01. In fact, this is the same city. According to one version ( Indian) the city was founded in 1507 under the name of Mumbai, in honor of the Hindu goddess Mumba Devi. And then the Portuguese came and renamed it Bombain, something like nice bay . When the Portuguese were replaced by the main local colonizers, the British, the name adapted into the sonorous Bombay. For some reason, only in 1995, the local authorities decided to return the historical (in their opinion) Name. And since then, officially Bombay is called Mumbai. But, the usual Bombay ( to the first syllable) is still in use among both citizens and travelers from all over the world.

02. Such a glorious view opens from the window of my hotel, where I got from the airport after about two hours of endless traffic jams ...

03. I confess that of all the cities in India where I have visited, Mumbai is perhaps the most interesting.

04. Well, actually the pronoun "most" is applicable to many adjectives relating to the description of Mumbai: The largest in India ( more than 22 million); The most business read rich); The most contrasting outright poverty and no less outright wealth side by side); India's most cosmopolitan city (here is a real clash of west and east, Europe and Asia)...

05. It is located on the coast of the Arabian Sea.

06. So, somewhere beyond the horizon is Dubai...) By the way, it is from here that cheap consumer goods come to Dubai Creek.

07. The main visiting card of Bombay, the royal gate to India (and from India) ...) The arch was founded in 1911 in honor of the visit of King George V, and through them the last British troops left India in 1948, after the country's independence was declared .

08. I must admit that all the most interesting things in architecture were built during the period of English domination, approximately in the second half of the 19th-20th centuries. Here at the arch, there is a luxury hotel "Taj Mahal", built in 1903, and attacked by terrorists in 2008.

09. Next to the historical, modern building built already in the era of Indian independence (approximately in the 70s of the XX century).

10. The place is very popular with citizens and numerous tourists. It is also popular with terrorists. There have been multiple attacks, including bloody attacks. Now the entrance to the territory is limited by the need to undergo a personal search procedure (however, very formal).

11. From here you can go to the remote island of Elephanta ( where there are many monkeys and caves, and there are no elephants at all).

12. Or take a ride along the coast on numerous pleasure trams. This is for those who have a lot of time.

13. As for me, I chose a walk through the center of the historic city.

14. There are many curious colonial buildings built in the spirit of English neoclassicism and neogothic.

15. Of course, there is also something like constructivism.

16. Green Mumbi, Clean Mumbai. Green Mumbai, Clean Mumbai. Both that and another is applicable, perhaps, only to the historical center of the city, and then with a big stretch.

17. Is it because of traffic jams? Perhaps they are truly fantastic. Moscow in the middle of the 2000s is resting ( seems to be better today)... In general, the ecology is the same!

18. But there is a lot of greenery.

19. For example, in the very center of the city, the so-called Oval Maidan is located, surrounded on all sides by pretty tropical vegetation,

20. and very beautiful colonial buildings of the past. For example, the building of the Supreme Court of the State of Maharashtra.

21. Or beautiful tower Rajabai Clock Tower, which is part of the University of Mumbai.

22. And actually the Oval Maidan -

23. this is the current field for the mega cricket popular in India ( colonial echoes),

24. and football.

25. Photo from the past. Oval Maidan in 1875. When tropical trees were small.

(photo from the Internet)

26. When the trees grew, beautiful historical buildings became barely visible ... Part of the campus of the University of Mumbai.

27. Walking around the city, I was sincerely struck by the diversity of colonial architecture. Literally, every building is a masterpiece!

28. What can not be said about local public transport.

29. However, this is how else to look ...)

30. And a little further, the legacy of independence?)

31. I wonder what modern Indian cities would have looked like if India had not declared independence in 1947?

32. It is clear that the question is a trick. But when you look at the colonial past and the relative present, the latter seems to be inferior to the former.

33. Cathedral St. Thomas, 1718, by the way, 299 years old! Anniversary next year.

34. Inside, ceiling fans familiar to hot countries. Naturally, this is the Cathedral of the Anglican Church.

Mumbai, which the locals stubbornly continue to call Bombay, is the "Indian Manhattan", firmly merged with Indian Hollywood (Bollywood), where more films are produced annually than in any other city in the world. Initially, Mumbai was a conglomeration of 7 islands, which eventually united and turned into the most Big city India, which consists of the following districts:

