Tourist India

7 Best Luxury Spas in India

2023-07-10T19:06:00.001+05:30

In this post of Tourist India, we are telling you about the 7 best luxury spas in India. By the way, on hearing the name of the spa, people start feeling pleasant. People go to the spa to keep themselves fresh and relax so that they can stay alive and maintain their activity.

1. Ananda Spa, Rishikesh

Anand Spa is spread over 25000 sq.ft. 24 treatment rooms, state-of-the-art gymnasium, temperature controlled swimming pool and luxurious hydrotherapy facility are the main attractions of Ananda Spa. Therapy is tailored to meet individual needs and health goals. Let the qualified doctors and experts of this Himalayan spa guide you towards a better lifestyle.

2. Rejuvenation, The Royal Spa Agra

Agra-based Kaya Kalp – The Royal Spa offers a regal Mughal blend that is a sensuous blend of Persian and Indian treatments. The Royal Spa is located in the ITC Mughal Hotel. This spa is spread over 99000 square feet. True to its royal name, the design incorporates elements of Mughal landscaping and architecture. The Spa also houses the first luxury Spa Hammam (Turkish Sauna) in India.

3. Vivanta by Taj Bekal, Kerala

The Jiva Grande Spa at Vivanta Bekal is spread over 165000 square feet and is one of the finest spas in India. The spa focuses on long-term wellness programs of yoga, Ayurveda and spiritual retreats. In addition ritualistic fire ceremonies and chanting are offered by the resident priest for the Ayush and health of the guests.

4. Park Hyatt Resort & Spa, Goa

Indulge in a unique and luxurious spa experience at Sereno Spa at Park Hyatt Resort & Spa, Goa. Here, spa service is provided by Ayurvedic and yoga based treatment methods. The spa is spread over 36000 square feet and offers Ayurvedic massage, skin and body treatments.

5. The Rosette Ahly Spa, Delhi

One of the best boutique hotels in Delhi, The Rosette is located in outer South Delhi. The need to 'relax', even if only for a few hours, is an urgent need in this urban scenario. The Rosette Aheli Spa is one of the best luxury spas near Delhi and Gurgaon to rejuvenate your senses. Here you get natural and pure products world class luxury spa facilities.

6. Wildflower Hall Spa, Shimla

Set amidst deodar forests, with fresh air and a view of the snow-capped mountains, The Spa Pavilion at Wildflower Hall Resort by The Oberoi is a haven of peace. This spa uses plants and flowers in its aromatherapy and Ayurveda based treatments. It offers exclusive massages, yoga and Ayurvedic treatments at exclusive spots around the hotel and grounds.

7. Devigarh Resort & Spa

Devigarh, away from the stress of the city, is an ideal place for your health. This spa energizes your body and mind. It offers a combination of gymnasium, steam, sauna, jacuzzi, and beauty parlour. Here spa service is provided by Ayurvedic method. The healers here use medicated oils and herbal pastes for various treatments.

Bhumchu Festival - Sikkim’s

2023-07-08T11:57:00.005+05:30

Bhumchu festival

Bhumchu festival: Every state, city, town, village has got their own set of traditions, rituals andfestivals that define them and India is known for its diverse and rich culture. One such unique festival, Bhumchu is celebrated in Sikkim everywhere.

It is ascribed as one of the most important time of the year. It is celebrated with great pomp and show. This festival is said to decide the fate of the state for the whole year and people from Nepal, Bhutan also travel across to attend this festival.

A land of serene beauty and lush vistas, Sikkim is a vista to behold. This jewel of north east India is abode for unique cuisine for your food pallete, a pilgrimage site with beautiful monasteries, thrilling trekking trails and more.

Bhumchu means ‘ sacred pot of water.’ It is believed that the origins can be traced to around 755 and 804 CE in Tibet. The celebration begins on the 14 th and 15th day of the Tibetan lunar calendar, that is February-March for Gregorian calendar.

During this festival water plays a crucial role. On the day of the festival a sacred pot or vessel is opened and the water level indicates the fate of the state. If the water is full and to the brim then it means that it will be a peaceful year; if it overflows then it indicates of turbulent years and if the water level is low or almost dried then resdeints are to brace fro drought or famine.

Each year, seven cups of water is taken from the vessel and mixed with holy water of river Rathong and then distributed to devotees. Wondering then how the holy pot is refilled? Monks taken seven cups from the river and seal the vessel shut only prayering for a properosu and peaceful coming year.

The celebration take place at the Tashiding Monestry every year in West Sikkim. It is one of the most sacred Buddhist sanctuaries and also the centre of four holy caves which – Dechenphug, Sharchog Bephug, Lhari Nyingphug and Khandozangphu.

Global Vipassana Pagoda Mumbai

2022-05-11T13:01:00.002+05:30

Situated among the green and peaceful environment of Gorai Island, Global Vipassana Meditation Pagoda Mumbai is one of the Seven Wonders of Maharashtra. It is also one of the must-visit tourist spots in Mumbai. It is a meditation dome in the outskirts of Mumbai, which is built as a tribute to Sayagyi U Ba Khin, a Vipassana teacher from Myanmar. The pagoda was inaugurated by Pratibha Patil, then President of India, on 8 February 2009. It is built on donated land on a peninsula between Gorai creek and the Arabian Sea.

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The pagoda is to serve as a monument of peace and harmony. The Global Vipassana Pagoda has been built out of gratitude to Sayagyi U Ba Khin, Vipassana teacher and the first Accountant-General of Independent Burma, who was instrumental in Vipassana returning to India, the country of its origin.

The dome resembles the Shwedagon Pagoda of Myanmar. It is the world’s largest stone dome standing without any supporting pillars and here, 8000 people can meditate at a time. Global Vipassana Pagoda follows the values of Gautam Buddha and spreads his teachings. The monks here practice meditation and relaxation as taught by Vipassana guruji Shree S N Goenka. And they have devoted their entire life to this purpose.

Vipassanā is the practical quintessence of the universal, non-sectarian teachings of the Buddha. Its traditional Burmese design is an expression of gratitude towards the country of Myanmar for preserving the practice of Vipassana. The shape of the pagoda is a copy of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar. The pagoda also organizes regular Vipassana meditation courses.

How to Reach Global Vipassana Pagoda?

By Air – Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is about 40 km away from Global Vipassana Pagoda. And it connects Mumbai to the world. Flights from major cities of India and around the world are available.

By Rail – Being a business hub of India, Mumbai has regular trains from all the corners of India. Most of the trains stop either at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus or Mumbai Central, which are at a distance of about 60 km from Global Pagoda. Mumbai has an extensive network of local trains to connect the entire city. And the nearest railway station to Global Vipassana Pagoda is Borivali.

By Road – Mumbai is connected to major cities of India through national highways. And daily buses run between Mumbai and the nearby cities like Pune, Aurangabad and Nagpur. Luxury coaches from other destinations are also available. Most buses arrive at Mumbai Central Bus Depot, which is about 60 km away.

You can reach Global Vipassana Pagoda at Gorai Beach Mumbai with the help of ferries and also by road transport or railway. Once you get off the train, you can board a bus or hail a taxi/auto for Gorai creek. From there, you can take a ferry to Global Vipassana Pagoda. The Essel World jetty is the nearest to the pagoda, so board a ferry which takes you there. Frequent ferries from Marve to Essel World jetty too are available. If you don’t want to go by a ferry, you have the option to go to Global Vipassana Pagoda by road. You can hire a cab from top car rental companies in Mumbai through the Western Express Highway, via Mira-Bhayander road. The route, though, is longer and it would consume more time.

Global Vipassana Pagoda Mumbai Timings and Entry Fee

Global Vipassana Pagoda visiting time is between 9 AM and 7 PM, and the place is open to visitors every day. However, remember that no new visitors are admitted after 6.30 PM. The entry fee for the pagoda is nil, but you’re free to donate whatever sum you want. You can avail the tour guides at Global Vipassana Pagoda for free, too.

Best Time to Visit Global Vipassana Pagoda

Although Global Pagoda is open throughout the year, it would be best to visit it during the winter months – from November to February. The temperature is pleasant enough for you to comfortably explore the premises. You can also visit Global Vipassana Pagoda in between July and September, when the monsoon season is on and the temperature is low. But intermittent rains can disrupt your plans. Also, try to visit it during the morning hours or the evening hours. The heat during the day can discomfort many.

For a memorable experience at Global Vipassana Pagoda Mumbai, you’ll need around 2-3 hours. Not only the meditation domes, but the entire complex is a work of art, which needs to be explored and admired. When you feel tired, you can rest and recharge yourself in the park or near the waterfall. And if you get hungry, you can get a delicious vegetarian meal at the food court within the complex.

Things to keep in mind while visiting Global Vipassana Pagoda

Only Vipassana meditators may enter the main dome and meditate.
Be seated for the entire duration when you’re taking the Aanapana sessions.
Listen to the instructions carefully and follow them.
Remain silent during meditation; don’t chant.
Switch off your mobiles or keep them on Silent mode.
Global Vipassana Pagoda doesn’t have any dress code; but dress respectably.
Consumption of alcohol and tobacco in any form is prohibited.
Carry your ID proof.

Interesting Facts about Global Vipassana Pagoda

Global Vipassana Pagoda spreads awareness about the non-sectarian Vipassana meditation technique, which was popularised by Shree S N Goenka.
Shree Goenka attended the inaugural one-day meditation course on December 21, 2008, as a teacher.
The technique is taught and practiced in over 160 centres spread across 60+ countries.
The bone relics of Gautam Buddha were enshrined in the dome on October 29, 2006.
The relics were originally found in Guntur (Andhra Pradesh), a place in the Southern part of India.
Mahabodhi Society of India and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka donated the relics to the Global Vipassana Pagoda.

History of Global Vipassana Pagoda

Apart from the large main dome, Global Vipassana Pagoda complex has two smaller domes, namely North Pagoda and South Pagoda. Then, there is a seated Buddha statue, carved out of a single marble rock. The Gong Tower and the Bell Tower are the other significant structures that contribute to the beauty of Global Vipassana Pagoda. Shree S N Goenka, a renowned Vipassana meditation teacher, proposed the idea of the Global Vipassana Pagoda in Mumbai to spread awareness about Dhamma – the teachings of Buddha. The idea was to instil those true teachings in people’s minds and improve their way of living. He felt it was necessary for restoring peace and harmony in the world. The planning began in 1997, but the construction of this Global Pagoda Vipassana centre started only in 2000. And the first of the three domes, which is also the largest one, was completed in 2006.

The bone relics of Gautam Buddha have been kept here since then. The construction of the two smaller domes was completed by 2008, and this Global Pagoda temple was opened for visitors and devotees in 2009. Shree Goenka believed that the pagoda will be helpful in spreading the meanings of Dhamma, while also making people aware of Vipassana meditation technique. He received Padma Bhushan award for his works later, in 2012.

Architecture of Global Vipassana Pagoda

Global Vipassana Pagoda dome is about 29 metres high. The inside of the pagoda is hollow, and it acts as a meditation hall, where 8000 people can sit and practice Vipassana meditation, as taught by Shree S N Goenka. Building’s overall height is 96.12 meters.

Global Vipassana Pagoda construction is spread over 13 acres and it is a mix of Buddhist architecture and Burmese designs. The shape of the pagoda resembles that of Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar, and it’s coloured in a similar gold coloured paint. The spire is covered with real gold, donated by the Burmese. And the top is adorned with a large crystal.

The foundation of Global Pagoda is of basalt. The dome is made with sandstone blocks and each block weighs around 600-700 kgs, secured in place with interlocking bricks. Apart from the impressive Global Vipassana Pagoda architecture, the designs on the wooden entrance doors will catch your eyes too. They were hand-carved in Myanmar.

Things to do at Global Vipassana Pagoda

1. Meditating in the complex – The main dome in the Global Pagoda complex serves as a meditation hall. However, only those who have signed up for a course can enter it. If you want to experience meditation during your Global Vipassana Pagoda tour, you can take up the 20-minutes Aanapana sessions in the North Pagoda.

2. Taking Vipassana courses – You can sign up for the 10-day Vipassana meditation course at Dhamma Pattana, free of cost. Comfortable accommodation is available within the centre. Advanced courses are available for those who want to practice Vipassana for longer durations. Also, old students have the option to take up Global Pagoda one day course to stay updated with the technique. The South Pagoda, next to Dhamma Pattana Vipassana centre, has individual cells to help you practice meditation without distractions.

3. Admiring the architecture – The pillarless structure of the large hollow dome leaves many art enthusiasts and photographers awestruck. And equally magnificent is the Myanmar Gate. The intricate Burmese designs are inspired from the gates of Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar, and they look spectacular. This entrance arch stands on twelve pillars and has seven tiers from the roof of the arch to the top. You will also see lions on both sides of the gate. Then there is Gate 1, which is one of the largest sliding doors. It is carved in teak wood from Myanmar.

4. Checking out the Buddha statue – Global Vipassana Pagoda Mumbai also has a Buddha statue in its complex. The 21.5 feet high statue shows Gautam Buddha in a meditative posture. It is carved from a single block of marble. At the front, there are depictions of four stages from the life of Buddha – Birth, Enlightenment, Setting the Dhamma Wheel in motion and Death.

5. Learning about Gautam Buddha and Vipassana – The pagoda serves as a prominent centre for spreading the teachings of Buddha and information about Vipassana. Apart from the regular classes, the campus has a library and a museum to offer in-depth information on-demand. The Global Vipassana Pagoda art gallery, too, has pictures and paintings depicting various stories.

6. Exploring other structures in the complex – The campus has a few other places of interest alongside the meditation domes and the Vipassana centre. The Bell Tower is decorated in traditional Burmese style and has a huge bell. Then, there is the Gong Tower, constructed in a similar style, but with a large circular gong instead. Next, you will see a small waterfall, a fountain surrounded by the water deities and a 52.4 feet high replica of the Ashoka Pillar of Sarnath.

7. Having lunch at the food court – The mini food court on the campus serves hygienic vegetarian food and refreshments to the visitors. You can also enjoy tea, coffee and other beverages there.

8. Buying souvenirs at the shop – Visit the souvenir shop within the complex to buy memorabilia and get more info about Global Vipassana Pagoda. You will find a variety of books, CDs and photographs. The shop also has key chains, t-shirts, caps and other souvenirs for you to take back home.

Summer Holidays: Visit the Best Water Parks in India

2022-05-06T00:34:00.002+05:30

Nothing is better than water rides when it comes to spending a day out in summers. Water parks help to sooth the senses making you forget the heat of summer. Take a dip in the cool water, enjoy water slides, splash water and let the kid in you come alive. Summer holidays call for the ultimate relief from the almost unbearable heat of the sun. To escape that, there are many activities that you can engage in. You can spend your afternoon at the malls, coffee shops or movies or opt to go to a hill station.

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These rides let you enjoy and freshen up while experiencing the ultimate thrill. Along with the amazing rides, you can also enjoy street food and other mouthwatering snacks available in most such parks. However, the ultimate summer retreat is to visit the best water parks in India near you. Here is a list of the best water parks in India to find the one nearest to you:

1. Water Kingdom in Mumbai:

The Water Kingdom in Mumbai is deemed to be the largest water theme park of Asia. It is among the oldest and the most popular water parks in the country. The rides have only become better with time and are pretty reasonable too. There is an artificial beach that is built inside the park. It is located in Borivali West, near the Bay View Hotel on Global Pagoda road, Mumbai, Maharashtra. What-a-coaster and Adventure Amazonia are the popular rides here.

2. Wonder La in Bangalore:

Wonder La is known to be among the best water parks in India due to the highly thrilling 60+ rides it offers. There are rides that defy gravity make you go insane and discover the child within you. They keep testing their limits and challenge people to enjoy the adrenaline rush. You can also laze near the pool and enjoy sumptuous food in any of the 6 restaurants in the vicinity of the park. You can also buy souvenirs, toys and many other things. This park is a favourite among all age groups. It is located on Mysore road in Bengaluru, Karnataka. It is quite easy to spot on the highway of Bangalore-Mysore. It can also be accessed via the Volvo BMTC buses. The popular rides are Harakiri, Equinox and Flash Tower.

3. Wonder La in Kochi:

This Wonder La is a branch of the same in Bangalore and scores high position in the list of the best water parks in India. It features a wide range of exhilarating rides from the watery coasters to the fun pools. You can choose rides which test your nerves and pump your adrenaline up way too high. The rides to try there are the Water Fall, Water Pendulum and Snake slides. The park is a blessing for all the locals as it offers great respite on a hot summer day. The fun here is endless.

4. Adlabs Imagica in Mumbai-Pune:

Spending your weekends at Adlabs Aquamagica on the Mumbai-Pune highway is definitely relaxing in summers. A more than perfect destination to enjoy with loved ones, Imagica theme park is not one park but many parks in one location like Theme Park, Snow Park, Water Park, Gaming Zone and lot”s more. Enjoy roller coaster rides, shopping, and amazing Mr. India experience in the theme park. In the water park, you can enjoy at the wave pool and lazy river. There are both group and solo rides here. Snow Park is a must visit with temperature -5 degrees. Jackets and boots are available. You can also enjoy snowfall here. This one of the best water parks in India. The rides that are must-try are Splash and Loopy Woopy. You can easily reach this park from the bus stations nearby. Aquamagica also provides services of pick & drop, which can be availed while booking the tickets.

5. Oysters (Appu Ghar) in Gurgaon:

Oysters is the ultimate stress buster water park in Gurgaon. The sprawling and lavish entertainment areas with numerous adventurous rides tend to be perfect for getting rid of the scorching blaze of summer. It is located in Sector 29, Appu Ghar Marg, near metro station of Huda City, Gurugram. Being located right next to the metro of Huda City, Oysters is accessible easily by cab, taxi or metro. The rides to be tried there are Freefall and Oh My Gurgaon.

6. WoW (World of Wonder) in Noida:

Being in the list of the best water parks in India, there must be something special about this park. It is situated in Noida’s heart and is frequented by people in large numbers and varying age groups. It is a fun place for recreation with plenty of events taking place all throughout the year. Known to be an ideal water park for families in India, WoW hosts the well-maintained and cleaned park within the country. It is located in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. You can get there by the metro station most nearby in Noida’s Sector-18. The popular rides there are Free Fall, Raft Ride, Turbo Tunnel, and Rapid Racer.

These are some of the best water parks in India that you must visit to beat the heat in the most-exquisite way. Such easy getaway destinations deserve all your attention as they focus on giving you the best rides available. The cooling down offered by the waters and the unique rides are something to look forward to. Make sure you do not miss out on them and make your summer holidays memorable and fun.

Film City Mumbai or Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari

2022-04-28T02:57:00.001+05:30

Film City or Dadasaheb Phalke Chitra Nagari is an integrated film studio complex situated near Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Goregaon East, Mumbai in India. It has several recording rooms, gardens, lakes, theatres and grounds that serve as the venue of many Bollywood and Marathi films. It was built in 1977 by the state government to provide facilities and concessions to the film industry. The plan for Film City was prepared and executed under the guidance of V. Shantaram.

