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, Reliance 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 transport routes. Having a deep natural harbour, it is the largest port in western India. Mumbai is the center of the entertainment industry: it is home to most of India's television and satellite networks, as well as India's dream factory, Bollywood.
Attractions
Elephanta Island.
One of the main attractions of Western India. The small island, located in the Bay of Bombay (10 km from Mumbai), received its name from the stone figure of an elephant carved into the rock, which was transported to Bombay in 1864.
There is a temple on the island, built between 450 and 750 AD. 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 is located, consisting of four caves. In the main cave there is a relief image (about 6 m high) of the trinity of Indian gods: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The vault is supported by 42 massive columns, and the side walls are decorated with relief images of scenes from the myths of Shiva. The entrance to the temple is guarded by eight figures of mythical guards carved from stone.
Of other sculptural compositions, the most interesting are “Arddhanarisvar” (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. Also worthy of attention is the sculpture of the demon Ravana, who is trying to destroy the abode of the gods, Mount Kailash.
Gateway of India.
Located at the end of the street named after. Shivaji (Maratha national hero). This massive arch, which was officially opened in 1924, is located on the embankment of the Mumbai creek. 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 as they left India after the country gained independence. Near the India Gate there is an equestrian statue of Shivaji, erected in 1960, as well as the Royal Bombay Yacht Club building, 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 design of W. Chambers. The hotel is also notable for being home to 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 named after Chattrapati Shivaji.
The museum, also known as the Prince of Wales Museum, was built to commemorate King George V's first visit to India in 1905, who laid the foundation stone for the museum. In 1923 it was opened to the public. The museum building is made in the Indo-Moorish style. The exhibition has three main sections: art, archeology and natural history. The collection is based on the holdings of the Royal Asiatic Society. Subsequently, the museum's collection was constantly replenished with works of art and historical values, donated by representatives of India's financial and industrial elite. In particular, the Tata family made a great contribution to the development of the museum.
The ground floor gallery houses sculptures by local artists and a rich collection of Indian birds. On the second floor there are various objects of art, including paintings, dishes, weapons, etc. On the third floor there is a wonderful collection of Indian miniatures.
The entire exhibition 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 named after Chhatrapati Shivaji.
Station named after Ch. Shivaji, previously known as the station named after. Queen Victoria, is considered one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings in the city. Finally built in 1888, it was originally designed by the English architect F. Stevens as the headquarters Railway company Hindustan. Included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
Bombay University.
The university, which is one of the oldest universities in India, was founded by the British in 1857 (at the same time as the Universities of Calcutta and Madras). Now it has 46 faculties, including the Russian language faculty, and unites 338 colleges. More than 380 thousand students study at the university and colleges.
One of the university buildings contains 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 Mahatma Phule Market.
This is Mumbai's largest indoor food market. Better known as 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 the Elder 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 exchange building, also known as the Bombay Stock Exchange, is located on Dalal Road. The exchange was founded in 1875 as the Stock Brokers Association and is the oldest exchange not only in India but also in Asia.
Flora's Fountain.
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, the Governor of Bombay.
Asiatic Society building.
This large white building with columns used to house the municipality. It was then given to the Asiatic Society and now houses an extensive library. 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 Sindhi campaign of 1838 and the Afghan war of 1843.
Cathedral of St. Thomas.
Anglican Cathedral of St. Thomas at the intersection of the streets. The Nariman and Cowasjee Patel Veer is the oldest English building in Mumbai.
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 pastime places for city residents. He is also famous for witnessing a number of events in Indian history. Thus, during the struggle for independence, it was there that one of the largest anti-English protests began. In 1920, the prominent leader of the national liberation movement Bal Gangadhar Tilak was cremated here, and a monument to him was erected on the beach.
Taraporevala Aquarium.
Built in 1961, the aquarium is located on Marine Drive and has a rich collection of freshwater and oceanic fish and shells.
Malabar Hill.
Some parts of this hill in one of the most famous areas of the southern part of the city offer wonderful views of Mumbai. In addition, there are a number of attractions here, including the Hanging Gardens, famous for their collection of plants. Next to them, covered with dense foliage of trees, are the so-called. towers of silence, where 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 desecrated by the bodies of the dead, therefore it is customary among the Parsis to give corpses to be eaten by vultures, placing them on the tops of these towers. On the same street as the Hanging Gardens, one of the best parks in the city, built in 1952, is located - 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 Candy area, located at the foot of Malabar Hill, this famous temple is dedicated to the Hindu goddess of prosperity, Mahalakshmi.
Mausoleum of Hadji Ali.
Built a few tens of meters from the shore on 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 the main Hindu temples in Mumbai is located in the Prabha Devi area. Dedicated to the god of the Hindu pantheon, Ganesha, whose statue, made of black stone, is located inside.
Mani bhavan.
In this house, located near August Kranti Square, from 1917 to 1934. M. Gandhi's headquarters was located 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 ground floor of the museum contains more than 30 thousand volumes of M. Gandhi's works, books 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 museum guests a complete picture of the conditions in which M. Gandhi lived and worked; its furnishings and furniture are as close as possible to the original ones. The museum also houses an exhibition of sculptures by M. Gandhi and a small art gallery with a rich collection of photographs, letters, articles and documents, including manuscripts of M. Gandhi and his associates.
Kanheri Caves.
