Mumbai is the largest among Indian cities; Indian flavor and the architectural heritage of the British are closely intertwined on its vast territory. Those who want to plunge into the world of new experiences, enjoy the atmosphere of a large city and at the same time see ancient sights should consider a trip to this unique Indian Manhattan. Features of holidays in Mumbai in 2019, attractions, entertainment and prices, you can learn from the article in order to better plan your trip to this stunning city.

Brief historical background

The history of settlement of this area goes back deep into the Stone Age. The settlements were located on seven islands. During the colonization of India, at the very beginning of the 16th century, a Portuguese settlement was founded here.

In the 17th century, the islands became a dowry for a princess who was married to the King of England, and the enterprising ruler leased them to the East India Company. At this time, Mumbai harbor became an important point on the maps of merchants, and the military was also based here. In the last third of the 17th century, the city became similar to the one that stands here to this day. Then it was called Bombay - this name thundered throughout the world.

In subsequent centuries, the city's infrastructure developed: roads were built, industrial enterprises appeared, and transport developed. Thus, at the beginning of the 20th century the city became a million-plus population. Residents of the city actively participated in the movement for the independence of the country, and in the middle of the century locality finally became Indian.

Planning a trip to Mumbai: transport and accommodation

How to get there and how to get around?

Air travel is the only option to get from Russia to Mumbai. A one-way ticket will cost at least 170 euros. There are no direct flights. Depending on which company's flight the flight is carried out on, the transfer may be in Istanbul, Arabian Dubai or other cities. international Airport Chhatrapati Shivaji is the leader among Indian airports in terms of the number of flights received and passenger traffic. It consists of two terminals located one kilometer from each other. Free shuttles are a means of transporting passengers between terminals. Terminal 1 serves domestic flights, Terminal 2 serves international flights.

By the way, each of the terminals, in turn, is divided into two parts.

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is 30 km from the city. The most convenient way to get to the center of Mumbai is by taxi.

Taxi payments are only possible in cash. national currency, and in international terminal There are no ATMs. Therefore, it is worth making a preliminary exchange at the airport exchange offices.

  • Option 1: Order a car at a special counter in the airport building. The cost of the trip is paid immediately.
  • Option 2: Use a metered airport taxi. The benefit compared to the first option will only be in case of a long trip.
  • Option 3: Catch a taxi on the street. The cost of the trip will depend on your bargaining ability.

An alternative to a taxi is to take a bus to railway station Vile Parle, then by train to the central part of the city. You should not use this option in the morning and evening hours, when the trains are very crowded. The ticket class must be at least first if you want to travel comfortably.

How to get around the city?

Mumbai Metro is a popular way to travel local population and an attraction for tourists. The train consists of first and second class carriages. A second class ticket costs INR 10 and a first class ticket costs INR 80. There are special carriages for women and men.

A more comfortable way to travel is by taxi. And for those traveling in a large group - it’s also cheaper. So, a trip along a route of 20 kilometers will cost about 350 rupees.

Besides these, Mumbai has buses, rickshaws and water transport. It is worth traveling by bus if you plan to leave the city or go to another locality. A motorized rickshaw is a unique way to move around the city with interest during the trip itself, but you should remember that not all drivers have a clear conscience, so it is worth agreeing on the price clearly and in advance. On water transport You can take a ride to admire the city from the water and listen to the tour.

Where to stay and where is the best place to live?

Previously, the city consisted of 7 separate islands, which were later united into one settlement with centralized management.

Areas of modern Mumbai:

  1. South Mumbai is the oldest district where elite housing of the richest Indians is concentrated, interesting tourist sites, museums, exhibitions, and restaurants are collected. This area is the commercial center of the country.
  2. The southern center of Mumbai - office buildings, the only tourist attraction is the zoo.
  3. North Central Mumbai is a middle-class and immigrant residential area.
  4. The outskirts in the west are a residential area of ​​wealthy Indians, there are several beaches.
  5. The central area is a residential area, unremarkable for tourists.
  6. The harbor area is Mumbai's atomic research centre.
  7. North Mumbai – beaches that are clean by Indian standards, ancient temples.

Mumbai is full of establishments hotel business for every taste. India is popular among tourists who love adventure and are willing to sacrifice the European level of comfort in order to save money and see more interesting places. And in Mumbai it is quite possible to stay in an inexpensive hostel, where a night will cost about 500 rubles. However, not everyone wants to sacrifice comfort.

