In Mumbai, it is not difficult to get an experience that is true to the culture of India. You’ll see Hindu devotees picking up garlands from the massive flower market near Dadar railway station, “dabbawalas” (translated as people who carry containers) delivering hundreds of thousands of freshly cooked lunches to the city’s office workers from Churchgate railway station, the swirling colors of the bustling “Thieves Market,” and people from all walks of life enjoying the sunset from the sugary sand at Marine Drive Chowpatty. All of these sights can be found in Your first trip to Mumbai will leave a lasting impression on you since it is both overwhelming and inspirational in equal measure.
When it comes to activities for tourists to do in Mumbai, there is an abundance of options available to them. Make the most of your time in this amazing city by consulting our ranking of Mumbai’s most popular points of interest before you go.
1. Visit the Gateway of India
One of the most well-known and cherished sights in all of Mumbai is the Gateway of India, which can be found in the vicinity of the Apollo Bunder waterfront region and proudly overlooks the Arabian Sea. When King George V and Queen Mary of the United Kingdom visited British India in 1911, a gesture of welcome was extended to them by the construction of a basalt archway that measured 26 meters in height and combined the architectural styles of Roman triumphal arches with traditional Hindu and Muslim designs. After India declared its independence from Great Britain in 1948, the last British troops left the nation through this particular archway. This is an ironic fact given that the archway is where they left.
At the moment, the Gateway of India is one of the most well-liked meeting places in all of Mumbai, and this includes both visitors and natives. Spectators may watch the boats, including yachts and ferries, depart from the five jetties that are located on either side of the arch. Get some of the world-famous bhelpuri, which is a crispy and delicious delicacy composed of puffed rice that is covered in tamarind sauce. Bhelpuri may be purchased from street food sellers. Or you could simply come here and people watch for an hour or two. This place has a lot of activity.
After that, head 10 minutes to the southwest to the bustling Colaba Causeway Market, which is a market offering everything and more than you could ever imagine. It is widely regarded as one of the city’s most convenient and cost-effective shopping destinations.
End of C. Shivaji Maharaj, Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai is the location of the address.
Official site: https://mumbaicity.gov.in/tourist-place/gateway-of-india/
2. Watch the Sunset on Marine Drive
No trip to Mumbai would be complete without a cruise down Marine Drive. The 3.6-kilometer-long, C-shaped boulevard offers epic views of the coast. However, just as amazing are the sightseeing opportunities on the other side of Marine Drive. The street is lined with stunning Art Deco buildings that have earned status as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
After your mini road trip, head out on foot for some more sightseeing along the Marine Drive promenade. The best time to go is at sunset. That’s when tourists and Mumbaikars gather on the sands of Girgaum Chowpatty to see the cotton candy skies fade to dark while noshing on Mumbai’s famous street food from nearby stalls.
Hot tip: Wonder why Marine Drive is also known as “Queen’s Necklace”? Just look up at the street lights–they were positioned to make the road resemble a pearl necklace from above.
3. Drive across the Bandra-Worli Sea Link
A drive down Marine Drive is an experience that should not be missed on any vacation to Mumbai. The C-shaped boulevard is 3.6 kilometers long and offers breathtaking views of the coastline. On the other hand, the options for sightseeing that can be found on the opposite side of Marine Drive are just as excellent. Stunning examples of Art Deco architecture stretch the whole length of this street, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Following your brief excursion by car, you should consider continuing your exploration of the neighborhood on foot along the Marine Drive promenade. Sunset is the most beautiful time to visit. At that time of day, people from all over Mumbai, as well as visitors from other countries, congregate on the beaches of Girgaum Chowpatty to watch the cotton candy sky become black while feasting on the city’s famed street cuisine from neighboring booths.
Tip of the day: Have you ever wondered why Marine Drive is also known as “Queen’s Necklace”? Simply look up at the street lights; they have been arranged in such a way that, when viewed from above, the road seems to be a pearl necklace.
4. Take Pictures of the Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai
A second well-known destination for tourists may be found in close proximity to the Gateway of India. This location is the Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai and Tower. India’s first luxury hotel is acclaimed for the opulence of its brownstone façade, despite the fact that it has been there for more than a century. The windowed front of the Renaissance building has Islamic design elements, such as corner turrets capped with onion domes, pointed archways, and covered balconies. These elements give the building its distinctive appearance.
A fun fact is that the Taj Mahal Palace hotel in Mumbai is one of the most photographed locations in all of India. Take your own picture from the ground level as you pass by the subject. Or, even better, go on over to the hotel’s Sea Lounge, which is decorated in the manner of a colonial-era restaurant, in the afternoon for an elegant high tea.
