Places to visit in Mumbai

The top hits of the places to visit in Mumbai are many. But few of the places where you get to enjoy, cherish these moments forever in in your life! These are the must visit places. Some of them are:

1.Sri Siddhivinayak Temple

Located in Mumbai’s central area, Prabhadevi, this temple is the most revered Lord Ganesh temple not only of Maharashtra but also of India.

2.Gandhi Museum 

Mahatma Gandhi once lived in this simple, two-story building, which is now a museum, library and research center depicting Gandhi's life and struggles for Indian freedom through peaceful means. 

3. Marine Drive

Bordering the Arabian Sea, this famous road is a popular spot for watching sunsets, and is gorgeous when lit up at night.

4. Kanheri Caves

Located 10 km  from Borivali, and in the midst of theSanjay Gandhi National Park, lie the Kanheri Caves.The word Kanheri originates from Sanskrit word "Krishnagiri"  and means, "Black Mountain".

Considered to be in use during the period of 1st century BC to 9th century AD, primarily by Buddhist monks, the caves were chiseled out of a massive basaltic rock outcropping. Most of the 109 Buddhist caves chiseled out of the volcanic rock are spartan and unadroned simple small chambers, known as viharas. However,  the most appealing is the Chaitya cave, built sometime during the 4th to 5th Century AD, shows signs of decorative woodwork on the roof still present, and is definitely a big draw for the tourists.There are many sculptured statues of Buddha, on the outer sides of the wall, mainly in the Avalokiteswara incarnation. 

5. Bombay Museum 

Designed in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, this dome-topped museum with a blue and yellow stone facade, has art, architecture and natural history exhibits.

6. Gateway Of India

The Gateway of India is of course, the logical place from where to begin your tour of Mumbai. 

After all, you're following in the footsteps of royalty!

The English King George V landed in India in 1911 at this very spot, and the citizens of Bombay pooled money and ideas to build this grand memorial to him.

Gandhi returned to India from South Africa through this very arch. People thronged to the gate to see him, they had heard stories of his success in South Africa. They called him Mahatma - Great Soul.

After Indian independence, the last British soldiers departed through this arch.

But the most important thing about the Gateway is not the arch at all - it's the sea beyond it. You see, it was this deep and safe harbour that first attracted the Portguese, who called it "Bom Bahia" - Good Bay (that's where the city's name comes from).

The Portuguese later gave away the island to the English as part of the dowry of the Portuguese princess Catharine Braganza. And the English East India Company developed Bombay into a major shipping and trading harbour.

So, you see, the city's very existence is because of this stretch of calm water.

To view the Gateway and its environs from the comfort of an aiconditioned ambience, get a table by the window at the Sea Lounge at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel opposite. The Sea Lounge is a quintessentially Mumbai institution and a must on the itinerary of a first-time visitor. Apart from the restaurant itself, the lobby and the staircase of the heritage wing of the Taj Mahal hotel are worth a look.

7. Mumbai Train Station

 India's most beautiful railway station is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture with stained-glass windows, towering spires, domed arches and buttresses and pillars with animal images carved into them. 

8. Jain Temple

Also known as the Babu Amichand Panalal Adishwarji Jain Temple, this famous Jain Temple was built in 1904. It contains ornate sculptures and paintings. A must visit to see one the most beautiful Jain temples in India.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Adishwar (also known as Rushabhdev), the first of 24 Jain "Tirthankaras" (omniscients - also called "Arihants" or "Jinas") of the current era. The temple is presently used by thousands of devotees of the Jain religion for their daily worship. The core belief of Jainism is that "moksha" (freedom from the cycle of birth and death) can be achieved by the three-fold path of right knowledge, right faith and right conduct.

Compared to most Jain temples, it is very large. In addition to the main idol of Lord Adinath, it contains idols of several other Arihants and also many tableaux of scenes from the Jain scriptures. In the outer courtyard there is a small shrine dedicated to Shri Ghantakaran Mahavir, a "deva" (celestial being) whose worship is believed to provide powerful protection from various kinds of harm through the invocation of a special mantra.

All visitors are required to remove footwear before entering the temple (socks are permitted). Women should dress modestly (no shorts, skirts or low-cut tops).

9. Mount Mary Church

This is a beautiful Roman Catholic Church which is very famous for the week-long Bandra fair which takes place here every year in September.

10. Essel World

India’s answer to Disneyland, Esselworld is located in Gorai. The amusement park is very popular with domestic tourists. It can be reached by road as well as by taking a ferry from Marve Beach or Gorai Creek.

11. Hanging Gardens

The Hanging Gardens are also known as Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens. They are located in Malabar Hill, opposite the Kamala Nehru Park (known for the huge shoe built within the garden) and are very popular with children!

12. Water Kingdom

Water Kingdom is a water park situated in Gorai. Many people like to come here to escape Mumbai’s heat and humidity by splashing around in the many water rides! It can be reached by road as well as by taking a ferry from Marve Beach or Gorai Creek.

13. Bandra-Worli Bridge

This is a bridge which links Mumbai’s suburbs to South Mumbai. It’s a very prestigious bridge which was opened in 2009.

14. Chowpathy Beach

The action starts at night at this famous beach, which is lined with vendors, entertainers, children's rides and fast food stalls selling bhelpuris (puffed rice snacks) and other Indian delights.

15. Sanjay Gandhi National Park

The park is also known as Borivali National Park since it is located in Borivali, a suburb of Mumbai. The famous Kanheri Caves are located within the park. A famous Jain Temple is also situated in the park. 

16. Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium  

The Nehru Centre in Worli houses the Nehru Planetarium. (Please note that this is different from the Nehru Science Centre which is located on Dr. E. Moses Road) Nehru Planetarium has 3D shows everyday in English, Hindi and Marathi, about Astronomy.

By - Anirudh Chandrashekar

Email : anirudhchandrashekarao@gmail.com

Blog : www.visit-india-now.blogspot.in