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Mumbai is synonymous to Bollywood

It was renamed Dadasaheb Phalke Chitra Nagari in 2001 in memory of India's first producer-director-screenwriter Dadasaheb Phalke, who is considered as father of the Indian film industry. It has been the shooting location for almost all Bollywood films. It has many types of location available for shooting including permanent sets of a temple, prison, court, lake, mountains, fountains, villages, picnic spots, gardens and a man-made waterfall. The iconic water tank scene from the movie Sholay was shot here wherein Dharmendra gets on top of a water tank to jump off for Hema Malini. The water tank still stands here. The indoor studios include a total of 16 studios which have sets of a court, hospital, police station, helicopter landing area, a building complex, etc.

Timings and Entry Fees of Mumbai Film City

Timings: The film city studios are open for general tourist visits from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Film City Ticket Booking and Cost: The tickets for the film city guided Bollywood dream tour cost INR 599. The cost of a 5-hour Mumbai Film City Tour is INR 1699. Combination tour costs INR 1099. Half day Bollywood tours cost INR 6000.

Best time to visit Film City Mumbai: The winter months (November to February) are the best months to visit. Morning tours are recommended as the weather is usually pleasant during the mornings then.

How to Reach Mumbai Film City

Nearest Airport to Film City Mumbai – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is the nearest airport. One can hire a cab from top car rental companies in Mumbai to reach Film City directly from the airport.

Nearest Railway station to Film City Mumbai – Goregaon local train station on the Western line is the nearest railway station to Film City Mumbai. One can board a train from Churchgate to Goregaon. After getting down at Goregaon, one may hire an auto-rickshaw or a taxi and reach Film City.

Nearest Bus Depot to Film City Mumbai – Goregaon east bus depot is the nearest bus depot. One may also hire taxis or rent cabs (Ola. Uber, etc.) to reach Film City from any part of the city. Mumbai is well connected through all modes of transport. One can reach film city easily from any part of the city using either local trains, buses, cabs or auto- rickshaws.

Film City Top Priority list of the Visitors

The entire film city is spread across an area of 520 acres with 16 air-conditioned indoor studios and 42 outdoor shoot locations, all located within the city premises. The official name of Film City Mumbai is ‘Dadasaheb Phalke Chitra Nagari’ and is operated under the administration of Maharashtra Film, Stage and Cultural Development Corporation Limited, a government organization undertaking. Over 900 films have been shot in film city Mumbai till date and hence, it is apt to call it an iconic landmark of Mumbai city and also deserves to be on top priority list of the visitors. Apart from feature films, there are numerous television shows and TV commercials that have been shot here in the film city. Both Hindi and Marathi television series are shot here.

History of Mumbai Film City

The history of India being introduced to Cinema dates back to the year 1896, when the very first feature film was screened at the Watson Hotel in Bombay (Mumbai was then known as Bombay). Although it wasn’t an Indian language film, it still managed the Indian creative minds to be fascinated and trigger intrigue and get into learning the craft of filmmaking. The first full length motion film of Indian origin was produced by Dadasaheb Phalke, who is considered as the pioneer of Indian Cinema. He had produced the epic Raja Harishchandra, a silent feature film starring a cast of all male actors since females weren’t considered for acting jobs back then. The film was released in 1913. Coming to the history of Film City Mumbai, the seed that was sown in 1913 after the release of Raja Harishchandra, kept on growing and prospering. It was during the year 1977 when visionaries of Indian Cinema like Late Shri V. Shantaram, Late Shri B. R. Chopra and the legendary actor Dilip Kumar came together and persuaded for the establishment of Maharashtra Film, Stage & Cultural Development Corporation Ltd., which was also called Filmcity. This was done by the Department of Cultural Affairs Government of Maharashtra under the Company Act 1956, on 26th September 1977. It was given the name Film City and was later renamed as Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari in 2001 to recognize the contribution of the founder of Indian Film Industry. The Film City was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Yashwantrao Chavan. Since then, Indian Film Industry has become the highest number of feature films producing entities followed by Nigerian Film Industry, followed by Hollywood. The numbers are as of 2013.

Film City Tour becomes a Dream for any traveller

The Film City Bollywood dream tour is a two-hour guided tour wherein one gets to see the live shoot sets, studios, reserved gardens, Khandala lake, temple, church, court house, jail, hill view, kaliya maidan (total 3), Appu Pappu maidan (total 4), jungle outdoor, adlab complex, and other places. One can actually witness the backend work that goes behind the making of a film. The guide takes the visitors through the history of film city and also the post- production activities that are a mandate in making a film. The film city tours are very time specific and the guides strictly abide by the timelines. The visitors are told about the history of Indian cinema and its evolution.

Mumbai Film City Tour

This tour is about visits to live shoots. Also, photography is prohibited on the sets of a live shoot. One can get a sneak peek into the shooting and their beloved actors however, most of the time, the actors prefer staying inside their vanity vans. Many television series are also shot here in film city and the visitors can come across such a shooting while on their Bollywood tour. Tourists can as well participate in some reality shows being a part of the live audience like ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’.

Combination Tour

The combination tour is a mix of Mumbai film city tour and Bollywood dream tour wherein, the visitors are given a tour of external and internal shoot locations, sets, session on history of Indian Cinema, the details on post production processes and activities and witness them too. All above tours include snacks for the visitors.

Half Day Bollywood Tour

This is an exclusive Bollywood tour that is customized for visitors wherein they could witness live shoots along with a Bollywood dance show being shot live. The visitors are also given a tour of post-production facilities wherein they can witness the behind the scene details. The tour includes snacks and lunch for the visitors.

Places to visit near Mumbai Film City

Gorai Beach, The Golden Pagoda Vipassana Place, Essel world and Water Kingdom, Vasai Fort, Bandra Bandstand, Bandra Worli Sea Link, Bandra Link Road (Shopping street), Mount Mary Church, Bandra Fort, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Powai Lake, Vihar Lake and Chota Kashmir are located nearby.

Film city is a Interesting Tour

We loved the film city tour as we got to visit famous locations in film city。 also we got a chance to see live shooting and outdoor studio locations. very nice location for visit to go there with family.We learnt interesting facts about Bollywood. I recommend to all to visit the film city. I had toured Indian Bollywood which was really exciting. We had a wonderful tour without any hick . If you are also interested in Bollywood movies, you should take this tour!

Mahalakshmi Temple Mumbai

2022-04-24T18:17:00.000+05:30

Shree Mahalakshmi Temple is one of the famous temple of Lord lakshmi in mumbai. This temple is reffered to goddes laxmi ( Goddess of wealth ). It is dedicated to the Tridevi goddesses - Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. All these deities are lavishly adorned with jewellery. The main deity, Mahalakshmi, is at the center shown holding lotus flowers. It is an interesting place of attraction for spiritually motivated visitors. Sea near by makes it more attractive. A good place to visit . Here we get fresh up with positivity and blessings . Love to visit this place .

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Excellent Temple in India

This place is one of the finest monastries that represents the historical sculptures in the world, one of world's largest rock cut monastry-temple cave. The place is so peceful one can feel and hear the inner voice. The scuptures depict the present of god and godesses. its a UNESCO world heritage site and is such a beauty, the view and everything is sightful and stunning. Mahalakshmi temple staff also very good and helpful.

One of the famous places to visit in mumbai

Mahalakshmi Railway station is named after goddess Mahalakshmi. This temple is located at walkable distance from railway station. Temple is very crowded at Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Mahalakshmi temple is one of the oldest and iconic place to visit in mumbai. This temple is sea facing. Its because of this Devi Mahalaxmi that a person coming and staying in Mumbai never goes hungry or without money. Its a powerful devi temple with lovely view of the Arabian sea. A must visit for all ages.

How to Reach Mahalakshmi Temple Mumbai?

By Air – Daily flights from domestic airports as well as many foreign destinations arrive in Mumbai. Doesn’t matter where you’re in the world, you can find hassle-free convenience to Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport Mumbai. It is only 18 km away from Mahalakshmi Temple.

By Rail – Regular trains from the metropolitan cities as well as other small towns of India are available for Mumbai. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (7 km away) and Mumbai Central (4 km away) are the two railway stations where most trains stop. Some distant trains stop at the suburban stations instead of those two railway terminals. Mahalakshmi Station is the nearest railway station to Mahalakshmi Temple.

By Road – A network of national highways connects Mumbai to nearby towns and other major cities of India. You can either drive your car, book a cab or hop on one of the public or private buses to Mumbai. State-run BEST buses are also available from all corners of Mumbai to the temple. Most of the buses stop at Mumbai Central Bus Depot, which is only about 4 km away from Mahalakshmi Temple. You can reach Mahalakshmi Temple easily from anywhere in Mumbai. You can get a taxi, auto or board a Mumbai local train.

Mahalakshmi Temple Timings and Entry Fee

The timings to visit Mahalakshmi Temple Mumbai are between 6 AM to 10 PM. Entry is free and you can watch the aarti live as per the scheduled timings. Mahalakshmi Temple Mumbai aarti timings are 7 AM to 7.20 AM and 7.30 PM to 7.50 PM. Apart from the main aarti, you can also attend Dhoop aarti around 6.30 PM, depending on the time of sunset, and Shej aarti at 10 PM before the gates close for the night. Daily Naivedya ritual, in which the priests offer food to the deities, is at 12 PM. The temple priests also perform special rituals like Mahapuja on behalf of the devotees. You have to pay ₹251 for that. For Abhishek and Archana rituals, the donation is ₹20 and ₹10, respectively. Special havan sessions can also be arranged in the temple premises on a donation of ₹2500.

Best Time to Visit Mahalakshmi Temple

The best time to visit Mahalakshmi temple would be in the month of winter, from October to March. During those months, Mumbai’s temperature is pleasant and you might also get a chance to attend the special Navratri aarti or Diwali celebrations. Also, visit Mahalakshmi Temple early in the morning for a comfortable darshan, as the rush isn’t much. You can also get an opportunity to interact with the priests and know the Mahalakshmi Temple Mumbai story in detail.

Time to Explore Mahalakshmi Temple Mumbai

On a normal day, you can complete your visit to Mahalakshmi Temple complex in around 30 minutes. During rush hours you might need about an hour though. But if you prefer to visit during the festivals, it might take you over one hour for the darshan.

Things to keep in mind while visiting Mahalakshmi Temple

    Wear proper dress keeping in mind that it’s a religious place.
    Get in the right queue assigned to men/ women for the darshan.
    Keep a watch on your belongings while you’re in the temple.
    Leave your footwear outside the temple.
    Photography is prohibited within the temple complex.

Architecture of Mahalaxmi Temple

Mahalakshmi Temple in Mumbai is made in the traditional Indian style of temple architecture. The Kalash (the top) of Mahalakshmi Temple is about 15 meters high. An intricately carved entrance gate leads you into the temple complex. The 10.6 metres high Dhwaja Stambha (Flag Pole) made of wood is among the first structures you’ll see upon entering the temple. It is covered with silver sheets. Then, there’s Deepmala – a tall structure illuminated with diyas (clay lamps), which is carved in stone. The Sabha Mandapa (the area around the sanctum) of the temple is spread over 100 square metres and has 27 ornamented spires to support it. A silver-covered lion, which faces the deities, is within the Sabha Mandapa. And there are wooden idols of Jay-Vijay at the entrance of the Gabhara (temple sanctum). Within the Gabhara, you’ll see the idols of the goddesses – Mahalakshmi, Mahakali and Mahasaraswati, ornamented with jewels and flowers. The thrones too are covered in silver, adorned with intricate carvings.

History of Mahalakshmi Temple Mumbai

According to the records, Mahalakshmi Temple was constructed around 1761-1771 CE. The legend says that people immersed the idols of Mahalakshmi, Mahakali and Mahasaraswati in the sea near Worli, to keep them safe from Muslim invaders. Later, during British rule, Lord Hornby wanted to connect Worli and Malabar Hill. However, even after multiple trials, the team of engineers and technicians failed because of the sea waves. Then, one night, Goddess Mahalakshmi appeared in the dream of the lead engineer – Shri Ramji Shivji Prabhu. She asked him to fish out the idols from the sea and place them on the hillock to complete the project without any trouble. The team did so. The engineer also promised the goddess that he will build a temple on the hillock and put those idols in there. So, when the project was completed, Shri Ramji Shivji Prabhu took land from the British government and constructed the Mahalakshmi Temple.

Things to do at Mahalakshmi Temple

At Mahalakshmi Temple, you can offer coconuts, sweets and flowers to the deities on any day. The temple complex has many shops which sell fresh flowers and other items to be used for worship. The charm of the Mahalakshmi Temple increases manifold during festivals. Navratri is celebrated twice a year; once around March - April and again between September - October. Diwali comes around October - November. The entire temple complex is decorated with lights and flowers. So, you must visit Mumbai Mahalakshmi temple during Navratri and Diwali if you are in Mumbai. Special arrangements are made so that devotees can get a proper darshan of their revered deities, even during heavy rush. And It’s during these festivals when you can witness the beauty of the temple and the enthusiasm of the devotees. People also come in huge numbers on the occasion of Annakut (a few days after Diwali), Margashirsha month (around December - January) and Gudi Padwa (in March - April).

Water Kingdom Mumbai

2022-04-24T01:20:00.003+05:30

The Water Kingdom is one of the most popular tourist spots in Mumbai. This water-themed amusement park is the choicest destination for fun and relaxation during Mumbai tour. Water Kingdom is Asia's Largest Theme Water Park situated in Gorai Mumbai. 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 Malad or Gorai Creek Borivali Mumbai.

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The amusement park is a favourite for school & corporate picnics. With all the fun & frolic it is ensured the safety of the visitors is not compromised. An amalgamation of thrill, fun, entertainment and pure happiness - EsselWorld offers it all. With conventional leisure trips, gatherings, school trips or an impromptu visit, the park has entertained over 15 million visitors till date.

About PAN INDIA PARYATAN PRIVATE LIMITED (PIPPL) PIPPL belongs to the Essel Group of companies, owns and operates two amusement parks viz. 'EsselWorld' and 'Water Kingdom' at Mumbai. EsselWorld is the largest amusement park in the country & 'Water Kingdom', is one of the largest Theme Water Parks in Asia, are located on 64 acres of land. Since the past 25 years EsselWorld has been responsible for setting a benchmark in the amusement park industry in India. The Island of Fun is located on the costal Gorai village in northwest Mumbai, a scenic setting injected with wholesome thrill & entertainment. The 42 acre complex boasts of over 71 attractions designed for entertainment of all age groups- perfectly justifying the title of India's largest amusement park. With time EsseWorld has evolved and added fantastic elements such as Shot N Drop, Top spin, Monsters in the Mist, Ice skating rink, Bowling alley to name a few.

Best time to visit Water Kingdom

The Water Kingdom is open all year round and you can be here any time. However, during summer, the place becomes too crowded. So, come here during the cooler months, from November to February. The temperature is pleasant and the humidity levels are low. Also, if you’re here in the last week of December, you can be a part of the colourful celebrations of Christmas and New Year.

Time to explore Water Kingdom Mumbai

To enjoy all the Water Kingdom slides, you’ll need about 3-4 hours. But you should plan an entire day at Water Kingdom, to roam around, enjoy the rides and relax. You can also shop for souvenirs and satiate your taste buds at numerous eateries open there.

How to Reach Water Kingdom

By Air – Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport connects Mumbai to other parts of the world. Daily flights from major Indian cities and foreign destinations are available. It is about 40 km away.

By Rail – Apart from the strong road connectivity, Mumbai also has a reliable network of trains from every corner of India. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Mumbai Central are the two railway stations where most trains stop. Both are at a distance of about 60 km from the amusement park. Mumbai also has a robust network of local trains. Borivali is the nearest railway station. From there, you can hire a taxi or auto to reach Water Kingdom. The most time-efficient way, however, would be to board a ferry from Gorai creek after you get off at Borivali. Ferries to Water Kingdom are available from Marve jetty too.

By Road – Mumbai is connected to major cities of India by road. So, you can take your own car and enjoy a road trip to Mumbai. Most buses stop at Mumbai Central Bus Depot, about 60 km away from Water Kingdom. For a hassle-free tour to Water Kingdom at Mumbai, book a cab from top car rental companies in Mumbai to reach the place via the Western Express Highway. It’s a long route but will save you from inconveniences. Cabs are available from everywhere in the city and around.

One of the few weekend hangout spots in Mumbai

One of the few weekend hangout spots in Mumbai. It's located on Gorai Island. off the shore of malad and borivali. It's a water park with a sister amusement park called Essel World. You can either take a cab, bus or ferry to Water Kingdom. And here are the different options you have to reach Mumbai. it was a good experience and the place was very near and will surely visit may be on my next visit with family.

Water Kingdom Mumbai Entry Fees and Timings

The Water Kingdom near Mumbai is one of those spots where people love to spend a day out, whatever be the occasion. It is in full liveliness during the weekends or special occasions like New Year celebrations. It is accessible 365 days a year. But before you plan a trip, note Water Kingdom Mumbai rates and the time table. The place is open from 10 AM to 6:30 PM every day. And the charges vary for different groups. For adults, those above 4’6”, Water Kingdom entry fee is ₹1035. For kids, between 3’3” and 4’6”, and the senior citizens, the charge is ₹660. Water Kingdom also has the provision for priority entry. The ticket charges for the fast-track entry are ₹1270 and ₹990 for adults and kids, respectively. And if you’re interested, you can combine your visit to Water Kingdom and Essel World. The combined tickets are available at ₹1405 for adults and ₹945 for children. You can also buy an annual entry pass at ₹1640. It will allow you to enter either of the parks, three times in a year.

Amazing Experience at Water Kingdom

Had an amazing experience at water kingdom . The food is also very tatsy available at water kingdom . The crowd is sometimes not good at the place . But good place enjoyed a lot . You should visit this resort with your family and friends . Best place to viait during summer we had a lot of fun enjoyment there are lots of slide rides to play ...really a enjoyable place with friends i would like to visit again in this place. The water kingdom offers a beautiful place for the kids to enjoy the fancy rides in the lap of the nature.

Head over to the FUN KINGDOM!!
Water kingdom can never Disappoint anybody! It has so many rides and fun activities that you will be tired of looking at the maps in this amuzment park.
Suggest you to not miss these:
1.Lazy River (visit this after your lunch its calm and soothing.)
2.Black hole
3.90 degree
4.Jungle safari (All three variations)
5.Jacuzzi
6.Disco rain dance arena.
7. Child park near dominos for the bucket fall and definitely the WAVE POOL .

Things to do at Water Kingdom Mumbai

1. Playing with water at the Lagoon – The Lagoon is said to be the largest aqua pool in the country, and it has rides suitable for all age groups. For adults, Lagoon has Hydroburst, Aquaconda and Typhoon Tube. Kids and family groups can have fun at the other 7 slides and water games including WaterFall, Umbrellas and Elephant Bucket.

2. Rolling down the Missphisly Hill – Missphisly Hill has 12 adventure rides popular among the adults as well as kids. While the grown-ups can enjoy the thrill at Black Demon, Rushing Gushin or Hamunga Kowabunga, kids can take on Juicy Jammer, Lemon Drops or Tangy Wangy. Gang-a-Fall is a family-friendly venue.

3. Enjoying safari at Adventures Amazonia – Adventures Amazonia is another point, where you will find 3 rides from Water Kingdom Mumbai rides list – Rock-n-Roll Safari, Elephant Safari and Serpent Safari. These are suitable only for the adults. Another slide nearby is What-a-Coaster, a seven-storey high steep vertical drop slide.

