This amazing Bombay (Mumbai). Mumbai - Gateway of India Routes to neighboring cities

Mumbai was a long-awaited return to civilization for me. This is a huge city, its power and grandeur can be felt in every building. For Indians, Mumbai is the main money artery; people come here to work, build new life and fight for a piece of glory. Laid-back coastal residents consider Bombay dirty and hectic, and its inhabitants - calculating and vain. I saw the city completely different - with ancient colonial buildings (in the Colaba area every second house is a real Hogwarts!), a lot of greenery and one of the most beautiful embankments in the world. Mumbai is also extremely cinematic - every street here represents a complete scene. Bombay is a place where you need to walk, take photographs and never sleep so as not to waste precious minutes of your visit to the city.

History of origin

The city of Mumbai in India was originally located on seven islands: Colaba, Little Colaba, Mazagaon, Wadala, Mahim, Parel and Matunga Sion. The oldest buildings that have survived to this day are the Elephanta Caves and the Valkshvar palace complex. In 1534, the Portuguese sailed to the islands and began actively converting the local population to the Catholic faith. Later in 1661, the territory of Mumbai passed to the British as a dowry for the Portuguese princess Catherine de Braganza, who married the English king Charles II. Thus began the British era in Bombay, which lasted until the independence of India. Modern Mumbai, as we know it today, was founded in 1672 as a major trading port. In 1817, the islands began to be united, and by 1845, Mumbai was finally attached to the mainland, acquired with new roads and bridges.

Mumbai is the main economic center of India. Barefoot boys from distant villages dream of moving not to the capital, but to the great and beautiful Bombay. After all, only he is called upon to realize the Great Indian Dream. But it is not just the stock exchanges and the headquarters of the country's largest corporations that attract ordinary Indians. Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan's dream of fame haunts them. Bollywood, India's dream factory, located in Mumbai, attracts millions of talents from all over the country. Thus, there are more than 17 million dreamers, hard workers and native Mumbai residents in the city.

When is the season? When is the best time to go

Mumbai is located in the subequatorial zone. Three seasons can be distinguished in this strip of India:

Winter.
Summer.
Monsoon.

The best time for sightseeing and walking around the city is winter. In summer it gets too hot (although this does not stop tourists), and during the monsoon the city floods. Mumbai winter lasts from November to February, summer from March to May. Monsoon - from June to October. IN summer time the temperature rarely drops below 30 degrees, and the nights are also not cool. The air heats up and becomes heavy, the humidity is very high. During the monsoons, daytime temperatures drop slightly, but it rains quite often and heavily. Because of this, traffic conditions on the roads are worsening. In winter, the temperature during the day averages 27 degrees, and at night it is fresh and cool. A pleasant breeze blows from the sea, making walks easy.

Prices for tourists in season/off season are not too different; after all, tourism is not the main source of income for Mumbai. Indians come here all year round for work or vacation, so housing prices do not fall too much. There is no need to talk about any sharp influx of tourists at the beginning of the season; in Mumbai there are always foreigners permanently residing here. Of course, in winter there are more “white faces” on the streets, but not significantly. I would not recommend going during the monsoon for tourism purposes: the likelihood of getting caught in the rain is very high. The sea in Mumbai becomes violent, and even a walk along the embankment is impossible. But in the summer, despite the heat, you can safely go, especially at the beginning of the summer season - in March and April; by May it becomes too stuffy. If you don't need to see all the sights in one day, the hot sun won't be a problem for you. Leisurely walks around the city can be combined with trips to cool shopping centers and an ice cream parlour, finding a hotel with air conditioning will also not be a problem.

Mumbai - weather by month

Clue:

Mumbai - weather by month

Districts. Where is the best place to live?

You can save a little on housing if you bargain at the reception of any hotel. Also take rooms with breakfast included. It is also very popular in India to vacation in “packages”: on search engine sites, for example, you will be offered to get to Mumbai by plane and check into a hotel of your choice, sometimes this combo works out much cheaper.

