Bombay India. Bombay slums of India (54 photos)

Each person, having heard the words: "Mumbai", "India", will immediately imagine flexible, dancing women in colorful clothes. He will hear melodic songs that sink into the soul, and smile, remembering romantic films about love. They are associated with something distant and fabulous, almost inaccessible.

But visiting the country is easy. And then everything that was known only from frames from the cinema will be within walking distance. Before traveling, it is recommended to get acquainted with the information, features, customs and mores. In this case, the trip will pass without unexpected surprises.

Mumbai is sometimes referred to as the gateway to India. Let's figure out why this happens.

A large metropolis, located very conveniently. Through it they get to any point of the state. In the past it was called Bombay. Only in 1995, the former name was returned to the policy, which existed before, until the moment when it was settled by the Portuguese. Mumbai means "mother".

The capital of the Indian state is connected with the settlements by rail and road. You can get not only through the air, but also in other ways. Therefore, it is called the "gate" of the country.

Geographic location

Spread on the shores of the Arabian Sea, it stretches along the coast for about 150 km. Part is located on the islands of Solsett and Bombay.

Erected on a hilly area. Its highest point above sea level is 450 meters.

Climate and weather

The climate is tropical. This means that the area is characterized by rainy and dry seasons.

The rains begin in March and continue until October. It's hot and humid here. The rainy season peaks in July-September. It looks like the downpours will flood the streets. But that doesn't happen. The air warms up to +30 degrees and above.

There is no precipitation from November to February. Two months - January and February - are called the coldest. The air temperature does not rise above 10 degrees Celsius.

Many consider this to be the best time to visit. The weather does not interfere with sightseeing and long walks.

Story

Archaeological finds prove that the settlement existed in the 2nd century BC. e. It is believed that then it occupied 7 islands. Tourists travel to Elephant Island to personally inspect the stone caves and ruins of religious buildings preserved from that era.

At the beginning of the 16th century, the Portuguese invaded and occupied the city. Associated with this is a change in religious beliefs. Many Hindus converted to the Catholic faith. It was then that Mumbai began to be called Bombay.

In the middle of the 17th century, the area on which Bombay was located was given as a dowry to the English king. He, in turn, handed over the islands to a trading company. Since then, the harbor has been used for trading purposes.

The first governor was an Englishman. He took office at the end of the 17th century. But by the beginning of the 19th century, the British considered the location of the policy on the islands inconvenient. Work began on the unification of the islands into one point. The railroad was built. It was a necessity - there was a cotton mill in Bombay, and cotton had to be exported from the country.

By the beginning of the 20th century, Bombay had become a major polis with a population of one million. Communication routes, large factories contributed to the fact that people from different places began to flock here in search of work.

Now it is the cultural, commercial, economic capital of India.

The most populated metropolis of India, but also the largest port in the west of the country. The population increased by as much as 50,000 in 15 years. This happened in the middle of the 17th century, with the arrival of the Portuguese.

In the late 19th century, Bombay was the world's cotton trading center. It houses all the major film studios, including Bollywood.

UNESCO, for the preservation of historical and cultural sites, awarded the city with honorary awards.

Population

People of different nationalities come here. This is due to the lack of jobs in the regions. The largest economic capital is inhabited by people of different religions and cultures.

population

The population is increasing from year to year. According to the latest data, more than 17 million live here. This is the most densely populated place in the world. The population density is about 22 thousand per square kilometer.

There are more men, this is due to the fact that it is the representatives of the stronger sex who go to work from villages and villages to large industrial centers.

Official language

Marathi is recognized as the official language, but the majority of the population speaks Hindi. Also, residents use English, almost all residents know it.

Take an English phrase book on your trip, then there will be no problems with communication.

National composition

The majority are Indians. But since the population is constantly replenished, you can meet people of the most unexpected nationality. In addition, people get married, give birth to children and, sometimes, they themselves cannot answer who they are by nationality.

Religion

More than half of the inhabitants profess Hinduism. But with the arrival of the Portuguese, Christianity spread. So you can also meet Catholics. In addition, followers of Buddhism, Judaism and Islam live and there is the oldest mosque.

Economy

The largest center of the economy. The settlement is important for the whole country. This policy alone gives annually more than 30% of the income to the state treasury.

The industrial industry is well developed. Oil is processed, diamond and gold deposits are being developed. A nuclear power plant has been set up. Financial organizations are concentrated, including the Reserve Bank of India.