4. Checking the waves at Wetlantic – Wetlantic is known to be the largest wave pool in the world. In Wetlantic, you can enjoy sea waves ranging from gentle to fierce. This Water Kingdom wave pool has fountains, caves and beaches at different places where you can enjoy water games and click memorable photographs.

5. Shaking worries off at Aquadrome – Aquadrome is a rain dance floor in the Brat Zone area of Water Kingdom. While you shake and groove to the music, sprinklers will spray water on you. It is suitable for kids and adults alike and so is the entire Brat Zone. Other places of entertainment include Coco Beach, Mama Miya and Drifting River.

6. Soaking in at Goofers Lagoon – Goofers Lagoon is a family-friendly area of Water Kingdom, and it is safe for toddlers. Here you can enjoy getting wet by the tilting bucket, rotating wheels and water guns.

7. Picking up some dry thrills – Next to Mumbai Water Kingdom, Essel World has over 50 slides and fun games. Here, you can go on different adventure rides and activities. At Essel World, you also have a bowling alley, an ice-skating rink and a discotheque.

8. Feasting on the food – Water Kingdom isn’t only about fun. The park has food outlets and snack parlours too, scattered around the venue. You can enjoy local dishes at Ohh Mumbai, Chinese delicacies at Tai Pan and sizzling appetisers at the Kabab Corner. Pizzas, ice-creams and fizzy beverages are also available within the premises.

9. Having fish pedicure sessions – Water Kingdom in Mumbai also provides an opportunity for you to enjoy a soothing fish spa. Have your feet in the water and see tiny fishes suck away the dead skin cells.

10. Relaxing beside the pools – If you aren’t interested in being part of more adventure, you can walk around the park or sit and spend time with a book. Get some juices and cold drinks and blow the heat away from you. Recharge yourself for another fun ride.

Things to keep in mind while visiting Water Kingdom

Arrive early to explore all the rides and make the most out of your visit.
Children must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.
Nylon/Lycra costumes are compulsory to take part in the rides and water activities.
Use waterproof pouches to keep your money safe from water.
Food and beverages from outside aren’t allowed.

Places to visit near Water Kingdom in Mumbai

1. Essel World – Essel World is an amusement park, next door from Water Kingdom. It has more than 50 adventure slides and other thrilling activities. At Essel World, you will find rides for adults, for kids, and also for families and groups to enjoy together. This amusement park also has a bowling alley, an ice-skating rink and a discotheque within the complex.

2. Global Vipassana Pagoda – It is a meditation dome, only a few hundred metres away from Water Kingdom. Global Vipassana Pagoda is built as a tribute to Sayagyi U Ba Khin, a Vipassana teacher from Myanmar, and the dome resembles Myanmar’s Shwedagon Pagoda. It spreads the teachings of Gautam Buddha and Vipassana meditation techniques taught by Shree S N Goenka. You can also undertake Vipassana courses at Global Vipassana Pagoda. It has a museum and a library too.

3. Sanjay Gandhi National Park – Sanjay Gandhi National Park is a popular tourist spot in Mumbai. You can find a variety of birds and animals here. From macaques and deers to birds and butterflies, you will witness a lot during your safari. Lions and leopards too are there. Along with the safari, you can also enjoy cycling, trekking and boating at the park. The Kanheri Caves complex is another place of interest here. It consists of 109 rock-cut caves. Sanjay Gandhi National Park is 8 km away from Water Kingdom.

4. Chhota Kashmir Park – It is a small park, about 15 km away from Water Kingdom. Chhota Kashmir Park is a peaceful green space away from the chaos of the city. It is full of evergreen lawns and colourful flowers. You can walk around, sit in the shade or head over to the lake for boating. It is a popular picnic spot and local people also come to the park with kids and family to spend time with them after work.

5. Mumbai Film City – Mumbai Film City is one of the prominent places where much of the reel life action takes place in Bollywood – the Hindi film industry. It is only 17km away from the Water Kingdom. Here, you can view the magnificent outdoor sets of the movie, indoor studios and also, take a glimpse of the day-to-day life behind the scenes. And if you’re lucky, you might catch a live shoot and meet the movie and TV stars.

Mount Mary Church Mumbai

2022-04-18T15:12:00.000+05:30

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount Bandra, colloquially known as Mount Mary Church, is a basilica of the Latin Church in India, located in the Bandra neighbourhood of Bombay. The feast of the nativity of Mother Mary is celebrated here on the 8th day of September, on the occasion of the birth of the virgin-mother of Jesus Christ. The feast is followed by a week-long fair or carnival known in the Konkan region as the Bandra Fair and is visited by thousands of people every year.

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Pope Pius XII granted a decree of Pontifical coronation to its venerated Marian image on 21 October 1954, both signed and notarised by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Montini of the Sacred Congregation of Rites. Many pilgrims visit the basilica during the annual Bandra Fest. Mount Mary Church is accessible from all parts of the city and can be reached either by local train, buses, or taxis. One can also rent a cab from top car rental companies in Mumbai to reach the church.

September is the best time to visit because that’s when the Mount Mary Fair is held. The environment and energy during the fair are contagious and leaves devotees in awe. However, Mount Mary Church can be visited all year round.

How to Reach Mount Mary Church

By Air :- Mumbai is service by Chattrapati Shivaji Airport which houses both domestic and international airfield. The train terminus is 21 kilometers from the airport. Any local transport can take you to the iconic structure.

By Rail :- Nearest Railway Station to Mount Mary Church Mumbai – Bandra local railway station is the nearest rail -head one needs to get down to reach the church. Hire an auto rickshaw from the station.

By Road :- Nearest Bus Depot to Mount Mary Church Mumbai – Bandra Bus Depot is the nearest bus depot. From here, one can board any bus that goes to Lands End and get down at Mount Mary steps. The church is located at a 2-minute away from the bus stop.

Entry Fee and Timings
Visit Timings: Mount Mary Church is open from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM and then from 2:00 PM to 8:30 PM from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, it is open from 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM.
Mass and Prayer Timings: Weekday Mass – 6:30 AM and 7:15 AM (No evening mass) Sunday Mass – 6:30 AM, 7:30 AM, 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM (No evening mass) Sunday Prayers for those with special needs – 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Evening Mass/Service Timings: First Fridays – 6:00 PM (Holy Hour Service)
First Saturdays – 6:00 PM (Devotion prayer to Our Lady of Fatima Service)
Entry Fee: There is no entry fee for Mount Mary Church/Basilica Mumbai
Best time to visit Mount Mary Church Mumbai

Surprising Designation

This is a small, Italian Catholic church, not a grand structure. It has a nice ethnically appropriate interior, but no unique or notable feature. The church which is also called the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, dedicated to Virgin Mary, is a Roman Catholic church and has stood erect for over 100 years. The local Marathi Christians call Mount Mary Basilica by the name Maulicha Dongar, which translates into ‘Hill of the Mother’ in Marathi language and the shrine of Virgin Mary holding Baby Jesus is called Pearl Mother or ‘Moti Mauli’ where ‘Moti’ means Pearl and ‘Mauli’ translates to Mother. The church is open to people from all faiths and is a must visit location for everyone coming to Mumbai. The Basilica was very pretty and well maintained.

History of Mount Mary Church Mumbai

The history of Mount Mary Church dates back to the sixteenth century when a Jesuit Priest wanted to construct an oratory devoted to the Virgin Mary. This was done around 1570, when the very first structure of the oratory was built out of mud on a hillock in Bandra, that overlooked the Arabian Sea. The oratory was placed under the authority of the then Parish of Santa Ana under Father Joao Diaz SJ., who was then the priest-in-charge of Bandra. The statue of Mother God which was placed on the altar of the oratory was made of wood and was shipped in from Portugal by the Jesuit Priests.

The chapel was rebuilt twice, once in 1640, when the original oratory was transformed into a chapel and a second time in 1761 after it was raided by Marathas. The enhancement of the oratory into the chapel in 1640 was due to the increase in the number of devotees as well as due to the placement of Portuguese garrison being in the Bandra Fort at Lands End. Around the 1700s, the chapel was ransacked by a group of Muscat Arab pirates with the intention to rob it for any hidden treasure. Since there was a gilt-lined object in the hand of the statue, they cut off the right hand of the statue and completely destroyed the chapel. However, their effort to burn down the chapel out of frustration turned futile when they were attacked by a huge swarm of bees and had to flee.

The broken statue of the Our Lady of Mount was put away in the lumber room of the chapel and was replaced by the statue of Our Lady of Navigators brought in from the side altar of St. Andrew’s Church nearby. There is a separate legend associated with the statue of Our Lady of Navigators and its discovery. Legend has it that a Koli fisherman once dreamt about the statue of Mother in the sea bed and the statue was found floating in the sea in reality. It is recorded in the book named St. Andrew’s Church, Bandra (1616- 1966) which supports the legend. This information, apparently was taken from a Jesuit annual letter written around 1669.

After the church was rebuilt in 1761, the old broken statue of Our Lady of the Mount was brought back to the altar after fixing it. A small detachable statue of Baby Jesus was moulded in at the place where the statue’s hand was cut off. At present, it is the same statue that’s worshipped at the basilica.

Beauty on the Hill

This beautiful place is easy to find, on a hill very near Youngstown State University. The grounds are immaculately kept, peaceful and spacious, with a gorgeous view. It is well worth a little side trip to stop at this place. Visited five different parishes after moving to area - finally settled on Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Although this is the furthest from our home, the total atmosphere is absolutely wonderful. The basilica itself is a treasure - really beautiful. The grounds are well kept and secure. The services are very traditional - Christmas mass was amazing!

A Holy and Beautiful Basilica

The history behind this amazing church is deep and rich. The view and drive to the church is an added plus. Lots of parking. A must do for a pilgrimage venue. A beautiful basilica and grounds too. Lots of great statues and monuments. The building was very well kept and looked great. Plenty of parking and great views around the city.

A beautiful church with historic background

This church is amazingly beautiful ! Our family has held it close to our hearts for many years. The architecture is on the historic register. The current structure of the basilica is 100 years old however, the original chapel had existed since the 16th century and the original statue of the Virgin Mary was shipped in from Portugal by a Jesuit priest. Along with the main door of Colaba’s Holy Name Church, the door of Mount Mary Church has been declared as ‘Holy Doors of Mercy’ by Pope Francis in 2016. Located on a small hillock at about 80 metres above the sea level in Bandra, the queen of suburbs, Mount Mary Church is the most beautiful church in Mumbai. The view from the church is extremely beautiful too, as one can see the Arabian sea from here and the Mumbai skyline from the backyard.

Christmas Celebrations at Mount Mary Church Mumbai

Bandra comes live with all the glitter of the church, which is whitewashed in festive lights. Christmas at Mount Mary Church is welcomed almost a week before with pre-Christmas decorations, masses and also special mass preps at the Basilica. Mount Mary Basilica is most famous for its services on the eve of Christmas and is visited by several from all over the city for attending the midnight mass. The Christmas service starts with carol singing at the Basilica from 10:00 PM and lasts for a good 45 minutes followed by the Solemn Christmas Mass. The Basilica closes at 12:00 midnight soon after the mass is concluded. There are only day masses held on Christmas day at the Church and the timings usually remain the same every year, i.e., 7:30 AM, 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM. Candles are lit in front of the cross on the road outside the Church.

Architecture of Mount Mary Church Mumbai

The construction of the present semi- gothic structure of the basilica was started in May 1902. The façade of the impressive four storey structure is around 65 feet broad with deep-rock-rooted foundations that are very strong thereby, being supported by strong buttresses. The intricacies of the gothic architecture are simply stunning with impressive craftsmanship. The front towers with pyramidal spires are 98 feet high with foundations totalling to around 18 feet including the length and breadth. Each spire is mounted with a cross and this talks much about the magnificent architecture.

The main entrance of the basilica has a huge door with windows on either side and gothic stone arch crowning the wooden door to protect it from the rain during monsoon. There is an arch above the main portal that also has an emblem of basilica with A. M inscribed on it. A. M is the initial letters of the Latin greeting, Ave Maria, which is also a prayer to the Virgin Mary. The walls of the basilica are covered in beautiful fibreglass murals that depict stories from the life of Mary. Whereas the central nave is made out of stone with dimensions measuring 67 feet in length and 38 feet broad, the 42 feet high ceiling is made of teakwood which is protected by a roof that is made of Mangalore tiles.

There is a four feet high marble pulpit towards the high altar with different liturgical symbols engraved on the outer side of the pulpit along with two tablets that have the 10 commandments carved on them. The sanctum sanctorum is a white marble seven step high altar, above which, stands the statue of the Virgin Mary holding Baby Jesus. There is a marble plaque with a carving representing ‘The last Supper’ embedded at the lower level of the high altar.

Bandra Fair at Mount Mary Church Mumbai

The Mount Mary Church is most famous for the annual fair which is organized by the church committee in Bandra. The fair is commonly called ‘Bandra Fair’ by the locals and sees large numbers of visitors and pilgrims throng the streets of Bandra during the week long carnival like celebration. The fair is celebrated as post birthday celebrations of Virgin Mary and usually starts on the first Sunday after 8th September. Please note that the birthday of Virgin Mary is on 8th September and there is a feast arranged on this day. The feast on Mother’s birthday is called ‘Feast of Nativity’. The 8- day long carnival has stalls for shopping and, eating, amusement rides along with street events being organized inside the church complex as well as the lanes surrounding the Basilica. There are rides and concerts held too. Nine days preceding the fair dates, the Basilica performs ‘Novena’ (nine-days prayer) for the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Places to Visit near Mount Mary Church Mumbai
Bandra Fort, Bandra Bandstand, Jogger’s Park, Father Agnel’s Church, Bandra Hill Road (Street shopping), Bandra Linking Road (Flea Market/Street Shopping), Bandra Worli Sea Link and Siddhivinayak Temple can be visited on your trip to Mount Mary Church.

Hanging Gardens Mumbai

2022-04-15T01:27:00.002+05:30

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Nice Greenery in the Middle of City

The Hanging Gardens in Mumbai is a terraced gardens situated at Malabar Hill, just opposite to Kamala Nehru Park, the garden is in the middle of the bustling city. Entry is free, as part of city tour, we visited the park in early afternoon. The park has several hedges carved into animal shapes, an attractive flower clock situated in the middle of the garden, different types of plants and flowers. It is a green space spreads over a vast area of land with pathway for moving around the garden. However, in the hot weather, moving around the Garden may be tough due to limited trees / shades. It is a popular spot for the locals as well.

Best time to visit the Hanging Garden in Mumbai

Mumbai is known for its sweltering summers and pouring monsoons, hence the best time to visit Hanging Garden is during Winters. Although the city does not experience heavy winters but the weather is quite pleasant from November to March to enjoy the beauty of the garden and other places around it.

In Hindi :- हैंगिंग गार्डन मुंबई

Places to visit around Hanging Garden

Hanging Garden is located atop the iconic Malabar Hill, which is home to many influential people of Mumbai. While strolling through the garden, there are a few places that you can visit around it to make your trip more memorable. Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Temple, Babulnath temple, All Saints Church, Mani Bhavan Gandhi museum, Jain Temple, Kamala Nehru Park, Nariman Point and the iconic Gateway of India are all located around 20 minutes from the park. Each tourist attraction projects the best this city has to offer with some stunning views.

Pleasant walk and Huge garden

The old woman's boot house in the gardens is really unique. And a great photo op. The garden is a refreshing change from the concrete mumbai. The gardens are built on a reservoir so there isn't much soil which accounts for the lack of trees except around the perimeter. It was quite hot without the shade. There are lots of paths and apparently the gardens are very popular for walking and promenading. To be honest, the gardens across the road looked more interesting.

How to reach the Hanging Garden in Mumbai

Mumbai is well-connected by rail, road and air to every metro and non-metro city in the world. Since the city has a number of tourist attractions to offer, it is best to travel by a cab or taxi with the help of top car rental companies in Mumbai to enjoy the city’s tourist attractions to the fullest. From the glittering city lights to the starry nights, there is something for every wanderlust visiting Mumbai- the city of dreams.

Green and clean Garden

Amazing place nice experience over here..U can't explore this garden in words it is wonderful nice place for chilling with life partner.. Such a green and clean well maintained. If you love someone and you are with them so definitely you will like this place. Went here as part of a tour. The garden is huge, but since I was there in the afternoon, it was quite hot, hence I didn't explore much. But the view of the marine drive from here is very nice.

Lovely garden with great bay Views:

Set in the poshest district Malabar Hill, a lovely spiralling garden that gives a lovely feel of fresh air and tranquility. Great views of Marine Drive and the Arabian Sea. Sunday’s gets very busy, and a nice stop over for an hour to exercise those joints whilst touring Mumbai sights.
One of the oldest gardens situated at Malabar Hill, good for jogging and spending some time getting fresh Air, some small Art installations like Atom and Big Shoe, but overall its not maintained as well as you would like. Its crowded on Sundays and Holidays like all tourist spots in Mumbai.

Well maintained Park

Kamala Nehru Park, known for its boot house, is situated right in front of it. Entrance to the garden is free. This place has been built over a water reservoir and hence the name Hanging Gardens. The Park has lots of trees, flowers and different types of plants. Good place to sit on the grass and relax with your friends and family. We enjoyed clicking pictures with the flowers in the background.

Key attractions of the Hanging Garden in Mumbai

When you just want to unwind and escape a busy schedule, the Hanging Garden gives you an opportunity to do just that. One of the major tourist attractions in Mumbai, the garden is strewn with colourful shrubbery and gorgeous flower beds that are really well-maintained. Visitors can see interesting animal-shaped hedges that are a favourite with children. An ideal location at the edge of the garden provides a heavenly view of the sunset over the sea. A majestic site that should definitely not be missed. The garden also consists of beautiful fountains that look mesmerizing in the evening because of the lights within the water fountains. It adds an ethereal charm to your visit to the Hanging Gardens. If you are looking for a great view of Marine Drive and Chowpatty, this is where you are bound to get one from. Keep your camera handy to capture the alluring sights. It is also a great place to photograph some beautiful butterflies flying over colourful flowers. Since it is located nearly at the edge of Malabar Hill, it is a perfect place for some exciting portfolio shoots or pre-wedding photography as well. It has a small play area for kids with swings, slides, see-saw, short rope climbing activity, etc.

Clean and green

Very clean and well-maintained garden. You may come here with your family and/or friends. The entry is free. Photography is also freely allowed. It is very good for nature lovers and bird watchers. I got some amazing macro photography opportunities too. Must visit!

Best places to eat around the Hanging garden

While the entire park may not take too much time to visit (add an hour or two to your schedule), you will be interested to explore the places to eat around Hanging Garden to satiate your taste buds. Soam: An authentic pure-veg Gujarati food joint, Soam offers some scrumptious delicacies to satisfy those food cravings. From traditional sabudana vadas (fried sago balls) to palak cheese patties, corn vada (corn fry), Dhokla (steamed chickpea dish), methi thepla (fenugreek flat breads) to traditional Gujarati thali, there is something for every foodie here. It is located just about 15 mins away from the garden.

Govinda’s: A quaint food joint offering pure-veg delicacies is best known for its different comfort food that is a favourite with the locals and tourists. From Chole Bhature (rich chickpea gravy) to pizza and Indianized Italian delicacies, there is a little something for every age group to choose from. It is located around half a kilometre from the hanging garden, near the Girgaum Chowpatty.