There are several beaches within the city, but the most popular and beloved by locals is Chowpaty Beach, located in the southern part of the city near the historical center. Marine Drive is the main embankment of the city, popularly called the “queen’s necklace”, this is the best place for a walk around the city - on one side you can see fashionable restaurants and hotels, on the other - the skyline with Mumbai skyscrapers and the endless Arabian Sea. The promenade is crowned by Chowpatty Beach, the place where people come to watch the sunset. It is in the evening that life begins to boil here. To avoid sitting on the sand, you can rent a mat for $0.3 (20 rupees). There is a brisk trade in local delicacies on Chowpatty; there are stalls, each of which specializes in its own delicacies. Here is a stall selling kulfi ice cream, you can buy any of its varieties here. The one next door sells the dessert falooda in all the colors of the rainbow. And here is a traditional Mumbai dish - belpuri, crispy hollow balls filled with vegetables with a sauce of spicy spices, mint, and coriander. On the beach itself there are numerous vendors offering water and tea.

Residents of the richest district of Mumbai, its western part, love to relax on Juhu beach, 18 km from the city center. One of the longest beaches in Mumbai, it is crowded with local holidaymakers on weekends. The city's rich are entertained by street performers, horse or donkey rides, cafes and souvenir shops.

Versova Beach is located south of Juhu; its infrastructure is less developed. During the rainy season, the beach is completely hidden under water. In the evenings local residents also come here to spend the sun. Apart from vendors selling snacks and drinks, there is nothing available to vacationers.

The beaches of Mumbai are not particularly beautiful; they are located within the city; they are all quite dirty and crowded. I would advise travelers to watch the sunset at Chowpatty Beach or Juhu, and after that go on a walk to the center. It may not be safe to remain on the beach after sunset.

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

Mumbai is a city of different religions: Muslims, Christians, Jains, Hindus coexist in this dense metropolis. Unfortunately, it is not always peaceful. Clashes between Muslims and Hindus are not uncommon. However, for a tourist, exploring the city can be combined with visiting temples and mosques with rich history.

This is just a small part interesting temples Mumbai. If time permits, visit others at least interesting places:

Catholic Afghan Memorial Church. It was built by the British in 1847 in memory of those killed in the First Afghan War in 1838-1843. soldiers. The church is made in gothic style with elongated windows and pointed spiers.
Cathedral of St. Thomas. It was the first Anglican church in the city, built in 1718. The cathedral was built in a colonial style with Gothic elements, and its business card– a tall clock tower.
Sri Sidhivinayak Ganesh Temple. Built in the early 19th century and dedicated to the god Ganesha. The multi-layered architecture of the temple is interesting, but inside it is an ordinary modest Hindu temple. Entrance fee is 0.7 USD (50 INR).
Vipassana Pagoda (Global Pagoda Vipassana). If you've ever taken a Vipassana meditation course, you'll probably want to see India's largest pagoda. A huge golden stupa stands on the shore of the lake. Meditation practices take place inside it. You can get there from Borivali metro station, then by rickshaw.
Mumba Devi Temple. Another Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Devi. One of the oldest in Mumbai, it has unusual architecture. There are beautiful carvings inside the temple.

All of these places are quite popular among tourists and locals. Be prepared for the fact that on weekends the queues at temples can be significant, and during religious holidays they can be simply colossal.

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

Mumbai has a cultural life! Moreover, it will not disappoint even the most spoiled lover of museums and galleries.

Parks

Even though Mumbai is major metropolis, built up with concrete boxes and smoky from exhaust fumes, here you can find green islands of nature and silence. I’ll warn you right away - on weekends, all the city’s parks turn into huge picnic areas for numerous Indian families; you won’t find any privacy.

Tourist streets

Dadabhai Naoroji Road. The 2 km long historical street is located in the fort area. If you do walking route from Colaba to the north, you can't avoid this street. Along the way you will find colonial buildings, the pompous Flora Fountain, the Gothic City Council building, the Art Deco Fire Temple and, of course, Victoria Station.
Fashion street. Conventional name for street trading located on Mahatma Gandhi Street. Clothes, shoes, jewelry at ridiculous prices. The street is quite touristy - after all, it is located in South Mumbai and runs parallel to Marine Drive.
Shahid Bhagat Singh road. Guesthouses, cafes with European and Indian tastes, shops with cheap jewelry and clothes in the very center of Colaba. The popularity of this street is easy to explain - it has everything a traveler needs. The largest concentration of foreigners is in Mumbai.

What to see in 1 day

I will say right away that one day is absolutely not enough to explore Mumbai. Even if you do a quick sightseeing, there will be enough time for one area of the city. In Mumbai, you don’t want to rush and rush from one place to another. Here is an approximate route to explore the city.

