Travel Guide Mumbai (Bombay)

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Travel Guide Mumbai (Bombay)
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Travel Guide
Mumbai (Bombay)

02    Quick view         05   Phone calls & Internet    08   Restaurants
02    India              05   Top 10 sights             09   Nightlife
04    Travel etiquette   08   Shopping in Mumbai        10   Calendar of events
04    Health                  (Bombay)                  12   Hotels

                                                                         © AHOWDEN INTERNATIONAL / Alamy

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
              Quick view
              Mumbai (Bombay) – a brief overview

              Delhi may have the political power, but Mumbai has the glamour. India’s capital of
              finance, fashion and entertainment is fast-paced and frenetic, always bold, often
              brash, but never forgettable. A staggering 12.5 million people call this city home,
              from the dhobi-wallahs (laundry men) who clean the city’s sheets to millionaire
              financiers and Bollywood superstars.

              Sprawling across a series of islands in the Arabian Sea, Mumbai is tipped to be
              the world’s largest city within 20 years. Travellers can find everything imaginable
              here, from colonial mansions and ancient cave temples to gleaming modern
              shopping malls and even a national park inside the city limits. Welcome to India’s
              maximum city!


              India
              General Information

              Country overview
              India is a beautiful and bamboozling place, where holy cows amble along the
              streets, bask on heavenly beaches

              next to modern hotels and where ancient temples sit perfectly at home besides
              shiny new offices.

              Geography
              India shares borders to the northwest with Pakistan, to the north with China, Nepal
              and Bhutan, and to the east with Bangladesh and Myanmar. To the west lies the
              Arabian Sea, to the east the Bay of Bengal and to the south the Indian Ocean. The
              Andaman and Nicobar Islands are Indian territory but lie off the coast of Thailand in
              the Bay of Bengal. Sri Lanka lies off the southeast coast, and the Maldives off the
              southwest coast.

              The far northeastern states and territories are all but separated from the rest of
              India by

              Bangladesh as it extends northwards from the Bay of Bengal towards Bhutan.

              India is separated from the rest of Asia by mountain ranges, forest, and desert -the
              Himalayan mountain range in the north, the Thar Desert in the west and the Chin
              Hills and Patkai ranges in the east. The Indus River runs through the northern
              disputed territory of Jammu & Kashmir. The most sacred of rivers, the Ganges, is in
              the east.

              General knowledge

              Key facts

              Population: 1,34 billion (estimate 2017)

              Population Density (per sq km): 371

              Capital: New Delhi.

              Language

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              Hindi is the official language of India. English is also enshrined in the constitution
              for a wide range of official purposes. In addition, 21 regional languages are
              recognised by the constitution.

              Currency

              Rupee (INR; symbol Rs) = 100 paise. Notes are in denominations of Rs 2,000,
              500, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of Rs5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25,
              20, 10 and 5 paise.

              Notes: In November 2016, 500 and 1,000 rupee banknotes were withdrawn from
              the financial system. New 500 and 2,000 rupee denomination notes are issued to
              replace those removed from circulation. The import and export of local currency is
              prohibited.

              Electricity

              230-240 volts AC, 50Hz. Some areas have a DC supply. Plugs are of the round
              two- and three-pin type.

              Public holidays
              Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2019 – December 2020 period.

              Note

              Only the secular holidays of Republic Day, Independence Day and Mahatma
              Gandhi’s Birthday are universally observed.

              (a) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the
              moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of
              Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night
              and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some disruption may continue
              into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last up to several days,
              depending on the region.

              (b) Hindu festivals are declared according to local astronomical observations and it
              is not possible to forecast the date of their occurrence exactly.

              2019

              New Years Day: 1 January 2019
              Republic Day: 26 January 2019
              Holi: 20 March 2019
              Chaitra Sukhladi: 6 April 2019
              Mahavir Jayanti: 17 April 2019
              Good Friday: 19 April 2019
              Buddha Purnima (Buddha’s Birthday): 18 May 2019
              Idu’l Fitr: 4 June 2019
              Id-ul-Zuha (Feast of Sacrifice): 11 August 2019
              Independence Day: 15 August 2019
              Janmashtami: 24 August 2019
              Muharram: 31 August 2019
              Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday: 2 October 2019
              Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami): 8 October 2019
              Diwali (Festival of Lights): 27 October 2019
              Milad un Nabi: 10 November 2019
              Guru Nanak Jayanti: 12 November 2019
              Christmas: 25 December 2019