Country of Origin (Nepean Sea Road): If you have a sweet or dessert craving, this is the place to explore. It offers a variety of desserts, pastries and cakes to choose from. An ideal sweet café that will be an instant hit with the children. Some of the items that can be relished include mousse, truffle pastry, brownies, red velvet cake and much more. It is about 4 kms away from marine drive and is fairly close to the Hanging Gardens.

Cream Center Girgaum: Another popular pure-veg food joint located near Hanging Garden is Cream Center. With a variety of comfort food to keep you salivating for more, you are sure to enjoy a visit to this quaint place. From Cheese Nachos to pasta, Kung pao potato bao to potli Bhalla chaat, laksa soup to Chana bhatura, there is a little something for every foodie right here. It is located just about a kilometre from the Hanging garden.

Elephanta Island Mumbai

2022-04-14T17:16:00.005+05:30

Elephanta Island is one of a number of islands in Mumbai Harbour, east of Mumbai, India. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist place in Mumbai, about 10 km from the mainland. While some sculpted caves are dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, others are Buddhist caves. The Great Cave – Cave 1, is in the best condition among others, and it has been a place of worship. It is also known as Gharapuri (meaning City of Caves) because of the rock-cut caves built on the island. Much of the other structures, artwork and inscriptions have been destroyed, but whatever remains of the caves is worth a visit.

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Elephanta Caves Island was earlier known as Gharapurichi Leni Pilgrims to Elephanta Caves had to pay a temple tax, from 1872 to 1903. it's Sculptures were used as a firing range by Portuguese soldiers for target practice. There are an Elephant statue that gave the island its present name, is now in Jijamata Udyan.

Elephanta Island Caves are on the Arabian Sea, and you can get a ferry from Gateway of India to reach the island. It is a prominent location of Mumbai and has easy access through state-run buses and local trains. Churchgate is the nearest station. You can also hail a cab from top car rental companies in Mumbai or take an auto from anywhere in Mumbai to go to Elephanta Caves.

How to reach Elephanta Island

By Air – Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport connects Mumbai to other countries around the world. You can find a flight to Mumbai from most of the countries including Australia, Dubai and Singapore. Daily flights from many Indian cities are available too.

By Rail – As Mumbai is a metropolitan city and the economic capital of India, you will find trains to reach Mumbai from any part of the country. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Mumbai Central are the main railway stations here.

By Road – Mumbai is connected to other parts of India through a well-maintained network of roads. You can take a bus from the neighbourhood cities like Pune and Nashik or book a cab to take you to Mumbai.

Best Time to Visit Elephanta Island

To explore the caves without any hassle, it’s best to take one of the first ferries to Elephanta Island, at around 9 AM. You can visit Elephanta Island at any time during the year except when the weather conditions aren’t favourable for the ferry services. They might shut down without any notice when it’s raining, or the sea waters are turbulent. So, the best time would be between October and March when the temperature isn’t high, and the sky remains comparatively clear. Also, check your schedule for a visit in February, when the Elephanta Island festival is on. It’s a two-day cultural festival featuring regional music and dance programmes.

In Hindi :- एलीफेंटा द्वीप मुंबई

Elephanta Island Entry Fee and Timings

Elephanta Caves complex is open all throughout the year except on Mondays. You can take a ferry to Elephanta Island from Mumbai’s Gateway of India, and it takes around an hour of cruising in Arabian Sea to reach there. The first ferry leaves the Gateway of India jetty at 9 AM, and the last return ferry, from Elephanta Island, is at 5:30 PM. You can buy the return tickets at the ticket counter in Gateway of India. Elephanta Island ferry price varies between ₹100 and ₹200 depending on the boats you board. And the ferries leave the jetty every half an hour. Elephanta Island tickets cost ₹40 per person for Indians and the nationals of SAARC countries. Citizens of other countries have to pay ₹600. Along with the entry charges for the caves, you also have to pay an additional ₹10 to enter the village. From the jetty, you can get a toy train ride for extra ₹10 if you don’t want to hike all the way up the 120 steps to the entrance gate. Apart from Elephanta Island entrance fee, the permission to use a video camera in the cave complex attracts another ₹25. Still photography, though, is free.

Architecture of Elephanta Island Caves

The Elephanta Caves complex is cut from solid basalt rock over an area of around 60,000 sq. ft. There are seven caves on the island divided into two groups. The first group of five caves have Hindu sculptures, out of which the Cave 1 is the most elaborate. Beautiful artwork covers the stone walls, and the cave has a pillared mandapa along with a large hall. The mandapa is the home to Shivalinga, and the hall consists of stone statues of Shiva in different forms. The remaining four Hindu caves are rather small and damaged to much extent. And the second group consists of two Buddhist caves, along with water tanks. The larger cave in this group has, what looks like, chambers for monks, a central shrine and a big hall.

History of Elephanta Island

Elephanta Island history is still a mystery. There are no known records about the creation of the caves. And local folks give the credit to non-humans and supernatural powers. However, based on speculations and excavations, historians date the caves to be built anywhere between 5th century CE and 8th century CE. Portuguese took control of the island in the 1500s and named it as Elephanta Island because of a huge elephant statue. That damaged statue today rests in the Jijamata Udyaan Mumbai. The caves also suffered serious damage during the Portuguese rule. British Indian officials made efforts to preserve the ruins in 1909, and later during the 1970s, and the main cave was restored to its present form. The government mended other caves too.

Time to Explore Elephanta Island Mumbai

A visit to Elephanta Island consists of seven caves, a cannon, a ramshackle stupa, some expansive views of the coast and lots of walking. So, keep around two hours for the trip. The to-and-fro ferry rides will consume another two hours. On a busy day or during weekends, you might also have to wait for half an hour on either of the jetties to board your ferry.

Things to do at Elephanta Island

Among the Elephanta Island points of interest are the seven rock-cut caves. Of this collection, the group of five caves are on the western hill, which also has an old Portuguese cannon. The other two caves are on the eastern hill along with a ruined Buddhist stupa. The Cave 1 is the largest in the complex and it has been kept as mint as it can be. Within the caves you’ll find many sculptures and mythological carvings. At the cave’s north entrance, the statues of Nataraja and Yogishvara will welcome you. The entrance leads you into the large mandapa hall with various Shiva-related legends and the Shivalinga towards the west. On the wall, which faces the north entrance, is a huge sculpture of Trimurti – a three-headed Shiva. You’ll also find a sculpture of Ravananugraha, Mount Kailash, Ardhanarishvara, Gangadhara and the Wedding of Shiva among others. Cave 2 and 3 are smaller than the first cave and each has a mandapa hall standing on pillars. The other two caves on Cannon Hill are in ruins today. The Cave 6, which is on the Stupa Hill, is also known as the Sitabai Temple. It has a large hall with three chambers towards the end. The central one has a shrine. Next to this cave is the Cave 7 and then, a dry pond. On the Elephanta Island and Caves, you can also visit the small museum. It is near the ticket counter and acts as the Elephanta Island guide. The museum also exhibits information about other rock-cut cave temples in India.

Places to visit near Elephanta Island

1. Gateway of India – Elephanta Island is located at a distance of about 10 km from Gateway of India, which is the starting point for the visit to the caves. It is among the popular tourist spots of Mumbai. The jetty here also has ferries for a ride in the waters of Mumbai.

2. The Asiatic Library – The Asiatic Society Library, aka Town Hall Library, is a part of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. It is one of the oldest libraries of Mumbai and has many rare manuscripts, maps, artefacts, coins and other items. The library preserves the original manuscript of Dante’s Divine Comedy and many ancient manuscripts written in Persian, Sanskrit and Prakrit. It is about 2 km away from the Gateway of India jetty.

3. Flora Fountain – Flora is the Roman Goddess of Flowers, and this fountain is an architectural landmark with a sculpture of the flower goddess at the top. It is among the popular heritage structures of India, and the place around has many renowned Victorian-era buildings. Flora Fountain is near Churchgate, about 2 km away from Gateway of India. It stands at the same place where Mumbai city’s “Church Gate” stood during the British era.

4. Churchgate Area – Churchgate is the business district of Mumbai. Branches of many national and international businesses, banks and educational institutions are there. Churchgate also has many tourist spots, food joints and shopping destinations in its vicinity. From international food chains to local restaurants and branded showrooms to budget street shops, it has them all. The Churchgate area is about 2 km from Gateway of India.

5. Marine Drive – Marine Drive is the popular sea-facing promenade, about 3 km from the ferry point at Gateway of India. It is a must-visit tourist spot of Mumbai, which is also the hangout point for the locals. People visit this place to watch the sunset or walk along feeling the breeze from the Arabian Sea. The view of Marine Drive at night is spectacular, and it has been nicknamed the Queen’s Necklace because of that view.

Jehangir Art Gallery Mumbai

2022-04-13T17:20:00.004+05:30

Jehangir Art Gallery is an art gallery in Mumbai. In the metropolis of Mumbai, This Art gallery has the great reputation. People wait for months to display their artifacts, paintings in this hall. It is such a simple hall, not so big in dimension, but the amount of attention that commands is mind boggling. It was founded by Sir Cowasji Jehangir at the urging of K. K. Hebbar and Homi Bhabha.

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One of the most prestigious art galleries

There is no entry fee for the museum. It was built in 1952. Managed by the Committee of Management, the entire cost of this mansion was donated by Cowasji Jehangir. This gallery is situated at Kala Ghoda, behind the Prince of Wales Museum, in South Mumbai near the Gateway of India, and has four exhibition halls. The gallery was designed by G.M.Bhut. The outside pedestrian area also has open art gallery where budding artists display their work for sale.

Jehangir Art Gallery Mumbai Entry Fee and Timings

You can marvel at Jehangir Art Gallery paintings from 11 AM to 7 PM every day. The place buzzes with artists and admirers of art. The entry fee of Jehangir Art Gallery is zero, and it is open to anyone who wants to pay a visit. You will find exhibitions running throughout the year. But do check with the office if you want to plan your tour during some selected events at Jehangir Art Gallery.

Best time to visit Jehangir Art Gallery

The art gallery is open throughout the year and you can visit it anytime you want. The summer months in Mumbai, however, are unbearable. So, you can skip the visit during those days. The winter months from November to February and the monsoon season from July to September is the best time to visit Jehangir Art Gallery. The place also hosts the 9-day long Kala Ghoda Arts Festival in February. During those days, the area turns into a wonderland. From delightful musical performances to spectacular dance shows, book launches and handicrafts, this colourful festival has everything that an art lover craves for.

In Hindi :- Jehangir Art Gallery Mumbai

Time to explore Jehangir Art Gallery

Normally, it will take you 1-2 hours to browse the showcased artworks. But if you have time to spare, you can spend a full day looking at the art exhibits within the gallery and at the terrace. Interacting with artists, exploring the history of Jehangir Art Gallery and checking out the artefacts at Natesan’s will keep you occupied for hours. You can even meet many local artists outside Jehangir Art Gallery.

Art gallery inside and street art outside

Went to a wonderful show with contemporary artists. They were present at their show and easy to talk to, and you could pick up some really amazing art for your home. There is also lots of street art for sale outside - definately worth checking out! It's in the Kala Ghoda art district, so it's easy to spend an afternoon there.

Brilliant artwork

You come hear and visite this art gallery. An occasional painter myself, you feal very happy after the visit. Some of the best artists across the country display their artwork at this place. Your favorite one was the gallery fully dedicated to realistic paintings. There are galleries for everyone's taste, stone carving, abstract art, photography and many more.

Jehangir Art Gallery Mumbai Address

Jehangir Art Gallery Mumbai Address: 161B, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kala Ghoda, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400001, India Jehangir Art Gallery Mumbai Phone :- 022 2284 3989

Modern Art and beyond

A great selection of modern art with many halls exhibiting different art forms from the well known to the lesser known to the budding artists but all beautifully curated to make a good viewing experience. Don't forget to check out the street artists as you step out of the Jehangir. They are on the left and the right as you step out and have some beautiful art adorning the street fencing.

Art Gallery with No Entry Fee

Jehangir art Gallery is a Land Mark Building in the Fort Area Of Mumbai.The Hall is small but Artistes deem it a Previlige to display their Artefacts here. It is well patronised and residents of Mumbai love to visit and admire the paintings.There is some exhibit or other through out the tear. I had gone here to visit many times.This time when I visited There was a Show of Paintings by a budding artiste,A Good Show. Visit if you have time.

Great art, great space

We visited Jehangir Art Gallery today. We loved how they reconfigured the space to display high quality art works. The artist were at hand to explain and discuss their work. Some if not all the works were for sale. Allow 30 minutes to an hour. Interesting exhibitions of local artists and sometimes photographic exhibitions on the first floor, plus a small gallery for individual artists.

How to reach Jehangir Art Gallery?

By Air – Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, about 30 km away from the city centre, connects Mumbai to major tourist destinations within India and abroad. Regular flights from Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata and other cities are also available.

By Rail – Mumbai has a connection with every corner of India through a network of trains, and most of them stop either at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CSTM) or Mumbai Central (MMCT). While Mumbai Central station is 2 km away, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is 7 km away from this art gallery. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Churchgate station are the nearby local stations. Mumbai local trains ease the hustle of tourists.

By Road – Being the commercial capital of India, Mumbai is connected to all the nearby towns and distant cities through a network of highways. Regular buses ply from Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik and other towns nearby. Coaches and cabs from far-off towns like Ahmedabad and Panaji are also available. Most of the buses stop at Mumbai Central Depot, about 6 km away from this place. You can also choose to book a cab from top car rental companies in Mumbai for a hassle free journey.

Architecture of Jehangir Art Gallery

Plans to build Jehangir Art Gallery were laid by Durga Shankar Bajpai and G. M. Bhuta. It is a fusion of classical planning along with modern style. Use of diffused natural light, cantilevered portico, and a reinforced concrete structure that facilitated a column-free span was considered an architectural feat in those days. Jehangir Art Gallery has an inward facing architecture. It is not open to the street, yet easily accessible. The Auditorium and the Exhibition Gallery has about 550 feet of hanging wall space. And the lighting and acoustics of the space has been so designed that the place can be used for concerts too.

Things to do at Jehangir Art Gallery

At Jehangir Art Gallery, you come to browse the displayed art pieces. Multiple exhibitions go on side by side in the four exhibition halls. The place has seven halls overall, spread across two floors. The Auditorium Hall, the Hirji Jehangir Gallery and the Terrace Art Gallery are the other three halls. Jehangir Art Gallery has supported Indian art since eternity. Not only does it has space for veteran artists, but it also acts as a stage for budding artists. It hosts hundreds of shows every year including the annual Monsoon Art Show of emerging local artists.

Other than art exhibitions, you can also take a peek at Natesan’s. It’s the oldest antique dealer of India and has one of its branches in the basement of Jehangir Art Gallery. You can buy a range of antique items and artefacts including bronze arts, wood carvings and stone sculptures. This art gallery complex also houses the cosy Samovar Café. It once witnessed the meetups of many renowned artists and their discussions over the famed mint tea and pakoda platter. This iconic cafe in Jehangir Art Gallery has been shut down though.

Places to visit near Jehangir Art Gallery

1. Marine Drive – Marine Drive is a sea-facing promenade about 5 km away from Jehangir Art Gallery. Marine Drive provides its visitors with an unobstructed view of the Arabian Sea. People come here for their daily walks, friendly meetups and the views of the sunset. Along with the sea and sunset views, this 3 km long walkway also has several food-stops where you can enjoy delicious local dishes.

2. Gateway of India – Gateway of India is the iconic stone arch of Mumbai. It is at a walking distance (only a few hundred metres away) from Jehangir Art Gallery. This magnificent archway faces the Arabian Sea and is one of the popular tourist spots in Mumbai. It is also the boarding point for boat rides around Mumbai. Gateway of India was built to mark the official visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India in December 1911.

3. Nariman Point – Nariman Point, near the southern end of Marine Drive, is among the top tourist places to visit in Mumbai. It is a little over one kilometre away from the Jehangir Art gallery. Nariman Point is a business hub and it is a part of the majestic skyline of Mumbai. Apart from the skyscrapers, there are several restaurants and pubs, which contribute to the lively nightlife of Mumbai. Also, the view of Marine Drive at night is captivating. The area is a popular shopping destination too.

4. Elephanta Caves – Elephanta Caves are a series of cave temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. These are on the Elephanta Island, which you can reach through ferries from Gateway of India. This tourist place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

5. Colaba Causeway – While Nariman Point is known for its branded shopping centres, Colaba Causeway has a thing for street shops. From clothes and shoes to accessories and souvenirs, Colaba Market has everything available at affordable prices. Boutiques and art galleries also dot the area.

Other than shopping, food is another reason why you’ll like to wander at these lanes. From international fast-food outlets to old-school cafes and restaurants, this market has a lot of options. It is at a distance of about 3 km from Jehangir Art Gallery.

Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum Mumbai

2022-04-11T16:48:00.004+05:30

Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum is the oldest museum in Mumbai. It's a within the Veermata Jijamata Udyan. Situated in the vicinity of Byculla Zoo, Byculla East, it was originally established in 1855 as a treasure house of the decorative and industrial arts, and was later renamed in honour of Dr. Bhau Daji Lad. This museum a beautiful historical building that used to be the the Vicotoria and Albert Museum and now has its name changed. It showcases many handicrafts from India that show different kind of craftsmanship. They do free tours over the weekends.

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Best Time to Visit Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum
The interior of the museum is air-conditioned. So, you can visit it at any time of the year. However, to enjoy to the fullest visit this tourist spot during the winter. It begins in late October and remains until March. The temperature is comfortable for you to wander around the museum premises and attend any open-air performances within the complex. The museum hosts many events around the year. So, check with the office if you want to plan your tour during some selected workshops, music events or other cultural performances.

In Hindi :- डॉ. भाऊ दाजी लाड संग्रहालय मुंबई

Out of the way, but worth the trip
The Bhau Daji Lad Museum is a gem of a place with fascinating exhibits on arts, crafts, and industry (the ground floor), as well as on the history of Mumbai (upstairs). Restored in the past ten years to its original glory, the beautiful building itself is worth the visit. There was a lovely, intelligent, highly informative, and friendly young guide offering a free tour. You could seeping half an hour here, or you could spend four hours studying the profusion oof beautiful objects. Hint: since this museum is not located in the heart of the city, you should arrange (that is, bargain like crazy), to hire a cab, ask the driver to wait for you, and then drive you back. We were staying in Colaba and arranged hits for 700 rupees but gave him 900 for his good driving and service.

How to Reach Bhau Daji Lad Museum in Mumbai?

By Air – Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, about 15 km away from the museum, has regular flights from all the major airports around the world. Whether you are coming from a western country, south-east Asian nation or the Middle East, you can find flights to suit your preferences. The airport also entertains flights from other Indian cities.

By Rail – Along with a reliable network of local trains, Mumbai also boasts of strong railway connectivity nationwide. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (5 km away), Mumbai Central (3 km away) and numerous other suburban railway stations connect the city to other parts of India. It is just across the road from the Byculla local station. So, you can board a local train to Byculla. You can also take a ride in the local BEST buses of Mumbai.