Address: Apollo Bunder, Mumbai
5. Visit the Kanheri Caves
At first sight, Mumbai may appear to be a gleaming, contemporary metropolis; nevertheless, the city is also home to a number of historic landmarks that are sure to leave you in wonder. Spend the day in Sanjay Gandhi National Park exploring the Kanheri Caves, a network of structures cut out of the basalt strata some 2,000 years ago. The Kanheri Caves are part of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Large stupas, meeting places, and prayer halls can be seen within each of the 109 cave openings. This gives the impression that this location was previously revered by Buddhists. Cave 34 has paintings of the Buddha that are only partially finished. You may find them on the roof of the cave.
Address: Borivali East, Mumbai
6. Tour the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum
It is highly recommended that travelers who are in Mumbai make a trip to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum. This museum is located in the heart of Mumbai. This museum, which was formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, is widely considered to be among the most significant cultural and historical sites in all of India.
You will need at least a full day to take through the museum’s extensive permanent collection of 70,000 artifacts, which includes Indian miniature paintings, Himalayan art, antique Asian coins, jeweled swords, and a great deal more besides. Some of the things in the collection include: After that, take some time to explore the streets of the Fort area close to the museum. These lanes are lined with magnificent Gothic structures.
Address: 159-161 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort, Mumbai
Official site: https://www.csmvs.in/
7. Meditate at the Global Vipassana Pagoda
Discover Mumbai’s serene, quiet side at the Global Vipassana Pagoda. The huge stupa, which stands 96 meters tall and is coated in actual gold that shimmers in the light, was designed after the Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar. A large hall inside the hollow pagoda provides space for up to 8,000 people so that they may all meditate together in peace.
Have you ever tried to meditate but failed? Participate in one of the free Anapana meditation classes that last ten minutes and are presented at the pagoda at various intervals throughout the day. Dosas that are really mouthwatering may be found within the expansive vegetarian food court that is located on-site.
Address: Next to Esselworld, Gorai Village, Borivali (West), Mumbai
8. Check Out the Shree Siddhivinayak Temple
There are 33 million gods in the Hindu religion, and many followers have their favorites among them. The Shree Siddhivinayak Temple is a popular destination for devotees who wish to pay homage to Ganesha, the “remover of obstacles.” Ganesha is depicted as a god with a potbellied body and the head of an elephant.
Take off your shoes before going inside to see the idol of the god, which is decorated with marigold garlands and offerings. There will be hundreds of other people there, all of whom are anxious to get a look at it (and perhaps a granted wish). It’s a cultural experience that can’t be compared to anything else. Also, if you are interested in seeing additional holy sites that are dedicated to Ganesha, you could go to the Vazira Naka Ganpati temple as well as the Garodia Nagar Ganpati temple.
Address: S.K. Bole Marg, Prabhadevi, Mumbai
Official site: https://www.siddhivinayak.org/
9. Explore the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum
The Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum in Mumbai is the best site to learn about Gandhi, who is widely regarded as one of the most important historical leaders to have ever lived in India. The anti-colonial nationalist himself, Gandhi, made this structure his local headquarters for over two decades, beginning in 1917. This is where the building’s history can be traced back to in its entirety.
In the museum, there is a monument of Gandhi that visitors may visit to pay their respects to the Indian national hero. Visitors can also see antique images of Gandhi lined up along the staircase and get a peek of two of his famed spinning wheels. There is a space on the second floor of the museum that is dedicated to showcasing artworks that reflect significant events that occurred throughout Gandhi’s life.
Fun fact: Barack Obama paid a visit to the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum in 2010.
Address: Laburnum Road, Gamdevi, Mumbai
Official site: http://www.gandhi-manibhavan.org/
10. See the Mahalakshmi Temple
The Mahalakshmi Temple is one of the oldest and most well-known temples in all of Mumbai. This temple is dedicated to Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of riches, and it draws thousands of people past its elaborate entrance and into the shrine where the statue is housed. Gold decorations may be seen adorning the idols of other deities, such as Tridevi, who is the goddess of music and education, and Kali, who is the goddess of destruction. Both of these goddesses can be seen by visitors. The Haji Ali Dargah is a floating Muslim shrine that is located within a fifteen-minute walk away from the Mahalakshmi Temple. It is an additional spiritual destination that you may visit.
Address: Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai
Official site: http://mahalakshmi-temple.com/
0 Comment