Kanheri Caves are located 45 km from historical center Mumbai, in one of the most attractive corners of the National Park. S. Gandhi. These are 109 caves of various sizes, carved out of stone during the period from the 1st century. BC e. to the 9th 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, second – IV-V centuries. AD and the third stage – IV-IX centuries. AD In their design, the Kanheri caves reflect two directions 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 of a highly organized settlement at Kanheri Buddhist monks, who had well-developed connections with many major trading centers in India. In the mid-70s, Indian scientists discovered evidence that the Kanheri cave monastery was a major center of learning.
The most interesting is cave No. 3, the largest in size and original in design, attracting attention with its high colonnade and architectural style.
Mumbai (aka Bombay before 1995) is the largest Indian city, which has a population of more than 21 million people. This is the economic and cultural center of the country: the offices of the world's most famous corporations, fashionable hotels and haute couture shops are located here. Here, in the world-famous “Bollywood,” most Indian films and television programs are filmed. Here in search better life people flock from all over the country and from all over the world. And yet in Mumbai they are at peace! Mumbai is absolutely unlike the rest of India: both in its colonial architecture, which is breathtaking, and in the way representatives of different cultures and religions coexist organically here. When you get to Mumbai, you seem to be transported from dirty, noisy India to the Bombay of Kipling’s time and, despite the bustling life around you, it seems that time has stopped. We tell you how to get there, where to stay and what to do in this amazing city.
Guide contents:
Many airlines fly to Mumbai and you can often catch a ticket at a decent discount. However, there are no direct flights from Minsk, Kyiv, or Moscow. Arabic flies from Minsk with a transfer to Abu Dhabi Etihad. The cheapest way to fly from Moscow Aeroflot, however, here you will have a long layover in Delhi.
If you want to visit the Indian capital at the same time, then you can leave Delhi for Mumbai in two ways. Local low-cost airline IndiGo from $30 per ticket. The flight will take 2 hours. By train, which will take you 24 hours to Mumbai, for about the same cost in a 3rd class carriage. Train schedules, seat availability and ticket prices can be found on the Indian Railways website.
The most comfortable way to get from the airport to the city center is by taxi. In the terminal building there are Pre-paid Taxi counters with a fixed fare. A trip to the city center starts from $7.
In Mumbai, heavy street traffic often leads to hours-long traffic jams. Therefore, if you arrive during peak hours, it’s faster to get to the city center by train Mumbai Suburban Railway Network. The nearest Vile Parle station from the airport can be reached by taxi, rickshaw or bus: No. 312 (from Terminal 1) and No. 321 (from Terminal 2).
Comfortable BEST shuttles also go from the airport to the city center every 15-20 minutes. You can view the bus route and build it for yourself on the company’s website.
To find out everything you need to know about public transport Mumbai, download the app m-indicato. This is an irreplaceable thing in the city! With its help, you can build bus and train routes, find out transport schedules, and calculate the cost of taxi trips.
In Mumbai, rickshaws and bombilas are banned, only official taxis. True, during peak times and at night, a taxi driver may refuse to take you according to the meter, asking for a large amount. Bargain for a decline.
The most comfortable way to travel short distances in the city is by taxi. The first kilometer of the trip costs $0.25 according to the meter, then $0.15 per km. Don't forget to remind the driver to turn on the meter!
The Mumbai Suburban Railway Network has 4 lines and connects remote areas cities. The fare depends on the distance and starts from $0.07 for a pair of stations. Tickets are purchased at ticket offices at stations. As a rule, trains have 1st class carriages (which differ in price, but not in comfort - from $0.70) and separate all-women carriages.
Bus service in Mumbai is very developed. As a rule, all inscriptions on city buses are in Hindi, including numbers. You can try to learn counting in Hindi, but it’s still extremely difficult to navigate bus traffic without Arabic numerals.
Surprisingly, it can be difficult to find accommodation in Mumbai: prices are 3 times higher than the national average (on Booking.com even higher), hotels are often overcrowded, many hotels accommodate only Indians, only men or only Indian men! Couchsurfers themselves do not recommend stopping through Couchserfing.com. In addition, web-based accommodation booking services are not that common in India, especially for budget accommodation.
You can find an inexpensive guesthouse by walking down the street Shahid Bhagat Singh Road (Colaba Causeway) where the famous Leopold Cafe. 4-5 star hotels are located nearby along the fashionable Marine Drive. Mid-price hotels are scattered between these two streets.
Salvation Army House or Salvation Army Home (43/45, BEST Marg, Apollo Bandar, Colaba) . Its 4-storey building is located just behind the famous Taj Mahal Palace. Salvation Army is a Protestant charity helping the homeless and disadvantaged. Now the building has been completely converted into a hostel: both dormitories and private rooms (AC and NonAC) are offered. This is the cheapest place in Mumbai! The cost of a night with breakfast starts from $5 (per bed in a dormitory). There are always limited spaces available; pre-booking is only possible for groups. Salvation Army is also famous for its unique “paramilitary” atmosphere: barracks-style dorms, staff in military uniform, an ascetic canteen, no hot water and thousands of travelers from all over the world! Minus: no bed linen and hot water. Pros: price, breakfast, location and atmosphere.
Hotel Volga II (Rustam Manzil, 1st floor, Above Leopord Cafe, NF Road, Colaba) located right next to Leopold Cafe (very small shabby sign, you have to climb the steps to the 2nd floor) - a popular budget place. Private rooms (AC and NonAC) are the cheapest in Colaba. Prices for a NonAC room with shared bathroom start at $10. Cons: small rooms, no breakfast. Pros: price, location.
