Mumbai, the biggest metropolis of India, is a city that virtually never sleeps. In this city of dreams, life never appears dull or boring, especially due to the presence of its interminable chaos and action. Generating the maximum share of country's revenue, Mumbai houses the country's largest production houses, stock exchanges, sea port and offices of some of the esteemed companies of the world. Not only is Mumbai the capital of Maharashtra, it is also called the Commercial Capital of India.
Air : Mumbai is India's international gateway. It has also the busiest domestic air network in the country. The international terminal is at Sahar, which is 30 km north of the city center. The domestic terminal at Santa Cruz is just 4 km away.
Rail : Mumbai is a prominent railway hub of the country. It is the headquarters to two railway zones, Central and Western. The main railway station is Victoria Terminal, now renamed Chattrapati Shivaji Terminal. Other railway stations are Dadar, Churchgate, and Kurla. Express and super-fast trains are available for most of the Indian cities from Mumbai.
Bus : Delhi is well connected with bus services of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and state roadways of the neighbouring states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to all important cities and destinations in North India. National Highways passing through Delhi play a major role in communication and trade, thus making Delhi an important commercial hub. Communication through the national highways support the economy of the capital which further benefits the nation as well.
Gateway of India : One of the major landmarks of Mumbai is the Gateway of India. Situated at the Apollo Bunder, the Gateway of India was built in honour of King George V and Queen. You may enjoy a ferry ride across the harbour to the Elephanta Island. At the Island, the Shiva temple is a must visit for its exquisite rock-cut structures.
Prince of Wales Museum : A major tourist attraction in Mumbai is the Prince of Wales museum. The lovely landscape of the Museum is worth visiting for its collection of art, sculpture, rare coins, old firearms and a priceless collection of miniature paintings. Built in the year 1914, the museum remains one of the best museums in the country.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus : The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly known as the Victoria Terminus is one of the architectural wonders of Mumbai. The elegant British building of 1888 makes Mumbai terminus one of the finest stations in the world. Exquisite sculptures of animals and birds decorate the façade and the statue of Queen Victoria adorns the dome.
Chowpatty Beach : Chowpatty beach is not only a beach for Mumbai but it is heart of the city. This beach does not mean sunbathing and surfing. Chowpatty is a place where meetings were organised during the freedom struggle.
High Court : Built in the English Gothic Style the building of Mumbai High court certainly meant to impress the native of might and justice of Britishers. The attractive building was built in 1878. The main structure rises 54.2 m in height and is surmounted by the statues representing Justice and Mercy. It seems that one of the local stone carver had something else in his mind and carved a blind ape as the statue of Justice.
Hanging Gardens : The Hanging gardens or Ferozshah Mehta Gardens were laid in 1881 on top of a reservoir on the Malabar Hills. This place has become a heaven for dating couples nevertheless the place provides a good view of the city. Nearby is the Kamla Nehru park. From the park one can have the best possible views of the Marine drive and the Chowpatty beach. The Kamla Nehru park was laid in 1952 and was developed mainly as a childrens' park.
Haji Ali Mosque : This mosque is located in the causeway protruding into the Arabian sea. The white mosque is the tomb of Saint Haji Ali. Haji Ali was a wealthy Muslim who renounced the world and proceeded to Mecca. It is said that he died in Mecca and the casket miraculously drifted and came to the spot where the mosque is built toady. The mosque can only be approached during low tide.
Siddhivinayak Temple : One of the most popular places of worship in Mumbai is the Siddhivinayak Temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesha. The temple was rebuilt on the site of a 200-year old temple. The black stone idol of Lord Ganesh, in the temple is two and a half feet in height and two feet in width. Several devotees throng this temple in the Prabha Devi area of Mumbai.
A few of the things available in Mumbai shopping include men's clothing, women's designer fashions, books, music shops and gift items. The government owned Gateway of India includes inventory of pottery, silver, wood and brass, as well as hand-crafted items such as clothing, scarves, fabric, sarees and shawls. Travelers can choose from gift packs of tea, carved ivory figurines, candles, carpet and wall hangings. You can choose from some of the major shops and even a mall or two, or you can choose your purchases from the street vendors that are everywhere. Watch for jewelry in gold, silver or copper designs.
Mumbaikars love food. Combine this with the city's history of immigrants, and you have the most varied cuisine offered anywhere in India. Thus, eating out is a good way of exploring the culture of the city and the country. Though you'll find Western fast-food restaurants in all areas, in this city fast food still means bhelpuri, pav bhaji or panipuri. Bhelpuri is a sweet and spicy combination of puffed rice, onions, boiled potatoes, puri, coriander, mint, chililes and chutney. Pav bhaji is a potpourri of cooked and spiced vegetables such as peas, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and onions accompanied by a bread bun. Panipuri are lightweight puffed semolina or flour cakes, eaten with a filling of boiled pulses (lentils), spices, tamarind chutney and spicy water. Though these distinctly Mumbai delicacies are available from street vendors at every corner, we recommend trying them in good quality restaurants only.
Restaurants are scattered throughout the city, with the more upmarket ones generally located near the city centers of Colaba, Nariman Point and Marine Drive or in Bandra, Andheri and Juhu. Intense competition keeps prices in check. The commercial area of Fort offers mainly functional food for office workers who need to eat and run. Most of the budget restaurants are open early morning until 11:30 pm. More upscale restaurants usually serve only lunch and dinner.
Mumbai is a versatile city, where the rationale of entertainment lies in different means. Recreation could be different for different people, some like indulging in late night parties and gobbling the best alcohol, while others may prefer watching movies at cinema halls and splurge in shopping. Regarding nightlife, Mumbai (or Bombay) is the hottest place in the whole country, to catch the great discotheques and nightclubs.
Most of the teenagers opt for hanging out in cafes and restaurants. Called the Capital of Indian Nightlife, Mumbai always has the greatest events on its social calendar. It's for sure that its hangouts, such as cafes, restaurants, discotheques, clubs, pubs, etc, never let down the partying spirit in you. Be it cultural shows, fashion extravaganza, charity shows, product launches, movie screenings, film festivals or award functions, the 'bindaas' Mumbai has various means of entertainment.
Bowling alleys, huge shopping malls, paragliding, art shows, and many more events make this conurbation completely entertaining. Moreover, Bollywood - the centre of Hindi Film Industry, is the pride of the nation. Silver-screen stars have infused fashion and style in the younger generation. Movies and celebrities bring the latest trends to the markets of India. The groovy lifestyle of Mumbai makes it the hottest destination, where recreation is not limited to amusement parks and beaches, but quite more than that.