15 Places to visit in Mumbai Tourist Places, Sightseeing
Mumbai, formerly called Bombay, is a sprawling, densely populated city on India’s west coast.
Mumbai a cluster of seven islands, derives its name from Mumbadevi, the patron goddess of the Koli fisher folk, its oldest inhabitants.
Once a Portuguese princess’ dowry and later an adornment of neo-gothic British architecture, Mumbai today, is more than just a metropolis. It is infact an enigma of mud huts &skyscrapers, age old tradition & high fashions, the industrialists’ haven & movie makers Hollywood. A lovely natural harbour and winding creek set off the city of Mumbai from the long, narrow coast of Western India.
Mumbai pulsates with activity. It is a city that is disciplined by no time frame-neither by day nor night. Mumbai is also the country’s financial powerhouse, the nation’s industrial heartland, and its economic nerve center. Dazzling shopping arcades, exciting sport activity, night clubs, and discotheque, theatre and music gourmet restaurants and interesting sightseeing-Mumbai offers the visitor a heady mix of all this and more.
The guide to Mumbai is designed to help the tourist discover this amazing city & get the feel of its unique flavour. With a listing of hotels, eating places, bazaars, sightseeing, conducted tours & other important information to turn your journey into a memorable experience.
Tourist Places to Visit in Mumbai are :-
AFGHAN CHURCH(4.5 km)
Dedicated to the British soldiers who fell in the Sindh and Afghan companions of 1838 and 1843, this church also known as St. John’s Church was built in 1847.
CHOWPATTY BEACH(4 km)
A popular beach where celebration of festivals such as coconut Day and the Ganesh Chaturthi immersions take place. Besides little kiosks selling Bombay’s special snacks, Bhelpuri & kulfi (local ice-cream), one can find professional measures, pony-leaders, bee bee-gun shooting galleries, contortionists, snake charmers, monkey trainers, balloon sellers, flower girls and lot more.
On the beach are statue of India’s freedom fighters, Lokmanya Tilak and Vithalbhai Patel who symbolise the freedom struggle. Chowpatty occupies a special place in the life of Bombay, having been the venue of mass political meetings in the pre-independence era. One of the best places to visit in Mumbai.
GATEWAY OF INDIA(2.4 km)
This 26 metres high stone archway is the first landmark of Bombay a visitor sees when arriving by ship. Designed by Wittet in the 16th century Gujarat Style, it was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India in 1911.This crypto-Moresque archway welcomed numerous viceroys, governors and top civil servants as they disembarked by launch from their P & O steamers. An equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji and statue of Swami Vivekananda have been installed here. Among top tourist places to visit in Mumbai.
HAJI ALI MOSQUE
The tomb of a Muslim saint who died while on pilgrimage to Mecca. It is believed that a casket containing his mortal remains floated and came to rest on a rocky bed in the sea, where devotees constructed the tomb and mosque. Among top tourist places to visit in Mumbai.
Can be visited only at low tide.
HEADQUARTERS OF WESTERN RAILWAY
Completed in 1897.It has an ornamentation a sculptured group representing engineering, commerce and agriculture.
HIGH COURT(1 km)
An attractive building built in 1878 in the early English Gothic style. The central structure rises up to 54.2 m and is surmounted by statues representing justice and mercy.
JAIN TEMPLE
Built in marble in1904, the shrine is dedicated to Adinath, the first Tirthankara or apostle. The walls of the temple are adorned with colourful paintings depicting various incidents in the lives of the 24 Tirthankaras of the Jain religion. On the first floor is a special shrine dedicated to Parsvanath carved out of block marble & the ceiling shows the different planets as personified in Hindu mythology. Among top tourist places to visit in Mumbai.
KAMLA NEHRU PARK(5.6 km)
Situated on the slopes of Malabar Hill, it is mainly a children’s park named after the wife of India’s first prime minister. Laid in 1952 the garden offers a panoramic view of Marine drive and Chowpatty Beach.
MAHALAXMI TEMPLE(7.2 km)
An important Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess of wealth. Among top tourist places to visit in Mumbai. Among top tourist places to visit in Mumbai.
MAHATMA JYOTIBA PHULE MARKET(1.6 km)
Formerly known as Crawford market it was constructed in 1867.This is principally a fresh produce wholesale market with shops selling flowers, fruits, vegetables, meat and fish all under one roof.
At the hub of the market is a fountain by Lockwood Kipling (father of Rudyard Kipling).
MALABAR HILL(5.6 km)
The poshest area of Mumbai, Malabar Hill has attractive residences ,including the chief Minister’s house and a palatial state guest house.
Here also are the ruins of Walkeshwar temple built sometime between 810 to 1260 AD.It is believed that Lord Rama on his way to rescue his wife Sita, stopped here and made a lingam(phallic totem) out of sand to worship Lord Shiv. Among top tourist places to visit in Mumbai.