• South Mumbai - Fort, Colaba, Malabar Hill, Nariman Point and Tardeo - the oldest area of ​​the city and the commercial center of the whole country. The richest people in India live here, and real estate costs more than in Manhattan. In addition, this is the most popular area for tourists, where most of the museums, galleries, bars and restaurants of the city are located.
• South Central Mumbai - formerly the industrial center of the city, now - a place of concentration of office buildings. Tourists here may be interested only in the zoo. A little to the north are the residential areas of the "middle class" of India.
• North Central Mumbai is the place where the Mumbai "middle peasants" and most of the immigrants live. Tourists have nothing to do here.
• Western Suburbs (western outskirts) - this place was also chosen by the local rich, who, however, prefer a more measured pace of life. There are several beaches, the city's most famous Christian church and two airports nearby.
• Central Suburbs - the area where the "middle class" Bombays live, is absolutely uninteresting to tourists.
• Harbor Suburbs - a former satellite of Bombay, now this area is an integral part of the city. It houses the Mumbai Atomic Research Centre.
• Northwest Mumbai - here are the cleanest beaches in the city, national park Sanjay Gandhi and ancient temples that date back to 1-5 c. n. AD: Kanheri, Mahakali, Jogeshwari and Mandapeshwar.

How to get there

Maps of Mumbai

By bus

MSRTC (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation) flies from Bombay (Mumbai Central Terminus bus station) throughout the state of Maharashtra. In addition to MSRTC, you can find many private companies (National, Sharma, VRL, Konduskar, Dolphin, Paulo or Southern Travels) that send buses to Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Surat, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Goa and other cities in the country. Buses typically depart from Crawford Market, Dadar T.T, Sion, Chembur and Borivili.

Weather in Mumbai

Average monthly temperature, °C day and night

January

February

March

April

• June

  July

  August

  September

  October

  november

  December

There are three seasons in Mumbai: summer, monsoon and winter. Best time to visit - in winter, from November to February. Summer lasts from March to May, at this time the thermometer does not fall below +30 ° C. From June to September, the monsoon reigns in the city, which arranges daily water procedures for the city.

Day in Mumbai

Popular hotels in Mumbai

Mumbai beaches

There are several beaches in Bombay, one of them is even within the city, but this is not the most the best place For beach holiday in India. The water and some beaches are dirty here, during the monsoon the current becomes very strong, and a two-piece swimsuit can be looked askance. And yet, good beaches can be found in the Northwest Mumbai area (Aksa Beach and the beaches on Manori Island), pretty Girgaon Chowpaty beach in South Mumbai, and Juhu beach on the western outskirts of the city (Western Suburbs).

Manori - a tiny island with beautiful beaches, which, however, is quite unsafe for swimming, is located on the territory of the Northwest Mumbai region. The beach located on the northern part of the island is cleaner. This is a great place for a picnic or a whole weekend, there are several hotels and good restaurants with fish dishes. You can get here by taxi or by bus to Marve, from where the ferry departs.

Guides in Mumbai

Entertainment and attractions in Mumbai

In Mumbai, it is worth visiting Elephanta Island (Elephant Island), famous for caves with images of Shiva and look into the Kala Goda area, where most of the city's galleries and museums are collected. Nearby is the Prince of Wales Museum with a very interesting collection of Gandhara art, Mughal miniatures, porcelain and weapons. A part of the mandatory program is the local fort with three famous buildings: The Supreme Court, the University and the grandiose Victoria Station, much more like a palace than a train station. On Malabar Hill are the picturesque Hanging Gardens, the Temple of the God of Sand Walkeshwara, the Zoroastrian "Towers of Silence", the cult springs of Banganga Tank and the caves of Jogeshwari.

Among other things, in Bombay there is enough entertainment for the originals: you can rummage through the deposits of seductive rubbish for half a day at the Chor Bazaar flea market or go for shocking photo frames in Dhobi Ghat. It's a block made up entirely of small concrete bathtubs where thousands of washerwomen do their laundry at the same time. They wash, it must be said, in an unusual way for a European: they lather and beat for hours on the sharp edge of a special stone, so that the clothes are washed to incredible cleanliness, but an ordinary shirt can withstand only a few such “washes”. Washerwomen leave a strong impression, but it is best to photograph them with railway bridge: tourists are not favored here. Another interesting place is the largest Crawford Market in the city. In addition to its exceptionally wide assortment, it is also notable for the fact that at one time little Rudyard Kipling liked to walk within its walls, accompanied by a nanny.

