Mumbai is by far the most popular city of India. Such is its recognition, that people within India itself, as well as all over the world, take Mumbai to be the symbol of India. Boasting of a perfect combination of urban development and rich history, this city is known to have something for everybody. Hence, it is no surprise that Mumbai is commonly known as ‘The City of Dreams’.
The City of Dreams: Mumbai [photo credits: flickr.com]Experiencing a rich influx of tourists all throughout the year, Mumbai offers a mix of everything. From beaches to hills, historical monuments to ultra modern architecture, it has it all. It also boasts of a happening nightlife and a glitzy-glamour filled lifestyle. Therefore, it involuntarily becomes the first stop on the list of places to be visited around the country. It is no surprise at all that you would already know a lot about this city and what is to be seen. However, in case you are having trouble deciding, below is all you need to know about a perfect getaway to this dreamland.
Best Time To Visit Mumbai
Mumbai has a typical subtropical climate. Winter is an unknown identity in these lands. However, it tends to get sticky and humid during the summer months. Hence, it should be avoided during the months of May to June. The rainy season is another time during which it becomes difficult to explore all the areas. Therefore, the best time to visit Mumbai is during the months of September to April.
What to Do
Gateway of India, Mumbai [photo credit: zadeus via photopin cc]1. Gateway of India – By far the most iconic structure of Mumbai, this archway was built in 1924 during the British rule. The Gateway of India makes for a great first stop for all wanderlust people exploring the city. The beautiful and magnificent gate has very well-designed pillars which remain strong till this day. Boating in the Arabian Sea is quite popular in the area, with the starting point being in the vicinity of this architectural marvel.
2. Marine Drive – This beautiful 3 kilometer long road is famous for having the Arabian Sea all along on one side. The curved shape of this road, combined with the beautiful lighting at night that looks like diamonds, has earned Marine Drive the title of ‘Queen’s Necklace’. A drive on this road is surreal and makes you feel as though you are in a different place altogether. The road is lined with a lot of classy eating joints which are very popular all over Mumbai.
Street Markets of Mumbai [photo credit: gareth_smith_th via photopin cc]3. Street Markets – Possibly, the greatest crowd pullers in Mumbai are the well-renowned street markets. Out of the many markets lining various streets all over the city, the ones deserving a special mention are – Crawford Market, Colaba Causeway, Linking Road and Fashion Street. They are famous for providing everything that you could dream of. Be it fashionable junk jewellery, stylish clothes, electronic items or even home decor items, these markets have it all.
Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai [photo credit: Swami Stream via photopin cc]4. Temples – Mumbai is also very high on the religious quotient. It boasts of some of the most famous temples all over India. Such is the case that there are special tour package that cover all these spiritual homes. People make it a point to visit these temples and seek the Lord’s blessings. The temples that deserve a special mention are – Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumba Devi Temple and ISKON Temple.
Juhu Beach, Mumbai [photo credit: Swami Stream via photopin cc]5. Beaches – A beach in the middle of the city, how good does that sound? Well, Mumbai not only makes it sound good, but also look amazing. Populated by thousands of people every day, the Mumbai beaches are a very happening spot. The roadside food stalls, live shows and interactive activities make it a truly memorable experience. The most popular beaches are – Juhu Beach, Aksa Beach and Chowpatty.
Exploring Places Around Mumbai [photo credit: Swami Stream via photopin cc]6. Explore More – If Mumbai in itself was not enough, it has infinite options that can be explored along with this city. A road trip on the famous Mumbai-Pune Expressway is a great idea. It has a plethora of hill stations like Lonavala and Khandala along it, where one can spend hours in the lap of nature. Another great option is to take a boat ride to the Elephanta Caves and dive into rich and beautiful history.
Mumbai Specialties
The Famous Leather Goods of Mumbai [photo credits: flickr.com]1. Shopping – The street markets of Mumbai make shopping a must in Mumbai. As far as locally manufactured goods are concerned, Khadi clothes, traditional Marathi handicrafts and Sarees are a definite buy. Another speciality of this region are leather goods like jackets and purses.
Delicious Vada Pav [photo credit: Ranjitha Deepesh @ Taste & Flavours via photopin cc]2. Eating – Mumbai is a forerunner where regional food specialties are concerned. There are so many dishes worth trying. The most famous one though, is the ‘Vada Pav’. It is a different kind of potato cutlet stacked within a bun, eaten with chilies and spices. A trip to Mumbai is incomplete without a bite of this delicious and mouth-watering delicacy.
Festivites during Ganesh Chathurti [photo credit: David S. Lowry via photopin cc]3. Festivals – Being such a popular city, it is but obvious that Mumbai is inhabited with people of all religions and cultures. Hence, all the possible festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm all throughout the year. The most extravagantly celebrated festival, however, is the Ganesh Chathurti. Also, because of the great tourist population, there are various public fests held in which travelers can participate. The most popular ones are the Mumbai Festival and the Elephanta Festival. Visiting during this time, makes the unforgettable experience that bit more special.
Thus, it is quite evident why Mumbai has such a high stature. With so many things to do and so much to witness, a visit here is a given for every ardent traveler. Its magnetic attraction and an unparalleled charm is bound to make it difficult to leave Mumbai, once you have seen it. Also, there are many places nearby including Shirdi, mahabaleshwar, pune to mumbai
So, what are you waiting for? Isn’t it time to visit Aamchi Mumbai already? Book a cab from your place to mumbai with Wiwigo and enjoy your ride.
