Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay,
is the Capital of Maharashtra. It is also one of
the major commercial centers of India and is the
seat of Bollywood, the Indian film industry. It
is also a natural harbor and has a large number
of business houses and corporate offices. The
name 'Bombay' originated from the Portuguese
phrase 'bom baia', which meant 'good bay'. The
name Mumbai comes from the patron deity of the
city known as Mumbadevi. Originally, Bombay was
an archipelago of seven islands, namely Colaba,
Mazagaon, Old Woman's Island, Wadala, Mahim,
Parel, and Matunga-Sion. Many Stone Age tools
and implements have been unearthed from these
islands as the evidence of human life here since
the ancient times. However, the coastal regions
were once the home of the Koli fishermen
community.
Mumbai was a part of Ashoka's empire in the 3rd
century BC and belonged to Silhara dynasty in
the mid-13th century. The oldest structures of
the city such as Elephanta caves and part of the
Walkeshwar temple complex are believed to belong
to this period. In 1534, Portuguese got hold of
these iflands and built forts and chapels for
the converted fishermen. In 1662, this
archipelago was given to Charles II as part of
the dowry of his wife Catherine of Braganza. The
British developed the city as a commercial
center and started factories in many places. In
1853, the first train ran across 35 km long
track between Thane and Bombay and in 1854, the
first cotton mill was founded in Bombay. Bombay
gained the status of the capital of State of
Bombay after Independence on 15th August, 1947,
which was later renamed as Maharastra.
Mumbai's Prime
Attractions
Chatrapati
Shivaji Terminus
Also known as the Victoria Terminus or the
Western Railway Station, this magnificent
edifice stands at the site where Mumba Devi's
original temple built by Kolis was situated. The
structure boasts of being one of the finest
architectural buildings of the railway stations
of the world and presents a fusion of Gothic and
Indian styles. Its construction was started in
1878 and it took nine years to complete it. The
chief architect F.W. Stevens conceived the
Italian Gothic building with over 1500 feet high
frontage. It has a beautiful garden around which
the administrative offices are situated and its
entrance has massive masonry statues of Lion and
Tiger. The 160-ft high dome crowning it has a
figure of a woman with a torch held aloft at its
top and look quite impressive.
Gateway Of India
The icon and the most important landmark of
Mumbai, the Gateway of India is a huge archway
at Apollo Bunder and was built to commemorate
the visit of the King George V and Queen Mary
here in 1911.
Essel World
The amusement theme park and the recreation
center for children, Essel World has a treasure
of more than 40 exciting rides, games and
attractions. Its Water Kingdom is said to be the
largest of its kind in Asia.
Mumbai Film City
The hub of Indian film industry known as
Bollywood, Mumbai produces the second most
number of movies in the world every year, next
only to Hollywood in America.
Mumbai Fort
Mumbai Fort is now only a site where the old
British fort, north of Colaba. The only remains
of the fort are in the form of old and
impressive buildings and the St. John's church,
which was built in the memory of the martyrs of
the Sindh campaign of 1838 and the first Afghan
war of 1843.
Marine Drive
The most famous thoroughfare of the city, Marine
Drive in central Mumbai was built in the 1920s
on land reclaimed from the sea. It is also known
as the Queen's Necklace because of the beautiful
sight that the street lamps present her in the
night. Now, it is known as Netaji Subhashchandra
Bose Road and extends from Nariman Point to
Babulnath, at the foot of Walkeshwar.
Chowpatty Beach
Chowpatty beach situated at the end of Marine
Drive has a moderate expanse of sand and is the
only beach in the central part of Mumbai. One
can witnesses many Hindu religious ceremonies
taking place at Chowpatty like the Annual
Thread-Tying Ceremony initiating young boys into
the Brahmin caste, 'Nariel Purnima' towards the
end of the monsoons and 'Ganesh Chaturthi'
immersions.
Flora Fountain
Situated at the Hutama Chowk, it was erected in
1869 in honor of a British Governor of Bombay
known as Sir Brtle Frere. Five streets spring
from this point and are known as 'Picadilly
Circus of Mumbai'. The fluntain is adorned with
the mythological figures at its four corners
while in the center is a structure of dull stone
with a figure the Roman Goddess of flowers at
the top.
Juhu
Beach
One of the largest and most visited beaches of
India, Juhu Beach is situated on the shores of
Arabian Sea and is famous for housing most of
the famous film personalities of India. It is a
prime location for shootings too.
Jijamata Udyan Zoo
Situated at Rani Jijamata Udyan Victoria Gardens
that were laid out in 1861, Mumbai's Zoo boasts
of many rare and endangered species of animals
and birds. Sprawling across over 48 acres of
area, it has a clock tower at its entrance that
has stopped ticking a long time ago. The Albert
museum in the gardens has a rich collection of
local archaeological finds such as the giant
stone elephant that guards the entrance.
Hanging Gardens
Built in 1880 and renovated in 1921, these
gardens are also known as Pherozeshah Mehta
Gardens. The terraced gardens are situated on
the slope of a hill and offer panoramic views of
the city, especially at dusk.
Kamala Nehru Park
Exotic views of the city from Malabar hills are
not worth missing. Besides the Hanging Gardens,
you can also explore the Kamala Nehru Park that
was built in 1952 and named after the wife of
India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
It sprawls across 4,000 sq. yards and offers
fabulous views of the Marine Drive.
Mumbai City Facts
| Location: | Situated in Maharashtra, India. |
| Climate: | Mumbai has moderate tropical climate throughout the year though summers are a little hot and humid and winters are pleasanter. The monsoon season from June to September experiences heavy rainfalls. |
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How to Reach:
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| By Air: | Mumbai has Santacruz Domestic Airport, 25 km from the city, and Sahara International Airport (nown known as Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport), which is India's major airports and works round the clock, 30 km from the city. Both these airports have regular flights connecting the city to all the major destinations within and outside India. |
| By Train: | Mumbai has a train network that connects it to every Indian city and express trains connect it to every state capital. There is an extensive system of suburban electric train network too, which is the major form of transport in Mumbai itself. |
| By Road: | National and State Highways link Mumbai to all the major towns and cities throughout India and has best public bus systems in the country. |