Mumbai (until 1996 the city was called Bombay) is the economic and financial capital of India. The main bank of the country is located here - the Reserve Bank of India, the Bombay Stock Exchange, the headquarters of many large Indian companies (Tata Group, Relaence Industries Ltd, Mahindra and Mahindra), commercial banks, as well as representative offices of a large number of transnational corporations. Mumbai is a major hub for international communications. With a deep natural harbor, it is the largest port in western India. Mumbai is the center of the entertainment industry: most of India's television and satellite networks are located here, as well as the Indian "dream factory" Bollywood.

Attractions

Elephanta Island.

One of the main attractions of Western India. A small island located in the Bombay Bay (10 km from Mumbai) got its name from the stone figure of an elephant carved into the rock, which in 1864 was transported to Bombay.

There is a temple on the island, built between 450 and 750 BC. AD, dedicated to the god of the Indian pantheon Shiva. A long wide stone staircase (approximately 90 m) leads to the place where this temple, consisting of four caves, is located. In the main cave there is a relief image (about 6 m high) of the trinity of Indian gods: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The arch is supported by 42 massive columns, and the side walls are decorated with relief images of scenes from the myths about Shiva. The entrance to the temple is guarded by eight figures of mythical guardians carved from stone.

Other sculptural compositions of interest are Arddhanariswar (where one side of Shiva's body is made as male and the other as female), the wedding scene of Shiva and Parvati, the dance of Shiva, shaking the world. Noteworthy is the sculpture of the demon Ravana, who is trying to destroy the abode of the gods, Mount Kailash.

Gateway of India.

They are located at the end of the street. Shivaji (national hero of the Marathas). This massive arch, which was officially opened in 1924, is located on the waterfront of the Mumbai bay. Designed by J. Whittet, it was built in honor of the visit of King George V to India in 19110. and symbolized the inviolability of British rule. It is notable for the fact that in 1947 British troops passed through it, leaving India after the country gained independence. Near the India Gate there is an equestrian statue of Shivaji, erected in 1960, as well as the building of the Royal Bombay Yacht Club, which was built in 1898 in the Gothic style.

Taj Mahal Hotel.

Located next to India Gate. The hotel building was built in 1903 by the famous industrialist J.N. Tata according to the project of W. Chambers. The hotel is also notable for the fact that it housed the first Russian diplomatic mission in India. Now it is one of the best five-star hotels in the city, where a large number of cultural and business events take place.

Museum. Chattrapati Shivaji.

The museum, also known as the Prince of Wales Museum, was built to commemorate the first visit to India in 1905 by King George V, who laid the foundation stone for the museum. In 1923 it was opened to the public. The building of the museum is made in the Indo-Moorish style. The exposition has three main sections: art, archeology and natural history. The basis of the collection was the funds of the Royal Asiatic Society. Subsequently, the museum's collection has been constantly replenished with works of art and historical values ​​donated by representatives of the financial and industrial elite of India. In particular, the Tata family made a great contribution to the development of the museum.

The gallery on the ground floor houses sculptures by local craftsmen and a rich collection of Indian birds. On the second floor, various art objects are presented, including paintings, dishes, weapons, etc. On the third floor, there is a wonderful collection of Indian miniatures.

The entire exposition occupies 18 halls on three floors and includes more than 6 thousand exhibits. Main halls: ancient and ancient history, Assyrian palace bas-reliefs, Indian sculpture, Indian bronze sculpture, Nepalese and Tibetan art, European painting, art of the peoples of the Far East.

Station them. Chhatrapati Shivaji.

Station them. Ch. Shivaji, previously known as the station. Queen Victoria, is considered one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings in the city. Completely built in 1888, it was originally designed by the English architect F. Stevens as the headquarters of the Hindustan Railway Company. Listed in the world cultural heritage UNESCO.

Bombay University.

The university, which is one of the oldest universities in India, was founded by the British in 1857 (simultaneously with the Calcutta and Madras universities). Now it has 46 faculties, including the Russian language department, and unites 338 colleges. More than 380 thousand students study at the university and colleges.

In one of the university buildings there is a large hall with a round stained-glass window depicting the signs of the zodiac, as well as a university library with spiral steps and colorful galleries. The building is crowned by an 80-meter clock tower, reminiscent of London's Big Ben.

Jyotiba market of Mahatma Phule.

It is the largest food covered market Mumbai. Better known as the Crawford market, it was built in 1869 with the participation of the father of the famous English writer R. Kipling. It is believed that Kipling Sr. is the author of the bas-reliefs on the market building. On the opposite side of the street, in the depths of the garden, the Kipling house, where the writer spent his childhood, has been preserved.

Mumbai Stock Exchange.

