MUMBAI - A MUST SEE!!

You haven't really seen Mumbai if you don't see the hardworking dabbawallas (tiffin carriers), and you certainly haven't tasted Mumbai, if you don't stop for Kanda Bhajia and garam chai (onion fritters and spiced tea). Mumbai is a cosmopolitan city with a fascinating history, tracing back to poor fisherfolk who continue to go out to sea every morning. Before you embark on a tour through the city, remember that though Mumbai is fascinating, it is also pretty confronting to a Westerner. So be prepared to accept that systems don't always work as expected, and processes take far longer than they often ought to.

Marine Drive, the Queen's necklace
Mumbai's distinctive curving seafront avenue connects the skyscrapers of Nariman Point to the green villas of Malabar Hill. It is also called the Queen's Necklace because of its appearance after dark, when the street lights sparkle around the curve of the bay.

Marve, Manori, Gorai, Juhu Chowpatty and other beaches in Mumbai
Juhu Chowpatty is situated in the suburbs of the city, and known for its festive atmosphere, food stalls and hustle and bustle. This popular beach stretches for about 5 kilometers and is sure to be crowded on a weekend. Activities on the beach include food stalls, performers and camel and pony rides. This beach encapsulates the spirit of Mumbai.

Gorai, Manori and Marve are the popular spots of Mumbai's fun lovers. Marve is a lovely little fishing village, with some beautiful bungalows. Low hills along the beach offer extraordinary views of sunrise and sunset. Gorai and Manori, a little further away, are more crowded with travellers and are famous for all night beach parties. Mud island is a retreat for Industrial bigwigs and their friends.

Further down is the Erangal beach, equally clean and serene. It has the local fisher folk staying there. At its southern tip is a seventeenth century Portuguese fort. You will find the two Mandwa and Kihim beaches, 12 miles north of Alibaug on the north coast and easily accessible from Mumbai. Both are beautiful, untrodden beaches. On a clear day one can enjoy a long, breathtaking view across the bay, up to the Gateway of India.

Gateway of India
This graceful ceremonial archway was built to commemorate the arrival of King George V and Queen Mary for the Delhi Durbar of 1911. Is has historical significance for India because after the country gained Independence, the last British troops left Indian soil, marching to their ships under this imperial archway.

Elephanta Island
Situated about nine kilometres out to sea, from the Gateway of India, this island has a beautiful rock-cut Shiva Temple on top of a hill. The island can be reached by a short enjoyable ferry ride.

Prince of Wales Museum
One of the country's renowned museums, this heritage building is situated amidst green lawns, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The museum contains a priceless collection of miniature paintings as well as extensive collections of art, sculpture, china, rare coins and weaponry.

Chhattrapati Shivaji Terminus
Formerly known as Victoria Terminus, after the English Queen, who was also known as Empress of India, this imposing building was built in 1888. Designed by Frederick William Stevenson, the facade of this railway terminus is covered with sculptures of birds and animals.

Flora Fountain
Situated at a busy 5-point intersection in the heart of Mumbai's commercial area, this popular public landmark was built to commemorate the Governor, Henry Bartle Edward Frere.

Aarey milk colony and Chhota Kashmir
Situated in one of the suburbs of Western Mumbai, Aarey Milk Colony is one of the most modern milk colonies in the world. The Government of Maharashtra built it to provide milk to the residents of Mumbai. Visitors can see the pasteurising and bottling of milk and other procedures. Along with this the garden is a big crowd puller. Laid and developed on the vast land nearby the dairy, the garden offers a great picnic spots as well. With variety of colourful flowers and various trees, it is popularly known as Chhota Kashmir. Many Bollywood films' song sequences are shot here.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park (Borivli)
The Sanjay Gandhi National Park, or as commonly known, the Borivili National Park. A miraculously preserved natural oasis in the heart of an urban sprawl, this park is very much within the city limits, yet far removed from its crowds and clamour. By serving as a huge natural generator of life-sustaining oxygen, the National Park meets the need of the habitants of the region, more specifically, the twin cities of Thane and Mumbai.

The Sanjay Gandhi National Park is an outdoor museum that preserves and nurtures the varied flora and fauna of the area. This rich and diverse forest is home to more than 1000 species of plants, 40 species of mammals, 251 species of birds - migratory, and and water birds, 38 species of reptiles, 9 species of amphibians besides a large variety of fish, insects and other life forms.