There are also mid-price establishments in the city: a night in a three-star hotel in the city center will cost approximately 1,500 rubles per person. Finally, there are some amazing five star hotels, not many in India but Mumbai has a good selection. So, in the city center you can stay in a hotel international network, where there will be a rooftop bar, a swimming pool, a spa and fitness center, as well as European level of comfort in the rooms. This will cost the traveler approximately 10,000 rubles per day.

Travel to Mumbai: where to go, what to do and what to see?

Attractions in Mumbai

Variety is what makes holidays in Mumbai, India different in 2019. For connoisseurs of Indian culture, architecture and history, sights of various types are presented here.

First of all, it is worth remembering that this is a city with an ancient history, with stunning nature, and therefore in Mumbai there are many standing places for visiting by tourists.

Definitely worth a visit Elephanta Island, famous for its cave temples and annoying monkeys. A trip as part of an excursion will cost 2000 rupees. You can get there on your own by tourist ferry for 160 rupees. It departs from the pier near the India Gate monument. Caves on the island are included in the list world heritage UNESCO, where you can admire stone sculptures and rock paintings, the earliest of which date back to the 5th century.

Historical Quarter Kala Goda– a must-see place for lovers of museums and exhibitions. The most popular and largest museum is the Prince of Wales Museum with an attached gallery - a venue for exhibitions of Indian artists. In addition, this quarter will appeal to all lovers of colonial architecture; it is the center of the architecture of this period.


It's worth admiring buildings of the University of Mumbai and the Supreme Court. The University of Mumbai was built in the 19th century and is currently one of the most prestigious in the country. It is of interest from an architectural point of view: the monumental building is decorated with elegant, carved decorative elements. A Supreme Court somewhat reminiscent of a medieval castle, only it is surrounded by a park with palm trees - a suitable place for walks in the hottest hours.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Railway Station, formerly known as Victoria Station, is more reminiscent of a palace. This example of Victorian Gothic architecture has been active since the 1990s. The neo-Gothic foundation is complemented by Indo-Saracenic elements; the station is not only worth using for its intended purpose, but you can simply admire it.

Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, whose construction began in the late 19th century, has a rich history and is an example of a successful mixture of Indian, Florentine, Moorish and Victorian styles. Now it is one of the most luxurious hotels in the whole world. By the way, you can still stay there - for about 11,000 rubles per day per person.

India Gate Arch was erected at the beginning of the 20th century in honor of the visit of the British royal family.

If you get tired of contemplating majestic buildings, then you can go closer to nature. Malabar Hill, with its hanging gardens, Jogeshwari caves and a host of other interesting sites, is a great place to visit on a hot day.

You can get to Malabar along the beautiful and distinctive embankment of Mumbai - Marina drive. It's always crowded here. But it looks especially picturesque at sunset, when the sun’s disk descending behind the Malabar Hill is reflected in the sea, and sellers of various snacks and food flock to the embankment. local residents.

Hanging Gardens of Mumbai were also created by the British, and therefore represent an interesting example of landscape design. Well-groomed bushes and flower beds, gazebos are surrounded by flowering vegetation. In the gardens you can see bright fluttering butterflies. In turn, the Jogeshwari caves are in complete contrast to the well-kept gardens: these are ancient caves containing dilapidated sculptures from around the 6th century.

Hunters of unique footage should definitely visit Jobi Ghat block, where thousands of women wash clothes in concrete baths standing close to each other. True, a very aggressive washing method, which involves hitting soaped laundry on a special sharp stone for many hours, is quite consistent with a similar attitude towards tourists. It is better not to come close to laundresses. A suitable place for shooting is the nearest bridge.

For those who love Indian culture, however, not in such an exotic version, there is an opportunity to penetrate Bollywood. This is a huge film studio, the name of which has probably been heard by almost every person, and even more so by those who are interested in cinema. For several years now, the film studio's pavilions have been accessible to tourists. It is worth purchasing an excursion, which will cost about 3,000 rubles, and the guides will take you among the stunning scenery, tell the history of Indian cinema, and allow you to admire the filming process.

Entertainment in Mumbai

The city is located on the shores of the Arabian Sea, and therefore some beach activities are available here. There is Chowpati Beach, where swimming is prohibited, but you can ride a jet ski, go parasailing or go on a cruise along the bay. The prices for such attractions are not the lowest. Parasailing, duration 3 minutes, will cost 2500 rupees. You will have to pay 1900 rupees for a 10-minute jet ski ride.

For a beach holiday in Mumbai, you can go to the small island of Manori. If the beaches within the city are not clean, then here you can sunbathe, have a picnic or have lunch in a cafe or restaurant. However, it’s still not worth swimming, since there are a lot of fragments of corals and stones in the local waters.
However, there is no need to despair: you can go to the Esselworld water park and amusement park. A ticket to this establishment will cost approximately 600 rupees for an adult and 400 rupees for a child. It is located on the shores of Manori Bay. The water park has a swimming pool for kids, extreme slides, and a kind of “sea” with waves.