The modern high-rise building of the exchange, also known as the Bombay Stock Exchange, is located on Dalal Street. The exchange was founded in 1875 as the Association of Stock Brokers and is the oldest exchange not only in India but also in Asia.

Fountain of Flora.

This fountain is located at the intersection of the most important streets in the southern part of the city on the site of the gates of the English fort that were previously located there. It was built in 1869 in honor of B. Frere, Governor of Bombay.

Asian Society Building.

This large white building with columns used to house the municipality. Then it was transferred to the Asiatic Society, and at present there is an extensive library there. Next to it is the building of the old mint, built in 1828, and not far from it is the old customs house (1720).

Afghan church.

The church was built in 1847 in memory of British military who died during the Sindh campaign of 1838 and the Afghan war of 1843

Cathedral of Saint Thomas.

Anglican Cathedral of St. Thomas at the intersection of St. Veer Nariman and Kovasji Patel is Mumbai's oldest English building.

Marine Drive.

This crescent-shaped promenade stretches along the entire Back Bay and is considered one of the best places for walking.

Chowpatty beach.

Located at the beginning of Marine Drive. This sand beach is one of the favorite places of pastime of the city dwellers. He is also famous for having witnessed a number of events in Indian history. So, during the period of the struggle for independence, it was there that one of the largest anti-English speeches began. In 1920, a prominent leader of the national liberation movement, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, was cremated here, and his monument is erected on the beach.

Taraporeval Aquarium.

Built in 1961, the aquarium is located on Marine Drive and has a rich collection of freshwater and ocean fish and shells.

Hill of Malabar.

Some sections of this hill in one of the most famous areas of the southern part of the city offer a wonderful view of Mumbai. In addition, there are a number of attractions here, including the Hanging Gardens, famous for its collection of plants. Next to them, covered with dense foliage of trees, are the so-called. towers of silence, where the Parsis (immigrants from Persia, followers of Zoroastrianism) used to bury their dead. According to their religion, water, fire and earth are sacred and cannot be defiled by the bodies of the dead, so it is customary for the Parsis to give the corpses to be eaten by vultures, placing them on the tops of these towers. On the same street as the Hanging Gardens, there is one of the best parks in the city built in 1952 - the park named after. Kamala Nehru. In the southern part of the hill is the Raj Bhavan, the residence of the governor of Maharashtra.

Mahalakshmi Temple.

Located in the prestigious Breach Kandy area at the foot of Malabar Hill, this renowned temple is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess of Wealth, Mahalakshmi.

Mausoleum of Haji Ali.

It was built a few dozen meters from the shore at the site of the death of a Muslim saint named Haji Ali, in whose honor it was erected. It is connected to the shore by a long passage, which sometimes goes under water at high tide.

Siddhivinayaka Temple.

One of Mumbai's main Hindu temples is located in the Prabha Devi area. Dedicated to the god of the Hindu pantheon Ganesha, whose statue, made of black stone, is inside.

Mani bhavan.

In this house, located near August Kranti Square, from 1917 to 1934. was the headquarters of M. Gandhi in Bombay, where in 1931 and 1934. important meetings of the Working Committee of the Indian National Congress took place. It was here that on January 4, 1932, M. Gandhi was arrested by the British authorities.

The library located on the first floor of the museum contains more than 30 thousand volumes of works by M. Gandhi, books telling about his life, as well as studies on the philosophy of Gandhism by Indian and foreign authors. On the second floor there is an auditorium where visitors can watch films about M. Gandhi or listen to recordings of his speeches. The room on the third floor gives the museum guests a complete picture of the conditions in which M. Gandhi lived and worked, its furnishings and furniture are as close to the original as possible. The museum also has an exhibition of M. Gandhi sculptures and a small art gallery with a rich collection of photographs, letters, articles and documents, including manuscripts of M. Gandhi and his associates.

Caves of Kanheri.

Kanheri caves are located 45 km from historical center Mumbai, in one of the most attractive locations national park them. S. Gandhi. These are 109 caves of various sizes, carved in stone in the period from the 1st century BC. BC e. by the ninth century n. e. From the point of view of the development of Buddhist culture, the history of the creation of caves can be divided into three stages: the first stage covers the end of the 1st-2nd centuries. BC, the second - IV-V centuries. AD and the third stage - IV-IX centuries. AD In their design, the Kanheri caves reflect two branches of Buddhism - "Hinayana" and "Mahayana".