Apollo Hotel (Mathuradas Estate building, Mathuradas Estate Building, 43/45 Colaba Causeway, Colaba) . A small guesthouse occupies the 1st floor of a residential building. Rooms (AC and NonAC) starting at $10/night. Cons: small rooms, no breakfast. Pros: price, location.
Carlton Hotel 1* (Florence House, No.12, MereWeather Road, Behind Taj Mahal Hotel) - a tolerable hotel for the unpretentious. The small, no-frills rooms make up for the great location. Great for collapsing and falling asleep after a busy day in Mumbai. Rooms (AC and NonAC) from $12 per night.
Bentley Hotel Marine Drive 2* (Krishna Mahal, 3rd Floor, Marine Drive, Churchgate) - a decent hotel in a historical building located right on Marine Drive, within walking distance from Churchgate railway station, but a bit far from Colaba. But jogging along the morning Marine Drive is guaranteed! Modern rooms with breakfast from $45/night. Some rooms overlook the bay. Disadvantage: distance from Colaba. Plus: breakfast, Marine Drive.
Bentley's Hotel 3* (17, Oliver Road, Colaba) - a quality, no frills hotel with large AC rooms and private bathrooms. Wi-Fi is only at the reception, in India it is called “in public areas”. Nightly rates from $45. Plus: location, breakfast, large rooms, renovated building.
Taj Mahal Palace 5* (Apollo Bunder, Colaba) . To fully feel the spirit of British Bombay, you should stay at the most famous 5-star hotel in the city, built in the nineteenth century. The Taj Mahal is a museum and a hotel rolled into one. Famous artists and musicians, politicians and members of royal families stayed here. The rooms are decorated in Indian style, some of them overlooking the Arabian Sea and India Gate. There are several restaurants, a SPA and a swimming pool on site. Nightly rates start at $215.
Mumbai is a city where poverty and wealth do not coexist so organically in the world. The business center of the city with the main attractions, hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs is located in the south in the Colaba area. In the north of Mumbai there are world-famous slum areas.
In the mid-90s, the city underwent a large-scale renaming. Therefore, get used to the fact that almost any attraction or institution has two names: the old, well-known one and the new, usually unpronounceable one. To this day, many establishments in Mumbai are called Bombay.
Rich Mumbai
Mumbai's nightlife is in full swing until 2 am. Afterwards, all establishments close, the city is strict about this. Bars are usually open until midnight. Most nightclubs prefer Indian music!
Aer (Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai, 1/136, 34th Floor, Hotel Rooftop, Dr. E. Moses Road, Worli) - an artsy rooftop bar at the Four Seasons Hotel, offering stunning views of Mumbai. Expats prefer to gather here to admire the city over a cocktail and a pleasant conversation.
Trilogy (Hotel Sea Princess, 969, Juhu Tara Rd, Airport Area, Juhu) . Bombay's favorite two-story club is located near Santracruz West airport. On Saturday, the entrance fee can reach $20.
Wink (Vivanta by Taj President, 90, Cuffe Parade) is one of the most glamorous bars in Mumbai. Located at the Vivanta by Taj President Hotel and open until midnight. Japanese cuisine and a pint of beer starting at $7.
China House (Grand Hyatt Mumbai Off Near Bandra Kurla Complex, Western Express Hwy, Vakola, Santacruz East) . Another popular one local club located at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in the Santracruz area. There is strict face control here. On Fridays the club is open until 3 am. Besides everything, it is famous for its excellent Chinese cuisine.
Tryst (Phoenix Mill Compound, High Street Phoenix, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel) - one of the most popular and expensive clubs among Mumbai residents. You will have to pay $15-30 for entry depending on the day of the week, with the most expensive on Saturday. Table rental will cost $450.
Hype (Atria, The Millenium Mall, R1, 4/F, Dr Annie Beasant Road, Worli) . If you want to plunge into the atmosphere of a Bollywood party, then you need to go to Hype. Indian movie stars often visit the club; remixes of famous Bollywood songs are played here and themed parties are held.
Colaba Causeway (Shahid Bhagat Singh Road) . Along the street there are shops and stalls with everything a tourist needs: souvenirs, magnets, clothes, shoes, jewelry. True, the quality leaves much to be desired. If you want to buy really good Indian things, you should go to the local markets. Prices for small souvenirs here are lower than the national average.
Book deals on Mahatma Gandhi Road(in the Flora Fountain area). In India, books in English cost mere pennies. For example, a large collection of Kafka can be bought on sale for $4. The publisher prints the recommended price on the back of the books, but here you can and should bargain!
Chor Bazaar (Mutton St, Kumbharwada) . Biggest swap meet Mumbai is famous for its variety of antiques and antiques that sell for pennies. Here you can find Victorian furniture and decorations, quirky musical instruments and vintage Bollywood posters. The last ones in the store with the huge Mini Market sign.
Mangaldas Market(Janjiker St, Lohar Chawl, Kalbadevi) - Mumbai's largest textile market with a 200-year history. The best silks and saris in the city are sold here. In a huge number of stores you can find traditional Indian clothing of excellent quality at a low price (overshirts, trousers, scarves, etc.).
Zaveri Bazaar (Sheikh Menon St, Lohar Chawl, Kalbadevi) - the jewelry mecca of Mumbai, where thousands of shops sell cheap jewelry made from yellow gold, beloved by Indians. For jewelry you need to go to Bhuleshwar Market (Marine Lines East, Panjarpole, Bhuleshwar) - this is a real women's paradise, where the brilliance of jewelry blinds the eyes! The latter is closed on Sundays.