By Road – Mumbai is connected to nearby towns and major cities of India. Public and private bus services are available from Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik and many other places in the neighbourhood. Most of the buses stop at Mumbai Central Bus Depot, at about 3 km from the museum. You can also rent a cab from nearby towns to reach Mumbai. Taxis, cabs and autos are available from anywhere in Mumbai to get to the museum and you can also opt for a private cab from top car rental companies in Mumbai for a more comfortable ride. And here are the different routes you can take to reach Mumbai.

Excellent collection of artifacts
Excellent collection of artifacts collected from all over India. India's rich history, art and culture can be seen here at one glance. Nice collection of miniature models also. Audio guides are also available. Wonderfully maintained museum with exhibits of the development of Mumbai over the centuries, of various handicrafts. Interesting special events and exhibitions too.

Bhau Daji Lad Museum Entry Fees and Timings
You can check Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum artworks, plaza and cafe from 10 AM to 6 PM. The last ticket, however, is sold till 5.30 PM. This place is open every day of the week except for Wednesday and some public holidays. For the Indian nationals, Bhau Daji Lad Museum ticket price is ₹10. And that’s for the adults (13 years and above). For kids, between 6 and 12 years of age, the fee is ₹5, and for infants, the museum charges nothing for entry. Also, children get discounted entry if they have a valid ID from school. For students under 12 years old, the ticket costs ₹2; for 13 and above, it’s ₹5. The audio guide device is available at ₹30.

For international citizens: the ticket costs ₹100 for adults and ₹50 for children. Students, with a valid ID, can get entry at ₹30. Infants get free entry to Bhau Daji Lad Museum. And the audio guide costs ₹50.

Entry is also free for the employees of Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), children from MCGM schools and NGOs. Visitors with disabilities too can avail free entry. The museum entertains group bookings, the details of which you should ask from the office. You can also explore Bhau Daji Lad Museum during the free public tours, conducted every weekend by the curatorial team. The tour is organised in English on Saturday and Sunday at 11.30 AM. The tour in Hindi/Marathi language begins an hour later, at 12.30 PM.

History of Bhau Daji Museum display on Mumbai
Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum history goes back to 1855 when it was established as the Central Museum of Natural History, Economy, Geology, Industry and Arts. It was opened to the public later, in 1872, with the name Victoria and Albert Museum. It is the oldest museum of Mumbai and among the most important historical sites of the city. Mumbai got the honour to showcase the rich culture of the country. And it was possible only because of Dr Bhau Daji Lad’s efforts. Dr Bhau Daji Lad was a philanthropist who had a keen interest in history. He was nominated as the secretary of the Museum Committee, and in 1975, the committee renamed it to Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum to honour his dedication. By 1997, however, the museum lost its charm.

In 2003, with joint support from the Municipal Corporation and Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) began the restoration process. It took 5 years before the museum was reopened in 2008. The Bhau Daji Lad Museum restoration project won the 2005 UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award of Excellence for the extensive steps taken towards conserving this cultural heritage.

History of Mumbai & much more...must visit
Bhaudaji lad museum at Byculla has some unique collections of maps of old Bombay & it's islands. Dioramas depicting Indian lifestyles, historical episodes & mythological narratives. Pottery, Paintings, carvings in ivory,wood,marbles & stones. Embossed silvers, brass & alloys from different regions of the country showing the diversity & uniqueness that's so mesmerizing. More so, it captures the essence of "Bombay" & it's history. A new & short addition to the exhibits is a wonderful showcase of Miniature costumes depicting the styles & fabrics worn by Maharajas of India between 1850- 1950 by Mrs Geeta Khandelwal. This exhibit is only until 28th of October 2019. A must visit with your kids to this lovely place that's in our very own Mumbai !!

Architecture of Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum
George Birdwood designed the original Palladian-style structure of the museum. But the plans were implemented by Scott McClelland & Co. architects, with some modifications. However, much of the original specifications was retained, which are visible today. Ornate Doric order pillars, the beautifully stencilled ceiling, and the thin arches along its length were all part of the original plan. The first floor has colourful Minton tiled floors, and the long hall has got large windows for enough light and ventilation. And those grand metal palisades, staircase railings as well as the arched supports were imported from England. The etched glass designs and gold gilding too will remind you of the glorious 19th-century architectural style.

Hidden gem of Mumbai
Museum is a right next to the zoo gate. Well must say the museum is very well made with really amazing decor and and lights. Very informative museum with the different cultures of aincient India . Very well made museum . Loved it . It's a hidden gem of Mumbai.

Oldest museum of mumbai
I travelled a long way to visit this and it was worth it. I liked most the depiction of the Indian gods and their avatars. My 6 year old was fascinated by the ivory sculptures.
well kept and clean exhibit.

Time to Explore Bhau Daji Lad Museum Mumbai

The time taken to explore the museum varies with personal interests or the purpose of the visit. Those who want to visit the galleries and study the artworks will take more time than who come here casually. However, around 2-3 hours at the museum is fine enough to go through the collections, check out the shop and relax a while. Things to keep in mind while visiting Bhau Daji Lad Museum

    You must deposit your bags and backpacks at the counter.
    You can take photographs only for non-commercial use.
    You can’t record videos inside the museum.
    You can't smoke anywhere on the museum premises.
    You can't take food or beverages inside the museum.

Interesting Facts about Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum

The museum has been named after the physician Dr Bhau Daji Lad, who made constant efforts to establish this museum. He also collected ₹1,16,141 for that purpose.
Bhau Daji Lad Museum honoured David Sassoon, a Jewish patron, by naming a design on the roof after him. It’s called the Star of David.
The colourful Minton tiles couldn’t be used anywhere except for the stairs and the first floor as the ship carrying them met with a tragic incident.
The museum has received the prestigious UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award of Excellence in 2005, for its efforts towards the conservation of heritage.
Sir J.J School of Art conducted workshops at the museum, and the works are well preserved here.

The Bandra Worli Sea Link of Mumbai

2022-04-11T01:58:00.003+05:30

When it comes to driving through Mumbai’s roads, the first thing that comes to one’s mind is the Bandra Worli Sea Link. The Bandra–Worli Sea Link is a 5.6 km long, 8-lane wide bridge that links Bandra in the Western Suburbs of Mumbai with Worli in South Mumbai. It is the 4th longest bridge in India after Bhupen Hazarika Setu, Dibang River Bridge and Mahatma Gandhi Setu. It is a cable-stayed bridge with pre-stressed concrete-steel viaducts on either side. The bridge was designed in such a way that it can allow a little over 37,000 vehicles per day.

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Cuts your travel time
The first four of the eight lanes of the bridge were opened to the public on 30 June 2009. All eight lanes were opened on 24 March 2010. BWSL had an average daily traffic of around 37,500 vehicles. The proposed bridge would connect Bandra and Worli, reducing the travelling time from 60- 90 minutes to 10 minutes. The Bandra Worli Sea link Mumbai was planned to be built over the Mahim Bay which would serve as the alternative route to Mahim Causeway.

How to Reach

By Air: Mumbai is service by Chattrapati Shivaji Airport which houses both domestic and international airfield. The train terminus is 21 kilometers from the airport. Any local transport can take you to the iconic structure.

By Rail: Nearest Railway Station to Bandra Worli Sea Link Mumbai - Bandra Local Train Station. It can be reached from Churchgate station via western line trains and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus via harbour line trains. Nearest Bus Depot to Bandra Worli Sea Link Mumbai – Bandra Bus Depot

By Road: The best way to access the sea link is to drive. One can hire a private cab from top car rental companies in Mumbai or rent a cab (Ola, Uber. etc.) from any part of the city and drive through the Bandra Worli Sea Link. Alternatively, get down at Bandra Local Train Station and hire a taxi or rent a cab to experience the drive across the Sea Link.

Entry Fee and Timings
Timings: The Bandra Worli Sea Link Mumbai remains open all year round and 24/7. The Bandra Worli Sea Link has a toll plaza with 16 approach lanes (both ways) at the Bandra end that collects the toll. Two and three-wheelers are not allowed on the Sea link. Toll rates range from INR 70 to 145 for a single journey depending on the vehicle type (Car/LCV/Heavy vehicle). The rates for return journey ranges from INR 105 to 215 and a day pass costs between INR 175 to 360.

Best Time to visit Bandra-Worli Sea Link
It is best recommended to go for a long drive across the sea link during early mornings or late nights when the traffic is at its leanest. A drive on the sea link during the monsoon months is best. Pro-Tip: There is a speed limit prescribed on the Sea Link and one needs to adhere to it strictly.

Iconic Drive way
Iconic drive for all... Enjoy the drive from Bandra to worli by this road. Pay around 85 for one-way drive through 4 wheeler. Best is to have Fastag. Also, please take care of speeding. 80+ be ready to be fined for around 2000rs. Earlier, Mumbai’s central suburbs, main business district and the western suburbs were connected only by the Mahim Causeway. That being the only road connecting the two business districts of Mumbai, added to the woes of the commuters during peak hours when moving from one end to another took a minimum of 70- 90 mins. In order to reduce the inconvenience caused due to the traffic congestion at Mahim Causeway, the construction of a sea link was proposed.

Nice to such Infra in INDIA
The Bandra Worli Sea Link of Mumbai, which was officially named ‘Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link’, is 5.6 kilometres long, 8-lane architectural, engineering and infrastructural marvel of India. It is the first cable-stay bridge built on open seas in India. The contract of the construction of the sea link was awarded to Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).

The then Shivsena supremo, Balasaheb Thackeray had laid the foundation stone of the sea link in 1999. What had started as a project plan with an estimated cost of INR 6.6 billion and to be completed in 5 years went downhill due to several public interest litigations. This led to the project being delayed by 5 years and costs soaring to a whopping INR 16 billion.

Excellent road
The Bandra Worli Sea Link has become one of the prominent landmarks of Mumbai and has also made it to the top 10 Trip Advisor’s Traveller’s Choice awards of 2018, under the category of architecture and modern infrastructure structures. The view and beauty of the bridge at night is a sight to behold as the stay cables are entirely lit and the vehicles running on the bridge make an amazing photo opportunity for all photography enthusiasts.

Architecture of Sea Link
The marvel that Bandra Worli Sea Link is was built by Hindustan Construction Company (HCC). The structure of the bridge is defined in 3 parts namely, the north end viaduct, the central cable-stayed pans and the south end viaduct. The construction of the Sea Link was a joint effort of talents wherein engineers from all over the world came together to create a marvel that it is today. The construction was carried out in five phases, right from construction of the flyover above Love Grove junction in Worli to modifications to Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan Road. The seabed that fell under the route of the proposed bridge was surveyed even before designing the bridge structure. The geology of the seabed was a mix of basaltic boulders to volcanic tuffs to weathered fractured rocks and calcareous sandstone with thin bed of coarse grainy mix of the same. Looking at the complex geology, it was clear that the design of the bridge pylons would have to be sturdy with a complex geometric engineering. This was the greatest challenge faced by the design team as they also had to match their design complexities with the aesthetics of the bridge. As a result, the concrete deck span over the Bandra channel, which is also the main span, is the longest of the spans attempted, while the pylon towers have a complex geometry. A total of 0.1 million metric tonne of cement was utilized for the project. The Bandra end concrete deck span alone weighs 20,000 tonne and is supported by high- tension stay cables. The highest pylon towers measure 128 metres with their heights gradually decreasing in cross-section. The viaducts on either side are the heaviest concrete-steel mix precast superstructure segments built in India using span by span method. The length of the cable- stayed span portion towards the Bandra end measures 600 metres with a total of 264 cable stays and that of the Worli end measures 250 metres with a total of 160 cable stays.

Great piece of Infrastructure
The Sea breeze passes through the windows for a mesmerizing experience. Breathtaking view but can be made more safe with lane marking. The 4 lane road on the bridge looks wide. What it lacks is lane marking for safer driving. The approach road at both ends also needs attention to make it more beautiful. Great piece of infrastructure, enabling swift and ease of transit.

Places to visit Bandra-Worli Sea Link
Siddhivinayak Temple, Haji Ali Dargah, Worli Fort, Mahalakshmi Temple, Mahalakshmi Race Course and Dhobi Ghat are located nearby.

Crawford Market Mumbai

2022-04-09T16:18:00.002+05:30

For anyone visiting Mumbai and coming here as part of sight-seeing -- you dont need a guide. You can enter and just browse around. It's a market visited by locals from Mumbai. Communication should not be a problem. If you are at a place where you are unable to communicate, just walk away.

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Very busy and crammed
Crawford Market, the largest market in Mumbai, is an incredible place to shop for food and household goods, take photos, or simply wander around people watching. It's also not a bad place to try local snacks, as there are myriad street-food stalls serving up all sorts of treats. Give yourself at least a couple of hours to wander slowly and see what is on offer.

Too much

This market is huge and has everything under the sun ...flowers, spices, fabric, fruits and vegetables, clothing, tea, pets and birds, sweets, and nuts. There are also cosmetics, perfumes, and handbags which seem to have good prices, but they are knock-offs. The whole place is dirty, crowded, and too much for me. One quick visit was enough.

How to Reach
By Air: Mumbai is service by Chattrapati Shivaji Airport which houses both domestic and international airfield. The train terminus is 21 kilometers from the airport. Any local transport can take you to the iconic structure.

By Rail: Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus being a train terminal is easiest to reach by rail. Many trains disembark at this station. However, if you are coming from other central or suburban railway stations, then you can reach through local transport.

By Road: Mumbai is well-connected by road that leads to all major cities in India. This rich city is served by major national highways. The iconic structure can be reached easily by road.

An adventure in Mumbai
We arrived at the market to be met by a guide who said he would show us around, we said we were happy to wander by ourselves . The architecture is interesting. We walked from CST Station to this old market, it took just over 10 minutes. Outside the market was chaotic with delivery lorries, taxis and tuk tuks all converging. It is best to ignore anyone who speaks to you at the entrance to the market. They are either trying to make tourists visit their shop and buy something, or to act as a Guide, then demand payment. Inside this old building are rows and rows of stalls selling, spices, fabrics, cosmetics, fruit & vegetables, sweets, clothing, nuts, foods and so much more. If you can't find what you are looking for here, then you wont find it in Mumbai. The metal grid supports the roof and the large lantern shaped lights.

Huge market with a variety of things
Went here as part of a tour. It is a huge market that sells lots of things, like fruits, spices & tea leaves, as well as pets. I bought a number of tea leaves packets cause it has a lot of variety & the price is much cheaper compared to the prices in the shops. This is a great market indoors with original features from early 19th century. Felt very safe with lors of little side stands selling fabulous spices, fabrics fruit, flowers. etc. We visited on a cruise but were not allowed much time to explore the area properly which was a shame. A must to visit when in Mumbai.

Narrow and crowded
The place is over crowded but you may get everything you need for daily use. Cosmetic, bags, electronics , fruits, vegetables,spices, pet animals, birds etc etc etc. If you are not Indian you will be puzzled. Here most products are cheap but quality is low. Many shops sell pirated cosmetics, perfumes etc. So beware while shopping. You can get good quality fruits here. I took my kids to pet animals and birds shops , they found these shops very exciting but the area was dirty. Area where Fruit and pet animal shops are situated is very unhygienic. Some touts sell duplicate international brand perfumes on roadsides, so take care if you are dealing with them. This market may be good for local people but for tourists it’s not good place to shop.

Tourist Attractions in Bhopal

2022-04-09T12:55:00.011+05:30

Bhopal is the capital city of the Indian state Madhya Pradesh. It is rich in heritage and history that is reflected by its ancient monuments, temples and palaces. If not for the architecture or history, the city draws attention for its commercial links.

Accommodation in Bhopal
Bhopal is a big city but tourists will not face any difficulty in getting appropriate accommodation for themselves. There are numbers of hotels that provide all basic facilities to the guests. Some of the basic facilities at the hotels are TV, AC and heater. The rooms of the hotels are well equipped with modern arrangements and provide a good place to relax after a day out.

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Monsoon Season in Bhopal
The rainfall brings some relief to the people of Bhopal. The month of June brings heavy rainfall at the place and till the month of September the moderate atmosphere remains. The humidity in this period is quite high. It is not preferable to visit the place in monsoons but the scenic charm is at its best during this time.

Winter Season in Bhopal
The winter season is chilly with the temperature in December going quite low. The weather remains as it is till the month of February. The lowest temperature recorded is about 8°C and the maximum temperature is about 23°C. The cold atmosphere is quite apt for tourists to explore the beauty of the place.

Summer Season in Bhopal
The soaring summers hit the city from the month of March and till the month of May the hot climate remains as it is. The highest temperature at the place is recorded at 47°C. The lowest temperature at the time of summers is recorded around 24°C. The day time of the summer season is a little difficult for travelling and exploring the city. The nights bring some relief as the temperature goes down significantly.

How to Reach Bhopal
Bhopal is the capital city of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, known for its various natural as well as artificial lakes. The city has been selected as one of the first 20 Indian cities to be developed as a Smart Cityunder the PM’s flagship Smart Cities Mission. Some of the main tourist attractions of the city are Upper Lake, Badi Jheel Lake, Van Vihar National Park, Lakshmi Narayana Temple and Gohar Mahal. Being an important travel destination, Bhopal is well-connected to other major Indian cities by air, road and rail.

How to Reach Bhopal by Air
Nearest Airport : Raja Bhoj Airport. Bhopal Airport is located about 13 km northwest of the city centre and is well-connected to other major cities of the country like Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Raipur, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad and Mumbai by regular flights. From the airport, taxis are available to reach the city centre.

How to Reach Bhopal by Rail
Bhopal Junction is the largest railway station in the city and is a major junction on the Delhi-Chennai main line and the Central railway route from Delhi to Mumbai. It connects Bhopal to all parts of the country, except North-Eastern states.

How to Reach Bhopal by Road
Regular state run and private bus services connect Bhopal to Ahmedabad, Kota, Jodhpur, Nagpur, Shirdi, Pune, Jaipur, Amravati, Vadodara, Surat and Nashik. There are numbers of buses available for tourists such as public and private buses. The place is well connected from all major cities and towns through state bus service. Indore (190km), Ujjain (189km), Nagpur (354km) and Ratlam (297km) are connected to Bhopal via road. You can easily take bus from Bhopal to Indore Ujjain, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Shirdi and various other cities.

Events / Festivals in Bhopal
National Drama Festival: National Drama Festival is celebrated with lots of enthusiasm in the month of September. Numbers of different people like artists, poets and writers come here to showcase their talent. The performances during the festival include folk dance, song and cultural activities.

Bharat Bhavan Summer Festival: Bharat Bhavan Summer Festival in Bhopal is the major festival of the place. Traditional music, songs, poem concerts, folk dance, art exhibition are the main attractions of the festival.

Dhrupad Samaroh: This festival is a popular festival in Bhopal and is celebrated with great excitement. The well known artists gather and play soul-stirring vocal and music performances.

Bhopal Travel Guide
Bhopal is the capital city of the state Madhya Pradesh. It was formerly known as Bhoj-pal named after Raja Bhoj who founded the city. It is popularly known as City of Lakes because of a number of natural as well as man-made lakes. The city is one of the most visited tourist destinations of India. Major tourist attractions include.

Major Tourist Attractions in Bhopal
Bhimbetka Caves	Tahj-Ul-Masjid	Bhojeshwar Temple
Shahpura Lake	Archaeological Museum	Bharat Bhawan
Birla Mandir	Tribal Museum	Manuabhan Tekri
Van Vihar National Park	Upper lake bhopal	Boat Riding bhopal

The best time to visit is in the months between October and March. Chowk Bazaar is another narrow lane for shopping. This places has a number of items to purchase from bangles to quality fabrics and accessories.

