Thursday, February 01, 2007

What are the places to see in Mumbai?

A European colleague asked me, "I'm going to Mumbai for 3 days. What are the places to see there?"

I was stumped. Its my favourite city, my home and I couldn't think of a single place that could be a 'tourist attraction' (Well, the Gateway of India came to mind, but thats not what Mumbai is about).

It was only later I realised that the unique things about Mumbai, which make it a 'must-visit' place are not its high-rises or beaches. I recommended her to visit the VT station on a weekday; a Bollywood movie in a cinema hall; bargain shopping at Colaba Causeway or Chor Bazar; chaat at Chowpati, biryani from Noorani and burji-paav at an Iranian restaurant; crazy rickshaw rides & fearless pedestrians; cows napping on highways; pubs, bars, fine-dining restaurants, kulfi wallas; Ganesh festival & janmashtami pyramids; film-stars' mansions in Juhu & Bandra; fish market by the docks; Jehangir Art Gallery, Prithvi theatre; swanky malls in mill compounds & shops on footpaths. These are the places to see in Mumbai.

12 comments:

clickable said...

This time I saw Mumbai through tourist eyes simply because Gauri et al were too busy working:) I would highly recommend NGMA (much better than Jehangir Art Gallery) and Philips (an antique shop) in Kala Ghoda.

Radha said...

Clickable, you did tell me about your experience at the faux-jewellery & beads market in the lanes of Bhuleshwar too...I've never been there, but it did sound like a to-do in Mumbai !

Lotus Reads said...

Reading your post made me so nostalgic. I grew up in Bombay but it's been over 10 years since I've been back. I miss it so much. I guess the next time I'm there (hopefully December) I will be viewing it through the eyes of a tourist. I'll have to remember all that you recommended..

Another site worth seeing (if it still exists) would be the Dhobi Ghats, also, the mosque at Haji Ali.

Radha said...

Well thankfully Dubai is not too far from Bombay, so we've the luxury of visiting the city almost every year. But its absolutely the most alive city in the world!

clickable said...

Bhuleshwar is only a few blocks away from Chor Bazaar...so it definitely is a must-see if the tourist is in that part of B'bay.

jacob said...

i think your post hit the nail on the head. i'm no expert on mumbai, but i was there recently, and i agree with 'clickable' above the the NGMA is better than Jehangir. I would also recommend cafe mondegar (lousy beer, great atmosphere) and mahesh lunch home (the original one near flora fountain!!).

Radha said...

Hi Jacob, welcome to my blog!
I havent been to NGMA myself, but heard so much abt it! Oh and yes I love both mondegar & Mahesh Lunch Home (a big fan of sea food, I am)

Chica, Cienna, and Cali said...

and a ride in Mumbai locals is a must :)

Radha said...

Moi, honestly the local trains of mumbai are my least favourite thing abt Mumbai! They're so flithy & unsafe & nobody seems to care anymore!!

Anonymous said...

A ride on BEST double decker in the front window seat on upper deck especially during a rainy day !! A ride on the bike in the midnight on the marine drive/worli sea face, its awsome !! Try it out incase u haven't.

Radha said...

Hi Pushkar,
Good to see you here!
Totally agree with you...front seat on the top deck of a BEST double-decker is awesome on a rainy day!

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