To the spice market Lalbaug Market (Dinshaw Petit Rd, Lal Baug, Parel) It is worth going for the world famous turmeric, red and Kashmiri chili peppers. Good spices in factory packaging can also be purchased at any grocery store. For example, at the Sahakari Bhandar supermarket (Colaba Chamber, Ground Floor, Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Colaba) in Colaba.
Buying good tea in India is more of a myth than a reality. As often happens, excellent tea is immediately exported, and Indians drink what is left or powdered tea (as we do in tea bags). When brewed, it turns out very strong and completely tasteless. Of course, shops and markets sell loose leaf teas in beautiful packages especially for tourists. But they should not be confused with that very real Indian tea.
Map of Mumbai with attractions from the guide
Bargain like it's the last time in your life! Know that for the first time an enterprising Indian names a price at least 2 times higher than the real one. You need to bargain for everything except food, medicine and prices in government agencies (transport, post office, etc.). Retail prices are already printed on food and drink packaging by manufacturers.
Currency. In India, money is changed not by banks, but by special exchangers with the Currency Exchange sign. They charge a fee of 7% of the amount and do not set the most favorable exchange rate, so it is better to change on the black market (both from dollars to rupees and vice versa). In Mumbai, it is profitable to change money at Colaba Causeway (Shahid Bhagat Singh Road). Just walk along the market street and the money changers will approach you. You have to bargain for the course! Focus on the official exchange rate minus a dozen or two Indian cents. The larger the amount you change, the better the exchange rate you ask for.
Internet. Due to the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, strict security measures have been taken. First of all, this affects the availability of communications and the Internet. It may well happen that your roaming will stop working in the city. There is no access to Wi-Fi in public places, only in rare cafes and restaurants, as well as in hotels of medium and high price categories. At the same time, to connect to the network, you may be required to present a passport and access may be limited during the daytime.
If you need to always be in touch, you should connect a local SIM card. 1 GB of mobile Internet will cost about $4-5. This can be done at any street stand with icons of mobile operators. Colaba Causeway (Shahid Bhagat Singh Road) and Bharucha Road have them at every step. To connect, you need a copy of your passport and visa, 2 3x4 photos and, optionally, a hotel payment receipt. Activation of a purchased SIM card may take from several hours to a couple of days. This process is quite complicated and consists in the fact that the mobile operator carefully checks your data and always calls the hotel to confirm that you are staying there. The SIM card can be used throughout the country and top up your account anywhere.
You are allowed into Indian airports only upon presentation of your air ticket. Make sure it is downloaded to your smartphone. If you arrived and left the airport, they will not let you back in, because... the ticket has been used. Therefore, first of all, try to change money or withdraw it from an ATM in the airport building; it will be almost impossible to do this on the street.
First aid kit. If you have never taken sedatives in your life, take stronger and more challenging ones with you to India. You can start accepting them at the airport. Don’t flatter yourself, this is India, you won’t get away with simple valerian here. Also make sure you have a full range of medications with you for digestive problems. Don't forget the hand sanitizer. If you have asthma or lung problems, take antihistamines, a thick face mask (can be bought at any pharmacy in Mumbai) and do not walk around the city in the morning when smog descends on the streets. Mumbai has so much air pollution, especially in winter time that unaccustomed tourists often become allergic to it. If this happens, go straight to the nearest hospital, they will give you special strong antihistamines against air allergies.
What to take with you. Make several copies of your passport and visa, they are needed when checking into hotels and connecting a SIM card. India has its own concepts about the purity and whiteness of white, so it’s a good idea to bring bedding that you don’t mind. If you are planning to travel around the country or go to Goa by train, take a light sleeping bag. If you are going north, the sleeping bag is thicker. Not all the streets of Mumbai are illuminated in the evening, and in Goa there is no street lighting at all, so a flashlight is a good idea. It is better to bring hygiene items with you; it can be extremely difficult to find them in India. Indians do not use toilet paper; they sell it to tourists at a price of around $1 per roll.
How to become a disco dancer? In "Bollywood" they organize boring and insanely expensive excursions, where, at best, they will show one small filming pavilion. Do you want to see Bollywood from the inside? Go to the daytime Leopold Cafe (Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Near Colaba Police Station, Colaba Causeway) or Salvation Army House (43/45, BEST Marg, Apollo Bandar, Colaba), where Bollywood casting managers hang out and gather Western youth for extras. A European face in an Indian film is prestigious! The filming process takes the whole day, but you will plunge into the world of Indian cinematography and earn about $7 for filming.
Text - Ekaterina Borisova, photo - KIDKUTSMEDIA, marina.shakleina,
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Mumbai is the largest Indian cities, on its vast territory Indian flavor and the architectural heritage of the British are closely intertwined. 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 consider a trip to this unique Indian Manhattan. Features of holidays in Mumbai in 2019, attractions, entertainment and prices, you can learn from the article in order to better plan your trip to this stunning city.
Brief historical background
The history of settlement of this area goes back deep into 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, Mumbai harbor became an important point on the maps of merchants, and the military was also 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 throughout the world.
