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MUMBAI CITY ATTRACTIONS |
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| Gateway of India |
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The Gateway of India is the main attraction of Mumbai city. It was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary for the Delhi Durbar in 1911. Situated at the Apollo Bunder, the gateway holds greater historical significance as the last of the British troops that left India by sea, marched through its portals. The monument is complete with four turrets and intricate latticework carved into the yellow basalt stone. You can also go for a short cruise through Mumbai's natural harbour in one of the little motor launches that are stationed here. |
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| Juhu Beach |
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Nicknamed as the uptown bourgeois paradise, Juhu Beach is a place that attracts a large number of visitors throughout the year. Characterised by walkers, screaming children and courting couples, the beach covers an area of about 5 kilometres. Juhu beach is attractively studded with many five star hotels offering the customers a splendid view of the coast. The beach remains noticeably crowded on weekends. Moreover, the beach activities like camel rides, pony rides, acrobats, performing monkeys and entertainers will keep you enthralled all the time. Keep away from hawkers. |
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| Prince of Wales Museum |
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The Prince of Wales museum is another major attraction of Mumbai. Built in the year 1914, it is surrounded by a beautiful landscape forming an ideal getaway for the people of Mumbai. The museum houses art, sculpture, rare coins, and old firearms and a priceless collection of miniature paintings. The Prince of Wales museum is regarded as one of the best museums in the country. |
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| Film City |
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Cinema has emerged as a popular source of entertainment in India. Almost every village in India has a cinema within walking distance. It is really hard to comprehend the impact of cinema as it has effected almost all compartments of life. The Indian film industry is the largest in the world and amazingly it churns out over 900 films every year. There is regional cinema that caters to the local tastes and there is hindi cinema that has a wide presence. The home of Hindi blockbuster, the “all-India film” , is Mumbai.
Bollywood -
Popularly called Bollywood by locals and cynics, Film City clings to the outskirts of the National Park, and is practically overrun by assorted stars and starlets -- the demi gods and goddesses of Modern India. To overcome the differences of language and religion, the Bollywood movie follows rigid conventions and genres; as in myth, its characters have predetermined actions and destines. Hindi movies follow a “masala format” where a bit of everything is packaged in one single product. There are elements of song, dance, melodrama, violence and erotica that Indian audiences love. The Film City sets are heavily booked around the year. They are closed to visitors, but special permissions can always be "obtained" to check out the action.
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| Elephanta Caves |
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A pleasant half an hour motor-boat ride from the hustle and bustle of city life brings one to the vicinities of the famous Elephanta caves located in the quiet island by the same name. This island is home to a series of seven magnificient rock cut caves which dates from the 4th-9th centuries A.D. These caves are situated at a height of about 76metres above sea-level. The most impressive of these caves has a 40 metre square main hall with two wide columnades. At the western end of the hall, there is a lingam shrine which stands guarded by stone doorkeepers leaning on dwarfs. The lingam symbolic of lord Siva is still worshipped by devotees during festivals. One of the most striking features of this cave is the 6m high Maheshmurti, the three headed bust of lord Siva depicting his three facets-creator, destroyer and protector. Besides, the cave contains a series of nine massive sculptured panels which show various incidents in the life of lord Siva and other dramatic moments from Hindu mythology. These are chiselled with immense artistic finesse. |
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| Mahabaleshwar |
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Enter into one of the fascinating hill resort of Maharashtra situated on the western ghats of Maharashtra. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Mahabaleshwar form a perfect getaway from Bombay. The hill resort belongs to the colonial era and till date it forms a great escapade from the heats of the plains. In Mahabaleshwar, you can see a perfect amalgam of old world charm and new worlds beauty. Explore this enticing hill station of Maharashtra and imbibe memories that will last for life time.
Arthur's Seat (12 km) :
Located 12 km from Mahabaleshwar, Aurthur's seat is nestled over 600 metres of coastal strip of Konkon.
Morarji Castle:
This is one of the oldest castle situated in Morarji Castle. Mahatama Gandhi once lived here in 1945.
Pratapgad Fort:
Just 24 kms away from Mahabaleshwar, Pratapgad was constructed in 166 by Moropant Trimbak Pingle under the command of Maratha ruler Shivaji. |
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| Panchgani |
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Panchgani is situated 20km east of Mahabaleshwar and spread over five hills. It is a small, quiet town with feel of good old days. The charming old colonial cottages can be find all around the hill station. Aptly named ''five lands', Panchgani is a very famous hill station in Maharashtra. Its a place wherein you can lay back and relax.