The caves were used by Buddhist monks for housing, study, and as places for prayer and meditation. The high architectural level of the cave temples gives visitors a clear idea of ​​the existence in Kanheri of a highly organized settlement of Buddhist monks who had well-developed ties with many major trading centers in India. In the mid-70s, Indian scientists discovered evidence that the Kanheri cave monastery was a major educational center.

The most interesting is the largest in size and original in execution cave No. 3, which attracts attention with its high colonnade and architectural style.

Today we will talk about Mumbai - the largest and richest city in India and the most populous in the world.About sleeper buses, a large city laundry, an electric washing machine, and about another wedding - this time a Muslim one.

Bom Bahai- it was these words that, according to legend, the Portuguese uttered when they landed here, and it meant "Good Harbor". So the first name of the city of Bombay appeared, then the British changed it in their own way - Bombay, and after gaining independence, the city received its modern name.

Many Indians believe that Mumbai is more intended for life in general and making money in particular than the capital - Delhi (in one of the previous posts we just talked about our who came here to earn money). We spent 5 days here walking around Colaba, Marina Bay promenade andacting in films.

From Mumbai we arrived by night bus. These buses turned our minds upside down, because it was then that we learned that there are sleeper buses, i.e. with shelves for sleeping! The configuration of the bus is as follows - on the left side there are shelves one under the other (like the sides in a reserved seat), and on the right the lower part is reserved for seats, and the upper one under .. double shelves !! Moreover, the shelves are closed from strangers with a valve, so complete privacy is ensured.

When we rode around Europe in 2007 on trailer, it was forbidden to lie there while driving, it was necessary to sit in chairs, fastened with seat belts (as far as this rule was observed is a separate conversation, but nonetheless), but here please - official sleeping buses.

The first thing that surprised us when we got off the bus was the absence of auto rickshaw(they are such an integral attribute of India, and they are so ubiquitous that their absence is immediately evident). Instead of them here are yellow-black taxi cabs

The taxi driver, taking white tourists (us), did not miss the opportunity to try to make extra money - we agreed on the amount initially, but after a while he said - there is a traffic jam, so pay me more. Fortunately, we are not the first day in India, so you can’t easily fool us anymore, we know this taxi driver’s brother 🙂

Main tourist area Mumbai is Colaba. Here, on an area of ​​​​several square kilometers, almost all tourist life is concentrated, at least the concentration of foreigners here rolls over. Hotels - from the cheapest to 5-stars, restaurants - from street eateries to decent European-level establishments, shops, carriages for tourists


as well as Bollywood agents looking for white extras - it's all here on Colaba.
Here is the Indian Gate (Gateway to India), in front of which, in honor of some holiday, a stage was set up for ceremonial events



Near one of the most expensive hotels in Mumbai "Taj Mahal"

From the top floor of the hotel you have a wonderful view of the city.

There is also a port from which you can sail to the nearby islands.

Fishing boats and small yachts drift in the bay.

We swam to Elephanta Island, two types of ferries go there - more expensive and simpler

We went on the second 🙂 The ferry moored to the pier, from which it takes about 10 minutes to go to the shore, a train immediately runs for an additional fee - Europeans go on foot, and mostly lazy Indians ride on it

Some refuse to walk any further

Due to the low tide, many boats were stranded

On the island you can climb to the top of the mountain



British cannons that once defended the island are partially preserved here. In addition, the island has the "City of Caves" Elephanta Caves, we are not lovers of caves, so we refused to visit.
In the evening, returning to Mumabi, you can admire the sunset city

One of the symbols of Mumbai, the Haji Ali Mosque, is also located on an island, though not so remote - at high tide you can reach it over the bridge, and at low tide, the bridge is not needed.



We unfortunately ended up here on a Sunday, when apparently all the Muslims of Mumbai came here


Not far from the mosque, another interesting place is Dhobi Gat (Dobi Gat) - this is the largest laundry. Linen is washed by hand in concrete cells by hundreds of people



They say they bring linen here from most hotels and hospitals in Mumbai

Here, in the neighborhood, the employees of the "laundry" live.

Walking around the city, we looked at the exhibition, some of the exhibits of which we did not understand

But some are very curious, for example, a washing machine

Water filter
Bicycle assembled from machine parts

In the evening, many tourists and locals gather on the Marina Drive promenade - this is a great place for an evening exercise.

Along the long and wide embankment, you can leisurely walk for as long as you like, watching the sunset.

and admiring the city strewn with lights

There is also a beach here, but no one dares to swim, and the Indians do not like to sunbathe, why would they?

