See and Do in Mumbai

Bombay or Mumbai (interchangeable for many citizens), is a city of contrasts. Steeped in historical heritage yet famously modern, home to millionaire business tycoons as well as the biggest slum in Asia, its citizens party until dawn, and yet pray at day break. People say it is too crowded, too fast, too polluted…. and yet Mumbai is still the choice of many.

For expats, there will never be a dearth of interesting things to see and do on a weekend in Mumbai; though, to truly experience the city, you need to let go of any inhibitions you may have and just dive in!
 

From international renowned haute couture brands to frightfully cheap one-season wonders, intricate jewellery, antiques and textiles, Mumbai is a shopper’s paradise
 

Mumbai has several bazaars selling everything from fruits and “imported’ items, to antiques, clothes and shoes. At most of these bazaars do not be afraid to “bargain”. However, expats should also beware of fake goods on offer.

Crawford Market
Mumbai’s oldest market, completed in 1869 in a blend of Flemish and Norman architectural styles, is the largest municipal market in Mumbai. Expats will find an odd mix of fruits, vegetables, imported food, household and cosmetic items, a pet store and even endangered species (sold illegally of course).

Chor Bazaar (Thieves Market)
Locally known as the market for stolen goods, in Mumbai’s biggest flea market you will find rows of antique shops selling everything from Ming vases to colonial era lamps to art deco clocks. Victorian furniture and even old Bollywood posters are on display. Haggling is a mandatory shopping requirement; foreigners can find some amazing treasures at throw away prices!

Street Stalls
There are many areas in Mumbai where the streets are lined with shops selling clothes, shoes, and jewellery at reasonable prices. Fashion Street at Fort in South Mumbai and the suburb of Bandra (Hill Road and Linking Road) are famously known, and prices are quite reasonable.
 

The high end brands for fashion or household goods are generally located in shopping malls situated in South Mumbai or in-house shops at five star hotels like Taj Mahal Hotel & Palace and The Trident. Indian designers generally have their stores on Peddar Road, Kemps Corner and Breach Candy locations in South Mumbai, and at Bandra or Juhu in the suburbs.
 

The number of malls in Mumbai has mushroomed in recent years. Phoenix Mills at Lower Parel and Atria Mall at Worli are two of the most prominent shopping meccas. The suburbs have a larger concentration of malls, like Infinity Mall, Oberoi Mall, Inorbit and Hypercity located at Malad.

Let’s just say you will never go hungry in Mumbai! Restaurants appear on nearly every corner, catering to every palate and offering any assortment of cuisine – from local to continental, Lebanese, Mexican, Chinese, Italian and Japanese as well.

Expats will be spoilt for choice in the areas of Bandra and Andheri. Of course many of the five star hotels, like Taj Mahal Hotel & Palace, JW Marriott, Grand Hyatt and Leela Kempinski, have in-house restaurants and regular buffets which are frequented by foreigners.

If you want to explore with local cuisine, try Mumbai’s well-known seafood restaurant Mahesh Lunch Home, which serves food common to the Konkan coast of Maharashtra. South Indian cuisine is ubiquitious, but Matunga in Central Mumbai is well known for its authentic offering.

Olives Kitchen & Bar in Bandra is patronised by many expats. With an impressive cellar, the restaurant’s Thursday bar nights and Sunday brunches are a great way of meeting people and networking. Colaba in South Mumbai has its share of restaurants; for the best sushi, visit Wasabi at the Taj Mahal Hotel and Palace, Colaba - it’s pricey but authentic. Indigo is a great fine dining restaurant offering delectable food and fine wine.
 

Mumbai - the city that works hard and parties harder! Several nightclubs dot the city’s landscape, prime areas being Bandra, Colaba, Breach Candy, Juhu and Andheri. According to law, night clubs remain open only until 1am in Mumbai. This rule, however, is not applicable to the nightclubs in hotels; these can remain open until the wee hours of the morning.

In keeping with their international standards, Hard Rock Cafe at Lower Parel keeps you rocking with live music and an outstanding American menu. A few blocks away, The Blue Frog club blends acoustic excellence and lush, opulent ambiance design with live performances, inventive cuisine and an excellent bar.
 