              2020

              New Years Day: 1 Januar 2020

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              Republic Day: 26 January 2020
              Holi: 10 March 2020
              Chaitra Sukhladi: 25 March 2020
              Mahavir Jayanti: 6 April 2020
              Good Friday: 10 April 2020
              Buddha Purnima (Buddha’s Birthday): 6 May 2020
              Idu’l Fitr: 23 May 2020
              Id-ul-Zuha (Feast of Sacrifice): 30 July 2020
              Janmashtami: 12 August 2020
              Independence Day: 15 August 2020
              Muharram: 19 August 2020
              Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday: 2 October 2020
              Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami): 25 October 2020
              Diwali (Festival of Lights): 14 November 2020
              Milad un Nabi: 10 November 2020
              Guru Nanak Jayanti: 12 November 2020
              Christmas: 25 December 2020

              All information subject to change.


              Travel etiquette
              How to fit in

              Social Conventions

              The traditional Hindu greeting is to fold the hands, tilt the head forward and say
              namaste. Indian women generally prefer not to shake hands. All visitors are asked
              to remove footwear when entering places of religious worship. Most Indians also
              remove their footwear when entering their homes; visitors should follow suit.

              Many Hindus are vegetarian and many, especially women, do not drink alcohol.
              Most Sikhs and Parsis do not smoke. Women are expected to dress modestly and
              men should also dress respectfully. Women should not wear short skirts and tight
              or revealing clothing, although there is a more casual approach to clothing in Goa.


              Health
              Health

              Food & Drink

              Water for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should first be boiled or otherwise
              sterilised. Milk is often unpasteurised and should be boiled. Avoid dairy products
              likely to have been made from non-boiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and
              fish. Do not eat salads, vegetables should be cooked and peel your own fruit. Don't
              eat street vendor food unless it is piping hot. Tap water is not safe to drink, rely on
              bottled water which is widely available. However, do check the seal on bottled
              water.

              Other Risks

              Vaccinations are sometimes advised for hepatitis A and B, Japanese encephalitis,
              tuberculosis (for infants), polio and typhoid. Dengue and malaria are both caused
              by mosquito bites and are prevalent in hot and humid conditions. There are
              occasional, seasonal outbreaks of dengue fever. Travellers should vigilantly
              protect themselves against mosquito bites.

              Malaria prevention is strongly recommended so use insect repellent and wear
              protective clothing. Obtain anti-malarial medicine from your doctor before
              travelling.

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              Even seasoned travellers may find themselves at the mercy of travellers’
              diarrhoea. Hygiene standards vary. If possible, travel around with soap or
              antibacterial gel in order to clean your hands. The culprits that cause diarrhoea are
              often the microorganisms found in local water supplies, so decrease your chances
              by

              drinking bottled or boiled water. You can have alcoholic drinks but say no to ice.
              Drink carbonated beverages or those with only boiled water like coffee and tea.

              Carry rehydration solution packets, Pepto Bismol or Imodium in case you are
              afflicted. Before your travel, seek medical advice about what to take for self-
              treatment.

              Wear adequate sunscreen or do like the locals to beat the heat and avoid the sun
              between 1200 and 1600 when it is at its harshest; don a cotton kameez to keep
              covered and cool.

              Note: All visitors aged between 18 and 70 years of age wishing to extend their
              visa for one year or more are required to take an AIDS test.

              Contractual physician of Lufthansa

              Dr. Pocha, Nusly P.J.
              R.N. Gamadia Polyclinic
              Unit 19
              Gamadia Colony Road
              Tardeo
              Mumbai 400 007
              India
              Tel. +91-22-23534036
              Tel. +91-22-23521068

              Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it
              bear the cost of any treatment.


              Phone calls & Internet
              Phone calls & Internet

              Mobile Telephone

              Dialing code: +91

              Mobile Telephone

              Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies.
              Coverage is limited to major towns but is increasing all the time.

              Internet

              The internet can be reliably accessed from an increasing number of hotels and
              from internet cafés across the country, many now with Wi-Fi.


              Top 10 sights
              Top 10 sights in Mumbai (Bombay)

              Gateway of India
              The triumphal arch that dominates Colaba quayside was erected to celebrate the
              visit of King George V and demonstrate the unassailable power of the British

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              Empire. Ironically, this monumental arch also marked the point where the last
              British soldiers departed when India achieved independence in 1948.

