Mumbai - Do & See
Welcome to Mumbai! So much to see and often not enough time to experience it all. Get a flavorful taste of the country by visiting Crawford Market, experience one of the most influential men in India at the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum and visit a fortuneteller after a pony ride at Chowpatty Beach.
Nehru Planetarium
The Nehru Planetarium, commissioned on 3rd March, 1977, has grown into a Centre for scientific study of astronomy. The programmes are aimed at inspiring students. Special arrangements are made to watch, study and photograph solar & lunar eclipses, and many such other events. Telescopes are installed outside the Planetarium to enable eager visitors to watch these phenomena.
There is also a Mini Planetarium, which is taken out to remote rural areas to project its shows for people and children to make them aware of the astronomical progress. These shows are highly popular and in great demand.
Crawford Market/ Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market
Once it was located between the British fort and the local town, built in 1869, it is more a throwback to a Victorian market than modern day India. The friezes on the exterior walls and the stone fountains in the interior are designed by Lockyard Kipling, father to Rudyard Kipling. Gobs of fresh fruit and vegetables are sold here including ‘smuggled’ chocolate and cheese.
Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum (Gandhi’s House)
Ghandi once lived in this simple house from 1917-1934. It now houses a museum and a library preserving the spirit of the man who defined modern India. There are films featuring Ghandi’s life on the second floor.
Malabar Hill
Situated on a small hill in the southern part of the city, this is the highest vantage point in central Mumbai at just 50 metres above sea level. Surrounded by upmarket residential areas it is home to the ruins of the Walkeshwar Temple built between 810 and 1260 AD. The popular Baganga Festival of Music is usually held here in January.
Chowpatty Beach
Very popular with tourists, this is one of the city’s most famous beaches. Quiet by day, there is carnival like atmosphere at night with pony rides, fortune tellers and an opportunity to try some of the local (mumbaish) snacks.
Flora Fountain/ Hutatma Chowk (Martyr’s Square)
Located in the heart of the business district, Flora Fountain was dedicated in 1864 by the Agri-Horticultural Society of Western India. Built of Portland marble, its namesake is the Roman Goddess of Flowers and the Season of Spring. It stands at the exact spot where the original Church Gate of the Bombay Fort once stood.
General Post Office
Located just behind Victoria Terminus, the largest GPO in India was completed in 1913. The imposing edifice is the template for the Indo-Saracenic architectural style and includes high vaulted ceilings and marble topped tables in the interior. Well worth a visit.
Swapna Nagri (Western Suburbs)
This is a delightful park with rides, games and food stalls. Ideal if you want to get away from the crowds for a while.
Gateway To India
This is the city’s most famous landmark and was built to commemorate the 1911 visit of King George V and Queen Mary. Representative of the Indo-Saracenic style it is 26 metres at its highest point. The last British ship left here, and so with it the empire, when the Raj ended in 1947.
