chill out with your dear ones in perfect peace. Being at height the park is cool and less humid, quite comforting in comparison to rest of Mumbai. |
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The Kanheri Caves |
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 The magnificent Kanheri Caves are placed in the confines of the woods of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, in the north of Borivali, 40 km from the city of Mumbai. These caves leave a heavy and dense trail of Buddhism in them which reflects itself in its architecture. Krishnagiri is the Sanskrit origin of the name Kanheri. The meaning of Krishnagiri is ‘black in colour,’ which is explained by the colour of the caves.The Kanheri Caves are carved out of a huge rock of basalt. They date from 1st century BC to 9th century AD. These age-old caves housed many Buddhist monks in the ancient times, and you will find clear traces of this. Even though the caves are not really that artistic and not full of carvings, the simplicity of the caves is beautiful in itself. You will find beds made out of stone platforms in the caves. There is also a hall where the Buddhist monks used to gather for their prayers and worship. Here stone columns are found, which also have the Buddhist temple. |
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Shirdi |
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 Shirdi, the graceful abode of Sai Baba, is a religious town that allures devotees day and night. Sited about 300 kms from Mumbai, the town has a mystic aura about itself, which never fails to captivate even a casual sightseer. This small town is spread over an area of 2 sq kms in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. Sai Baba, a great saint who lived at Shirdi for the period of 80 years and then left this corporeal world, is the main source of inspiration behind the regard and reverence for this town.Regarding travel and tourism, Shirdi is a major religious place in India and never-ending queues outside the temple substantiates this fact. Today, Sai Samadhi Mandir is thronged by the devotees to get a glimpse of Sai Baba, whose blessings are said to heal the deepest wound. The most remarkable verity about this place is that here you will find people from all religions and communities, without any kind of discrimination, since Baba treated every person in the same manner. |
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Aksa beach |
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 Aksa beach is a natural tranquil escape. This beach is located only 40 km north of the centre of Mumbai near the suburb of Malad. It offers much serenity making it hard to believe you're still so close to the city.Aksa Beach is a popular vacation spot in Aksa village at Malad close to Malvani in Mumbai. Earlier it used to be a quiet and deserted beach that was very clean and was a habitat for a variety of sea creatures with plentiful snails and shells on the beach. The steady influx of visitors especially around weekends has made it a coveted destination for city-people who want to escape to its natural setting. |
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Ajanta Ellora cave |
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 It was only in the 19th century, that the Ajanta group of caves, lying deep within the Sahyadri hills, cut into the curved mountain side, above the Waghora river, were discovered. A group of British officers on a tiger hunt, stumbled on these ancient works of art. They depict the story of Buddhism, spanning the period from 200 BC to 650 AD.The 29 caves were built as secluded retreats of the Buddhist monks, who taught and performed rituals in the Chaityas and Viharas, the ancient seats of learning, and nerve - centres of the Buddhist cultural movement. Using simple tools like hammer and chisel, the monks carved out the impressive figures adorning the walls of these structures. Exquisite wall - paintings and sculptures speak volumes of the India of yore. Many of the caves house panels depicting stories from the Jatakas, a rich mine of tales of the several incarnations of the Buddha. Images of nymphs and princesses amongst others, are also elaborately portrayed. |
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Aurangabad caves |
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 Aurangabad Caves were excavated from the soft rock during the 6th and 7th century. These caves, ten in number, are divided into two separate locations - Western Group Caves having caves 1-5 and Eastern Group Caves having caves 6-10, located 1 km apart. The designing and image is molded by Tantric Hinduism.Cave 4 from Western Group group is the oldest cave. The remaining four Western caves are viharas depicting an early type of Buddhist monastery. Cave 6 which belongs to the Eastern Group has a large statute of Buddha supported with a form of Ganesh and Cave 7 has forms of women which are barely clad and bejeweled. |
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