Those interested in science can head to the Nehru Center and Planetarium. The ticket price will be only 50 rupees for an adult and 25 rupees for a child. Currently, this center is a large educational complex where you can listen to shows in English.

Those who love shopping will love Mumbai. Having previously been a center of trade, the city remains so to this day. You can buy branded items in boutiques and shopping centers, or you can visit the Indian market. Fashion Street is the most the best place for the “European type of shopping”, and for some flavor you can go to the Chor Bazaar, Zaveri Bazaar, Crawford Market and others. What to bring from Mumbai? These can be souvenirs and gifts such as:

  • bronze products;
  • silk products;
  • incense, spices;
  • Ayurvedic cosmetics and medicines;
  • Indian tea or rum.

Mumbai is so Big City that you can easily find a restaurant of almost any cuisine there.

Traditional dishes are South Indian cuisine: puri flatbreads, dosa pancakes, an abundance of vegetarian dishes. You should also try the Mumbai chicken curry. A snack in a street cafe will cost about 150 rubles; dinner for two with alcohol will cost about 1,000 rubles in an average restaurant.

The only disadvantage of Mumbai is that it is not highly recommended for families with small children. Noise and commotion on the streets, abundance of industrial production, lack of comfortable beach holiday. Yes, middle-aged and older children will quite like the city, since they can already appreciate the unusual surroundings and attractions, but children may not be so comfortable and interesting here.

In general, a holiday in Mumbai is a good experience of getting acquainted with Indian culture and the architectural heritage left to Indians by the British. To visit Mumbai in 2019, it is better to set aside a few days to experience the local flavor of the city and get acquainted with all the sights.

Mumbai is the most populated city India: the concept of a city includes the so-called. Municipal Corporation of Mumbai, which includes two districts of the state of Maharashtra: “Mumbai” itself (157 km², 3,145,966 inhabitants in 2011), as well as the district “Mumbai (suburban)” (446 km², 9,332,481 inhabitants). in 2011), total 603 km², 12,478,447 inhabitants. in 2011. Together with satellite cities, it forms the fifth largest urban agglomeration in the world with a population of 21.3 million people [ unreputable source?] .

Located at an altitude of 10 meters above sea level. The population density is 21,665 people per km² (the city ranks first in the world in terms of density), about 1/2 of the population is Marathi, about 1/4 is Gujaratis. The city proper occupies the island of Bombay (German) Russian (English) Isle of Bombay ) And southern part

the Solsett Islands, which are connected by bridges and causeways.

Mumbai is a major hub for international transport routes. The city has a deep natural harbour, being the largest port in western India. About half of India's passenger traffic passes through the passenger terminal. Mumbai, one of the most important economic and cultural centers in India, is a city of great contrasts, where luxury and wealth coexist with poverty. Modern neighborhoods are adjacent to slums - the northern areas of the city, which are considered breeding grounds for various diseases.

Compared to other cities in India, Mumbai has a relatively high standard of living and high business activity. Employment opportunities attract labor to the city from across South Asia, apart from India itself.

Origin of the city's name The name of the city of Mumbai comes from "Mumb", which is the name of a local Hindu goddess. Mumba Devi And ai

, which means "mother" in Marathi. There is an opinion that the name “Bombain”, which was given to the city in the 16th century by the Portuguese, supposedly comes from words meaning “good bay”, but modern research refutes this. Under British rule the word was anglicized into Bombay. The name was officially changed to Mumbai in 1995. The former name is still used by city residents and famous institutions, and is also popular in the West.

Geographical location Mumbai is located at the mouth of the Ulhas River. Ulhas ), occupying the islands of Bombay, Solsett and the adjacent coast. Mumbai is located at altitudes ranging from 10 to 15 meters above sea level. Northern part Mumbai is the most hilly high point

The city is located at an altitude of 450 meters above sea level. The area of ​​the city is 603.4 km². There are lakes within the city boundaries: Tulsi (eng. Tulsi ), Vihar (English) Vihar ), Powai (English) Powai ). The first two, located in Borivali National Park. Borivali ), supply part of the city drinking water . There are three rivers in Mumbai that originate in the national park. There are mangrove swamps within the city boundaries. The city is cut by numerous streams and bays. The soil in the city is mostly sandy due to the proximity of the sea; in the suburbs it is alluvial and clayey. The rocks are classified as black basalts. Mumbai is located in a seismic zone.