Kanheri Caves
Situated inside the National Park, these 109 Buddhist caves are evidence of the existence of monastic settlements in 2nd to 9th century AD. They are a collection of Viharas and Chaityas. These Buddhist caves or monasteries, where monks practiced their austerities, are of around the first century AD. And unlike the artistic extravagance of Elephanta, they are Spartan and bare In fact, Kanheri is probably the only clue, to the rise and fall of Buddhism in Western India.

Mani Bhawan
Mani Bhawan is one of the important places to visit in Mumbai. Located in a quiet lane, Mani Bhawan is the old Mumbai residence of Mahatma Gandhi and has been turned into a modest museum. The two-storied structure now houses a reference library with over 2000 books, a photo exhibition of the Mahatma's life, and well preserved memorabilia of the Mahatma.

Nehru Planetarium and the Nehru Science centre
The large domed building; popular with the city''s amateur astronomers is the Nehru planetarium. It unfolds mysteries of the universe. Nearby is the cylindrical shaped tall building of the Nehru Science Centre, which is a science park and permanent exhibits on intricacies of life.

Victoria Gardens or the Rani Jijamata Udyan
Named after the mother of Marathi king Shivaji, Rani Jijamata Udyan houses the Mumbai Zoo. The Gardens were laid out in 1861. It has many rare and endangered species of animals and birds. The gardens boast of scores of trees, some of which are really old. Within the gardens is the Albert museum that houses a host of local archaeological finds among which merits a huge stone elephant at the entrance, which was found in 1864 at Gharapuri or the Elephanta Island.

Places to visit around Mumbai
Bassein
Bassein was a place for ship-building in the beginning of the 17th century. It was here that the Marathas besieged the Portuguese in 1739 AD. The ruins of the Portuguese Fort still stand almost hidden by bruswood and palm groves. An hour from Bassein are the Vajreshwari temple and Akoli hot springs and Ganeshpliri with the Sadgurunatyanand Maharaj Samadhi Mandir. About 10 km from here lies The Nalasopara Village, the capital of the Konkan from 1500 BC to 1300 AD. Many Buddhist relics were discovered here. Nalasopara is believed to have been Gautama Buddha's birthplace in a previous life.

Dahanu and Bordi (145 km from Mumbai)
Dahanu is approachable conveniently by train or by road. Dahanu is a quite seaside town with a sprawling, uncluttered beach. The Dahanu-Bordi stretch is 17 km long. This once barren landthrived under Irani settlers, an earthy people. Dahanu is lined with fruit orchards and is famous for its chikoos. Easily Accessible from Dahanu is Udwada, the Mecca of the Parsis, with large beautiful temple which houses their sacred fire. It is an amazing fact that this holy fire has been kept burning for almost 1000 years.

Ganapati Pule (375 km from Mumbai)
Around Konkan area (Accessible by road) this sun-kissed beach and lush green of GanpatipuIe inevitably draws tourist back, year after year. The added attraction is a 400 year old temple which houses the Swayambhoo Ganapati. Privates as well as State transport buses are easily available from Mumbai and Pune.

Karla
Karla is 12 km from Lonavala boasts one of the best-preserved caves dating back to 160 BC. The construction of this cave temple started during the Hinayana period of Buddhism. Regular bus services are Available from Mumbai and Pune. Accommodation is available for the visitors at MTD guest house.

Karnala Bird Sanctuary (60 km from Mumbai)
Karnala Bird Sanctuary is located near new Mumbai, on the Goa highway. In winter, Karnala is visited by several migratory birds, mostly woodland species which come in from their breeding grounds in Himalayas. Some travel shorter distances from peninsular India and from there to the nearby western ghats. Established as a sanctuary in the year 1971 the sanctuary houses 140 species.

The hillstations of Lonavala and Khandala
Lonavala-khandala are charming hills on the western slopes of the Sahyadri hills and lie in between Mumbai and Pune, easily approachable by road from both the nieces being 200 km awav. Its clean crisp air greets you as you wind your way up the steep ghats, leaving the humidity, heat and dust behind. Both Lonavala and Khandala offer breathtaking views of cascading waterfalls during the monsoon and the surrounding mountains of plains spread out to the horizon far below.