In subsequent centuries, the city's infrastructure developed: roads were built, industrial enterprises appeared, and transport developed. Thus, at the beginning of the 20th century the city became a million-plus population. 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 a trip to Mumbai: transport 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 will cost at least 170 euros. There are no direct flights. Depending on which company's flight the flight is carried out on, the transfer may be in Istanbul, Arabian Dubai or other cities. international Airport Chhatrapati Shivaji is the leader among Indian airports in terms of the number of flights received and passenger traffic. It consists of two terminals located one kilometer from each other. Free shuttles are a means of transporting passengers between terminals. Terminal 1 serves domestic flights, Terminal 2 serves international flights.
By the way, each of the terminals, in turn, is divided into two parts.
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is 30 km from the city. The most convenient way to get to the center of Mumbai is by 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 in exchange offices airport.
- Option 1: Order a car at a special counter in the airport building. The cost of the trip is paid immediately.
- Option 2: Use a metered airport taxi. The benefit compared to the first option will only be in case of a long trip.
- Option 3: Catch a taxi on the street. The cost of the trip will depend on your bargaining ability.
An alternative to a taxi is to take a bus 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 first if you want to travel comfortably.
How to get around the city?
The Mumbai Metro is a popular mode of transportation for locals and an attraction for tourists. The train consists of first and second class carriages. A second class ticket costs INR 10 and a first class ticket costs INR 80. There are special carriages for women and men.
A more comfortable way to travel is by taxi. And for those traveling in a large group - it’s also cheaper. So, a trip along a route of 20 kilometers will cost about 350 rupees.
Besides these, Mumbai has buses, rickshaws and water transport. It is worth traveling by bus if you plan to leave the city or go to another locality. A motorized rickshaw is a unique 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 the price clearly and in advance. On water transport You can take a ride 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 consisted of 7 separate islands, which were later united into one settlement with centralized management.
Areas of modern Mumbai:
- South Mumbai is the oldest district where elite housing of the richest Indians is concentrated, interesting tourist sites, museums, exhibitions, and restaurants are collected. This area is the commercial center of the country.
- The southern center of Mumbai - office buildings, the only tourist attraction is the zoo.
- North Central Mumbai is a middle-class and immigrant residential area.
- The outskirts in the west are a residential area of wealthy Indians, there are several beaches.
- The central area is a residential area, unremarkable for tourists.
- The harbor area is Mumbai's atomic research centre.
- North Mumbai – beaches that are clean by Indian standards, ancient temples.
Mumbai is full of hospitality establishments to suit every taste. India is popular among tourists who love adventure and are willing to sacrifice the European level of comfort in order to save money and see more interesting places. And in Mumbai it is quite possible to stay in an inexpensive hostel, where a night will cost about 500 rubles. However, not everyone wants to sacrifice comfort.
There are also mid-price establishments in the city: a night in a three-star hotel in the city center will cost approximately 1,500 rubles per person. Finally, there are some amazing five star hotels, not many in India but Mumbai has a good selection. So, in the city center you can stay in a hotel of an international chain, where there will be a rooftop bar, a swimming pool, a spa and fitness center, as well as a European level of comfort in the rooms. This will cost the traveler approximately 10,000 rubles per day.
Travel to Mumbai: where to go, what to do and what to see?
Attractions in Mumbai
Variety is what makes holidays in Mumbai, India different in 2019. For connoisseurs of Indian culture, architecture and history, sights of various types are presented here.
First of all, it is worth remembering that this is a city with an ancient history, with stunning nature, and therefore there are many worthwhile places for tourists to visit in Mumbai.
Definitely worth a visit Elephanta Island, famous for its cave temples and annoying monkeys. A trip as part of an excursion will cost 2000 rupees. You can get there on your own by tourist ferry for 160 rupees. It departs from the pier near the India Gate monument. Caves on the island are included in the list world heritage UNESCO, you can admire stone sculptures and rock paintings, the earliest of which date back to the 5th century.
Historical Quarter Kala 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 center of the architecture of this period.
It's worth admiring buildings of the University of Mumbai and the Supreme Court. 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 an architectural point of view: the monumental building is decorated with elegant, carved decorative elements. And the Supreme Court is somewhat reminiscent of a medieval castle, only it is surrounded by a park with palm trees - a suitable place for walks in the hottest hours.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Railway Station, formerly known as Victoria Station, is more reminiscent of a palace. This example of Victorian Gothic architecture has been active since the 1990s. The neo-Gothic foundation is complemented by Indo-Saracenic elements; the station is not only worth using for its intended purpose, but you can simply admire it.
Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, whose construction began at the end of the 19th century, has 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 whole world. By the way, you can still stay there - for about 11,000 rubles per day per 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 majestic buildings, then you can go closer to nature. Malabar Hill, with its hanging gardens, Jogeshwari caves and a host of other interesting sites, 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 behind the Malabar Hill is reflected in the sea, and sellers of various snacks and local residents flock to the embankment.
Hanging Gardens of Mumbai were also created by the British, and therefore represent 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 Jogeshwari caves are in complete contrast to the well-kept gardens: these are ancient caves containing dilapidated sculptures from around the 6th century.
Hunters of unique footage should definitely visit Jobi Ghat block, where thousands of women wash clothes in concrete baths standing close to each other. True, a very aggressive washing method, which involves hitting soaped laundry on a special sharp stone for many hours, is quite consistent with a similar attitude towards tourists. It is better not to come close to laundresses. A suitable place for shooting is the nearest bridge.
For those who love Indian culture, however, not in such an exotic version, there is an opportunity to penetrate Bollywood. This is a huge film studio, the name of which has probably been heard by almost every person, and even more so by those who are interested in cinema. For several years now, the film studio's pavilions have been accessible to tourists. It is worth purchasing an excursion, which will cost about 3,000 rubles, and the guides will take you among the stunning scenery, tell the history of Indian cinema, and allow you to admire the filming process.