Along with rich, prosperous areas, slums have a life of their own. They are inhabited by the poor, artisans, those who came here for a better life.

You can clearly see how the poor are trying to survive.

World famous countries cooperate with Mumbai.

City government

Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra, a state of India, which in turn is divided into two parts: the Suburb and the City. They are also part of the state as separate units.

All power is in the hands of the City Council. The Mayor is considered the head of the Council. But this is a formality. He doesn't decide anything. The Government of Maharashtra appoints the main responsible person - the commission agent. He rules in the policy, the Council obeys him. In each district (and there are 21 districts in total), an assistant commissioner is appointed, who monitors the order and reports on the state of affairs to the leadership.

Social and cultural life

The city leads a rich, cultural life, social programs are being developed that are designed to preserve the national heritage. People of different cultures and religions come. They all live peacefully in the same territory.

This is a metropolis where festivals and ethnic holidays are held. All nationalities participate in them, respect the cultural traditions of another nation.

Lots of cinemas, locals love to visit them. In addition to movies, it is famous for its exhibitions and galleries.

The public library was founded in the early 19th century. This is one of the oldest institutions of the cultural capital. It contains not only books and periodicals of past years, but also manuscripts of historical value.

Private and public schools are open. The poor strata of the population study in state educational institutions. The authorities are following this. Children are required to attend classes, child labor is not welcome.

Awarded by UNESCO for the preservation of national monuments almost in their original form.

Landmarks and architecture

The architecture is mainly represented by buildings of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. At that time, the British dominated, they also built up the policy. Two styles prevail: neo-gothic and neoclassical. They were typical for England. There are buildings built in purely Indian traditions of the 16th-18th centuries.

The center is an English fort, the formation of Bombay passed around it. It is a spacious, green area. The Fort houses government offices, banks, shops, offices, and educational institutions. The main attractions are concentrated in the Old Fort.

The areas following the Fort are densely built-up streets. The poor and visitors settle in them. There are buildings of different styles, there are even houses made of cardboard. The lower floors of residential buildings are occupied by benches. There are also many warehouses, docks.

Along with rich and prosperous neighborhoods, there are poor, narrow streets. Tourists are attracted by the fact that artisans work on the street. Travelers go to look at the process. There is also a cheerful, festive atmosphere. Family events are celebrated with neighbors, singing and dancing. You can get to one of these holidays during a walk.

Bollywood

Cinema is a favorite entertainment and spectacle. Bombay was famous for its movies, and Mumbai has a similar reputation.

The first film was released back in 1986, the policy is called the birthplace of Indian cinema. Bollywood is the largest film industry. It was created in the image of Hollywood. Bollywood recently celebrated its centenary. Films shot here are loved in many parts of the world. Singing plays an important role in films. With the help of music, the characters convey the feelings and emotions that engulf them during the action.

Bollywood opened to the public in 2011. This immediately increased the influx of travelers. Many people want to get here and see how the filming of their favorite films from childhood goes on. Viewers can even participate in the filming.

Excursions are organized in Bollywood, you can visit it on your own.

Traditional cuisine

Nobody will be left hungry. There are catering points everywhere, food vendors walk right down the street. The best restaurants are open in the Old Fort.

National cuisine is special, it is a combination of Asian and European cuisine. The coexistence of different nations and religions in one place could not but affect the food.

They don't cook pork or beef here. Animals are sacred, you have to make do with poultry or lamb.

Lots of different fruits. Bananas, juices are sold at every step very cheaply.

Of the local dishes, be sure to try:

crispy pastries masalapapad;
bhelpuri (fried rice porridge, noodles, corn with spices);
chicken with curry sauce;
pani puri (rice and potato pastry).
Vegetarians will certainly appreciate the special sandwich - vada pav.

shopping

People come here for silk, jewelry, spices, incense and clothing. Products can be purchased in the markets:

ChorBazaar;
ZaveriBazaar;

Elephant Island has shops selling cheap souvenirs. Shops are also open in all areas.

Shopping centers include:

Central Cottage Industries Emporium;

Products of all kinds are offered at affordable prices. Reviews of tourists say that you should bargain. Managed to bring down the price by almost half. It is recommended to go shopping in the morning. For the first buyers make a discount. In addition, goods in the market are not always cheaper. Before buying, find out how much the item costs in the store.

Entertainment

In addition to excursion programs and shopping, there are other entertainments.