Climatic conditions

Sea coast within the city

The city is located in the subequatorial zone. There are two distinct seasons: wet and dry. The rainy season lasts from June to November, with particularly intense monsoon rains occurring from June to September, causing high humidity in the city. The average temperature is about 30 °C, temperature fluctuations from 11 °C to 38 °C. The amount of annual precipitation is 2200 mm. There was especially a lot of precipitation in 1954 - 3451.6 mm. The dry season from December to May is characterized by moderate humidity. Due to the predominance of cold north wind January and February are the coldest months; the absolute minimum in the city was +10 degrees.

Climate of Mumbai
Index Jan. Feb. March Apr. May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Year
Absolute maximum, °C 40,0 39,1 41,3 41,0 41,0 39,0 34,0 34,0 36,0 38,9 38,3 37,8 41,3
Average maximum, °C 31,1 31,4 32,8 33,2 33,6 32,3 30,3 30,0 30,8 33,4 33,6 32,3 32,1
Average temperature, °C 23,8 24,7 27,1 28,8 30,2 29,3 27,9 27,5 27,6 28,4 27,1 25,0 27,3
Average minimum, °C 18,4 19,4 22,1 24,7 27,1 27,0 26,1 25,6 25,2 24,3 22,0 19,6 23,5
Absolute minimum, °C 8,9 8,5 12,7 19,0 22,5 20,0 21,2 22,0 20,0 17,2 14,4 11,3 8,5
Precipitation rate, mm 1 0,3 0,2 1 11 537 719 483 324 73 14 2 2165
Water temperature, °C 26 25 26 27 29 29 29 28 28 29 28 26 28
Source: Weather and Climate, World Climate Guide

Demography

Traffic in Mumbai

Mumbai's population is more than 17 million people. The ratio of women to men is 811 to 1000. The larger number of men is explained by the influx of the male population from rural areas to the city to earn money. The literacy rate is 77%, which is higher than the national average. Among men, literacy is 82%, among women - 71.6%. By religion, people professing Hinduism make up 68% of the city's population, Muslims - 17%, Christians - 4% and Buddhists - 4%. In addition, followers of Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Sikhism and Judaism live in the city, and there are atheists. Mumbai uses the spoken form of Hindi (a mixture of Hindi, Marathi and English), but the official language of Maharashtra is Marathi. English is popular among the working intelligentsia. In the city you can also hear speech in Bengali, Tamil, Punjabi, Nepali, Marathi, Telugu, Urdu, Gujarati.

City `s history

City map. 1888

In the second half of the 19th century, in Bombay, for the first time in India, national industry and a large national commercial and industrial bourgeoisie began to emerge and form. At the same time, the city becomes the center of the Indian labor movement. Mass protests by workers and sailors took place repeatedly. The revolt of naval sailors in February 1946 in Bombay led to India gaining independence ().

Economic potential

Mumbai is one of the country's largest economic centers. About 10% of all the country's workers work in this city. The city provides 33% of income tax revenues and 60% of all customs duties. Mumbai accounts for 40% of India's total foreign trade. The city has developed industries: cotton, oil refining, chemical, mechanical engineering. Electricity is provided by hydroelectric power plants located at the foot of the Western Ghats and thermal power plants on Trombay Island. There is a nuclear power plant. Mumbai is home to many financial institutions: Bombay Stock Exchange, Reserve Bank of India, National Stock Exchange, Mint. Large companies such as Tata Group, Godrej Godrej) and many others have their headquarters in the city.

The business center is located in the southern part of Mumbai. Apart from Indian financial institutions, the business center is home to various foreign organizations. Until the 1980s, Mumbai's economy was largely dependent on the textile industry and maritime trade. The port's cargo turnover was 25 million tons. 60% of all imports passed through the cargo port.

After the 80s of the 20th century, other, more progressive and highly skilled industries began to develop in Mumbai, such as: diamond development and polishing, high information technology, healthcare.

It is worth noting that employees working for the state make up a significant part of the city’s total workforce, but at the same time there are many residents engaged in low- and medium-skilled labor: taxi drivers, shopkeepers, mechanics, repairmen and others.

Mumbai is the main center of the entertainment industry. Most of India's television and satellite networks are located in this city. Center of the Indian Film Industry, so-called. Bollywood (English) Bollywood), is located in Mumbai, where there are other, lesser-known film studios.

City government

Mumbai is the capital of the state. It consists of two distinct districts - City and Suburbs, which also form two districts in the state of Maharashtra.

The city is governed by a municipal council, headed by a mayor, who performs purely nominal functions. The real executive power is concentrated in the hands of a commissioner appointed by the state government.