They have just the opposite here - whitening creams are popular. We somehow accidentally saw an advertisement on local television, and so in every second video, a Hindu woman with a whitened face flaunts in front of her girlfriends or men. It's hard to imagine, living in a country where a solarium is one of the most popular services =)
Not far from the embankment - a monument to the boot, in combination - a place to entertain children
In the city center, as expected, a stadium with many cricketers

The local subway in Mumbai (as well as in Bangalore) runs only on the surface, but here it is much older, therefore it looks accordingly


There are two classes in the metro, respectively, II is cheaper and more crowded, I is more decent and freer, as well as women's cars. We accidentally went into one of these, so the aunts around him hissed at us like snakes. They say the fines are quite impressive for such a violation.
On the outskirts of the city, such views open from the windows of the car

In Mumbai, we lived with three different, completely different people in different parts of the city.
### - lives in an elite area of ​​the city in a small but modern apartment with a plasma panel and other joys of life. Previously a self-employed man, he has now gained experience as a freelance HR consultant and corporate event planner. And he himself loves leisure and specializes, respectively, in organizing tours for companies - rafting, rock climbing, trekking trips, etc. Again, it was amazing to find out that in India there are such concepts as "corporate events" and HR 🙂
$$$ lives with his parents near the center, but in a windowless shack with a cement floor, peeling walls and a pile of dusty rubbish. At the same time, he is also a businessman - he is engaged in robotics, speaks at conferences in South America, there are customers even from Russia. In addition, $$$, one of the most active members of the couchsurfer movement in Mumbai, has already hosted more than a hundred guests, but places them on the floor on a mattress surrounded by hanging drying clothes, so it’s not only Russia that cannot be understood with the mind, India is also not easy 🙂
@@@ lives on the outskirts of Mumbai with 2 colleagues. For a three-room apartment an hour's drive from the center, they pay 50,000 rupees - real estate prices here are almost Moscow. At the same time, an employee who comes twice a day, cleans the apartment, prepares breakfast and dinner, they pay 5,000 rupees per month.
While looking for where @@@ lives, we accidentally got to another wedding - this time a Muslim one






The influence of the metropolis was felt here too - the wedding was clearly richer and more elegant, with many decorations.

both decorative and natural

And although the principle of self-service was also observed here, tables and chairs were provided for guests.

And the waiters served fruit and milkshakes

But its main difference was that the assortment included a lot of meat dishes.





and only a small nook was reserved for vegetarians


And of course, you can’t talk about Mumbai without mentioning the film industry, especially since the desire to look at Bollywood from the inside and act in a film was there even before we arrived here.
We will talk about our filming in Bollywood in the next post, but for now you can read about how we were in

Mumbai is the largest among Indian cities; Indian flavor and the architectural heritage of the British are closely intertwined on its vast territory. Those who want to plunge into the world of new experiences, enjoy the atmosphere of a large city and at the same time see ancient sights should think about a trip to this peculiar Indian Manhattan. Features of rest in Mumbai in 2019, attractions, entertainment and prices, you can find out from the article in order to better plan your trip to this amazing city.

Brief historical background

The history of settlement in this area goes back to the Stone Age. The settlements were located on seven islands. During the colonization of India, at the very beginning of the 16th century, a Portuguese settlement was founded here.

In the 17th century, the islands became a dowry for a princess who was married to the king of England, and the enterprising ruler leased them to the East India Company. At this time, the harbor of Mumbai became an important point on the maps of merchants, and the military was based here. In the last third of the 17th century, the city became similar to the one that stands here to this day. Then it was called Bombay - this name thundered all over the world.

In subsequent centuries, the infrastructure of the city developed: roads were built, industrial enterprises appeared, and transport developed. Thus, at the beginning of the 20th century, the city became a millionaire. Residents of the city actively participated in the movement for the independence of the country, and in the middle of the century locality finally became Indian.

Planning Your Trip to Mumbai: Transportation and Accommodation

How to get there and how to get around?

Air travel is the only option to get from Russia to Mumbai. A one-way ticket from will cost at least 170 euros. There are no direct flights. Depending on the flight of which company the flight is being flown, the transfer may be in Istanbul, Arab Dubai or other cities. international Airport Chhatrapati Shivaji is the leading Indian airport in terms of number of flights and passenger traffic. It consists of two terminals located one kilometer apart. Free shuttles are a means of transporting passengers between terminals. The 1st terminal serves domestic airlines, the 2nd - international.

By the way, each of the terminals, in turn, is divided into two more parts.

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is located 30 km from the city. Most convenient way to get to the center of Mumbai - taxi.