Entertainment in Mumbai
The city is located on the shores of the Arabian Sea, and therefore some beach activities are available here. There is Chowpati Beach, 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. You will have to pay 1900 rupees for a 10-minute jet ski ride.
For a beach holiday in Mumbai, you can go to the small island of Manori. If the beaches within the city are not clean, then here you can sunbathe, have a picnic or have lunch in a cafe or restaurant. However, it’s still not worth swimming, since 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 Esselworld water park and amusement park. A ticket to this establishment will cost approximately 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 swimming pool for kids, 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.
Those who love shopping will love Mumbai. Having previously been a center of trade, the city remains so to this day. You can buy branded items in boutiques and shopping centers, or you can visit the Indian market. Fashion Street is the most the best place for the “European type of shopping”, and for some flavor you can go to the Chor Bazaar, Zaveri Bazaar, Crawford Market and others. What to bring from Mumbai? These can be souvenirs and gifts such 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.
Traditional dishes are South Indian cuisine: puri flatbreads, dosa pancakes, an abundance of vegetarian dishes. The Mumbai chicken curry is also a must try. A snack in a street cafe will cost about 150 rubles; dinner for two with alcohol will cost about 1,000 rubles in an average restaurant.
The only disadvantage of Mumbai is that it is not highly recommended for families with small children. Noise and commotion on the streets, abundance of industrial production, lack of comfortable beach holiday. Yes, middle-aged and older children will quite like the city, since they can already appreciate the unusual surroundings and attractions, but children may not find it so comfortable and interesting here.
In general, a holiday in Mumbai is a good experience of getting acquainted with Indian culture and the architectural heritage left to Indians by the British. To visit Mumbai in 2019, it is better to set aside a few days to experience the local flavor of the city and get acquainted with all the sights.
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- These are the words, according to legend, that the Portuguese said when they landed here, and this meant “Good Harbor”. This is how the first name of the city 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 suitable for life in general and making money in particular than the capital, Delhi (in one of our previous posts we talked about our person who came here to earn money). We spent 5 days here, walking around Colaba, Marina Bay andacting in a movie.
We arrived from Mumbai by night bus. These buses changed our consciousness, 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 part is for... double shelves!! Moreover, the shelves are closed from outsiders with a latch, so complete privacy is ensured.
When we rode around Europe in 2007 trailer, there it was forbidden to lie down while driving, you had to sit in chairs, fastened with seat belts (the extent to which this rule was observed is a separate conversation, but nevertheless), but here you are welcome - official sleeping buses.
The first thing that surprised us when we got off the bus was the absence auto rickshaw(they are so integral to India and so ubiquitous that their absence is immediately noticeable). Instead they are yellow and black taxi cabs
The taxi driver, driving white tourists (us), did not miss the opportunity to try to make extra money - we agreed on the amount initially, but after some time he said - there is a traffic jam here, so pay me more. Fortunately, this is not our first day in India, so you can’t fool us so easily, we know this taxi driver’s brother :)
The main tourist area of Mumbai is Colaba. Here, on an area of several square kilometers practically all tourist life is concentrated here, at least the concentration of foreigners here is off the charts. Hotels - from the cheapest to 5-star, restaurants - from street eateries to decent establishments of the European level, shops, carriages taking tourists around 
as well as Bollywood agents looking for white extras - all this is here in Colaba.
Here is the Indian Gate (Gateway to India), in front of which a stage for special events was installed in honor of some holiday. 
Nearby is one of the most expensive hotels in Mumbai, the Taj Mahal. 
From the top floor of the hotel there is a wonderful view of the city 
There is also a port from which you can sail to the islands located nearby. 
Fishing boats and small yachts drift in the bay 
We sailed to Elephanta Island, there are two types of ferries going there - more expensive and simpler 
We went on the second one 🙂 The ferry moored to the pier, from which it takes about 10 minutes to walk to the shore, there is a train running right there for an additional fee - Europeans walk, and mostly lazy Indians ride it 
Some people still refuse to walk 
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, there is a “City of Caves” on the island, Elephanta Caves; we are not fans of caves, so we declined to visit.
In the evening, returning to Mumabi, you can admire the city before sunset 
One of the symbols of Mumbai, the Haji Ali Mosque, is also located on an island, although not so remote - during high tide you can reach it via a bridge, and during low tide there is no need for a bridge 
We unfortunately ended up here on a Sunday when apparently all the Muslims in Mumbai came here. 
Not far from the mosque there is another interesting place- Dhobi Gat (Dobi Gat) is the largest laundry. Hundreds of people wash clothes by hand in concrete cells 
They say linens are brought here from most hotels and hospitals in Mumbai. 
This is also where the laundromat employees live next door. 
While walking around the city, we stopped by an exhibition, some of the exhibits of which we still didn’t understand 
But some are very interesting, for example a washing machine 
Water filter 
Bicycle assembled from machine parts 
In the evening, many tourists and local residents gather on the Marina Drive embankment - this perfect place for evening exercise 
You can leisurely stroll along the long and wide embankment 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 Indians don’t like to sunbathe, why should they? 