There isn't much to see at Panchgani but there is a lot to do. You can hire bicycle and explore around the narrow streets to have innocent fun. You can sit and have famous Chanas or Masala Bhuttas or buy some strawberries for yourself which are grown here in abundance. The best time to visit Panchagani is from September to May but the going during monsoons can be fun as trees are greenest during monsoons. |
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| Ajanta Ellora Caves |
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The most famous Ajanta and Ellora caves has been designated as a World Heritage Site, to be preserved as an artistic legacy that will come to inspire and enrich the lives of generations to come. Hidden away from view in the middle of nowhere, or so it may seem to us today, and nestled in the hills themselves, are two magical locations where the rulers of yore thought it be would be fit to display the artistry of their time recording for posterity stories from mythology, these caves are none other than the famous Ajanta and Ellora caves, located near the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra. There are about 34 caves at Ellora and 29 caves at Ajanta.
Ajanta Caves: : It was only in the 19th century that the Ajanta group of caves, lying deep within the Sahyadri hills at Maharashtra and cut into curved mountain side above the Waghora river, were discovered. A group of British officers on a tiger hunt stumbled on these wonderous ancient works of art. They depict the story of Buddhism, spanning the period from 200 BC to 650 AD.
Ellora Caves: The Ellora caves, which comprises of 34 caves in it, are carved into the sides of a basaltic hill 30 kolometers from Aurangabad. The finest specimens of cave temple architecture, they boast of elaborate facades and house exquisitely adorned interiors. These structures representing the three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, were carved between the 350 AD to 700 AD. The 12 caves towards the south are Buddhist, the 17 in the center are dedicated to Hinduism, and the 5 caves to the north are Jain. |
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| Lonavala |
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Situated on the western ghats, Lonavala is scenic resplendent which captures the heart of tourist through its bounteous beauty. Better known as the 'Jewel of Shayadri', Lonavala is one of the sparkling gem in the array of hill stations in Maharashtra.
Lonavala falls amidst Mumbai and Pune and is located on the western part of the Maharashtra some 106 kms from Mumbai. Lonavala is blessed with gracious natural beauty which makes this hill station an enticing place.
There are number of tourist destinations in Lonavala. Some of the famous tourists spots are Lonavala and Bhushi. Apart from caves we have Karla and Bhaja caves which is located 11 km from Lonavala. Visit this exotic hill station of Maharashtra which will surprise you with its enticing beauty . |
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| Khandala |
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Situated on the Western part of Maharashtra, Khandala is a hill station which is located at a height 625 m on the Sahyadri mountain range. Blessed with bounteous beauty, Khandala is a scenic resplendent which is worth watching.
Blessed with natural beauty, Khandala is a picturesque destination to explore. Founder of the first Maratha empire, Chattrapati Shivaji, ruled the area around Khandala. Later it came under the Peshwa ruler, who founded the second Maratha empire. Finally, Khandala was taken over by the British when they defeated the Peshwas.
Tourist Attraction in Khandala
Ryewood -
This is one of the beautiful garden which is situated near Lonavala. The park has an old Mahadeo temple in the park. The place got its name after an English officer Mr Rye, which stayed in the place for quite some time. Initially it was under the care of civil dept. In 1959, Ryewood was transferred State Government's Forest Department. This garden has plenty of the place for children's play.
Shivaji Park -
Better known as the playground which was converted into garden in the year 1956. There is statue of Shri Shivaji Maharaj in this park.
Sakur Plateau: Located at a distance of 4miles, Sakur plateau is at a height of 1000 feet. The plateau is on the way to Ambavane village. It encompasses thick forests and is sparsely populated.
Rajmachi Park -
This park falls amidst Mumbai from Lonavala. The park gives a spectacular view of the surroundings. On the Eastern side there are two towers of Raimarchi fort which can be seen at the bottom of the huge valley. Rajmachi Park has a restaurant and a temple. Rajamachi Park has a children's park and host a regular bus service from Lonavala bus station. |
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RELIGIOUS PLACES IN MUMBAI |
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| Haji Ali Dargah |
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The Haji Ali Dargah is a mosque and dargah (tomb) located on an islet off the coast of Worli in Mumbai. Lying as it does in the heart of the city, the dargah is one of the most recognizable landmarks of Mumbai. Although it is a mosque and dargah, it is very popular among Hindus from Mumbai itself, other parts of Maharashtra and southern Gujarat. It is believed that praying at the dargah helps fulfill one's wishes.The Sunni Barelvi Movement of India Controls the Dargah and Masjid as is the case of most of the Masjids of Mumbai.