The municipal city council is responsible for the development of the city. Mumbai is divided into 23 city districts, headed by an assistant commissioner.

Crime among the population

Crime in Mumbai is moderate by Indian standards. In Mumbai, 27,577 cases were registered in 2004 (in 2001 - 30,991 cases), there was an 11% decrease in crime during this time. The city's main prison is Arthur Road. On November 27, 2008, riots and a chain of explosions began in Mumbai. There are victims.

Social and cultural life of the city, architecture, attractions

Mumbai is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in India. European and Asian cultural traditions coexist in the city. There are many holidays and festivals of different ethnic groups and religions. The city's population takes part in them widely, often regardless of religion.

Mumbai has its own roadside fast food chain: Vada Pavs and Bhelpuri.

The city has many fans of Chinese and South Indian cuisine. The city is a mixture of international and Indian tastes in music, food, art.

In 2004, Mumbai received three awards from UNESCO for its conservation national traditions. Mumbai is the birthplace of Indian cinema. The first film was released in 1896. The city has a large number of cinemas, including the largest in Asia - the IMAX cinema, which shows new films from Bollywood and Hollywood.

In addition to cinema, many exhibitions are held in the city, and many plays are staged in theaters. The city has art galleries: Jehangir Gallery, National Gallery contemporary art, Prince of Wales Museum, and others.

Mumbai is home to India's only permanent symphony orchestra (The Bombay Chamber Orchestra).

The oldest public library in the city is the Asiatic Society Library, built in 1833.

Mumbai has six sister cities (this is the maximum allowed by the Indian government):

Bombay was actively built up during the period of British rule, in the second half of the 19th and 20th centuries. Its layout and development retain the features of colonial rule and social inequality. There are many buildings in the spirit of English neoclassical and neo-Gothic, as well as imitations of Indian architecture of the 18th century (Gateway to India, Prince of Wales Museum). The city has many buildings in European and American styles. In the old business district there is armenian church St. Peter (XVIII century)

The center of the city around which Bombay (Mumbai) was formed is a former English fortress, a fort located in the southeastern part of Bombay Island. The area has a proper layout, wide streets, a lot of greenery. On the territory of the fort there are government offices, banks, shops, a university (), and offices of commercial and industrial companies.

To the north of the fort there are haphazardly built-up residential areas (the lower floors of the houses are occupied by shops and workshops) of the former “Black City”. Warehouses, docks, and berths stretch along the eastern shore of the island; branches of both railways connecting Bombay with the mainland also come here. Along west coast islands - rich neighborhoods (villas, governor's residence); in the Malabar Hill area - park " Hanging Garden" On an island off the western coast is located one of the symbols of Mumbai - the Haji Ali Mosque.

The semicircular Marine Drive skirts Back Bay in the south of the island. 8 km from Bombay - Elephanta Island (Gharapuri) with cave temples (dating back to the 8th century); in the largest of them there is a gigantic bust of the three-faced Shiva (about 6 m high; 8th century) and reliefs.

The city expands towards Solsett Island, and the official urban area (since 1950) stretches from south to north, from the fort to the town of Thane. In the northern part of Bombay there are the Trombay nuclear research center, the Institute of Technology (-, built with the help of the USSR), oil refineries, chemical plants, machine-building plants, and thermal power plants.

The city has announced the construction of the world's second tallest building, the India Tower. This building is due to be completed by 2016.

Department of Housing and Utilities

The municipality supplies the city with drinking water from lakes national park, collects waste (78,000 metric tons per year).

The city has a developed telephone network and cellular operators with large coverage of the area.

mass media

In Mumbai, newspapers are published in English (Times of India, Midday, Aftonun, Asia Age, Economic Times, Indian Express), Bengali, Tamil, Marathi, Hindi. The city has television channels (more than 100 in different languages) and radio stations (8 stations broadcast in the FM range and 3 in AM).

Education

There are public and private schools in Mumbai. Private schools base their policy on better education and provide good knowledge in English. Public schools educate children of poor people who cannot pay for private schools. After ten years of study (secondary education), students study for 2 years at colleges in four areas: art, trade, the science Mumba Devi legislation. This is accompanied by a vocational training course. Most of the professional colleges in Mumbai are affiliated to the University of Mumbai (one of the largest universities in the world). Mumbai also has a developed system of higher university education and university science. Universities in Mumbai are considered among the best both in India and throughout Asia.
Among them:

  • - the country's leading technological and engineering university and one of the main research centers in the world.