MANI BHAWAN(GANDHI MEMORIAL)(3.6 km)
A memorial dedicated to the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi. He used to stay at House No.19 called Mani Bhawan, from time to time between 1917 to 1934.He was arrested here in 1932 and taken off for one of his prison terms. The building now contains a pictorial gallery a 20000 volume research library a film and recording archive nd a set of diorama on the Mahatma’s life.
Timing : 0939 to 1800 hrs (Daily)
MINT
The interested tourist can view this historical landmark dating back to 1829 with prior permission from the Mint Master. Among top tourist places to visit in Mumbai.
MUNICIPAL CORPORATION BUILDING
The V-shaped building, which stands opposite Victoria Terminus (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) is designed in early Gothic style blended with Indian motifs. The dome, its chief architectural feature, is 71.5 m from the ground.
NEHRU PLANTARIUM(8 km)
The high-rise corncob of the cylindrical Nehru Centre looms north of Mahalaxmi. Here is a planetarium, convention centre and concert cum movie auditorium. The planetarium recreates an image of sky as seen from anywhere on the earth at any time-past, present and future.
Daily shows except Monday
At 1500 hrs and 1800 hrs (English)
1630 hrs (Hindi)
On Saturday and Sunday
1500 hrs and 1800 hrs (English)
1630hrs(Hindi) & 1300 hrs (Marathi)
NEHRU SCIENCE CENTRE(8 km)
The museum here has a children’s science park and a permanent gallery, which consist of exhibits relating to the properties of life. There are also antique exhibits like a railway engine, tramcar, supersonic plane and steam lorry.
Open daily except Monday
NETAJI SUBHASH ROAD(0.4 km)
Known as the Queen’s Necklace or Marine Drive this promenade is along the waterfront. Among top tourist places to visit in Mumbai.
PHEROZSHAH MEHTA GARDEN(5.6 km)
Popularly known as Hanging garden they were renamed after the national barrister PHEROZSHAH MEHTA. The garden were laid out in 1881 on top of the reservoir which supplies water to Mumbai. A special feature are the hedges which are cut into animal shapes. In the early hours of the morning it is inhabited with doing yoga, calisthenics or just taking a walk, while at sunset one can get a stunning view of the city the harbour and hills beyond. There is also a flower clock here.
RACE COURSE(7.3 km)
The Mahalaxmi race course is named after the Hindu Goddess of wealth and is one of the finest in the East. Among top tourist places to visit in Mumbai.
Racing season : November to April
RAJABAI TOWER(1 km)
Built in the 19th century Gothic style on the university campus, the 79 m high clock tower commands a fine view of the city. The tower also houses the university library.
RAUDAT TAHERA(2.5 km)
The Dawoodi Bohra Muslim erected a marble mosque and mausoleum in honour of their spiritual leader the Late.Syandra TaherSaiffudin. The lavishly decorated mausoleum has four silver doors and the Koran is inscribed on the inner walls in gold. The air-conditioned Fatemi mosque has 17 arches.
TARAPOREWALA AQUARIUM(3.2 km)
Opened in 1951, this aquarium has interesting specimens of marine and fresh water fish. A pipeline brings water directly from the sea for the marine fish. Constructed at a cost of Rs 800,000 there are shell & shell-craft and fishery by products on display.
Timing : Open Daily except Monday from 1000 to 1900 hrs
TOWN HALL
The pride of Mumbai along Shahid Bhagat Singh Road is the colonnaded Town Hall which houses the Asiatic Society Library.
VEERMATA JEEJABAI BHONSLE UDYAN(5.6 km)
This beautifully laid gardens were formerly known as Victoria gardens.
Open daily except Wednesday from timing 0800 to 1800 hrs.
VICTORIA TERMINUS(2 km)
On the northern end of Dr.D.N. Road looms the extravagant fantasy of Victoria Terminus (recently named as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus-Mumbai CST), where the first train steamed out of Bombay from here to Thane in 1853.One of the largest building designed by F.W.Stevens in the Gothic style, it’s imposing dome is surmounted by a figure symbolising progress. A life-size statue of queen Victoria is placed in front of the central facade. The clock on top is 3.19 m in diameter.
WEAVERS SERVICE CENTRE(2.4 km)
The preparation of designs, weaving of samples and block printing by hand, can se observed here after obtaining the permission of the director of the centre.
Timing : 1000to 1700 hrs
WORLD DAIRY(9 km)
The Pasturing, bottling and distribution of milk can be seen here daily from 0900 to 1300 hrs and 1400 to 1600 hrs.
Entry fee : Rs 2.00(adult),Re 1.00(child)
Note :The distances given above are from the Government of India Tourist Offices.
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