Outdoor enthusiasts go to Shivaji Park. Bicycles, roller skates, scooters are offered for rent. Picnic areas are provided. Nearby is the famous aquarium. Here you can swim with seals and dolphins.

Beach lovers need to visit the coast. Tourists are offered a parachute flight, water equipment rental, you can just swim.

For new knowledge, go to the Nehru Center and Planetarium. These places are great for families with children.

The night metropolis is beautiful. It is full of discos and clubs for every taste. You don't have to look for clubs. Bright shop windows are visible throughout the district. Clubs and dance floors are open until the morning. Some nightclubs offer visitors to spend the evening playing roulette.

Transport

This is a great subway. It will appeal to Russian tourists, as the local metro is similar to Moscow. Branches are laid throughout the policy, and stops are equipped near the main attractions.

Taxi and rickshaw services are also available. Prices are moderate and depend on where the passenger needs to go.

Taxi drivers have a reputation for being scammers. You have to be careful and vigilant. The same goes for rickshaws. In addition, there are rickshaws only on the outskirts, in the center their activity is prohibited.

The ferry also works. Swimming to some of the sights. For example, to Elephant Island.

Best time to visit

To determine the time of your visit, think about why you are going there. Long walks to places of interest are best done in the period from late autumn to early spring. Then the heat will come, you won’t walk along the paved streets for a long time. But it is a great option for visiting museum sites and beaches.

In the rainy season, humidity is increased, it is stuffy, it rains. If you do not plan to walk around the metropolis, dedicate your trip to entertainment in closed establishments: visit the aquarium, shopping centers, religious sites.

Russian tourists will be more comfortable in the winter months. Cool weather will allow you to see historical monuments and enjoy national beauties.

Holiday prices

This trend has been very popular lately. Exotic, bright, with original traditions, rich culture attracts more and more tourists. Despite the popularity, the rest will become budgetary, if you take into account some features when traveling.

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 think about a trip to this peculiar Indian Manhattan. Features of rest in Mumbai in 2019, attractions, entertainment and prices, you can find out from the article in order to better plan your trip to this amazing city.

Brief historical background

The history of settlement in this area goes back to 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, the harbor of Mumbai became an important point on the maps of merchants, and the military was 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 all over the world.

In subsequent centuries, the infrastructure of the city developed: roads were built, industrial enterprises appeared, and transport developed. Thus, at the beginning of the 20th century, the city became a millionaire. The inhabitants of the city actively participated in the movement for the independence of the country, and in the middle of the century the settlement finally became Indian.

Planning Your Trip to Mumbai: Transportation 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 from will cost at least 170 euros. There are no direct flights. Depending on the flight of which company the flight is being flown, the transfer may be in Istanbul, Arab Dubai or other cities. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport 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 apart. Free shuttles are a means of transporting passengers between terminals. The 1st terminal serves domestic airlines, the 2nd - international.

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

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

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

Option 1: Order a car at a special desk in the airport building. The cost of the trip is paid immediately.
Option 2: Use a metered airport taxi service. The benefit in comparison with the first option will be only in the case of a long trip.
Option 3: Catch a taxi on the street. The cost of the trip will depend on the ability to bargain.

An alternative to a taxi is a bus ride to the Vile Parle train station, then by train to the city center. 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 the first class if you want to ride in comfort.

How to move around the city?

The Mumbai Metro is a popular mode of transportation for the local population and an attraction for tourists. The train consists of first and second class cars. A second class ticket will cost 10 Indian rupees, and a first class ticket will cost 80 rupees. There are special wagons for women and men.

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

In addition, Mumbai has buses, rickshaws and water transport. Traveling by bus is worth it if you plan to leave the city or go to another locality. A motor rickshaw is a kind of 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 a price clearly and in advance. On water transport you can ride in order 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 included 7 separate islands, which later merged into one settlement with centralized control.

Districts of modern Mumbai:

South Mumbai is the oldest area where the elite housing of the richest Indians is concentrated, interesting tourist sites, museums, exhibitions, restaurants are collected. This area is the commercial center of the country.
The southern center of Mumbai is office buildings, the only tourist attraction is the zoo.
The northern center of Mumbai is a residential area of the middle class and immigrants.
Outskirts in the west - a residential area of wealthy Indians, there are several beaches.
The central area is a residential area, unremarkable for tourists.
The harbor area is Mumbai's center for atomic research.
North Mumbai - beaches clean by Indian standards, ancient temples.