              Strand Road, Apollo Bunder
              400001 Mumbai
              India

              Girgaum Chowpatty Beach
              A dramatic clean-up has restored Chowpatty Beach to its rightful place as the city’s
              favourite place to promenade. Order a paper plate of bhelpuri, Mumbai’s famous
              noodle salad, and join the crowds strolling over the sand and enjoying the cool
              breezes as the sun sinks into Back Bay.

              Marine Drive
              400004 Mumbai
              India

              Elephanta Island
              Studded with cave temples adorned with dramatic rock carvings of Hindu deities,
              this dusty island in Mumbai Harbour could be plucked straight from Sinbad the
              Sailor. The largest temple features a vast carving of Shiva as Trimurti-Sadashiva,
              the creator, preserver and destroyer of the universe.

              Elephanta Island, Mumbai Harbour          Opening times:
              400001 Mumbai                             Tue-Sat 0900-1700
              India
                                                        asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_elephanta.as
                                                        p

              Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum
              Named for the Maratha warrior who vanquished the sultans of southern India,
              Mumbai’s most important museum is housed in a lavish Indo-Saracenic building
              from 1923. Inside, the exhibition halls display everything from ancient temple
              carvings to miniature paintings and gruesome medieval weaponry.

              159-161 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort         Opening times:
              400023 Mumbai                             Daily 1015-1800
              India
              Tel: (022) 2284 4484                      csmvs.in

              University of Mumbai and High Court
              Dominated by the Rajabai Clocktower, and flanked by an arcade of palm trees, the
              handsome University of Mumbai was built by George Gilbert Scott, the same
              architect who designed London’s St Pancras station. The adjacent High Court was
              constructed in the same lavish architectural style and visitors are welcome in the
              public gallery during trials.

              University of Mumbai, Mahatma Gandhi Opening times:
              Road, Fort                                Entry by permission
              400032 Mumbai
              India                                     www.mu.ac.in
              Tel: (022) 2270 8700

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              Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue
              This graceful 19th-century synagogue is a flashback to the golden age of the port
              of Mumbai, when the city’s Jewish community dominated the international trade in
              cotton, spices, tea and porcelain. The synagogue is still an active place of worship
              and the calm interior offers a welcome retreat from the crowded street of the
              business district.

              Forbes St, Kala Ghoda, Fort                  Opening times:
              Mumbai                                       Mon-Sat 1100-1800
              India                                        Sun 1300-1800

                                                           www.jacobsassoon.com/synagogues/k
                                                           eneseth-eliy...

              Global Vipassana Pagoda
              Soaring above the suburb of Gorai and the Esselworld Theme Park, this gleaming
              golden spire was modelled after the great Shwedagon stupa in Myanmar. The
              pagoda is an important centre for Vipassana meditation, and the main meditation
              hall sits beneath the world’s largest unsupported stone dome.

              Gorai Village, Borivali (West)               Opening times:
              400091 Mumbai                                Daily 0900-1900
              India
              Tel: (022) 3374 7501                         www.globalpagoda.org

              Dr Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum
              Set in a graceful colonial mansion in the peaceful Jijimata Gardens, the Dr Bhau
              Daji Lad Museum explores the complex history of Mumbai, from its early days as a
              fishing village to its modern status as the financial and entertainment capital of
              India. It’s worth visiting just to see the elegant Victorian interiors.

              91A Rani Baug, Veer Mata Jijbai              Opening times:
              Bhonsle Udyan, Dr Baba Saheb                 Thu-Tue 1000-1800
              Ambedkar Marg,Byculla East
              400027 Mumbai                                www.bdlmuseum.org
              India
              Tel: (022) 2373 1234

              Haji Ali Dargah
              Only accessible at low tide, via a wave-lashed causeway stretching out into the
              bay, the dargah (mausoleum) of Haji Ali is dedicated to a local Sufi saint who died
              en route to Mecca but was miraculously washed ashore in Mumbai. The shrine is
              crammed with pilgrims whenever the causeway is open, and atmospheric qwwalis
              (Islamic hymns) resound across the compound.

              Haji Ali, Lala Lajpat Rai Marg               Opening times:
              400026 Mumbai                                Daily 0930-1730
              India
              Tel: (022) 2352 9082                         hajialidargah.in

              Victoria Terminus

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              Also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai’s central railway station is a
              flamboyant fantasy of gargoyles, balconies, buttresses and onion domes. Carved
              inside and out with eccentric details (monkeys, parrots, palm trees and fruit
              baskets), the station was designed by Frederick Stevens, the British Empire’s
              finest colonial architect.

              Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Fort
              400001 Mumbai
              India


              Shopping in Mumbai (Bombay)
              Shopping in Mumbai (Bombay)

              Key Areas

              Mumbaikers love to shop, and many streets double as open-air bazaars, with stalls
              selling everything from gramophones to sequined sandals. For souvenirs and
              knick-knacks, take a wander along Colaba Causeway, or check out the air-
              conditioned emporiums around the Taj Mahal Palace hotel. For a glitzier shopping
              experience, explore the malls, jewellery stores and department stores of Parel,
              Worli and Bandra.

              Markets

              Mumbai’s most famous market, Crawford Market (Lokmanya Tilak Marg) was
              designed by Rudyard Kipling’s father, and its covered main arcade is one of the
              best places to buy the city’s famous Alphonso mangoes. The adjacent Mangaldas
              market

              specialises in fabrics, saris and gleaming steel cookpots, while the neighbouring
              Chor Bazaar has stalls selling rescued bric-a-brac and the occasional antique
              treasure.

              Shopping Centres

              Mumbai has gone mall crazy in recent years, and the city’s glitziest shopping
              centres would hold their own in London or New York. High Street Phoenix in
              Lower Parel is the most glamorous address, with boutiques run by India’s leading
              fashion designers. Other megamalls are scattered around the suburbs; try Sobo
              Central in Worli, R City in Ghatkopar, or the Oberoi Mall in Goregaon East.


              Restaurants
              Restaurants in Mumbai (Bombay)
              Mumbai has no shortage of glamorous eateries catering to millionaire financiers
              and movie stars, but there’s plenty for travellers on more modest budgets. Seek out
              the city’s nostalgic Parsi restaurants, run by the descendants of refugees from Iran,
              or try the city’s famous bhelpuri (noodle salad) from the food stalls at Girgaum
              Chowpatty beach. Other top options for cheap eats include the old-fashioned
              traveller cafés along Colaba Causeway, and the street stalls feeding crowds of
              hungry office workers at Nariman Point.

              Golden Dragon
              The lavish interior lives up to the name at this superior Chinese restaurant at the
              Taj Mahal Palace hotel; appropriate to the setting, the food is divine.

              Taj Mahal Palace, Apollo Bunder            Price: Expensive
              400001 Mumbai

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              India

              Indigo
              Pet project of renowned chef Rahul Akerkar, Indigo creates fabulous modern
              European fusions in a nostalgic colonial bungalow near the harbour.

              4 Mandlik Road, Colaba                     Price: Expensive
              400001 Mumbai
              India

              Smoke House Deli
              With doodles covering the walls and an eclectic menu of salads, sandwiches and
              burgers, this hip eatery shows Mumbai at its most international and cosmopolitan.

              Main Courtyard, High Street Phoenix,       Price: Moderate
              Phoenix Mills Compound, Senapati
              Bapat Marg, Lower Parel
              400013 Mumbai
              India

              Khyber
              Richly spiced dishes from the Northwest Frontier arrive sizzling to the table in this
              atmospheric dining hall styled like an Afghan palace.

              159-161 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort          Price: Moderate
              400023 Mumbai
              India
              Tel: (022) 2284 4484

              Ideal Corner
              A delightfully old-fashioned Parsi canteen that whisks you back to the 1920s,
              serving classic Irani dishes such as Bombay duck and dhansak (hot and sour stew
              with lentils).

              Hornby View, Gunbow Street, Ballard        Price: Cheap
              Estate, Fort
              400001 Mumbai
              India


              Nightlife
              Nightlife in Mumbai (Bombay)
              As the entertainment capital of India, Mumbai boasts bars, cocktail lounges and
              clubs to match any international capital, and the top nightspots offer abundant
              chances to mingle with Bollywood superstars.A trip to the designer ateliers in
              Phoenix Mills might be appropriate if you hope to gain entry to more exclusive bars
              and clubs. Note that a 25 per cent tax is applied to liquor across the city.

              Aer

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              The most glamorous bar in Mumbai, Aer lords it over the city from the open rooftop
              of the towering Four Seasons Hotel.

              Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai, 114 Dr E
              Moses Road, Worli
              400018 Mumbai
              India

              Olive Bar & Kitchen
              This elegant bar and café is where Bollywood stars head to celebrate or drown
              their sorrows after the latest hit or miss on the silver screen.

