The word Mumbai derives from Mumbadevi, the patron goddess of the Koli fishermen, the oldest inhabitants of Mumbai. This city not only is the country’s powerhouse and the nation’s heart but also the centre of economic activity with its harbor and bollywood industry. Mumbai is home to people of all creeds and cultures. It is a fascinating city, throbbing with life, and, for many people it stands as the gateway to India.
The city was called by the name of Bombay for 400 years. The origin of the name is obscure but often said to be taken from Portuguese phrase Bom Bahia meaning good bay. The name of the city was changed to Mumbai by an act of parliament in 1997.
Based on an area of 468 km square and housing a population of 12,692,836, Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra.
The city of Mumbai is on the western coast of India, almost parallel to the main land, a thin peninsula that extends southward. On the southern end of this peninsula are Colaba and the Fort area. On the west side of the Fort, is the popular Marine Drive which extends to Chowpatty Beach and Malabar hills.
These points offer a variety of entertainments for tourists. Located some 950 meters above sea level atop a ridge on the Karnataka plateau, Bangalore is India’s seventh largest city. Founded in the early 16th century by Kempe Gowda, this city became a strategic location during the Moghul and British rule over the Indian Subcontinent. An important city and fortress under Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan, two of the subcontinent’s most famous Muslim rulers, the remnants of this period can still be found at Lal Bagh, Tipu’s Summer Palace and the Gavi Gangadhareswar Temple.
Mumbai Neighborhood
Based in the south of Mumbai near to Mumbai’s landmarks and buildings, Colaba is the real tourist hub where many of the budget accommodations are located. Punctuated by Taj Mahal, India’s most famous hotel is located opposite the Gateway of India which hosts Mumbai’s most famous market. Apollo Bundar is the area around the gateway of India. To the west is the Cuffed Parade, an up market residential area and to the south is the Naval Cantonment area.
If one travels from Colaba towards the other end of the road towards the sea, Nariman Point is reached. Most of the airline offices and foreign embassies are located here. In the south of Nariman point stretches the Marine Drive and the Chowpatty beach. North from Colaba is the business neighborhood called the Fort, an extremely busy area with Crawford market beyond it. Central Mumbai extends beyond the Crawford market and the railway station where the areas of Lower Parel and Phoenix Mills are located.
In the east of the city lie the two airports and a host of hotels. The area of Andheri around the international airport has become a business area with all kinds of offices and buildings located here. Further in the north is Goregaon, the home of Bollywood, where movies are shot. Borivlai is the famous area where the theme park, Essel World is situated. Three lakes located within the city limits are the Tulsi Lake, Vihar Lake and the Powai Lake.
Getting Around:
Getting around in Mumbai is not difficult as its railway station is a prominent feature of the city. The Chattrapatti Shiva terminus (CST) formerly known as Victoria terminus is located in the heart of the city from where local and outstation trains are available.
Apart from buses, auto rickshaws and taxis are a convenient way of traveling which charge according to the meter. Cars are also available on rent, which can be hired for the day or for the week. Sahar International Airport is located in the center of the city which makes it easier for the tourists to travel to and from the city.
When to visit:
All through the year Mumbai is open for tourists, although the hot and humid months of June, July and august should be avoided. The months from October to March are ideal for visiting Mumbai.
