Mumbai

THE CITY OF MUMBAI

Mumbai (formerly called Bombay), is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. The city proper is the most populous city in the world, with approximately 14 million inhabitants. It is one of the most glamorous and happening cites of India. Being highly influenced by the British during the colonial rule, the city has transformed drastically and is now known as the commercial capital of the country.

Bombay has been bestowed with a host of tourist attractions which are thronged by a great influx of tourists every year. The city is home to India's Hindi film and television industry, known as Bollywood. Mumbai's business opportunities, as well as its potential to offer a higher standard of living, attract migrants from all over India and, in turn, make the city a potpourri of many communities and cultures.

Mumbai is the commercial and entertainment centre of India, generating 5% of India's GDP, and accounting for 25% of industrial output, 40% of maritime trade, and 70% of capital transactions to India's economy. Mumbai is home to important financial institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India, the Bombay Stock Exchange, the National Stock Exchange of India and the corporate headquarters of many Indian companies and numerous multinational corporations.

THE PORT OF MUMBAI

Mumbai lies on the west coast of India and has a deep natural harbour. The port of Mumbai handles some 60% of the country's passenger traffic and much of India's cargo. It is also an important base for the Indian Navy. Ferries from Ferry Wharf allow cheap access to islands and beaches in the area.

There are three enclosed wet docks namely, Prince's, Victoria and Indira Dock. South of Indira Dock, along the extended arm, there are two open berths, Ballard Pier and Ballard Pier Extension.  Ballard Pier Extension berth handles passenger vessels and is equipped with a modern passenger terminal building.

TRANSPORT IN MUMBAI

Public Transport in Mumbai involves the transport of millions of its citizens by train, road and water. Over 88% of the commuters in Mumbai use public transport (suburban trains or buses). It is the most convenient, efficient and cheap form of transport to a population largely without sufficient income to afford cars. Mumbai has the largest organised bus transport network among major Indian cities. But the train network is constantly struggling to cope with the growing population. A train compartment is usually filled with over three times the passengers it was meant for at peak hours, and there have been more than 20,000 deaths in the last five years.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN MUMBAI

Marine Drive runs along the shoreline of the Arabian Sea from Nariman Point to the foot of Malabar Hill. It was built in 1920. A walk down Marine Drive is possibly the best way to discover Mumbai. This is a windswept promenade, flanked by the sea and a row of art deco buildings.

The Gateway of India is the landmark of Mumbai city. It is a 26 mt. Triumphal Archway designed Century to commemorate the visit of King George and Queen Mary to India in

Flora Fountain is a wonderful stone fountain in South Mumba, built in 1864 by the Agri-Horticultural Society of Western India.

The Town Hall, located in South Mumbai, is by far the most imperial structure of the city. It houses the Asiatic Society of Bombay.

Churchgate is a downtown business district in South Mumbai. Imbibing its name from Churchgate Railway Station, the city centre is crammed with several offices and banks. However, the railway station is a big hit in the transportation market of Mumbai.

Malabar Hill is a small hill in South Mumbai. It is the highest point in the city centre, with a height of 50 meters. The colonial bungalows on the hillside in the 18th century have now been replaced by the apartment blocks of Mumbai. Perched at the top of Malabar Hill, on its western side, just opposite the Kamala Nehru Park, the hanging gardens, also known as Ferozeshah Mehta Gardens, provide lovely sunset views over the Arabian Sea. The park was laid out in the early 1880s over Bombay's main reservoir, some say to cover the water from the potentially contaminating activity of the nearby Towers of Silence. The Parsis hold fire, earth and water as sacred so do not cremate or bury their dead. At the Parsi Towers of Silence, (not open to visitors) the dead are exposed to elements.

Rajabai Tower is a majestic clock tower in South Mumbai. Situated at the gardens of Mumbai university building, the Rajabai Clock tower rises above the portion of the library section. Consisting of 5 elaborately decorated storeys, the tower is 280 ft. In height and commands a fine view of the city. Rajabai Tower is a beautiful structure, ornamented with oriental figures. Its history reveals that it was designed by Sir Gilbert Scott.

The bazaars of Kalbadevi are north of Crawford Market. The narrow lanes of this area are flooded in by laundry-draped chawls, and a huge mass of people bring Mumbai's traffic to a standstill. It's in complete contrast to the relative space, orderliness and modernity of South Mumbai. The main areas are Zaveri Bazaar (jewellery), Mangaldas Market (cloth), Dhabu St (leather goods) Mumbai's

Haji Ali's Mosque is situated in between the Arabian Sea. It is a splendidly white mosque containing the tomb of the Muslim saint Haji Ali.