They have just the opposite here - whitening creams are popular. We somehow accidentally saw an advertisement on local television, and in every second commercial, an Indian woman with a whitened face shows off in front of her girlfriends or men. It’s hard to imagine this, living in a country where solarium is one of the most popular services =)
Not far from the embankment there is a monument to the boot, which also doubles as a place for entertaining children 
In the center of the city, as expected, there is a stadium with many cricket players 
The local metro in Mumbai (like Bangalore) only runs on the surface, but here it is much older, so it looks the part 
There are two classes in the metro, respectively II is cheaper and more cramped, I is more decent and more spacious, as well as women's carriages. We accidentally walked into one of these, and the aunties around us hissed at us like snakes. They say the fines are quite impressive for such a violation.
On the outskirts of the city, these are the views from the car windows: 
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 pleasures of life. Previously, he worked for hire, and now, having gained experience, he has become an independent HR consultant and organizer of corporate events. And he himself loves leisure and specializes, accordingly, in organizing tours for companies - rafting, rock climbing, trekking, etc. Again, it was surprising to learn that in India there are such concepts as “corporate events” and HR :)
$$$ lives with his parents not far from the center, but in a windowless hut with a cement floor, peeling walls and a bunch of dusty trash. At the same time, he is also a businessman - he is engaged in robotics, speaks at conferences in South America, there are customers even from Russia. In addition, $$$ is one of the most active members of the couchsurfer movement in Mumbai, he has already hosted more than a hundred guests, but he places them on the floor on a mattress in the environment of hanging drying clothes, so not only is it not easy to understand Russia with your mind, India is also difficult :)
@@@ 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 prices. At the same time, they pay an employee who comes twice a day, cleans the apartment, prepares breakfast and dinner 5,000 rupees per month.
While we were looking for where @@@ lives, we accidentally ended up at 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 many meat dishes 
and only a small corner 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, Also Mumbai(Marath. मुंबई, English: Mumbai), until 1995 - Bombay(English: Bombay) is a city in western India, on the coast of the Arabian Sea. Administrative center of the state of Maharashtra.
Mumbai is the most populous city in India: the concept of a city includes the so-called. Municipal Corporation of Mumbai, which includes two districts of the state of Maharashtra: Mumbai proper (157 km², 3,145,966 inhabitants in 2011), as well as the Mumbai (suburban) district (446 km², 9,332,481 inhabitants in 2011 ), total 603 km², 12,478,447 inhabitants in 2011. Together with satellite cities, it forms the sixth largest urban agglomeration in the world with a population of 21.3 million people [ check the link] .
Located at an altitude of 10 meters above sea level. The population density is 21,665 people/km² (the city ranks second in density in the world after Manila), about 1/2 of the population is Marathi, about 1/4 is Gujaratis. The city proper occupies the island of Bombay and southern part islands Solsett which are connected by bridges and dams.
Mumbai is a major hub for international transport routes. The city has a deep natural harbour, being the largest port in western India. Through passenger terminal carries about half of India's passenger traffic. Mumbai is one of the most important economic and cultural centers in India; is a city of great contrasts, where luxury and wealth coexist with poverty. Modern neighborhoods are adjacent to slums - the northern areas of the city, which are considered breeding grounds for various diseases.
Compared to other Indian cities, Mumbai is comparatively different high level life and high business activity. Employment opportunities attract labor to the city from all over South Asia, in addition to India itself.
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✪ Heads and Tails - ISSUE 27 MUMBAI / Season 2 episode 12 / 2011 / HD 1080p
✪ India Mumbai. Horror, garbage, slums. First impression)
✪ Mumbai (Bombay) is an overpopulated city, slum and aristocratic at the same time
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Origin of the city's name
The name of the city of Mumbai comes from "Mumb" - the name of a local Hindu goddess. Mumba Devi, And ai, which means "mother" in Marathi. There is an opinion that the name " Bombain", which was given to the city in the 16th century by the Portuguese, supposedly comes from words meaning "good bay", but modern research disproves this. Under British rule the word was anglicized into Bombay. The name was officially changed to Mumbai in 1995. The former name is still used by city residents and famous institutions, and is also popular in the West.
Geographical location
Mumbai is located at the mouth of the river Ulhas?!, occupying the islands of Bombay, Solsett and the adjacent coast. Most of Mumbai is located at altitudes ranging from 10 to 15 meters above sea level. The northern part of Mumbai is hilly, the most high point The city is located at an altitude of 450 meters above sea level. The area of the city is 603.4 km².
There are lakes within the city boundaries: Tulsi, Vihar, Powai. The first two, located in national park Sanjay-Gandhi, supply part of the city with drinking water. There are three rivers in Mumbai that originate in the national park. Within the city boundaries there are mangrove swamps. Coastline The city is cut by numerous streams and bays. The soil in the city is mostly sandy due to the proximity of the sea; in the suburbs it is alluvial and clayey. The rocks are classified as black basalts. Mumbai is located in a seismic zone.
Climatic conditions
The city is located in the subequatorial zone. There are two distinct seasons: wet and dry. The rainy season lasts from June to October, with particularly intense monsoon rains occurring from June to September, causing high humidity in the city. average temperature about 30 °C, temperature fluctuations from 11 °C to 38 °C.
The amount of annual precipitation is 2200 mm. There was especially a lot of precipitation in 1954 - 3451.6 mm. The dry season from December to May is characterized by moderate humidity.