Today we will talk about Mumbai - the largest and richest city in India and the most populous in the world.About sleeper buses, a large city laundry, an electric washing machine, and about another wedding - this time a Muslim one.

Bom Bahai- These are the words, according to legend, that the Portuguese said when they landed here, and this meant “Good Harbor”. This is how the first name of the city Bombay appeared, then the British changed it in their own way - Bombay, and after gaining independence the city received its modern name.

Many Indians believe that Mumbai is more suitable for life in general and making money in particular than the capital, Delhi (in one of our previous posts we talked about our person who came here to earn money). We spent 5 days here, walking around Colaba, Marina Bay andacting in a movie.

We arrived from Mumbai by night bus. These buses changed our consciousness, because it was then that we learned that there are sleeper buses, i.e. with shelves for sleeping! The configuration of the bus is as follows - on the left side there are shelves one under the other (like the sides in a reserved seat), and on the right, the lower part is reserved for seats, and the upper part is for... double shelves!! Moreover, the shelves are closed from outsiders with a latch, so complete privacy is ensured.

When we rode around Europe in 2007 trailer, there it was forbidden to lie down while driving, you had to sit in chairs, fastened with seat belts (the extent to which this rule was observed is a separate conversation, but nevertheless), but here you are welcome - official sleeping buses.

The first thing that surprised us when we got off the bus was the absence auto rickshaw(they are so integral to India and so ubiquitous that their absence is immediately noticeable). Instead they are yellow and black taxi cabs


The taxi driver, driving white tourists (us), did not miss the opportunity to try to make extra money - we agreed on the amount initially, but after some time he said - there is a traffic jam here, so pay me more. Fortunately, this is not our first day in India, so you can’t fool us so easily, we know this taxi driver’s brother :)

Main tourist area Mumbai is Colaba. Here, on an area of ​​several square kilometers, practically all tourist life is concentrated, at least the concentration of foreigners here is off the charts. Hotels - from the cheapest to 5-star, restaurants - from street eateries to decent establishments of the European level, shops, carriages carrying tourists


as well as Bollywood agents looking for white extras - all this is here in Colaba.
Here is the Indian Gate (Gateway to India), in front of which, in honor of some holiday, a stage for special events was installed



Nearby is one of the most expensive hotels in Mumbai "Taj Mahal"

From the top floor of the hotel there is a wonderful view of the city

There is also a port from which you can sail to the islands located nearby.

Fishing boats and small yachts drift in the bay

We sailed to Elephanta Island, there are two types of ferries going there - more expensive and simpler

We went on the second one 🙂 The ferry moored to the pier, from which it takes about 10 minutes to walk to the shore, there is a train running right there for an additional fee - Europeans walk, and mostly lazy Indians ride it

Some people still refuse to walk

Due to the low tide, many boats were stranded

On the island you can climb to the top of the mountain



British cannons that once defended the island are partially preserved here. In addition, there is a “City of Caves” on the island, Elephanta Caves; we are not fans of caves, so we declined to visit.
In the evening, returning to Mumabi, you can admire the city before sunset

One of the symbols of Mumbai, the Haji Ali Mosque, is also located on an island, although not so remote - during high tide you can reach it via a bridge, and during low tide there is no need for a bridge



We unfortunately ended up here on a Sunday when apparently all the Muslims in Mumbai came here.


Not far from the mosque there is another interesting place- Dhobi Gat (Dobi Gat) is the largest laundry. Hundreds of people wash clothes by hand in concrete cells



They say linens are brought here from most hotels and hospitals in Mumbai.


This is also where the laundromat employees live next door.






While walking around the city, we stopped by an exhibition, some of the exhibits of which we still didn’t understand

But some are very interesting, for example a washing machine

Water filter
Bicycle assembled from machine parts

In the evening, many tourists and local residents gather on the Marina Drive embankment - this perfect place for evening exercise

You can leisurely stroll along the long and wide embankment for as long as you like, watching the sunset

and admiring the city strewn with lights

There is also a beach here, but no one dares to swim, and Indians don’t like to sunbathe, why should they?