              Le Sutra, 14 Union Park, Khar (West)
              400052 Mumbai
              India

              Trilogy
              The most fashionable address in Juhu, this Mumbai super-club is the place to
              dance with sequined stars and starlets.

              Sea Princess Hotel, Juhu Beach
              400049 Mumbai
              India

              Leopold’s
              A traveller institution since 1871, Leopold’s is crammed nightly with travellers
              enjoying lively conversation, cheap eats and cold Kingfisher beers.

              Colaba Causeway
              Mumbai
              India
              Tel: +91 (022) 22 82 81 85

              Regal Cinema
              This nostalgic art deco picture house is a prime location to catch the release of a
              new Bollywood blockbuster, when queues often stretch around the block.

              Prince Of Wales Museum, Bhagat
              Singh Road
              Apollo Bunder, Colaba, Opp.
              400001 Mumbai, India
              Tel: +91 22 2202 1017


              Calendar of events
              Calendar of events

              Banganga Music Festival
              Banganga Festival is celebrated for two days in the picturesque Malabar Hills and
              takes it name from a sacred water tank in Walkeshwar Temple link to the legends

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              of Lord Ram.This is celebrated with a cultural extravaganza with the focus on live
              classical music concerts.

              January 2019
              www.mumbai.org.uk/banganga-festival.html

              Venue: Malabar Hills

              Kala Ghoda Festival
              Held in the Kala Ghoda area of south Mumbai, this nine-day arts festival is
              becoming increasingly popular and offers dance, music, theatre, cinema,
              workshops, heritage walks, food and more.

              2 - 10 February 2019
              www.kalaghodaassociation.com/

              Venue: Venues in Kala Ghoda

              McDowell's Indian Derby
              First staged in 1942, this is one of the premier sporting events in the city and one of
              the biggest events on Mumbai's social calendar.

              3 February 2019

              Venue: Mahalaxmi Racecourse

              Holi
              Hindu festival of harvest and fertility when the streets are overrun with people
              bombarding each other (and stray tourists) with brightly coloured powder and
              water.

              March 2019

              Venue: Throughout the city

              Independence Day
              National holiday to celebrate India's independence from British rule.

              15 August 2019

              Venue: Throughout the city

              Ganesh Chaturthi
              Mumbai's biggest festival held in celebration of Ganesh, the elephant-headed deity
              and god of wisdom and prosperity. The festival's colourful climax involves
              thousands of people converging on the seashore to submerge their Ganesh
              statues in the sea.

              2 September 2019

              Venue: Climaxes on Chowpatty Beach

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
              Hotels
              Hotels in Mumbai (Bombay)
              Mumbai has hotels to match every budget, from modest backpacker hotels in
              Colaba to the elegant heights of the Taj Mahal Palace. Reflecting Mumbai’s status
              as financial capital, room rates are some of the highest in India, particularly at
              thelower end of the spectrum. With more money to spend, the city’s 5-star hotels
              offer truly lavish rooms and some of India’s finest restaurants, plus the obligatory
              rooftop bar.

              Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
              Those who can afford it stay at the Taj Mahal Palace, where elegant restaurants
              and opulent rooms hide behind a glorious colonial-era facade overlooking Mumbai
              Harbour.

              Apollo Bunder                                Category: Expensive
              400001 Mumbai
              India

              ITC Maratha
              Worth every one of its five stars, this elegant escape is the first choice for the jet
              set, with sumptuous décor, extremely fine dining and a towering atrium full of
              potted palms.

              Sahar Andheri (East)                         Category: Expensive
              400099 Mumbai
              India

              Marine Plaza
              Like a little piece of Los Angeles dropped onto Marine Drive, the Marine Plaza
              offers a rooftop pool, art deco interiors and views across Mumbai’s iconic seafront
              promenade.

              29 Marine Drive                              Category: Moderate
              400020 Mumbai
              India

              Hotel Sahil
              Part of the Best Western group, Hotel Sahil has smart, modern rooms and a
              fantastic central location.

              292 Bellasis Road                            Category: Moderate
              400008 Mumbai
              India

              Hotel New Bengal
              What the New Bengal lacks in luxury, it makes up for in location – just yards from
              Crawford Market and within strolling distance of CST station.

              B Shalimar Estates, Dr DN Road, near         Category: Cheap
              Crawford Market

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              400001 Mumbai
              India

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