Due to the predominance of cold north wind January and February are the coldest months.
| Climate of Mumbai | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Index | Jan. | Feb. | March | Apr. | May | June | July | Aug. | Sep. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | Year |
| Absolute maximum, °C | 40,0 | 39,1 | 41,3 | 41,0 | 41,0 | 39,0 | 34,0 | 34,0 | 36,0 | 38,9 | 38,3 | 37,8 | 41,3 |
| Average maximum, °C | 31,1 | 31,4 | 32,8 | 33,2 | 33,6 | 32,3 | 30,3 | 30,0 | 30,8 | 33,4 | 33,6 | 32,3 | 32,1 |
| Average temperature, °C | 23,8 | 24,7 | 27,1 | 28,8 | 30,2 | 29,3 | 27,9 | 27,5 | 27,6 | 28,4 | 27,1 | 25,0 | 27,3 |
| Average minimum, °C | 18,4 | 19,4 | 22,1 | 24,7 | 27,1 | 27,0 | 26,1 | 25,6 | 25,2 | 24,3 | 22,0 | 19,6 | 23,5 |
| Absolute minimum, °C | 8,9 | 8,5 | 12,7 | 19,0 | 22,5 | 20,0 | 21,2 | 22,0 | 20,0 | 17,2 | 14,4 | 11,3 | 8,5 |
| Precipitation rate, mm | 15,1 | 1,0 | 0,1 | 0,5 | 20,6 | 504,2 | 819,4 | 546,8 | 325,2 | 81,1 | 11,3 | 4,1 | 2431,2 |
| Water temperature, °C | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 28 |
| Source: Weather and Climate, World Climate Guide | |||||||||||||
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Economic potential
Mumbai is one of the country's largest economic centers. About 10% of all the country's workers work in this city. The city provides 33% of income tax revenues and 60% of all customs duties. Mumbai accounts for 40% of India's total foreign trade. The city has developed industries: cotton, oil refining, chemical, mechanical engineering. Electricity is provided by hydroelectric power plants located at the foot of the Western Ghats and thermal power plants on Trombay Island. There is a nuclear power plant. Mumbai is home to many financial institutions: Bombay Stock Exchange, Reserve Bank of India, National Stock Exchange of India, Mint. Large companies such as Tata Group, Godrej and many others have their headquarters in the city.
The business center is located in the southern part of Mumbai. Apart from Indian financial institutions, the business center is home to various foreign organizations. Until the 1980s, Mumbai's economy was largely dependent on the textile industry and maritime trade. The cargo turnover of the port of Nava Sheva was 25 million tons. 60% of all imports passed through the cargo port.
After the 80s of the 20th century, other, more progressive and highly skilled industries began to develop in Mumbai, such as diamond development and polishing, high information technology, and healthcare.
It is worth noting that employees working for the state make up a significant part of the city’s total workforce, but at the same time there are many residents engaged in low- and medium-skilled labor: taxi drivers, shopkeepers, mechanics, repairmen and others.
Mumbai is the main center of the entertainment industry. Most of India's television and satellite networks are located in this city. Center of the Indian Film Industry, so-called. Bollywood (English: Bollywood) is located in Mumbai, where there are other, lesser-known film studios.
Population
Mumbai's population is more than 17 million people. The ratio of women to men is 811 to 1000. The larger number of men is explained by the influx of the male population from rural areas to the city to earn money. The literacy rate is 77%, which is higher than the national average. Among men, literacy is 82%, among women - 71.6%. By religion, people professing Hinduism make up 68% of the city's population, Muslims - 17%, Christians - 4% and Buddhists - 4%. In addition, followers of Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Sikhism and Judaism live in the city, and there are atheists. Mumbai uses the spoken form of Hindi (a mixture of Hindi, Marathi and English), but the official language is Marathi. English is popular among the working intelligentsia. In the city you can also hear speech in Bengali, Tamil, Punjabi, Nepali, Marathi, Telugu, Urdu, Gujarati.
City government
Mumbai is the capital of the state. It consists of two separate districts - the city and the suburbs, which also form two districts in the state of Maharashtra.
The city is governed by a municipal council, headed by a mayor, who performs purely nominal functions. The real executive power is concentrated in the hands of a commissioner appointed by the state government.
The municipal city council is responsible for the development of the city.
Mumbai is divided into 23 city districts, headed by an assistant commissioner.
Crime among the population
Crime in Mumbai is moderate by Indian standards. In Mumbai, 27,577 cases were registered in 2004 (in 2001 - 30,991 cases), there was an 11% decrease in crime during this time. The city's main prison is Arthur Road. On November 27, 2008, riots and a chain of explosions began in Mumbai. There are victims.
Social and cultural life of the city, architecture, attractions
Mumbai is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in India. European and Asian cultural traditions coexist in the city. There are many holidays and festivals of different ethnic groups and religions. The city's population takes part in them widely, often regardless of religion.
Mumbai has its own roadside fast food chain: Vada Pavs and Bhelpuri.
The city has many fans of Chinese and South Indian cuisine. The city is a mixture of international and Indian tastes in music, food, art.
In 2004, Mumbai received three awards from UNESCO for preserving national traditions. Mumbai is the birthplace of Indian cinema. The first film was released in 1896. The city has a large number of cinemas, including the largest in Asia - the IMAX cinema, which shows new films from Bollywood and Hollywood.
In addition to cinema, many exhibitions are held in the city, and many plays are staged in theaters. The city has art galleries: the Jehangir Gallery, the National Gallery of Modern Art, the Prince of Wales Museum, and others.
Mumbai is home to India's only permanent symphony orchestra (The Bombay Chamber Orchestra).
The oldest public library in the city is the Asiatic Society Library, built in 1833.
Mumbai has seven sister cities:
Los Angeles
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