They have just the opposite here - whitening creams are popular. We somehow accidentally saw an advertisement on local television, and in every second commercial, an Indian woman with a whitened face shows off in front of her girlfriends or men. It’s hard to imagine this, living in a country where solarium is one of the most popular services =)
Not far from the embankment there is a monument to the boot, which also doubles as a place for entertaining children
In the center of the city, as expected, there is a stadium with many cricket players

The local metro in Mumbai (like Bangalore) only runs on the surface, but here it is much older, so it looks the part


There are two classes in the metro, respectively II is cheaper and more cramped, I is more decent and more spacious, as well as women's carriages. We accidentally walked into one of these, and the aunties around us hissed at us like snakes. They say the fines are quite impressive for such a violation.
On the outskirts of the city, these are the views from the car windows:

In Mumbai, we lived with three different, completely different people in different parts of the city.
### - lives in an elite area of ​​the city in a small but modern apartment with a plasma panel and other pleasures of life. Previously, he worked for hire, and now, having gained experience, he has become an independent HR consultant and organizer of corporate events. And he himself loves leisure and specializes, accordingly, in organizing tours for companies - rafting, rock climbing, trekking, etc. Again, it was surprising to learn that in India there are such concepts as “corporate events” and HR :)
$$$ lives with his parents not far from the center, but in a windowless hut with a cement floor, peeling walls and a bunch of dusty trash. At the same time, he is also a businessman - he is engaged in robotics, speaks at conferences in South America, there are customers even from Russia. In addition, $$$ is one of the most active members of the couchsurfer movement in Mumbai, he has already hosted more than a hundred guests, but he places them on the floor on a mattress in the environment of hanging drying clothes, so not only is it not easy to understand Russia with your mind, India is also difficult :)
@@@ lives on the outskirts of Mumbai with 2 colleagues. For a three-room apartment an hour's drive from the center, they pay 50,000 rupees - real estate prices here are almost Moscow prices. At the same time, they pay an employee who comes twice a day, cleans the apartment, prepares breakfast and dinner 5,000 rupees per month.
While we were looking for where @@@ lives, we accidentally ended up at another wedding - this time a Muslim one






The influence of the metropolis was felt here too - the wedding was clearly richer and more elegant, with many decorations

both decorative and natural

And although the principle of self-service was also observed here, tables and chairs were provided for guests

And the waiters served fruit and milkshakes

But its main difference was that the assortment included many meat dishes





and only a small corner was reserved for vegetarians


And of course, you can’t talk about Mumbai without mentioning the film industry, especially since the desire to look at Bollywood from the inside and act in a film was there even before we arrived here.
We will talk about our filming in Bollywood in the next post, but for now you can read about how we were in


01. In fact, this is the same city. According to one version ( Indian) the city was founded in 1507 under the name Mumbai, in honor of the Hindu goddess Mumba Devi. And then the Portuguese came and renamed it Bombain, something like a nice bay. When the Portuguese were replaced by the main local colonialists, the British, the name was adapted into the sonorous Bombay. For some reason, only in 1995 local authorities decided to return the city's historical (in their opinion) Name. And since then, Bombay has been officially called Mumbai. But, the usual Bombay ( on the first syllable) is still in use among both city residents and travelers from all over the world.

02. Such a nice view opens from the window of my hotel, where I got from the airport after about two hours of endless traffic jams...

03. I admit, of all the cities in India that I have visited, Mumbai is perhaps the most interesting.

04. Well, actually the pronoun “most” is applicable to many adjectives related to the description of Mumbai: The largest in India ( more than 22 million); Most businesslike ( read rich); The most contrasting ( frank poverty and no less frank wealth nearby); India's most cosmopolitan city (here is a real clash between West and East, Europe and Asia)...

05. It is located on the shores of the Arabian Sea.

06. So, somewhere over the horizon is Dubai...) By the way, it is from here that wooden cheap consumer goods come to Dubai Creek.

07. Home business card Bombay, the royal gateway to (and from India)... The arch was laid in 1911 in honor of the visit of King George V, and through it the last British troops left India in 1948, after the country declared independence.

08. I must admit that all the most interesting things in architecture were built during the period of English rule, approximately in the second half of the 19th-20th centuries. Here, near the arch, is the luxury hotel "Taj Mahal", built in 1903, and attacked by terrorists in 2008.

09. Next to the historical, modern building built already during the era of Indian independence (around the 70s of the 20th century).

10. The place is very popular among townspeople and numerous tourists. It is also popular among terrorists. Bloody terrorist attacks have occurred here several times. Now entry to the territory is limited by the need to undergo a personal search procedure (however, very formal).

11. From here you can go to the remote island of Elephanta ( where there are a lot of monkeys and caves, and no elephants at all).

12. Or take a ride along the coast on numerous walking trams. This is for those who have a lot of time.

13. As for me, I chose a walk through the center of the historical city.

14. There are many interesting colonial buildings built in the spirit of English neoclassical and neo-Gothic.

15. Of course, there is also something like constructivism.

16. Green Mumbi, Clean Mumbai. Green Mumbai, Clean Mumbai. Both of these are applicable, perhaps, only to historical center cities, and even then with great reserve.