Rani Kamalapati Railway Station Bhopal

2022-04-09T02:24:00.008+05:30

The name of Bhopal’s Habibganj railway station has been changed to Rani Kamlapati station. The BJP government of Madhya Pradesh proposed this to the Centre last week, which gave the clearance without any delay. Rani Kamalapati was the widow of Gond ruler, Nizam Shah, the chief of Ginnorgarh, who had built the seven-storey Kamalapati Palace. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the redeveloped Rani Kamalapati Railway Station during his visit to Madhya Pradesh.

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Habibganj railway station, officially Habibganj railway station (station code: RKMP), is a railway station in Bhopal City and part of the West Central Railway. It is located in Habibganj, New Bhopal and lies on the main Jhansi–Bhopal–Itarsi route line. It is India's first private railway station. In November 2021, the Madhya Pradesh Government changed its name from Habibganj railway station to Rani Kamalapati railway station in the memory of Gond queen Rani Kamlapati.

Rani Kamlapati railway station (station code: RKMP), is a railway station in Bhopal City and part of the West Central Railway. It is located in Rani Kamlapati, New Bhopal and lies on the main Jhansi–Bhopal–Itarsi route line. It is India's first private railway station. RKMP/Rani Kamlapati (Habibganj) Railway Station Map/Atlas WCR/West Central Zone - Railway Enquiry.

How to Reach Bhopal
Bhopal is the capital city of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, known for its various natural as well as artificial lakes. The city has been selected as one of the first 20 Indian cities to be developed as a Smart Cityunder the PM’s flagship Smart Cities Mission. Some of the main tourist attractions of the city are Upper Lake, Badi Jheel Lake, Van Vihar National Park, Lakshmi Narayana Temple and Gohar Mahal. Being an important travel destination, Bhopal is well-connected to other major Indian cities by air, road and rail.

How to Reach Bhopal by Air
Nearest Airport : Raja Bhoj Airport. Bhopal Airport is located about 13 km northwest of the city centre and is well-connected to other major cities of the country like Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Raipur, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad and Mumbai by regular flights. From the airport, taxis are available to reach the city centre.

How to Reach Bhopal by Rail
Bhopal Junction is the largest railway station in the city and is a major junction on the Delhi-Chennai main line and the Central railway route from Delhi to Mumbai. It connects Bhopal to all parts of the country, except North-Eastern states.

How to Reach Bhopal by Road
Regular state run and private bus services connect Bhopal to Ahmedabad, Kota, Jodhpur, Nagpur, Shirdi, Pune, Jaipur, Amravati, Vadodara, Surat and Nashik. There are numbers of buses available for tourists such as public and private buses. The place is well connected from all major cities and towns through state bus service. Indore (190km), Ujjain (189km), Nagpur (354km) and Ratlam (297km) are connected to Bhopal via road. You can easily take bus from Bhopal to Indore Ujjain, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Shirdi and various other cities.

Who was queen Kamlapati?
Rani Kamlapati was the widow of Nizam Shah, whose Gond dynasty ruled the then Ginnorgarh, 55 km from Bhopal, in the 18th century. Nizam Shah built the famous seven-storeyed Kamlapati Palace in her name in Bhopal. According to the state government, Kampalati is known to have shown great bravery in facing aggressors during her reign after her husband was killed. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has claimed that Kamlapati was the “last Hindu queen of Bhopal”, who did great work in the area of water management and set up parks and temples. The Gond are one of the largest tribal communities in India, spread across Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar and Odisha. The renamed and redeveloped railway station is being inaugurated on November 15, the birth anniversary of the iconic 19th century tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda.

Why does a railway station’s name change?
Changing of railway station names is not new. There are times when state governments decide to go for a name change to represent long-standing popular demand or history, or as part of a political project pushing for a wider iconography.

Facilities of Rani Kamlapati Railway Station:
The Rani Kamlapati Railway Station is located in Bhopal city in the state of Madhya Pradesh, which is also a part of the West Central Railway. The railway station is completely based in the public-private partnership (PPP) mode with green building and world-class amenities that has ease of mobility for disabled persons. It also has a hub of integrated multi-modal transport and has international airport facilities like a cafeteria food plaza along with a food court and an air-conditioned waiting lounge.

Lifts, escalators, and a sitting arrangement of 700 to 1100 passengers are built in an open concourse. Display boards of various languages have been installed to inform the passengers regarding the movement of trains. There are around 160 CCTV cameras present with round-the-clock surveillance. An additional information lounge is set up with a large LED screen on the first floor waiting room to share information on the tourism and culture of the state.

There is also literature based on tourism and culture, leaflets, brochures, coffee table books that are made available for the people present at the station. The station has got a 5-star rating in GEM Sustainability certification by the ASSOCHAM for Green, sustainable design, and eco-friendly project.

Rani Kamalapati station’s redevelopment project under PPP mode has set up benchmark and learning model for other railway stations. Reconstructed on the lines of Germany’s Heidelberg railway station Rani Kamalapati railway station is India’s first world-class station.

The station has been designed and built with the ultra-modern amenities like large covered parking area, 24X7 power backup, drinking water, air-conditioned lobby, offices, shops, high speed escalator, lift, anchor stores, automobile showrooms, convention centre, hotels, super specialty hospital, etc. to provide passengers the airport-like feel & comfort at the same time.

The redeveloped railway station has received GEM 5 star rating in GEM Sustainability Certification by ASSOCHAM for Green, sustainable design and eco-friendly project. The GEM Sustainability Certification aims to promote eco-friendly green building design and development. Rani Kamalapati Railway station is the first ever Green Station that has planned an extensive reuse of water with Zero discharge technology that has been put into place for sewage systems. Approximately 6800 sqm is identified for soft land scaping and 7300 sqm for hard land scaping. Also, to ensure cleaner energy from renewable and non-conventional energy, provisions for solar energy generation is provided in station. There is also an adequate provision of rainwater harvesting at identified locations.

Girgaon Chowpatty Mumbai

2022-04-07T18:39:00.003+05:30

Girgaon is an area in South Mumbai, which is considered to be the heart of the city. It is easily accessible from most parts of Mumbai. A network of buses and local trains has your travel woes covered. The beach is noted for its Ganesh Visarjan, when thousands of people from all over Mumbai and Poona come to immerse idols of Ganesh in the Arabian Sea. Charni Road is Girgaon Chowpatty’s nearest local station. You can also book a private cab from top car rental companies in Mumbai for your Mumbai tour. Girgaon Chowpatty is a public beach along the Queen’s Necklace adjoining Marine Drive in the Girgaon area of Mumbai, Konkan division, India.

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It is also one of the many places in the city where the Ramlila play is performed onstage every year during Navaratri and an effigy of Ravana erected on the sand is burnt on Vijayadashami at the end of the 10-day performance. Shiv Smarak, including 210 m tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is being constructed facing Mumbai's Girgaum Chowpatty beach, 1.5 km away on a manmade island of rocks.

The beach is also well-known for Ganesh Visarjan celebrations. Not a very long beach nor very clean but with colourful lights, aroma of street food, calming sound of the sea waves, and attractive local markets, the beach has a lively setting especially in the evening time.

Nice place to visit if you are a foodie
This is also a choupaty in Mumbai. Girgaon Chowpatty is situated along the Queen’s Necklace adjoining Marine Drive. The beach is also known for an array of lip-smacking street food like Pao Bhaji, Bhel Puri, Pani Puri, Kulfi-Faluda, Gola etc. at reasonable rate.Alongside the beach there are multiple options for local food and snacks such as pav bhaji, pani puri, falooda etc. The food is not as clean, however would recommend a visit to try the local food and snacks. Really loved the pav bhaji and pani puri.

Crowded Chowpati
It is on Marinelines. Crowded chowpati of Mumbai. Moment you reach there, carpet vendor will approach you to hire carpet service. For single carpet he charges Rs30 without time limit. Then one by one different vendors will approach you for snacks, water, tea etc. Visit during evening time so that you will have beautiful view. Beach is okay. But bit crowded. Don’t select noon/afternoon slot to visit, otherwise it will be hot.

Sunset & Sunrise
If you are staying in Colaba & have work in the Kemps Corner area & adjoing places. You can come via the Marine drive & soon you will see the majestic Malabar hills & the chowpatty beach. Known for its snacky dishes the beach allows the best Sunrise & Sunsets...The coast line is scenic & you can see the Governors's House...The old Wilson college is also a part of the landscape. During our Christmas holidays, we had visited the beautiful sea to reach the Beach at Girgaum Chowpatty. The beach is nice and clean with lots of food Stalls on one side. We sat on the beach and enjoyed the sunset with waves breaking against the sand. It was a nice experience.

How to reach Girgaon Chowpatty

By Air – Mumbai is the gateway to India for many travellers and it is connected to many travel destinations around the world. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, about 30 km away from the city centre, connects Mumbai to major cities within India and abroad.

By Rail – Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CSMT) and Mumbai Central (MMCT) are the main railway terminals that serve the city. Both are at a comfortable distance of 3 km from this famous beach in Chowpatty. Many long-distance trains also touch Mumbai through other suburban railway stations. And once you alight from your train you can take a local train to Girgaon. Railways, both intercity and local, are the lifeline of Mumbai. The city is connected to all the metropolitans including Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.

By Road – Apart from the robust network of local buses, Mumbai also has strong connectivity with other nearby cities of India. Public and private bus services connect Mumbai to all the major cities and towns in Maharashtra and neighbouring states. Most buses arrive at Mumbai Central Depot, which is only a 10-minute drive away from Girgaon Chowpatty.

Timings and Entry Fees of Girgaon Chowpatty
Mumbai never sleeps and the same holds true for Chowpatty. The beach is open 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. And you’ll never find it empty. Take a space in a quiet corner and watch the life of Mumbai going by at its pace. You don’t have to pay any entry fee or camera fee.

Best Time to Visit Girgaon Chowpatty
You can get an unobstructed view of Girgaon Chowpatty beach in the morning when only a few are there for their morning jogs and yoga asanas. But during the rest of the day, it buzzes with people. However, those jam-packed evening hours display enthusiasm of Mumbai at its best. Months between October and March are suitable for a comfortable trip to this beach. Also, the festivals of Ganesh Chaturthi and Dussehra take place around September-November. Be there if you want to witness the chaos at Girgaon Chowpatty during visarjan. Girgaon Chowpatty Ravan Dahan and Ramlila events are also worth watching.

Things to do at Girgaon Chowpatty

1. Watching the sun set at a distance – Many local people go to Chowpatty beach to sit and relax. It isn’t one of the tranquil tourist destinations but has a charm of its own. Rent a mat from one of the vendors and enjoy the breeze, while relishing popcorns and cotton candies. Watch the sun sink into the Arabian Sea. You can also opt for an open-air massage, known as maalish locally.

2. Indulging in fun activities – Like Mumbai, Girgaon Chowpatty never sleeps. Whenever you go, you’ll find yourself to be part of a carnival. Wake up the kid inside and you can have a great time at Chowpatty. Sellers of colourful balloons and toys roam around the beach. The beach also has ferry wheels, merry-go-rounds and gun shooting galleries.

3. Going for a ride on horses and camels – If you don’t want to stroll or take part in fun activities, you can hire a horse or camel and cover the length of the beach. Watch people of Mumbai at rest, rejuvenating after a hectic day at work. You will also see kids making their dream castles out of fine white sand.

4. Getting charmed by street artists – Chowpatty beach is an arena for street-style entertainment. While monkeys dance at their trainers’ instructions, snakes abide by the orders of their owners. People also enjoy the shows put up by the magicians and fortune-tellers. The street food sellers also display their mesmerising art of cooking at work.

5. Dipping your taste buds in street food – Apart from the incessant chatter of the visitors and vendors, street food hawkers also holler repeatedly. Bhelpuri, pav-bhaji and barf gola sold at Chowpatty are loved by many. Girgaon Chowpatty food stalls also have chaat, chana masala and milk kulfi among other local snacks of Mumbai.

6. Driving along the seafront – Girgaon Chowpatty lies along the popular Marine Drive promenade. And the drive along the sea with cool winds blowing on the face will be a memorable experience for the years to come. You can also walk along, capturing the scenes in your lenses.

Time to Explore Girgaon Chowpatty
Chowpatty beach is a place to visit at leisure. You’ll find hours slipping by, while you’re sitting and pondering over your life’s choices. So, keep aside 2-3 hours to spare when you visit Girgaon Chowpatty and gorge on spicy lip-smacking snacks and delicacies of Mumbai.

Kanheri Caves Mumbai

2022-04-07T16:01:00.003+05:30

Kanheri Caves an amazing place to visit in mumbai . Kanhei caves is all about tge remained statue of ancients god and godesses and other sculptures too . The place has aesthetic and economic significance . They contain Buddhist sculptures and relief carvings, paintings and inscriptions, dating from the 1st century CE to the 10th century CE. Kanheri comes from the Sanskrit Krishnagiri, which means black mountain.

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Your tour will begin by Kanheri Caves passing through the green forests of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Located 3.5 miles (6 km) inside the park,Explore Buddhist sculptures and relief carvings, paintings and inscriptions, dating from the 1st century BCE to the 10th century CE..The cave complex comprises one hundred and nine caves, carved from the basalt rock.Most of the caves are used as the Buddhist viharas, meant for living, studying, and meditating. Don't miss the Buddhist shrine, called a stupa, in one of the caves before returning to Mumbai.

Great mix of Greenery and History
it is located in SGNP in Borivali. Easily accessible through Buses and Rickshaws. The site is on a hillside, and is accessible via rock-cut steps. The cave complex comprises one hundred and nine caves. They have different formats where some are plane square rooms with gates and then there are some with elaborate sculptures. Govt has tried to get the caves to be in best shape as much as it can. If you climb high enough , you'll get birds eye view of the city. The oldest are relatively plain and unadorned, in contrast to later caves on the site, and the highly embellished Elephanta Caves of Mumbai. Each cave has a stone plinth that functioned as a bed. A congregation hall with huge stone pillars contains a stupa. Rock-cut channels above the caves fed rainwater into cisterns, which provided the complex with water. Once the caves were converted to permanent monasteries, their walls were carved with intricate reliefs of Buddha and the Bodhisattvas. Kanheri caves were built in the 1st century and had become an important Buddhist settlement on the Konkan coast by the 3rd century CE.

Most glorious experience
Get a first-hand peek at the 109 carvings, some dating from the 1st century BC, which puts the world-famous heritage site at your fingertips.Caves including some that are inaccessible have the most aweinspiring carvings, frescoes & ancient paintings & engravings that one can ever imagine. The access to these caves is from brilliantly maintained stairways that are as ancient as the caves themselves. The acoustics of some of the caves are phenomenal with perfect echoing that lends a mystic aura to the site. Impossible to believe that such a serene verdant slice of land is a part of the cacophonic city of Mumbai.

Architecture of Kanheri Caves
Kanheri Caves architecture isn’t particularly elaborate. It’s rather plain. But different caves have characteristics varied from each other. Cave 1 is an unfinished chaitya-griha. It has two storeys. Cave 2 is in the form of a large assembly hall. It consists of three stupas, and the walls are carved with sculptures of Buddha. Cave 3 is the largest among the Kanheri Caves, and the most remarkable. A well-sculpted screen separates the courtyard from the front. This chaitya-griha also has tall pillars and a stupa in one end, apart from a large Buddha statue at the entrance. These three caves and others in the vicinity have been a part of a Buddhist monastery.

The area has 109 caves and Kanheri Cave no 3 is the most elaborate among them. Long hall, carved columns and a tall statue of Buddha at the entrance marks this cave. The 16-feet high stupa towards the end of the cave is also one of the salient features of this cave. Cave 4 is among the oldest of all the caves and the next two – Cave 5 and Cave 6, are water cisterns.

Other caves of significance are the ones numbered 11, 34, 41, 67 and 90. Cave 11 used to be the Darbar Hall or Assembly Hall. A statue of Buddha is there in the centre. Cave 34 is notable for the paintings of Buddha on the ceilings, which remain unfinished though.

The Cave 41 then, is the home to eleven-headed bodhisattva Avalokitesvara that symbolises a gradual move towards enlightenment.Cave 67 has another statue of Avalokitesvara and has scenes from Jataka tales too. Cave 90 is the darkest cave there and is known to have the oldest preserved mandala (from 6th century CE).
Most of the caves also had channels carved out to trap and store rainwater. The caves have numerous inscriptions in Brahmi and Devanagari, and some epigraphs in Pahlavi.

How to Reach Kanheri Caves
Kanheri Caves are situated in the outskirts of Mumbai, within Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Therefore, the caves of Kanheri are accessible through a network of BEST buses and local trains.
By Air – Mumbai, the city of dreams, is connected to many travel destinations around the world. After all, it’s considered the gateway to India. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is about 22 km away from the caves, and domestic as well as international tourists can find a flight to reach here.
By Rail – Mumbai is connected to all the corners of India through a network of the railway. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CSMT) and Mumbai Central (MMCT) are the main railway stations in the city, and both are at a distance of around 40 km. Some trains also stop at the suburban railway stations nearby. Borivali is the nearest local station to reach Kanheri Caves.
By Road – Mumbai is the entertainment capital of India and thus, is reachable through all the major cities of India. A network of public and private bus services connects Mumbai to all the nearby cities. You can also take a cab or go to Kanheri Caves by car from anywhere in Mumbai. Alternatively, you can opt for a private cab from top car rental companies in Mumbai for your Mumbai tour.

Entry Fee and Timings of Kanheri Caves
The cave complex lies within the boundaries of Sanjay Gandhi National Park. It is open for tourists every day except on Mondays. Kanheri Caves entry timings are between 7.30 AM and 5 PM. The entry fee for Kanheri Caves is Rs. 15 for Indians and Rs. 200 for foreign tourists.

Best Time to Visit Kanheri Caves
Kanheri Caves are open all throughout the year, but you can explore it well only when the climate is cool. Therefore, the winter months, from November to February, are the best to explore this tourist spot. The weather is cool and the hiking trail is dry enough to provide you with a comfortable trekking experience around the caves. You can also drop by a visit between July and September when monsoon rains keep the temperature of Mumbai low. The greenery around the area is at its best and the mini-waterfalls nearby run full with water. But the rocks get slippery too. Therefore, visiting Kanheri Caves in the rainy season might not be the best choice.

Time to Explore Kanheri Caves
It will take you about 2-3 hours to check these bunch of Buddhist caves. But do have 2-3 hours more in hand if you want to hike to the Caves from the entrance of the national park. It will take you about an hour to reach Kanheri caves on foot, and another one hour to return. Trekking enthusiasts can also opt for the trail upward from the caves. It takes you to Jambulmal, the highest point in Mumbai.

Excellent historical site of Budhist Statues
The word ‘Kanheri’ has been derived from Krishnagiri, a Sanskrit word that means “Black Mountain”. This ancient monastery has been carved out of black basalt rock and has been a learning centre and pilgrimage site for Buddhists. At the Kanheri Caves, you can see many Buddhist sculptures and paintings. It was a famed learning centre during its prime and also served as the residence for Buddhist monks. Traders and passers-by also used the place as a stop-over. Much of the inscriptions are still undeciphered, but people believe that the first excavations started sometime around the 1st or 2nd century BCE. The large halls with stupas suggest that the caves were significant as Buddhist shrines and that the place played an important role in the propagation of Buddhism in India.