Payment in a taxi is possible only in cash in national currency, and in international terminal there are no ATMs. Therefore, it is worth making a preliminary exchange at the airport exchange offices.

• Option 1: Order a car at a special desk in the airport building. The cost of the trip is paid immediately.
• Option 2: Use a metered airport taxi service. The benefit in comparison with the first option will be only in the case of a long trip.
• Option 3: Catch a taxi on the street. The cost of the trip will depend on the ability to bargain.

Taxi alternative - bus ride to railway station Vile Parle, then by train to the central part of the city. You should not use this option in the morning and evening hours when the trains are very crowded. The ticket class must be at least the first class if you want to ride in comfort.

How to move around the city?

The Mumbai Metro is a popular mode of transportation for the local population and an attraction for tourists. The train consists of first and second class cars. A second class ticket will cost 10 Indian rupees, and a first class ticket will cost 80 rupees. There are special wagons for women and men.

A more comfortable way to travel is by taxi. And for those who travel with a large group, it is also cheaper. So, a trip along a route of 20 kilometers will cost about 350 rupees.

In addition, Mumbai has buses, rickshaws and water transport. Traveling by bus is worth it if you plan to leave the city or go to another locality. A motor rickshaw is a kind of way to move around the city with interest during the trip itself, but you should remember that not all drivers have a clear conscience, so it is worth agreeing on a price clearly and in advance. On water transport you can ride in order to admire the city from the water and listen to the tour.

Where to stay and where is the best place to live?

Previously, the city included 7 separate islands, which later merged into one settlement with centralized control.

Districts of modern Mumbai:

1. South Mumbai is the oldest area where the elite housing of the richest Indians is concentrated, interesting tourist sites, museums, exhibitions, restaurants are collected. This area is the commercial center of the country.
2. The southern center of Mumbai is office buildings, the only tourist attraction is the zoo.
3. The northern center of Mumbai is a residential area of ​​the middle class and immigrants.
4. Outskirts in the west - a residential area of ​​wealthy Indians, there are several beaches.
5. The central area is a residential area, unremarkable for tourists.
6. The harbor area is Mumbai's center for atomic research.
7. North Mumbai - beaches clean by Indian standards, ancient temples.

Mumbai is full of hospitality establishments for every taste. India is popular with adventurous travelers who are willing to sacrifice European levels of comfort to save money and see more. interesting places. And in Mumbai, it is quite possible to stay in an inexpensive hostel, a night in which will cost about 500 rubles. However, not everyone is willing to sacrifice comfort.

There are also establishments of the middle price category in the city: a day in three star hotel in the city center will cost about 1500 rubles per person. Finally, there are some amazing five-star hotels, there are not many of them in India, but there is a good choice in Mumbai. So, in the city center you can stay at an international hotel chain, where there will be a rooftop bar, a swimming pool, a spa and a fitness center, as well as a European level of comfort in the rooms. This will cost the traveler about 10,000 rubles per day.

Traveling in Mumbai: where to go, what to do and what to see?

Attractions in Mumbai

Diversity is what sets the holidays in Mumbai, India apart in 2019. For connoisseurs of Indian culture, architecture and history, there are sights of various kinds.

First of all, it is worth remembering that this is a city with an ancient history, with stunning nature, and therefore in Mumbai there are many standing places for tourists to visit.

Definitely worth a trip to Elephanta Island, famous for its cave temples and pesky monkeys. A trip as part of an excursion will cost 2000 rupees. You can get on your own on a tourist ferry for 160 rupees. It departs from the pier near the India Gate monument. The caves on the island are on the list world heritage UNESCO, in them you can admire stone sculptures and rock paintings, the earliest of which date back to the 5th century.

Historic quarter Cala Goda- a must-see place for lovers of museums and exhibitions. The most popular and largest museum is the Prince of Wales Museum with an attached gallery - a venue for exhibitions of Indian artists. In addition, this quarter will appeal to all lovers of colonial architecture, it is the focus of the architecture of this period.

It is worth admiring Mumbai University and Supreme Court Buildings. The University of Mumbai was built in the 19th century and is currently one of the most prestigious in the country. It is of interest from the point of view of architecture: the monumental building is decorated with elegant, carved decorative elements. And the Supreme Court is somewhat reminiscent of a castle of the Middle Ages, but it is surrounded by a park with palm trees - a suitable place for walking during hot hours.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Station, formerly known as Victoria Station, is more like a palace. This example of Victorian Gothic has been in operation since the 1990s. The neo-Gothic foundation is complemented by Indo-Saracenic elements; the station should not only be used for its intended purpose, but you can simply admire it.