Mumbai is full of hospitality establishments for every taste. India is popular with adventurous travelers who are willing to sacrifice European levels of comfort to save money and see more places of interest. And in Mumbai, it is quite possible to stay in an inexpensive hostel, a night in which will cost about 500 rubles. However, not everyone is willing to sacrifice comfort.

There are also medium-priced establishments in the city: a day in a three-star hotel in the city center will cost about 1,500 rubles per person. Finally, there are some amazing five-star hotels, there are not many of them in India, but there is a good choice in Mumbai. So, in the city center you can stay at an international hotel chain, where there will be a rooftop bar, a swimming pool, a spa and a fitness center, as well as a European level of comfort in the rooms. This will cost the traveler about 10,000 rubles per day.

Traveling in Mumbai: where to go, what to do and what to see?

Attractions in Mumbai

Diversity is what sets the holidays in Mumbai, India apart in 2019. For connoisseurs of Indian culture, architecture and history, there are sights of various kinds.

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

Definitely worth a trip to Elephanta Island, famous for its cave temples and pesky monkeys. A trip as part of an excursion will cost 2000 rupees. You can get on your own on a tourist ferry for 160 rupees. It departs from the pier near the India Gate monument. The caves on the island are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and feature stone sculptures and rock paintings, the earliest of which date back to the 5th century.

Historic quarter Cala 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 focus of the architecture of this period.

It is worth admiring Mumbai University and Supreme Court Buildings. 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 the point of view of architecture: the monumental building is decorated with elegant, carved decorative elements. And the Supreme Court is somewhat reminiscent of a castle of the Middle Ages, but it is surrounded by a park with palm trees - a suitable place for walking during hot hours.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Station, formerly known as Victoria Station, is more like a palace. This example of Victorian Gothic has been in operation since the 1990s. The neo-Gothic foundation is complemented by Indo-Saracenic elements; the station should not only be used for its intended purpose, but you can simply admire it.

Palace Hotel Taj Mahal, whose construction began at the end of the 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 world. By the way, you can still stay in it - for about 11,000 rubles per day for one 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 the majestic buildings, then you can go closer to nature. Hill Malabar, with hanging gardens, Jogeshvari caves and a host of other interesting objects located there, 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 over the Malabar Hill is reflected in the sea, and sellers of various snacks and local residents flock to the embankment.

Hanging Gardens Mumbai were also created by the British, and therefore are 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 Jogeshvari caves are in complete contrast with the well-kept gardens: these are ancient caves, which contain dilapidated sculptures from about the 6th century.

Hunters for unique shots should definitely visit Jobi Ghat quarter, where thousands of women do laundry in tightly packed concrete tubs. True, a very aggressive washing method, which involves many hours of blows with soapy linen on a special sharp stone, is consistent with a similar attitude towards tourists. Close to the laundress is better not to approach. A suitable location for shooting is the nearest bridge.

For those who love Indian culture, however, in a less exotic version, there is an opportunity to penetrate into Bollywood. This is a huge film studio, the name of which was heard, perhaps, by almost every person, and even more so by those who are fond of cinema. For several years, the pavilions of the film studio have been open to tourists. It is worth buying an excursion, which will cost from about 3,000 rubles, and the guides will take you among the stunning scenery, tell the history of Indian cinema, and let you admire the filming process.

Things to do in Mumbai

The city is located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, and therefore, some beach activities are available here. There is Chowpaty Beach here, 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. 1900 rupees will have to pay for a 10-minute ride on a jet ski.

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 dine in a cafe or restaurant. However, swimming is still not worth it, because 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 water park and the Esselworld amusement park. A ticket to this institution will cost about 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 pool for kids, and 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.

Shopping lovers will love Mumbai. Being the center of trade earlier, the city remains so until now. You can buy branded items in boutiques and shopping centers, or you can visit the Indian market. Fashion Street is the best place for "European type of shopping", and for color you can go to Chor Bazaar, Zaveri Bazaar, Crawford Market and others. What to bring from Mumbai? It can be such souvenirs and gifts as:

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

Mumbai is such a large city that you can easily find a restaurant of almost any cuisine in it.

Traditional dishes are South Indian cuisine: puri cakes, 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, a dinner for two with alcohol will cost about 1000 rubles in an average restaurant.