Mahabaleshwar (320 km from Mumbai)
The summer capital of Bombay Presidency during the days of the British, it is a mountain top plateau often covered with a light morning mist. Elphinstone, Babbington, Bombay, Kate's and numerous other points offer panoramic views of the plains below. Short distance away are Chinaman's and Dhobi, Lingamala waterfalls. Veena Lake, the focal point of Mahabaleshwar has boating and fishing facilities. About 24 km from Mahabaleshwar is Fort Pratapgad, Shivaji's most impressive fort perched on the summit of the hill, was built to control three strategic passes-Rodtondi, Poladpr and Par.

Panchgani or 'Five Hills' is enroute to Mahabaleshwar. It has the Raj stamp all over it which is evident in the architecture of the old British buildings, the Parsi bungalows and the boarding schools that have been around for over a country. It is a delight to canter through the thickly wooded walkways to explore the area, catching glimpses of the Krishna river winding its way through the ravines, hundred of metres below. Kamalgad fort is easily accessible on foot or on horseback.

Mandawa and Kihim
These are easily accessible by ferry from Mumbai, Kihim near Mandawa is a beautiful, untrodden beach. On a clear day one can enjoy a long breathtaking view right up to The Gateway of India.

Matheran (100 km from Mumbai)
Travelling to Matheran by a tiny narrow gauge toy train, one of the last mini trains in the world, from Mumbai via Neral is an experience by itself. This Car free, eco-friendly hill station situated at 803 metres above sea level offers salubrious climate, an unpolluted atmosphere with no vehicular traffic. Matheran offers facinating landscapes through thickets and woods. The Heart Point offers beautiful view of Mumbai at night. The Porcupine Point and Louise Point, Chaelotte Lake with panthers. Caves and Paymaster Park are places of interest in Matheran. The main bazzar offers a variety of items such as cane and leather articles, hats, chappals etc. A wide range of accommodation is available.

Murud - Janjira (165 km from Mumbai)
This place is easily accessible by road from Mumbai. Formerly the capital town of the Siddis of Jangira, who built here their palaces, lying in ruins battered on all the four sides by the sea waves, its strong 40 ft. high walls are still standing intact. This the only impregnable fort on the 720 km Maharashtra coastline. Murud is today popular for its alluring beach, whispering caesarean coconut and betal palms and an ancient fort. On a hillock is the shrine of Lord Dattatrya, the three heads representing Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. The 300 year old fort of Jangira is an architectural marvel, once upon a time considered to be impregnable.

Shriwardhan - Harihareshwar (200 km from Mumbai)
These places are easily accessible by road from Mumbai. The State transport as well as private buses ply regularly from Mumbai. Gentle winds, soft sands and inciting waters makes Shriwardhan and Harihareshwar irresistible to beach lovers. The adventurers can even take a small boat to the north side of the bay and explore the land of Teshwas' where they originally resided. The town Harihareshwar is known for tranquil and picturesque beach and is also famous for the temple of Harihareshwar. Private as well as State transport operated buses are easily available from Mumbai and Pune.

Titwala (75 km from Mumbai)
A pilgrim spot sacred twice over - for its Mahaganesha temple and the temple of Shri Vithoba. Another fascinating temple is the one at Ambarnath, dating back to Ilth century built in the 'Hemadpanti' style. Titwala can be reached by local trains from Mumbai.

Velneshwar (370 km from Mumbai)
Around Konkan area (Accessible by road), North of Shastri river lies the idyllic village of Valneshwar. The quiet coconut-fringed beach offers an ideal opportunity for swimming. There is an old Shiva temple in the environs which is often frequented by pilgrims. Mahashivratri fair is held once a year in March. Private as well as State transport operated buses are easily available from Mumbai and Pune.

Vengurla - Malvan (514 km from Mumbai)
Further south to Sindhudurg lies Venguria with its long stretch of white sands and hills covered by cashew, coconut, jackfruit and mango groves. The twon has two well-known temples Shri Devi Sateiri and Rameshwar Mandir.

Vijaydurg Sindhudurg (510 km from Mumbai)
Once naval bases, Viajydurg and Sindhudurg bear testimony to Maharashtra's martial supremacy during Shivaji's reign. Vijaydurg or fort of victory was strengthened around 17th century, by Shivaji to whom it owes its finest features are the triple line of walls, the numerous towers and the massive interior buildings.