Palace Hotel Taj Mahal, whose construction began in the late 19th century, has a rich history and is an example of a successful mixture of Indian, Florentine, Moorish and Victorian styles. Now it is one of the most luxurious hotels in the world. By the way, you can still stay in it - for about 11,000 rubles per day for one person.

India Gate Arch was erected at the beginning of the 20th century in honor of the visit of the British royal family.

If you get tired of contemplating the majestic buildings, then you can go closer to nature. Hill Malabar, with hanging gardens, Jogeshvari caves and a host of other interesting objects located there, is a great place to visit on a hot day.

You can get to Malabar along the beautiful and distinctive embankment of Mumbai - Marina drive. It's always crowded here. But it looks especially picturesque at sunset, when the sun’s disk descending over the Malabar Hill is reflected in the sea, and sellers of various snacks and local residents flock to the embankment.

Hanging Gardens Mumbai were also created by the British, and therefore are an interesting example of landscape design. Well-groomed bushes and flower beds, gazebos are surrounded by flowering vegetation. In the gardens you can see bright fluttering butterflies. In turn, the Jogeshvari caves are in complete contrast with the well-kept gardens: these are ancient caves that contain dilapidated sculptures from about the 6th century.

Hunters for unique shots should definitely visit Jobi Ghat quarter, where thousands of women do laundry in tightly packed concrete tubs. True, a very aggressive washing method, which involves many hours of hitting soapy linen on a special sharp stone, is consistent with a similar attitude towards tourists. Close to the laundress is better not to approach. A suitable location for shooting is the nearest bridge.

For those who love Indian culture, however, in a less exotic version, there is an opportunity to penetrate into Bollywood. This is a huge film studio, the name of which was heard, perhaps, by almost every person, and even more so by those who are fond of cinema. For several years, the pavilions of the film studio have been open to tourists. It is worth buying an excursion, which will cost from about 3,000 rubles, and the guides will take you among the stunning scenery, tell the history of Indian cinema, and let you admire the filming process.

Things to do in Mumbai

The city is located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, and therefore, some beach activities are available here. There is Chowpaty Beach here, where swimming is prohibited, but you can ride a jet ski, go parasailing or go on a cruise along the bay. The prices for such attractions are not the lowest. Parasailing, duration 3 minutes, will cost 2500 rupees. 1900 rupees will have to pay for a 10-minute ride on a jet ski.

For a beach holiday in Mumbai, you can go to small island Manori. If the beaches within the city are not clean, then here you can sunbathe, have a picnic or dine in a cafe or restaurant. However, swimming is still not worth it, because there are a lot of fragments of corals and stones in the local waters.
However, there is no need to despair: you can go to the water park and the Esselworld amusement park. A ticket to this institution will cost about 600 rupees for an adult and 400 rupees for a child. It is located on the shores of Manori Bay. The water park has a pool for kids, and extreme slides, and a kind of "sea" with waves.

Those interested in science can head to the Nehru Center and Planetarium. The ticket price will be only 50 rupees for an adult and 25 rupees for a child. Currently, this center is a large educational complex where you can listen to shows in English.

Shopping lovers will love Mumbai. Being the center of trade earlier, the city remains so until now. You can buy branded items in boutiques and shopping malls, and you can visit the Indian market. Fashion Street is the best place for "European type of shopping", and for color you can go to Chor Bazaar, Zaveri Bazaar, Crawford Market and others. What to bring from Mumbai? It can be such souvenirs and gifts as:

• bronze products;
• silk products;
• incense, spices;
• Ayurvedic cosmetics and medicines;
• Indian tea or rum.

Mumbai is so Big City that you can easily find a restaurant of almost any cuisine in it.

Traditional dishes are South Indian cuisine: puri cakes, dosa pancakes, an abundance of vegetarian dishes. You should also try the Mumbai chicken curry. A snack in a street cafe will cost about 150 rubles, a dinner for two with alcohol will cost about 1000 rubles in an average restaurant.

The only disadvantage of Mumbai is that it is not recommended for families with small children. Noise and din in the streets, an abundance of industrial production, the lack of a comfortable beach holiday. Yes, middle-aged and older children will quite like the city, as they can already appreciate the unusual environment and sights, but the little ones may not be so comfortable and interesting here.

In general, a vacation in Mumbai is a good experience of getting to know Indian culture and the architectural heritage left to the Indians by the British. To visit Mumbai in 2019, it is better to set aside a few days to feel the local city flavor and get acquainted with all the sights.