The only disadvantage of Mumbai is that it is not recommended for families with small children. Noise and din in the streets, an abundance of industrial production, the lack of a comfortable beach holiday. Yes, middle-aged and older children will quite like the city, as they can already appreciate the unusual environment and sights, but the little ones may not be so comfortable and interesting here.

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

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- it was these words that, according to legend, the Portuguese uttered when they landed here, and it meant "Good Harbor". So the first name of the city of 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 intended for life in general and making money in particular than the capital - Delhi (in one of the previous posts we just talked about our who came here to earn money). We spent 5 days here walking around Colaba, Marina Bay promenade andacting in films.

From Mumbai we arrived by night bus. These buses turned our minds upside down, 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 one under .. double shelves !! Moreover, the shelves are closed from strangers with a valve, so complete privacy is ensured.

When we rode around Europe in 2007 on trailer, it was forbidden to lie there while driving, it was necessary to sit in chairs, fastened with seat belts (as far as 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 of auto rickshaw(they are such an integral attribute of India, and they are so ubiquitous that their absence is immediately evident). Instead of them here are yellow-black taxi cabs

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

Mumbai's main tourist area is Colaba. Here, on an area of several square kilometers, almost all tourist life is concentrated, at least the concentration of foreigners here rolls over. Hotels - from the cheapest to 5-star, restaurants - from street eateries to decent European-level establishments, shops, carriages for tourists

as well as Bollywood agents looking for white extras - it's all here on Colaba.
Here is the Indian Gate (Gateway to India), in front of which, in honor of some holiday, a stage was set up for ceremonial events

Near one of the most expensive hotels in Mumbai "Taj Mahal"

From the top floor of the hotel you have a wonderful view of the city.

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

Fishing boats and small yachts drift in the bay.

We swam to Elephanta Island, two types of ferries go there - more expensive and simpler

We went on the second 🙂 The ferry moored to the pier, from which it takes about 10 minutes to go to the shore, a train immediately runs for an additional fee - Europeans go on foot, and mostly lazy Indians ride on it

Some refuse to walk any further

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, the island has the "City of Caves" Elephanta Caves, we are not lovers of caves, so we refused to visit.
In the evening, returning to Mumabi, you can admire the sunset city

One of the symbols of Mumbai, the Haji Ali Mosque, is also located on an island, though not so remote - at high tide it can be reached by a bridge, and at low tide a bridge is not needed

We unfortunately ended up here on a Sunday, when apparently all the Muslims of Mumbai came here

Not far from the mosque, another interesting place is Dhobi Gat (Dobi Gat) - this is the largest laundry. Linen is washed by hand in concrete cells by hundreds of people

They say they bring linen here from most hotels and hospitals in Mumbai

Here, in the neighborhood, the employees of the "laundry" live.

Walking around the city, we looked at the exhibition, some of the exhibits of which we did not understand

But some are very curious, for example, a washing machine

Water filter
Bicycle assembled from machine parts

In the evening, many tourists and locals gather on the Marina Drive promenade - this is a great place for an evening exercise.

Along the long and wide embankment, you can leisurely walk 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 the Indians do not like to sunbathe, why would they?

They have just the opposite here - whitening creams are popular. We somehow accidentally saw an advertisement on local television, and so in every second video, a Hindu woman with a whitened face flaunts in front of her girlfriends or men. It's hard to imagine, living in a country where a solarium is one of the most popular services =)
Not far from the embankment - a monument to the boot, in combination - a place to entertain children
In the city center, as expected, a stadium with many cricketers

The local subway in Mumbai (as well as in Bangalore) runs only on the surface, but here it is much older, therefore it looks accordingly

There are two classes in the metro, respectively, II is cheaper and more crowded, I is more decent and freer, as well as women's cars. We accidentally went into one of these, so the aunts around him hissed at us like snakes. They say the fines are quite impressive for such a violation.
On the outskirts of the city, such views open from the windows of the car

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 joys of life. Previously a self-employed man, he has now gained experience as a freelance HR consultant and corporate event planner. Moreover, he himself loves outdoor activities and specializes, respectively, in organizing tours for companies - rafting, rock climbing, trekking trips, etc. Again, it was amazing to find out that in India there are such concepts as "corporate events" and HR 🙂
$$$ lives with his parents near the center, but in a windowless shack with a cement floor, peeling walls and a pile of dusty rubbish. At the same time, he is also a businessman - he is engaged in robotics, speaks at conferences in South America, there are customers even from Russia. In addition, $$$ - one of the most active members of the couchsurfer movement in Mumbai, has already hosted more than a hundred guests, but places them on the floor on a mattress surrounded by hanging drying linen, so it’s not only Russia that cannot be understood with the mind, India is also not easy 🙂
@@@ 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. At the same time, an employee who comes twice a day, cleans the apartment, prepares breakfast and dinner, they pay 5,000 rupees per month.
While looking for where @@@ lives, we accidentally got to 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 a lot of meat dishes.

