Do you plan to travel to Mumbai anytime soon and are you looking out for a thorough guide to Mumbai that tells you about the must see attractions here, then this article is your saviour. ‘Amchi Mumbai’ or the ‘City of Dreams’ is how we know it. The city we call our own is famed for its fast paced life. It boasts of stories from all walks of life. It is home to Bollywood superstars, industrialists, the urban migrated middle class, slum dwellers and tribes of fishermen. The fabric of Mumbai weaves them all within itself and that is what makes its character and vibe unlike any other.
It is not only the commercial and economic capital of India but also the entertainment capital of the country. The city is also famous for its diverse architectural styles, traditions and religious legacy and has been witness to important milestones of Indian freedom history. The influence of Portuguese and European can be clearly seen and felt especially if you take a route to the older parts of the city. People from smaller cities often feel excited and baffled at the same time, when their date to travel to Mumbai comes nearer – not knowing where to go and how to go. If you happen to come to Mumbai make sure you do not leave it without visiting the 10 must see attractions – a perfect guide to Mumbai.
Marine Drive
Your travel to Mumbai is incomplete without a visit to the Marine Drive, also known as the Queen’s Necklace. It is a beautiful promenade, with a walking track and parapet along its border. You can see people from all walks of life visit the place to relax after a long, tiring day simply to gaze over the Arabian Sea and feel the sea breeze. It is a perfect place to take a morning walk or a lazy evening stroll. At night, when the street lights are on, the entire stretch looks like a glittering necklace. This area boasts of many high end hotels and restaurants and the official residence of Government Authorities. Towards the north of the Marine Drive you will find the famous Girgaum Chowpatty. This beach is quite popular for its local delicacies, it is a must visit if you come to Marine Drive.
The Gateway of India
The Gateway of India is an emblematic landmark not only in Mumbai but in the entire country. This monument too overlooks the Arabian Sea and has a political history of its own. This magnificent basalt stone structure which was constructed to memorialise King George V and Queen Mary’s visit to India in 1911, is immensely popular among history buffs, tourists and photographers. This is also the place from where you can take a ferry to another popular tourist destination of Mumbai which is Elephanta Caves.
All in all it’s another good place to enjoy the sea breeze, eat some street food and view the grand Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.
Elephanta Caves
They are located on the Elephanta Island, which is around 40 minute ferry ride from Gateway of India. It is a World Heritage site as declared by the UNESCO. The stone sculptures here belong to the 600 A.D. and give a peek into the artistic excellence of the era gone by. Hiring a guide would help you understand the place better.
Haji Ali Dargah
The Haji Ali Dargah is situated on a small islet that lies a little away from the city’s shoreline. It houses the tombstone of Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari (a revered Muslim saint). People irrespective of their religious or social background come here to pay homage to the saint and many also come to attend the Qawwali sessions on Fridays (which takes place in honour of Haji Ali). It is also famous among locals and tourists for experiencing the giant waves during monsoon season.
Mahalakshmi Temple
Situated very close to Haji Ali Durgah, this temple too attracts thousands of devotees every year. Goddesses Shree Mahalakshmi (Goddess of Wealth), Shree Mahasaraswati (Goddess of Learning) and Shree Mahakali (Destroyer of Demons) are the principal deities of this shrine. Through the year many Havans, Mahapooja, Abhishek and festival celebrations are organised here.
Siddhivinayak Temple
One of the oldest and the most visited temples of Mumbai, is very dear to the locals. The sanctum of the temple has an elaborate statue of Lord Ganesha and it is believed that no matter what your problems are in life, you prays will be answered by the almighty here. This temple is open to people of different religion. If you are Bollywood fan, it might be of interest to you, that this temple has been frequently visited by many celebrities from the fraternity.
Juhu Beach
Juhu beach and the Juhu Chowpatty are some of the most famous localities in Mumbai. If you like to spend an evening walking in the sand enjoying the sea breeze then this is a good option. This beach is particularly crowded in the evenings due to the Chowpatty here which is famous for its Pav Bhaji, Bhel, Golas and other variety of street food. Another reason why tourists visit Juhu is that there are many film starts who live here. People from all over the country come to visit Amitabh Bachchan’s bungalow named ‘Pratiksha’ which is located very close beach. It is also an integral part of the lives of the locals, since morning walks and yoga, they all happen here. Bungalow of Amitabh Bachchan: Amitabh Bachchan’s bungalow is named ‘Pratiksha’. People from all over the country come to visit Amitabh’s bungalow Pratiksha. Being at this place during the sunset or the sunrise is another amazing experience one should never miss if they have a chance to visit this beach.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park
A must visit for you if you want to explore biodiversity in the middle of the city. This place has a significant wildlife reserve. Its landscape is made of lakes, rivers, hills and valleys. The rich flora and fauna makes it a home for hundreds of variety of flowering plants and numerous species of mammals, reptiles and insects.
Few of the things that one can opt to do is explore the walking trails, do boating, take the tiger and lion safari and explore the Kanheri Caves (believed to be thousands of years old) and Buddhists Viharas.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
Earlier known as Victoria Terminus, it has been declared as a World Heritage site by UNESCO and serves as the headquarters of the Central Railway. The spectacular structure stands as a wonderful example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture blended with themes deriving from Indian traditional architectures. Many long distance trains start from this station and so it always crowded. Whether you intend to take a train or not, this is a must visit site in Mumbai.
Hanging Gardens
Hanging Gardens also known as Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens, are beautiful terraced gardens that are set atop the western side of Malabar Hill. You will find well laid pathways in the beautifully manicured garden, where you can take a stroll. The colourful flower clock and the Boot House or Old Women’s Shoe are major attractions among visitors, especially children. You can spend a great time amidst the scenic surroundings of the park and enjoy spectacular views of the Arabian Sea from this place.