Kanheri caves an Incredibly beautiful
Trekking in and around the caves is the only activity available at Kanheri Caves. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional trekker, you’ll find it rewarding. The view there, with greenery all around, is mesmerising. Numerous small waterfalls add to its charm. And you might also catch an occasional glimpse of animals, which reside in the periphery of Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

Activity Available at Kanheri Caves
Kanheri caves in Sanjay Gandhi National park is a hidden gem; within the city limits of Mumbai. Extraordinary vegetation and clean environment. There are many activities (Lion/Tiger Safaris, Forest trails, Toy train etc etc.) that one could do here. However a day may not be enough if you want to do all. So prioritize. One could take a car or rent a bike inside the entrance gate. There have been some recent rate hikes, but they all seem reasonable, looking at the improved upkeep and cleanliness of the place and also a lot of new infrastructure being put in.

1. Kanheri caves reside in midst of this vast forest. You need a separate ticket for this at nominal cost. The caves are much more cleaner now and securely locked up during off hours. There are new railings put in and a new complex coming up with public utilities and cafeteria etc.

2. It is wise to be there early to beat the sun and heat. Carry water a snacks along. Wear comfortable sports shoes and clothes.

3. It would be always a good idea to read up a bit about the caves and make a few notes before; like we did. This will make things easier to spot and one would not roam about aimlessly. Afterall there are 109 caves scattered over a wide area. The caves otherwise look the same, so its best to know the background and nuances a bit.

4. The caves are largely ‘Viharas” (Buddhist Monastery) and are stone cut, more than 2200 years old. The rocks are black basaltic.

5. Caves 1, 2, 3 (Chaitya hall with a large stupa, similar to Karla caves but smaller), 4 are notably the most talked about and interesting. So are 5 and 6 (Water cistern), 11 (Darbar hall), 34 (has an unfinished paining of Buddha on the ceiling), 41, 67, 81, 90. Cave 41 has a unique sculpture of Buddha with several small heads over the main head.

6. You will find inscriptions at various places in 3 different ancient scripts: Brahmi, Devanagari and Pahlavi.

7. Once you are done with the caves, don’t forget to climb on the topmost part of the caves to take a panoramic view of the forest and farther into the city, almost upto Powai. Beautiful sight.

8. On the way back, there is a small canteen for cold drinks and snacks. Further down you have fruit shops too. Beware of the monkeys who are all to eager to partake your food.

Highly recommended trek anytime of the year but mostly winter months or early morning in summers. Monsoons are also great if you are careful and avoid slippery tracks.

Haji Ali Dargah Mumbai

2022-04-05T21:17:00.001+05:30

The Haji Ali Dargah is a mosque and dargah or the monument of Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari located on an islet off the coast of Worli in the southern Mumbai. This mosque is also a tomb, An exquisite example of Indo-Islamic Architecture, associated with legends about doomed lovers, the dargah contains the tomb of Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. Bukhari was a Sufi saint and a wealthy merchant from Uzbekistan. Near the heart of the city proper, the dargah is one of the most recognisable landmarks of Mumbai.

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Your trip to Mumbai A serene place nestled amidst the waves of the sea Haji Ali Dargah. Hundreds of hawkers and street vendors crowded the approach road, they even try to pull you towards their shops. However we loved the sea causeway that connects the dargah to land. Sea on both side, cool breeze and sunset, it was a perfect backdrop. The pebbled pathway that leads to this white ‘dargah’ (an Urdu term, meaning ‘tomb’) makes for a nice walk, with the waters of the Arabian Sea lapping over the land.

The Haji Ali Dargah is a mosque and located at around 500 yards inside the Arabian Sea, one has walk through a pathway to visit the mosque. The pathway has several small shops / hawkers. There was limited crowd and we offered Chadar and took blessing from the Pir. While entering the pathway, there are several shops on the main road, selling Chadar, flower etc.

Haji Ali Mosque is located at south mumbai . A sacred place for muslims for their worship . A amazing place loacted between the sea . Referred as a island in mumbai . You should visit this place if you have the guys to cross the sea by a single path with water waves crashing to it .

This place was very famous and popular & mainly people came from all over the world. People visit this place and pray with ALLAH (GOD) to complete their wishes. This Darragh is in mid off Sea and this open for all religions and communities.

Haji Ali Dargah Timings, Entry & Namaz Schedule
This mausoleum is open to visitors on every day of the week from 5:30 AM until 10 PM, and you don’t have to be Muslim to enter here. Nevertheless, you will mostly find devotees specifically from the Islamic faith when you visit this dargah. There is no entry fee, but donations are accepted. A portion of the money received by the trust goes towards the maintenance of Madrasas (Islamic schools) and the funding of scholarships. Photography is not permitted inside the mosque. However, you will be able to take photos of the picturesque white structure from outside, especially from the narrow pathway which connects this islet to the mainland in South Bombay.

The Islamic prayer or namaz is offered five times a day:
    Fajr: This Arabic word meaning ‘dawn’ is the term for the first prayer of the day which is offered before sunrise.
    Zuhr: This is the second prayer which is offered at noon when the sun is at its peak.
    Asr: The third prayer is offered later in the afternoon.
    Maghrib: Just after sunset, the fourth prayer is offered.
    Isha: The final prayer is made in the night time.

Architecture of Haji Ali Dargah
The Haji Ali Dargah sports Indo-Islamic architecture from the Mughal period. This is evident in the set of minarets and domes that fill the area. The main gate which welcomes everyone is fortified with reinforced concrete cement. On the outside, it has a smooth layer of marble which makes it gleam from afar, especially in the afternoon. On Islamic festivals, this gate is lit up in green to signify purity.
The tallest minaret in the complex is 85 feet high. It is from here that the Muezzin (a person of good character) appointed by the mosque calls out to all the Muslims to worship at the five designated times of the day.

The central courtyard of the complex is made of marble, which also makes it convenient for those who prefer to walk barefoot. The Dargah Sharif stands at the centre, pristine white form the outside. When you enter it, you find the tomb of Sayyed Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari wrapped in a gorgeous carpet (called chaddar) and a zari cloth. The carpet has fine brocade work all over it, mostly in green, red and golden.

One can see a lot of flowers and offerings from visitors on this. A frame of silver encases the tomb, and the entire structure is surrounded by eight pillars of marble. This is further topped by a crown.

The ceiling in the main hall is also of marble and has coloured mirror patterns decorating its surface. Also visible are Arabic designs which actually spell out various names (ninety nine to be specific) of the Muslim god – Allah. You will also notice verses from the Quran Sharif, written on the ceilings and the walls.

The complex has prayer rooms dedicated for male and female worshippers. The main hall is flanked on three sides by other halls – East, West and South. The East Hall is reserved for men to say their prayers, while women worship in the West Hall.
Apart from this, there is a three storey sanatorium and a Qawwal Khana where Qawwali performances are held. Qawwali is a traditional Islamic musical performance where all the singers and instrument players are seated on the floor. While pop culture knows this art form only through Bollywood songs, the type of Qawwali performed inside the Haji Ali Dargah is devotional in nature.

Who was Haji Ali?
Sayyed Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari was a rich merchant from present-day Uzbekistan who was known for his kindness and often regarded as a Sufi saint. This Muslim merchant from Bukhara spent his early years, in the 15th century, travelling around the world. Before he was to make the mandatory Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Pir Haji Ali Shah renounced all his possessions. He finally settled in Mumbai’s Worli neighbourhood, quite close to where his tomb is now kept. He spent his time in India teaching people about Islam and spreading his faith.
There is a legend that Haji Ali once came across a poor lady sobbing on the street because she had spilled the oil which she was carrying back home. He accompanied her to the place where she spilled the oil, and made the earth spew it out with a press of his thumb. Despite solving the woman’s problem, Pir Haji Ali was disturbed that he had hurt the earth, so he left for India.

Things to Keep in Mind While Visiting the Haji Ali Dargah:-

1. Conservative dressing is advised for both men and women. You will be required to cover your head when you enter the mosque (but not when you are crossing on the causeway.
2. Before you enter the shrine, remove your footwear.
3. The sun can be a tad too hot in the afternoons. So make sure your wear some sunscreen lotion and carry a parasol or a hat with you.
4. The crowds soar on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. So, plan your visit accordingly.
5. During high tide, the causeway becomes submerged in sea water. Listen to the guards and try not to cross over to the other side until it’s time for low tide when the pathway is visible again.

How to Reach Haji Ali Dargah

Local Trains: If you are travelling on the Central Line, you can get off at Byculla station and then hail a taxi. It is 3.6 km from here and should take about 15 minutes via taxi. If you walk from here, you will take 40 minutes through a shorter route of 2.6 km. On the Western Line, Mumbai Central and Mahalaxmi are the nearest railway stations, both a little more than a kilometre from the shrine. If you don’t find a taxi, you can walk for 20 minutes. For those arriving on the Harbour Line, change into Central Line at Kurla.
City Buses: The closest bus stop to the mosque for the State-run BEST buses is Vatsalabai Desai Chowk. This is at a walking distance from the house of prayer and buses ply every few minutes.
Private Transport: For a comfortable ride, you can hire a private cab (kaali-peeli or black-and-yellow taxi) or a radio taxi run by Uber, Ola, Meru, etc. Parking may be a problem as the area is heavily crowded because of the dargah and the food shops closeby, so avoid driving by yourself.

Places to Visit Near Haji Ali Dargah

After you are done exploring the Haji Ali Dargah, you can make your way to a number of sightseeing spots nearby:

1. Mahalaxmi Temple: Located only 500 metres away on Bhulabhai Desai Road, this Hindu temple is dedicated to the mythological goddess Mahalaxmi. Built in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century, this temple has three idols of goddess Mahakali, Mahalakshmi (goddess of wealth and prosperity), and Mahasaraswati (goddess of wisdom and learning).

2. The National Museum of Indian Cinema: This brand new museum was recently unveiled on 19th January in 2019. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11 AM to 6 PM, entry to the museum only costs INR 20 for Indian adults. If you are a child below the age of 12 or a student, you can enter for free. Foreigners will have to pay INR 500 for each ticket. Movies are screened daily from 4 PM to 5 PM at one of the auditoriums here.

3. Mahalaxmi Race Course: Perhaps the most upscale place to hang out in Mumbai, this horse racing track remains a favourite with the city’s elite population. Spread over 225 acres of oval land, the place also serves as the only helipad open to civilians. If you wish to see a race, visit between mid-November and April. At other times, you can learn to ride a horse, join a Tai Chi class in the morning or just run around the track. During the derbies, remember to be impeccably dressed as dress codes are strictly followed here.

4. Nehru Planetarium: Barely a kilometre from the Haji Ali Dargah, this planetarium is a must-visit spot for children and adults alike. There are plenty of interactive exhibitions and models at this Science wonderland which will help you understand a lot of Physics principles in a fun and easy way. There is a dome-theatre in the complex where short films on astronomy are screened. On certain winter nights with clear skies, the Nehru Planetarium also holds special star-gazing sessions where the night sky is examined with a giant telescope, in search of constellations, planets and other heavenly bodies.

5. Dhobi Ghat: This is Mumbai’s unique wash-house, and also the largest open-air laundry in the world. This is where most of Mumbai’s textile businesses and hotels send their linen and clothes to be thoroughly cleaned, dried and ironed. The washers are called ‘dhobis’, and they are quite a sight to watch when they are in action. Tours that span at least an hour are offered for visitors to watch how these dhobis scrub and wash clothes in their own washing pen. The clothes are also beaten on a flogging stone for that extra edge in washing.

Shree Siddhivinayak Temple Mumbai

2022-04-04T01:18:00.001+05:30

The Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shri Ganesh. It is located in Prabhadevi, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. This is the most famous spiritual temple for Hindus in Mumbai. Infact, all good work needs to begin with blessing from Lord Ganesh. It was originally built by Laxman Vithu and Deubai Patil on 19 November 1801. It is one of the richest temples in India.

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Visit at the Shree Siddhivinayak a good experience
The temple has a small mandap with the shrine for Siddhi Vinayak. The wooden doors to the sanctum are carved with images of the Ashtavinayak. The inner roof of the sanctum is plated with gold, and the central statue is of Ganesha. In the periphery, there is a Hanuman temple as well. The exterior of the temple consists of a dome which is lit up with multiple colors in the evenings and they keep changing every few hours. The statue of Shri Ganesha is located exactly under the dome. The pillars are carved out with the images of ashtvinayak.

Must visit while in Mumbai
When we visited on a Friday morning, there was moderate crowd and we could conveniently offer the puja and darshan. Post puja, we bought Laddu prasad from the counter and visited the entire temple premises. The temple campus houses several shops, selling puja sweets (modak) and puja offering. Also, there are several shops selling effigy of Idols and Souvenir items. No visit in Mumbai is complete without visiting Siddhivinayak temple - Would like to revisit again.

When in Mumbai, have a darshan of the lord
A great please of worship. Amazing piece of art and architecture. The very premises of the temple are filled with bliss and serenity. Huge crowd but it is worthy of the blessings of lord Ganesha. A must visit when in Mumbai. Generally, people are happy if they have a glimpse of the lord. Minor discomforts are ignored. Same with this place. Since the temple is provided great security because of the terror threats, devotees have to leave the mobiles apart. Frisking is inevitable.

Siddhivinayak Temple Timings, Aarti Schedule & Entry Fee
The Siddhivinayak Temple is open on all days. Entry begins at 5:30 AM on all days except Tuesdays and special days such as Vinayaki Chaturthi, Sankashti Chaturthi, Maghi Shree Ganesh Jayanti and Bhadrapad shree Ganesh Chaturthi. The temple closes after the last aarti of the day at 9:50 PM from Wednesday to Monday. On Tuesdays, the doors to the temple open early at 3:15 AM and close after midnight.

Entry to the Siddhivinayak Temple is free for regular visitors. However, if you wish to skip the long queues that are a common site on Tuesdays, weekends and bank holidays, you can pay INR 50 to stand in a special queue for “paid darshan”. If you opt for this, your waiting time is cut down from several hours to 20 - 45 minutes.

Foreigners and NRIs can pre-book their darshan at Link for a seamless experience and some gifts (a “vastra” which is thought to become holy after it is draped on the Ganesha idol at this temple, a photo frame and laddoos which form the prasad) at the end of the visit.

There are separate entry gates to the shrine, depending on whether you wish to enter the inner sanctum (the gabhara) or exit with a quick view of the deity from afar. Differently abled devotees, mothers carrying infants and senior citizens have a smaller queue inside.

Cameras are not permitted inside the temple, nor are laptops. If you happen to carry either of these with you, you can book a security locker at the premise for only INR 10 for cameras and INR 50 for laptops. You can carry your mobile phone with you, but ensure you keep it on silent and do not take pictures.

Shoes must be removed before entering the shrine. There are deposit stands for footwear where you can collect a token against your shoe. This is a free service, but some visitors choose to donate a nominal amount of INR 5 or INR 10 to the temple servants. The Siddhivinayak Temple is under CCTV surveillance and large screens display the footage, so security is taken care of.

How to Reach
By Air: Mumbai is service by Chattrapati Shivaji Airport which houses both domestic and international airfield. The train terminus is 21 kilometers from the airport. Any local transport can take you to the iconic structure.

By Rail: Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus being a train terminal is easiest to reach by rail. Many trains disembark at this station. Local Trains: If you are travelling on the Central Line, you can get off at Dadar or Parel and then hail a taxi. On the Western Line, Prabhadevi or Lower Parel are the nearest railway stations. For those arriving on the Harbour Line, change into Central Line at Kurla. All the local train stations are 1.5 km to 3.5 km away from the temple.

By Road: Mumbai is well-connected by road that leads to all major cities in India. City Buses: The closest bus stops for the State-run BEST buses are Shri Siddhivinayak Mandir and Ravindra Natya Mandir. Both the bus stops are at a walking distance from the temple and buses ply every few minutes. Private Transport: For a comfortable ride, you can hire a private cab (kaali-peeli or black-and-yellow taxi) or a radio taxi run by Uber, Ola, Meru, etc. Parking is scarce near the temple, and cars are often towed, so avoid driving by yourself.

History Behind the Siddhivinayak Temple
This temple was first established in 1801 at the behest of a wealthy lady named Deubai Patil, and consecrated for worship on the 19th of November that year. The structure was significantly smaller than the one which stands in its place today. The idol, however, is the same monolithic statue carved from a black stone. Although today, it is painted in a bright shade of orange, with gold plating some of its elements. The Siddhivinayak Temple received a vast transformation after the Government of Maharashtra decided to renovate it in 1990 and regulate the flow of tourists to ease congestion. The refurbishment works were completed in 1993.

Architecture of Siddhivinayak Temple
Siddhivinayak Temple is a 6-storey building with a dome at its apex. This prominent dome is plated with gold and adds to the attraction of the temple. The edifice is mainly built of marble and pink granite while the multiple domes in the premise are made of either gold or a combination of five metals. There are three entrances to the inner shrine on the ground level. It is this floor that visitors throng for pooja and darshan. The idol of Ganesha sits in the inner sanctum on an opulent throne of gold. He is flanked on either side by the idols of Hindu goddesses Riddhi and Siddhi. The second floor is home to the kitchen where food is prepared to be offered to the idol. There are also some administrative offices on this floor. The third floor is the main office and the computer room. The fourth floor is a library and study hall with a collection of more than 8000 books on various genres. Access to this hall and all the books is free for all. The fifth floor is another kitchen – a larger one for cooking food during the festivals and special fire offerings. The sixth (and also the top) floor of the temple is the group of 47 gold-plated crowns which make up the roof.

Places to Visit Near Siddhivinayak Temple

After you are done exploring the Siddhivinayak Temple, you can make your way to a number of sightseeing spots nearby:

1. Worli Sea Face: Spanning approximately 3.5 km, this stretch of paved walkway is great for a walk in the mornings and evenings, with the sea breeze blowing in your hair. There is also a public garden on the other side of the road with a water tank at its centre.

2. Worli Fort: If you are a history buff and enjoy exploring ruins, take a walk inside this British Fort which stands on the Worli Hill. Only a fraction of the original construction stands today, but it is still a place that will enchant you.

3. Prabhadevi Beach: With gorgeous views of the Arabian Sea and an unobstructed view of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Prabhadevi Beach is a great place to watch the sunset. You may not find food stalls like you normally would at most other Mumbai beaches, but that only means you will avoid unnecessary crowds.

4. Ravindra Natya Mandir: This famous performing arts theatre stages various theatrical performances, plays and classical music concerts. If you plan ahead and get yourself a ticket, you can enjoy a cultural show on your visit here.

5. Sewri Fort: This 17th century watchtower was built by the British to keep an eye on the Bombay harbour. Since this heritage site is not manned, you can enter it at any time. From the upper parts of this fort, you can look at the mangroves in the vicinity.

6. Portuguese Church: One of the oldest churches in Mumbai, this house of worship is also called ‘The Church of Our Lady of Salvation’. If you are on a religious tour, you can include this stop on your itinerary.