The dargah was built in 1631 by a wealthy Muslim merchant and saint named Haji Ali who renounced all his worldly possessions before making a pilgrimage to Mecca. Legend has it that Haji Ali died on his way to Mecca and his body, in its casket, floated back to Mumbai. However, some believe that Haji Ali drowned at the place where the dargah stands today. As many as 40,000 pilgrims visit the shrine on Thursdays and Fridays. The dargah is built on a tiny islet located 500 yards from the coast, in the middle of Worli Bay, in the vicinity of Worli. The islet is linked to the city precinct of Mahalakshmi by a narrow causeway. This causeway is not bound by railings, and is lashed by the sea during high-tide. Therefore, the dargah is accessible only during low tide. This 500-yard-walk on the causeway, with the sea on both sides, is one of the highlights of a trip to the shrine. |
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| Siddhi Vinayak Temple |
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The Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to Ganesha. It is located in Prabhadevi, Dadar, Mumbai. It was originally built by Mr. Laxman Vithu and Mrs. Deubai Patil in November 19th, 1801. The temple has a small mandapam (hall) with the shrine for Siddhi Vinayak ("Ganesha that grants your wish"). The wooden doors to the sanctum are carved with images of the Ashtavinayak (the eight manifestations of Ganesha in Maharashtra). The inner roof of the sanctum is plated with gold, and the central statute is of Ganesha. In the periphery of the temple, there is a Hanuman temple as well. The Siddhivinayak Mandir evolved from a small, tiny place of worship to the Grand Temple that stands today in the later half of the twentieth century. The glory to the temple was bought not only by the politicians who frequented the temple but also numerous bollywood filmstars who continuously visit the temple to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha. |
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| Mahalaxmi Temple |
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Located at the seashore on the northern side of Malabar hills, Mahalakshmi temple is one of the most sacred temples in Mumbai. The temple enshrines three dieties namely Lakshmi, Kali and Saraswati. However, the principal diety is goddess lakshmi and hence the name Mahalakshmi temple.
History
Built around 1785, the history of this temple is supposedly connected with the building of the Hornby Vellard. It is said that when Britishers failed in their repeated attempts to connect Mahalakshmi area to Worli by building Breach Candy on account of ferocious tides, they had almost surrendered. The problem was fixed only by divine intervention when the goddess Lakshmi appeared in the dream of chief engineer and asked him to remove the three statues from the sea bed and establish them in a proper shrine. A search operation was launched to recover the statues and a temple was built. After this, the work on the vellard could be completed without a hitch. .
Inside
The Temple contains images of Goddess Mahalakshmi, Mahakali and Mahasaraswathi. All three images are adorned with nose rings, gold bangles and pearl necklaces. The image of Mahalakshmi is shown riding a tiger and a demon (Mahishasur) in a tandem. Beyond the ornate gate is the shrine wherein resides the buxom goddess of Lucre -- Laxmi. The compound of this temple is abuzz with stalls selling flower garlands and pious paraphernalia. |
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| Jain Temple |
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The jain temple on Ridge Road (B C Kher Marg) on Malabar Hill is one of the most noteworthy of all jain temples in Mumbai. The opulent architecture reflects heights of artistic expression and large heartedness of enterprising Jain community who give hefty donations for religious purposes.But equally lamentable is the fact that the temple is poorly maintained.
The work on temple was completed in 1903 and it was thrown open for the use of Swetamber Jains. Over years the temple has gained much publicity and popularity and hence the temple witnesses a constant flow of devotees moving in & out throughout the year.
Inside
The temple is brightly decorated from inside and one can see intricate carvings and frescoes on the walls. These frescoes depict various events in the lives of the 24 Jain apostles or Tirthankaras. As one climbs stairs, one finds that a black marble shrine is beautifully decorated with celestial personifications of the planets, painted onto the ceiling. Jain stockbrokers walking barefoot to the temple every morning, and white-robed monks usually add to the morning hubbub at the temple complex. |
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| Walukeshwar Temple |
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Walukeshwar Mandir is situated at the end of the Malabar Hill, down to Back Bay. Walukeshwar, or 'sand-Lord' shrine is among the Mumbai's ancient Hindu sites.
Legend -
According to the great epic Ramayana, Rama paused here during his journey south to rescue Sita from the clutches of the evil Ravana and fashioned a lingam out of sand to worship Shiva. Folk etymology derives the name Walkeshwar from the Sanskrit name for an idol made of sand-- Valuka Iswar. As there was no water to be found for drinking, Rama pierced his arrow into the earth down to the Patal and a spring of water shot out instantly and formed the lake. The lake is, since the, came to be known as Banaganga. The Banganga tank, unremarkable hemmed in by a towering wall of apartment blocks, is believed to have been created by an arrow fired from Rama's own fabled bow.
The original Walkeshwar temple was built by the Silaharas around 1050 A.D. and is said to have contained both the lingam ferried from Benaras by Lakshman and the sand lingam crafted by Rama. Today's temple, erected in 1715 after the original had been destroyed by the portuguese, in unremarkable and best bypassed in favour of the more impressive Banganga tank, below it. The spring that feeds the tank is believed to have been created by an arrow fired by from Rama's own fabled bow.
The State Government, in recent years, has been organising Music Festival here regularly in every winter. The entire precinct is illuminated richly during his festival. |
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