Museums & Galleries
Mumbai has a number of museums and galleries which are worth visiting. Kala Ghoda, Mumbai’s art district is home to the Prince of Wales Museum, the National Gallery of Modern Art and Jehangir Art Gallery. The Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum at Byculla, the oldest museum in Mumbai, is also worth a visit. You can get a short, yet stimulating history lesson on Indian money by visiting the RBI Monetary museum at Juhu. Those captivated by  Ghandi's peacemaking pursuits should visit the Mani Bhavan Ghandi Musuem.

Places of Worship
Considering the diverse religious beliefs of citizens in Mumbai, you will come across several temples, mosques, churches and even synagogues. Even if you are not a believer, do visit some of these places for their pure architectural beauty. Take a trip to the Haji Ali Dargah on an islet off the Worli coast on Thursdays and Fridays and you will hear Sufi music being played. Visit the Siddhivinayak temple on Tuesdays and Saturdays to see devotees praying to Lord Ganesh. For those interested in Christianity, most of the churches in the city, especially in Bandra and Colaba, are part of the legacy left behind by the Portuguese and date back to the 16th century. There is even an Israeli district in Mumbai with the city’s oldest synagogue.

Cave Architecture
Cave architecture in Mumbai dates back to the first century AD. Visit the Elephanta Caves on Gharapuri Island, an hour’s boat ride from the Gateway of India, to see its collection of shrines and sculptures of Hindu Goddesses.  Kanheri Caves at Borivili are Buddhist caves or monasteries where monks practised their austerities around the first century AD. Ajanta & Ellora Caves, located near Aurangabad in Maharashtra, are situated in a horseshoe-shaped ravine. The cave walls are covered with painted narratives of the Jataka tales.

Walk on the Promenades
Located on the edge of the Arabian Sea, Mumbai citizens have easy access to great distances of winding waterfront. As a result, lovely promenades have been developed in Bandra, Colaba, Marine Drive and Worli. There’s no better place to watch the sun sink below the horizon, and otherwise, several musical and theatrical performances take place during various festivals.

Theatre
If you like theatre, Mumbai has several, which run a good selection of plays, comedy acts, and musical and dance performances. You can contact NCPA at Nariman Point, Prithvi Theatre at Juhu or St. Andrew’s Auditorium at Bandra for listings.

The Derby
Mumbai has it very own race course, the Mahalaxmi Race Course at Mahalaxmi. The horse racing season starts in mid-November and ends in the last week of April. You can place a bet, win some money, learn horse riding or just simply watch Mumbai’s who’s who at the Derby events - makes for an interesting Sunday afternoon.
 

South Mumbai is the heritage precinct of Mumbai. Most of the city’s famous landmarks are located in this area. A heritage walk in the area from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus to Colaba will let you experience Mumbai’s colonial past at leisure, and is a great way to wile away a weekend in Mumbai.

For those who prefer something with a little more structure, there are several groups which organise short tours or walks. The Bombay Heritage Walks group organises tours which are personalised and educational, highlighting the city’s architecture and heritage. If feeling adventurous, Reality Tours and Travel offers a tour to Dharavi, Asia’s largest slum; during which expats can discover the small scale industries that exist within its alleys.

►Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is an outstanding example of late 19th century railway architecture characterised by a combination of Victorian Gothic Revival and traditional Indian features. Built in 1888, it looks more like a cathedral than a terminus.

►The Gateway of India was erected in 1911 to commemorate King George V and Queen Mary. The beautiful basalt structure was also built to be the first thing seen when approaching the city by boat. Today it stands as a testimony to the British Rule in India.

►Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum), completed in 1915, was initially used as a military hospital. Built in the Indo Saracenic style, the museum now houses several collections of India’s glorious past.

►Nehru Centre
The impressive looking Nehru Centre encompasses an art gallery, planetarium, discovery centre and a culture wing. The centre is an educational hub and is a great way to discover the sciences and a little bit more about Indian culture.
www.nehru-centre.org
Tel: (020) 7493 2019