17.Is it all because of traffic jams? Perhaps they really are fantastic here. Moscow in the mid-2000s is resting ( seems to be better today)... In general, the ecology is great!

18. But there is a lot of greenery.

19. For example, in the very center of the city, there is the so-called Oval Maidan, surrounded on all sides by pretty tropical vegetation,

20. and very beautiful colonial buildings of the past. For example, the building of the Supreme Court of Maharashtra.

21. Or beautiful tower Rajabai Clock Tower, which is part of the University of Mumbai.

22. And the Oval Maidan itself -

23. This is a functioning field for the mega popular cricket in India ( colonial echoes),

24. and football.

25. Photos from the past. Oval Maidan in 1875. When tropical trees were small.

(photo from the Internet)

26. When the trees grew, the beautiful historical buildings became barely visible... Part of the Mumbai University campus.

27. Walking around the city, I was sincerely amazed by the diversity of colonial architecture. Literally every building is a masterpiece!

28. The same cannot be said about local public transport.

29. However, it depends on how you look at it...)

30. And a little further, the legacy of independence?)

31. I wonder what modern Indian cities would look like if India had not declared independence in 1947?

32. It is clear that this is a trick question. But when you look at the colonial past and the relative present, the latter seems to be inferior to the former.

33. Cathedral St. Thomas, 1718 by the way, 299 years old! Next year is the anniversary.

34. Inside there are ceiling fans familiar to hot countries. Naturally this is a cathedral of the Church of England.

Using the example of the largest slum of this city, Dharavi. More than a million people live on an area of ​​215 hectares (according to some sources, 3 million people live here), and there are also various social institutions and industries. A blogger who recently visited Mumbai talks about how life goes in this area.

Let's start from the very bottom. The poorest residents of Bombay live in tents. Tents are built near the sea or very close to railways, where it is impossible to build normal houses. This is also where they cook, where they throw away garbage and wash dishes.

The life of such tents is short-lived, they are blown away by the wind, and they burn down when residents try to keep warm on a cold night.

In some places you can find entire blocks of rags, tarpaulins, and plywood.

A courtyard in one of the blocks of such slums.

Local residents.

Despite the dirt around, the residents themselves try to take care of themselves, their clothes are clean, everyone washes regularly, the girls dress up. If you meet them in another place, you wouldn’t even think that they could live in tents in the middle of a garbage dump.

They also try to maintain cleanliness in the dwellings themselves and the passages between them.

The main type of Bombay slums are these multi-storey houses made of metal sheets and plywood. It all starts with one-story houses, and then grows upward. I've seen 10-story slums!

On the left is one of the blocks



It is impossible to understand these houses. Nobody knows where one ends and the other begins. Of course, there are no addresses here and these houses are not on any map of the world.

Such slums are terribly picturesque!



Let's go inside. Narrow passages where it is sometimes difficult for two people to pass each other. Almost no sunlight gets here. Numerous stairs that lead to the upper floors.

Entrance to one of the dwellings. The home here is actually a bedroom-living room. They eat, cook, relieve themselves on the street.

Minor needs are relieved wherever necessary

Another type of slum is along railways.

They are built in close proximity to the railway.

Indian train is coming

Slum dwellers run off the tracks. I wonder if anyone keeps statistics on how many people die here under the wheels of a train?

The rails are often used as the only road to get out of the anthill of the slums.

Children play on the rails



The outskirts of the slums and the famous big pipe

Look how cozy it is!

One of the courtyards

The White house.

Some slums are located on the banks of rivers and canals. In ordinary cities, the proximity of a river or seashore is rather a plus. In India it's the other way around. Garbage is dumped into rivers, beaches are used as large toilets, so the poorest sections of society live on the banks.

Sometimes the river is not visible because everything is littered with garbage.

Please note that garbage here is thrown directly from the back door of one of the houses. That is, people could live on the banks of the canal, but they decided to live near a stinking garbage dump.

This is also a canal completely filled with garbage. Somewhere down there there is water flowing... The garbage is decomposing and rotting, the stench is terrible.



But people like it!



Here is such a resident. The monkey turned out to be evil and almost ate me!

Let's take a look inside the home. As you can see, it is very clean there.

Living room



Some houses house tailoring or food preparation businesses. Maybe your favorite jeans are made here somewhere!

Now the slums are being actively developed. Multi-storey buildings are being built in place of dilapidated houses, and overpasses are being made instead of narrow passages. So, soon you will only be able to see the famous slums of Bombay in old photographs.



Be sure to take a walk here

You will not regret.

I won't give bad advice.



Tomorrow Bombay will be like this!