Lying on the west coast of India, Mumbai, previously known as Bombay, is the most cosmopolitan city of India and its business and financial capital. The Hindi film and television industry, now popularly called "Bollywood" has thrived here since the early twentieth century.
Transportation in Mumbai
Life in Mumbai is fast as compared to other cities and towns of India. This is influenced in a major way due to the fact that Mumbai is a "long" city, geographically speaking. It is spread along its north-to-south length with a much narrower east-to-west stretch. With the main commercial district located in the south, residents from the northern suburbs of Mumbai commute to work daily by the efficient (yet overcrowded) local trains, referred to as "locals." No visit to Mumbai is complete without a ride on a local train. But for those who are faint hearted, a visit to the busy train stations of Churchgate or CST/VT (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, earlier known as Victoria Terminus) is a good substitute to a train ride.
The public transport system in Mumbai is the oldest, most extensive and efficiently run as compared to other cities of India. In addition to the local trains, there are the ubiquitous buses, some of them double-deckers. The BEST (Bombay Electrical and State Transport) along with the trains are the life line of the people of Mumbai. There are also the metered yellow and black taxi cabs and the three-wheeled auto-rickshaws that are limited to the suburban areas and are lighter on the pocket than the cabs.
Sightseeing in Mumbai
The Gateway of India
This famous monument was built to commemorate a royal visit in 1911, of King George V and Queen Mary. The monument built with yellow basalt stone has four turrets and intricate latticework carved into it. It was built as a triumphal arch for this royal visit but was eventually the place from where the British ships set sail for England after the end of the Raj in 1947. The place is now a popular tourist spot among citizens from other parts of India. On weekends and public holidays even the people of Mumbai come here to view the sea and take a short cruise on motor launches through Mumbai's natural harbour and get a splendid view of the city from the sea.
The Prince of Wales Museum
Located quite close to the Gateway of India, this museum has collections of art, sculpture, china and other priceless antiques. Built in 1904 in a mid-Victorian Gothic style, the museum building is surrounded by beautiful well-maintained gardens.
Mani Bhavan
This is the house where Mahatma Gandhi lived during his numerous visits to Mumbai between 1917 to 1934, during the days of the struggle for inependence. Located in a quiet lane lined with Laburnum trees in the Gamdevi area of Mumbai, this place has a picture gallery, a library and a veritable museum dedicated to the life of the father of the nation.
Hanging Gardens
Situated in the Malabar Hill area that houses the city's rich and famous as residents, this stretch of green lawns, beautiful flower-beds, walk-ways and jogging tracks gives a panoramic view of the city. The giant Old Woman's Shoe in the adjoining Kamala Nehru Park is a popular spot for children visiting the gardens.