Reference Links:-
Official website: - For detailed timings, daily schedule of the different types of aarti, and timetable for the special days, refer Link. For more details on darshan arrangements, visit Link.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai

2022-04-03T23:10:00.002+05:30

Sanjay Gandhi National Park is also known as Borivali National Park since it is located in Borivali, a suburb of Mumbai. This Park is a 87 km² protected area in Mumbai, Maharashtra State in India. It was established in 1969 with headquarters at Borivali. The 2400-year-old Kanheri caves sculpted by monks out of the rocky cliffs, lie within the park. The rich flora and fauna of Sanjay Gandhi National Park attract more than 2 million visitors every year. A famous Jain Temple is also situated in the park.

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Sanjay Gandhi National Park Mumbai Phone:- 022 2886 6449, 022 2886 0362

Timings and Entry Fees of Sanjay Gandhi National Park Mumbai

Timings:
Sanjay Gandhi National Park is closed on Mondays. On the rest of the days, it is open from 5:30 AM to 7:30 AM for morning walkers with monthly or annual passes. For day visitors, it is open from 7:30 AM to 6:30 PM.

Entry Fees or Tickets:
The entry fee to visit Sanjay Gandhi National Park is Rs. 58 for adults and Rs. 31 for children.
There is a shuttle service that operates between Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Kanheri Caves that costs Rs. 60 per person.
The Camera fee is Rs. 50.

How to Reach
By Air: Mumbai is service by Chattrapati Shivaji Airport which houses both domestic and international airfield. The train terminus is 21 kilometers from the airport. Any local transport can take you to the iconic structure.

By Rail: Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus being a train terminal is easiest to reach by rail. Many trains disembark at this station. Nearest Railway Station to Sanjay Gandhi National Park Mumbai- Borivali (Western line)

By Road: Mumbai is well-connected by road that leads to all major cities in India. TThe national park is at a walking distance from Borivali Railway Station (East). If anyone isn’t willing to walk, one can also hire an auto rickshaw or a taxi to reach the park. All intercity buses going towards Borivali East stop at the gate of the park. One can also rent a cab from top car rental companies in Mumbai to reach the national park.

Biodiversity of Park

The biodiversity of Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai is mostly an influence of the Sahyadris. The flora and fauna belong mostly to the ones indigenous of the hill ranges of Western Ghats. The dense forest has an estimated 800 types of mauves widespread across the length and breadth of the park from Karnala to Yeoor hills to Tungareshwar to few parts of Film City.

The forest habitat being the most dominating habitat of the national park, there is an estimated 1300 species of flowering plants alone in SGNP. Karvi (flowers that bloom once every 8 years) shrub dominates most of the space and are denser in the inner parts of the forest that mostly remains out of reach from visitors and hence, is the most beautiful part during full blossom. Bamboo is another flora that is quite widespread in the entire lower area of the national park.

The dense forest habitat includes trees belonging to mixed-deciduous type, which specifically include the Tectona, Albizzia, Terminalia, Holarrhena, Firmiana, Dalbergia, Garuga, Grewia, Adina, Ficus, Madhuca, Caraya, Butea.

WildLife at Sanjay Gandhi National Park Mumbai
Mammals :-
Spotted deer are a common sight at the national park while one is strolling around. The major fauna of SGNP is the big cat, i.e the large leopard and are in large numbers here. Striped Hyenas can be spotted around Yeoor hills side of the national park.

Black-naped hares, porcupines, palm civet are also among the inhabitants of the national park but are seen very rarely. The four-horned Antelope is also a rare sight given their shy nature. Hanuman langur, Bonnet Macaque and Rhesus Macaque are among the monkey species. There are 17 species of bats that inhabit the national park, out of which, the Indian flying fox is the biggest of all.

Birds
Sanjay Gandhi National Park is a treasure trove for any birder. The Gaumukh Trail gives one a great experience with regards to bird watching. There are a significant number of species of woodpeckers and kingfishers along with the Paradise flycatcher and the much elusive Trogon. The brown-headed Barbet and Parakeets can’t just keep mum and one would be delighted to hear the calls of Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher or the Malabar Whistling Thrush singing melodiously and low voices of the Spotted babbler.

Reptiles, Amphibians and Butterflies
When it comes to reptiles, crocodiles dominate the scenes of Tulsi Lake of Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Apart from the crocodiles, snakes are second highest in numbers spread across the length and breadth of the national park. The varieties include, Pythons, Cobras, Bamboo-pit Vipers, Russell Viper and the Ceylonese Cat Snake, a very rare species recently discovered by Bombay National History Society.

There are a total of 170 species of butterflies out of 1500 species in all of India. Out of these the most common is the Blue Mormon, which is also the state butterfly of Maharashtra. Others include the Blue Oak Leaf, Jezebels, Yellow and White Orange Tips, Sailors, Monarchs and many more.

Giant Wood Spiders are a common sight during monsoon with large designer webs. Silk Cotton bugs and beetles are also found in abundance here.

Tiger and Lion Safari at Sanjay Gandhi National Park Mumbai

The safari rides inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park Mumbai are 30 minutes long and done between 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM with a one-hour lunch break between 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM. There is a minimum requirement of 15 people for the safari rides to commence. The cost of tiger safari alone is INR 70 for adults and INR 28 for kids between the age group of 5 to 12. The cost of combined tiger and lion safari is INR 81 for adults and INR 32 for children aged 5 to 12 years. The safari tickets are non- refundable and non- transferable. The safari can also be booked only through the official website of Sanjay Gandhi National Park and can be verified at the ticket counter.

What else is in the Park

Butterfly Garden :- There are a total of 170 species of butterflies at the butterfly garden of Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The Nature Information Centre (NIC) arranges guided butterfly excursions at the national park. One can explore the greatest number of butterflies between the months of September to January when they happen to be more vibrant. NIC provides a pocket guide to identify the butterflies.

Cycling:- The huge area of the park allows cycling enthusiasts to fulfil their desire to cycle through a relatively empty patch, which is otherwise impossible given Mumbai’s traffic snarls. One can either get their own bicycles or even rent them inside the park at a mere fee of INR 60 for 2 hours. One needs to pay a deposit of INR 300 along with their ID proofs. There are a limited number of bicycles available in the park hence, it is recommended to either go early or one would need to wait till one is available.

Boating :- Boating timings are between 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM with lunch break between 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. The tickets for boating can be booked online and verified at the ticket counter. Charges for 2-seater boats are INR 48 and charges for 4-seater boats INR 97. Each boat ride lasts for 15 minutes.

Toy Train Ride :- The Toy Train inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park Mumbai is called Vanrani. The narrow-gauge train ride tickets can also be booked online and need to be verified at the ticket counter. The timings of the train ride are between 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM with lunch break between 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. Each ride lasts for 20- 25 minutes. The charges are- INR 50 per journey for adults (12 yrs and above) and INR 19 per journey for children aged between 5 to 12. The one condition for the train ride to commence is that the minimum number of 20 people should be available for the ride.

Camping:- There are over-night campings arranged by Nature Information Centre (NIC), SGNP. They offer all types of accommodation ranging from tents to pine houses to guest houses to dormitories.

Prince of Wales Museum Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya)

2022-04-03T18:17:00.005+05:30

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, originally named Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, is a museum in Mumbai which documents the history of India from prehistoric to modern times. It was founded in the early years of the 20th century by prominent citizens of Mumbai, with the help of the government, to commemorate the visit of George V, who was Prince of Wales at the time.

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Prince of Wales Museum is located in the heart of South Mumbai near the Gateway of India. The museum was renamed in 1998 after Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire. The building is built in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, incorporating elements of other styles of architecture like the Mughal, Maratha and Jain. The museum building is surrounded by a garden of palm trees and formal flower beds.

The museum houses approximately 50,000 exhibits of ancient Indian history as well as objects from foreign lands, categorised primarily into three sections: Art, Archaeology and Natural History. The museum houses Indus Valley Civilization artefacts, and other relics from ancient India from the time of the Guptas, Mauryas, Chalukyas and Rashtrakuta.

How to Reach
Located in the Kala Ghoda area in South Mumbai, reaching the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya is a breeze.

By Air: Mumbai is service by Chattrapati Shivaji Airport which houses both domestic and international airfield. The train terminus is 21 kilometers from the airport. Any local transport can take you to the iconic structure.

By Rail: Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus being a train terminal is easiest to reach by rail. Many trains disembark at this station. However, if you are coming from other central or suburban railway stations, then you can reach through local transport. Mumbai local trains have three routes - Central, Harbour and Western. While arriving from the Central or Harbour Line, you can get off at CSMT (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus) and then catch a cab. Churchgate is the nearest railway station on the Western Line. Each of the local train stations are roughly 2 km from the museum.

By Road: Mumbai is well-connected by road that leads to all major cities in India. This rich city is served by major national highways. City Buses: If you prefer to travel by bus, Mumbai runs heavily subsidized BEST buses which are red in colour. You will find a number of bus stops within a short walk from the museum. Your wait time won’t exceed a few minutes, thanks to the frequency of the buses. Special seating is available inside the buses for the handicapped, senior citizens and female.

Entry Tricket and Show Timings

Category	Museum Entry	Childrens Museum	Museum Entry + Childrens Museum	Museum Experience
Indian Adult	85	35	110	50
Foreign Adult	650	Complimentry	650	50
Children	20	Complimentry	20	20
Student	20	Complimentry	20	20
College Student	40	35	70	50
Indian Senior Citizen	60	35	90	50
Defence Personnel	60	35	90	50
Group Indian Visitors	60	35	90	50
Photo Graphy Passes	50 for Mobile and Tabs
Photo Graphy Passes	5000 for Photography with Tripod Tabs
Photo Graphy Passes	100 for camera without Tripod
Audio Guides (Passes Available on Ticket Counter and Informationm Desk	Availabale on 7 Languages (Hindi, Marathi, English, French, German, Jampanese, Spanish)		50
Show Timings	Mumbai Experience (Flim Duration 17 Mins		English- 11:00 am \| 1:00 pm \| 2:00 pm \| 3:00 pm \| 5:00 pm

Timings & Entry Fee

One of the most popular places to visit in Mumbai, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya is accessible every day from 10:15 AM to 6 PM. However, the ticket counter closes at 5:45 PM, so plan your visit accordingly. The only days the museum is closed is on the mandatory holidays identified for the Maharashtra – Republic Day (26th January), Maharashtra Day (1st May), Independence Day (15th August) and Gandhi Jayanti (2nd October).

There is a short film of 17 minutes called ‘Mumbai Experience’ which is screened at certain times each day. The English show times are 11 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM, 3 PM and 5 PM. This is also screened in Marathi at noon and 4 PM.

There are different types of entry tickets to the Prince of Wales Museum depending on whether you wish to visit only the main museum or the Children’s Museum or both. The charges range from INR 20 to INR 650 and the fee varies for Indian adults, foreigners, children, students, senior citizens, defence personnel and groups of 15 and more.

There are also charges for the Mumbai Experience movie. It is INR 50 for everyone except children below the age of 12 and students till 10th standard, who pay INR 20. Audio guides are also available for INR 50, and this is free for foreigners.

If you wish to carry a photography-enabled device such as a camera, mobile phone or a tab with you, you will need to pay INR 100. For any camera with a tripod, the fee is INR 5000. For professional video shoots and commercial photography, prior permission needs to be taken.

To keep your visit comfortable, take note of the following:

1. The museum is accessibility-friendly for the differently abled. Wheelchairs are available at the entrance and a lift provides access to the higher floors of the building. Braille labels are progressively being installed in the galleries for the visually impaired. Special tactile tours are conducted for groups of blind visitors.

2. Food, water bottles and large bags are not allowed inside the Prince of Wales museum. You will have to deposit these at the dedicated Baggage Counter.

3. Use the information kiosks in each gallery to learn more about the collections. These are interactive.

4. If you feel hungry or thirsty during your visit, head to the garden café in the lush lawns of the museum premises.

5. There is a museum shop from where you can buy books, memorabilia and souvenirs to take back home.

Marine Drive Mumbai

2022-04-03T16:34:00.001+05:30

Marine Drive is a 3 kilometre-long Promenade along the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road in Mumbai, India. The road and promenade were constructed by Pallonji Mistry. It is a 'C'-shaped six-lane concrete road along the coast of a natural bay. At the northern end of Marine Drive is Girgaon Chowpatty and the adjacent road along links Nariman Point at southern tip to Babulnath and Malabar Hill at northern tip. The distance between Juhu Beach and Marine Drive is 17 km. The road distance is 20.5 km.

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Marine Drive is situated on reclaimed land facing west-south-west. Marine Drive is also known as the Queen's Necklace because, when viewed at night from an elevated point anywhere along the drive, the street lights resemble a string of pearls in a necklace. The official name for this road, though rarely used, is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road.

The promenade is lined with palm trees. At the northern end of Marine Drive is Chowpatty Beach. This is a popular beach famed for its Bhel Puri. Many restaurants also line this stretch of the road. Further down this road lies Walkeshwar, a wealthy neighborhood of the city, also home to the Governor of Maharashtra.

Famous food of Mumbai

Vada Pav :- Vada Pav, an iconic Mumbai dish if there ever was one, hinges on only two central elements - the vada and the pav, along with the supporting roles of thechutney and masala of course. The Vada Pav is the holy grail of all the famous street food in Mumbai. Although it is available at most local restaurants in Mumbai, the best experience of eating a vada pav is at a street food cart.

In fact it is better and suggested to visit Marine Drive at night as the place looks even more beautiful. You can also visit other prominent places such as Worli Sea Face, Carter Road and others.

Elephanta Caves

2022-04-03T00:09:00.004+05:30

Elephanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a collection of cave temples predominantly dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. They are on Elephanta Island, or Gharapuri, in Mumbai Harbour, 10 kilometres east of Mumbai in the Indian state of Mahārāshtra.

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The island, about 2 kilometres west of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port, consists of five Hindu caves and a few Buddhist stupa mounds that date back to the 2nd century BCE, as well as a small group of two Buddhist caves with water tanks.

The Elephanta Caves contain rock cut stone sculptures that show syncretism of Hindu and Buddhist ideas and iconography. The caves are hewn from solid basalt rock. Except for a few exceptions, much of the artwork is defaced and damaged.

The main temple's orientation as well as the relative location of other temples are placed in a mandala pattern. The carvings narrate Hindu mythologies, with the large monolithic 20 feet Trimurti Sadashiva, Nataraja and Yogishvara being the most celebrated. The origins and date when the caves wer.

Best Time To Visit
Winter months from November to February are the best time to visit the caves. Avoid peak monsoon season (June to August ) as the sea becomes unpredictable and ferry schedules get disrupted. Morning hours are better to visit this destination.

How To Reach Elephanta caves
From any point in Mumbai, catch a local train to Churchgate or CST station. From there you can either walk to the Gateway of India or hire a taxi. Alternatively, you can reach the Gateway of India directly through the local bus. On reaching the Gateway of India, you have to hire a ferry to the Elephanta Caves.

By Air: Mumbai is service by Chattrapati Shivaji Airport which houses both domestic and international airfield. The train terminus is 21 kilometers from the airport. Any local transport can take you to the iconic structure.

By Rail: Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus being a train terminal is easiest to reach by rail. Many trains disembark at this station. However, if you are coming from other central or suburban railway stations, then you can reach through local transport.

By Road: Mumbai is well-connected by road that leads to all major cities in India. This rich city is served by major national highways. The iconic structure can be reached easily by road.

Elephanta Caves Ferry
Since the Elephanta Caves are located on an island, one has to take a ferry to the islands which make up for a joy ride in its own right. The first boat leaves from the Gateway of India ferry point at 9:00 AM while the last one leaves at 2:00 PM sharp. The ferry can cost anywhere between INR 130 to 150 according to the type of ride you choose. The ferry skimming through the waters of the Arabian Sea is especially enjoyable for children, and you can also grab some snacks on the go.

Elephanta Caves Timings

The Elephanta Caves visiting hours are between 09:30 am and 05:30 pm. The first ferry leaves the Gateway of India jetty at 09:00 am and takes you to the Elephanta Island in about an hour. A ferry leaves every half hour from the Gateway of India for Elephanta, with the last one leaving at 02:00 pm. The first ferry returns from Elephanta at 12 noon and the last one at 05:30 pm. The return boats too ply every half hour. When you board a ferry from the Gateway of India, bear in mind that after the one hour ride, you have a 30 minute trek up to the caves site, and another hour at least to explore the caves before you begin your descent to the jetty, which will take an additional 30 minutes. Plan your trip in a way that you do not miss the last boat back to Mumbai.

Stay at one of the hotels in Mumbai in the south, and plan a day trip to the caves.
Elephanta Caves Location
Elephanta Island, Gharapuri, Mumbai Harbour, Maharashtra 400094

Elephanta Caves Closed Days
The ferry service and the Elephanta Caves are shut on Mondays.

Elephanta Caves Ticket Booking
The Elephanta Caves entry ticket for Indian tourists is INR 40. Elephanta Caves ticket price is the same for visitors from SAARC and BIMSTEC countries. Foreigners, however, need to pay INR 600 as Elephanta Caves entry ticket price. The entry to the monument complex is free for children under the age of 15.

Entry Fee (Indian)	INR 40
Entry Fee (SAARC and BIMSTEC)	INR 40
Entry Fee (Foreigner )	INR 600
Entry Below (Children Below Age 15)	Free

Architecture
The whole complex of the Elephanta Caves is built on an area of 60,000 square feet and it has seven caves. The main cave was the Hindu place of worship under the Portuguese rule. It has a pillared mandapa, open porticoes and an aisle. The walls are carved out of stone and a number of deities make an appearance here. The main cave has a statue of Ravana lifting Kailash mountain, Shiva-Parvati on Kailash, Ardhanarishvara which is a manifestation of Shiva and Parvati in the same body, Trimurti which is the three forms of Lord Shiva, Gangadhara which is a cascade of the Ganges from the heavens to the earth, a depiction of Shiva's wedding, Shiva slaying Andhaka, Nataraja or a depiction of Shiva performing the Taandav, Yogishvara and the Shiva Linga. The east wing shrine of the Elephanta Caves has carvings on Kartikeya, Matrikas, Ganesha and Dvarapala upon its surface, while the west wing has Yogishvara and Nataraja adorning the caves.

Gateway of India

2022-04-02T22:24:00.007+05:30

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The Gateway of India is an arch-monument built in the early 20th century in the city of Mumbai, India. It was erected to commemorate the landing of King-Emperor George V, the first British monarch to visit India, in December 1911 at Ramchandani Road near Shyamaprasad Mukherjee Chowk.

The foundation stone was laid in March 1913 for a monument built in the Indo-Saracenic style, incorporating elements of 16th-century Gujarati architecture. The final design of the monument by architect George Wittet was sanctioned only in 1914, and construction was completed in 1924.

The structure is a memorial arch made of basalt, which is 26 metres high, with an architectural resemblance to a triumphial arch as well as Gujarati architecture of the time. After its construction the Gateway was used as a symbolic ceremonial entrance to India for important colonial personnel.

The Gateway is also the monument from where the last British troops left India in 1948, following Indian independence. It is located on the waterfront at an angle, opposite the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel and overlooks the Arabian Sea.

Other places to see

Nearby to the local markets and the Marine Drive. Sunset over the Arabian Sea is a magnificent treat to the eyes. Other places to see here are Gateway of India, Prince of Wales Museum, Jehangir Art Gallery, Juhu Beach, Chowpatty Beach, Haji Ali Mosque, Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, and Chor Bazaar.