and only a small nook 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 tell about our filming in Bollywood in the next post, but for now you can read about how we were in

Mumbai, which the locals stubbornly continue to call Bombay, is the "Indian Manhattan", firmly merged with Indian Hollywood (Bollywood), where more films are produced annually than in any other city in the world. Initially, Mumbai was a conglomeration of 7 islands, which eventually united and turned into the largest city in India, which consists of the following areas:

South Mumbai - Fort, Colaba, Malabar Hill, Nariman Point and Tardeo - the oldest area of the city and the commercial center of the whole country. The richest people in India live here, and real estate costs more than in Manhattan. In addition, this is the most popular area for tourists, where most of the museums, galleries, bars and restaurants of the city are located.
South Central Mumbai - formerly the industrial center of the city, now - a place of concentration of office buildings. Tourists here may be interested only in the zoo. A little to the north are the residential areas of the "middle class" of India.
North Central Mumbai is the place where the Mumbai "middle peasants" and most of the immigrants live. Tourists have nothing to do here.
Western Suburbs (western outskirts) - this place was also chosen by the local rich, who, however, prefer a more measured pace of life. There are several beaches, the city's most famous Christian church and two airports nearby.
Central Suburbs - the area where the "middle class" Bombays live, is absolutely uninteresting to tourists.
Harbor Suburbs - a former satellite of Bombay, now this area is an integral part of the city. It houses the Mumbai Atomic Research Centre.
Northwest Mumbai - here are the cleanest beaches in the city, the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and ancient temples that date back to the 1st-5th century. n. AD: Kanheri, Mahakali, Jogeshwari and Mandapeshwar.

How to get there

Maps of Mumbai

By bus

MSRTC (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation) flies from Bombay (Mumbai Central Terminus bus station) throughout the state of Maharashtra. In addition to MSRTC, you can find many private companies (National, Sharma, VRL, Konduskar, Dolphin, Paulo or Southern Travels) that send buses to Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Surat, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Goa and other cities in the country. Buses typically depart from Crawford Market, Dadar T.T, Sion, Chembur and Borivili.

Weather in Mumbai

Average monthly temperature, °C day and night

January

February

March

April

June
July
August
September
October
november
December

There are three seasons in Mumbai: summer, monsoon and winter. The best time to visit is in winter, from November to February. Summer lasts from March to May, at this time the thermometer does not fall below +30 ° C. From June to September, the monsoon reigns in the city, which arranges daily water procedures for the city.

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Day in Mumbai

Popular hotels in Mumbai

Mumbai beaches

There are several beaches in Bombay, one of them is even within the city, but this is not the best place for a beach holiday in India. The water and some beaches are dirty here, during the monsoon the current becomes very strong, and a two-piece swimsuit can be looked askance. And yet, good beaches can be found in the Northwest Mumbai area (Aksa Beach and the beaches on Manori Island), pretty Girgaon Chowpaty beach in South Mumbai, and Juhu beach on the western outskirts of the city (Western Suburbs).

Manori - a tiny island with beautiful beaches, which, however, is quite unsafe for swimming, is located on the territory of the Northwest Mumbai region. The beach located on the northern part of the island is cleaner. This is a great place for a picnic or a whole weekend, there are several hotels and good restaurants with fish dishes. You can get here by taxi or by bus to Marve, from where the ferry departs.

Guides in Mumbai

Entertainment and attractions in Mumbai

In Mumbai, it is worth visiting Elephanta Island (Elephant Island), famous for its caves with images of Shiva, and look into the Kala Goda area, where most of the city's galleries and museums are collected. Nearby is the Prince of Wales Museum with a very interesting collection of Gandhara art, Mughal miniatures, porcelain and weapons. Part of the mandatory program is the local fort with three of its famous buildings: the Supreme Court, the University and the grandiose Victoria Station, much more like a palace than a station. On Malabar Hill are the picturesque Hanging Gardens, the Temple of the God of Sand Walkeshwara, the Zoroastrian "Towers of Silence", the cult springs of Banganga Tank and the caves of Jogeshwari.

Among other things, Bombay has enough entertainment for the originals: you can rummage through the deposits of seductive rubbish for half a day at the Chor Bazaar flea market or go for shocking photo frames in Dhobi Ghat. It's a block made up entirely of small concrete bathtubs where thousands of washerwomen do their laundry at the same time. It must be said that they wash in an unusual way for a European: they lather and beat for hours on the sharp edge of a special stone, so that the clothes are washed to incredible cleanliness, but an ordinary shirt can withstand only a few such “washes”. Washerwomen leave a strong impression, but it is best to photograph them from the railway bridge: tourists are not favored here. Another interesting place is the largest Crawford Market in the city. In addition to its exceptionally wide assortment, it is also notable for the fact that at one time little Rudyard Kipling liked to walk within its walls, accompanied by a nanny.

When I was planning a trip to India, I booked only a day for Bombay: in the evening I flew in from Goa, and in the evening of the next day I flew from Bombay to Calcutta. I decided that one day of light in Bombay would be enough, but in the end I was wrong: the city is absolutely magnificent and majestic. And not so much even with its monumental British (Victorian) buildings, but with an amazing mixture of cultures and architectural styles of the city as a whole. We will make allowances for the fact that this is far from a "safe haven" where you can relax and enjoy the aura. This is a gigantic 25 million metropolis full of poverty and garbage, critically overpopulated, with a bunch of inter-religious problems (70% - Hindus, 20% - Muslims, 5% - Christians, 5% - Buddhists), overloaded with transport and with a depressing environmental situation. India, mother! Nevertheless, I liked Bombay more than I would like to return here. The city, by the way, is quite young: being founded by the British in 1672 (it is significant that the British East India Company bought this land from the Portuguese, who landed in India as much as a hundred years earlier), it remains the business and financial capital of India to this day. leaving even Delhi behind in this context.

One of the symbols of Bombay (and India as a whole) is the Gateway of India monument, or Gateway to India. Much has been written about him in guidebooks and I will not repeat myself. Let me just say that this massive gate in the heart of Bombay was erected by the British in 1924 as a symbol of their colonial greatness and the conquest of India. It is ironic that only 23 years later the last British soldiers were hastily leaving India after independence.

Opposite the Gateway to India rises the classic and most expensive hotel in the city "Taj Mahal Palace", also a visiting card of Bombay. By the way, it has nothing to do with the British and was built in 1903 by the richest man in India and the founder of the Tata corporation (almost all of India's industry is part of his empire), Jamsheji Nasservanji Tata. It is believed that he, having been offended by the disrespect (due to the color of his skin) from the servants in a London hotel, decided to create a hotel of a level of chic that Europe had not seen. And he succeeded; at the beginning of the 20th century it was certainly one of the best hotels in the world.

On November 26, 2008, the Taj Mahal Palace turned into the scene of a bloody drama when dozens of Islamic militants attacked the hotel and took many tourists hostage. During the storming of the hotel by the Indian army and police, 37 people died and the building was seriously damaged, below are a couple of photos of those days -

In my opinion, Bombay's main railway station, Victoria Terminus (nowadays renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus), is Mumbai's finest piece of architecture. Moreover, having traveled to a bunch of countries of the world, I have never met such a majestic station -

The station was built by the British in 1887 in honor of the golden jubilee of Queen Victoria. It is logical that for the Indians this "significant" day has absolutely no value, but rather reminds of colonialism. But the building itself is beautiful, you see!

By the way, below the Supreme Court (High court), also built in the late 19th century -

What are the children playing? Something like tic-tac-toe?

At the nearby University of Bombay, youth celebrated the founding of a new political party and announced their intention to actively fight corruption -

The taxi driver is sleeping, and the service is on -

Scientists rest -

Street entertainment -

Sugarcane juice -

By the way, the place below is called Oval Maidan (hello to Kyiv), here the Bombays play cricket -

You know, for a part-time day in Bombay, I managed to see quite a lot, for example, the tomb of Haji Ali, located in the northwestern part of Bombay on the island. But more on that next time -

And, yes, about "burning ass" (not to be confused with diarrhea!), It's really embarrassing to say. Traveler friends, is it just me who has a similar natural phenomenon from very spicy Indian food? Who understood me in the topic, and who didn’t - it’s embarrassing to translate, the topic is painfully intimate :)

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