It is best to start from Colaba; most of the route will be on foot.

8.00 . Take Shahid Bhagat Singh road south and you will come straight to India Gate. There won't be many tourists there in the morning. You can calmly walk around the square and enjoy the view of the arch and the Taj Mahal Hotel. 10.00 . Continue south along the Mahatma Gandhi Road. Along the way there will be numerous museums and galleries. Choose according to your taste. Don't forget to take a photo of the Prince of Wales Museum, even if you don't want to go inside. Local cafes open just before 10. You can have breakfast with traditional Indian puri bhaji or poha in any restaurant. 11.00 . A little further from the museum there will be the University of Mumbai, built in the Gothic style, with high tower with a clock - Rajbai Clock Tower, truly colonial splendor. A little later you will come to the Flora Fountain - it stands in the middle of the road and, despite all its beauty, you can’t notice it right away - the fountain is small. 12.00 . The end point of the morning walk is Victoria Station. Here you can not only see the main attraction of the city, but also buy train or bus tickets for further travel. 13.00 . At the station, take a rickshaw or taxi and go see the real India without the luxury of colonial buildings (are you ready?). Head to the largest laundry under open air– Dobie Gat. 15.00 . You can get to the Haji Ali Mosque on foot or by taxi. Inspecting it will not take much time. The Mahalakshmi Hindu Temple is very close by.

17.00 . Take a taxi and go to Marine Drive, more precisely to Chowpatty Beach. Here you can have a snack on the famous Indian ice cream kulfi or the dessert falooda. Take the bedding and go to the sand. The sunset will begin soon. 19.00 . After sunset, Marine Drive lights up with thousands of lights. Follow it back to the south, along the way you will be greeted by the sculpture “I Love Mumbai” in English-Hindi, don’t forget to take a photo as a souvenir.

20.00 . After your walk, take a taxi back to the Colaba area. You can end the evening in oldest city the Regal cinema or the legendary Leopold cafe.

What to see in the area

65 km southeast of Mumbai is India's largest amusement park, snow town and water park, Imagica. All these entertainments are located in the town of Khopoli, you can get there by bus for 6 USD (400 INR).

The parks are nearby, but operate separately; you will have to pay for entry to each at its own ticket office. So, an amusement park costs 28 USD (1899 INR) for an adult on “peak” days (holidays and weekends, you can see the calendar), and 23 USD (1599 INR) on regular days. For a child: 22 USD (1499 INR) and 19 USD (1299 INR) respectively. There are three groups of attractions: family, children's and the scariest. The entire park is divided into thematic zones: Africa, America, etc. There are a lot of attractions, everything is done at a decent level. It’s not a shame to spend the whole day at the park. Of course, there are plenty of restaurants, shops, and theatrical shows on site. The park opened just a few years ago and could be a great alternative to Disneyland.

The water park is no less impressive in size. Ticket prices for adults are 15 USD (999 INR) and 16.5 USD (1099 INR), for children - 12 USD (799 INR) and 13.4 USD (899 INR). Both parks are very crowded on weekends! There are long queues for the slides. For now foreign tourists quite a bit, the main contingent being Indians. They wear clothes to the water park: shorts (or leggings for ladies) and T-shirts. Therefore, you will feel extremely awkward in swimsuits.

Also on the territory of Imagica there is a snow town, of course, the largest in India. If you miss the snow, get ready to shell out 6 USD (399 INR) if you have a ticket to an amusement park or water park, or 7.4 USD (499 INR) without a ticket. IN snow town you can ride a sled (more precisely, on a local analogue), climb through snowdrifts, watch the snow fall, build a snowman and just walk with sticks.

Routes to neighboring cities

Because Mumbai is the largest transport node countries to get to neighboring cities won't be difficult.

Food. What to try

The cuisine of the state of Maharashtra is quite diverse; Mumbai has its own signature dishes that tourists are unlikely to try in other cities and states of India. The main products are rice, vegetables, coconuts, milk and fruits. Mumbai cuisine is distinguished by an abundance of legumes and peanuts - roasted nuts are added to almost all dishes. Even food is cooked not in sunflower or soybean oil, but in peanut oil. Most dishes are vegetarian; on the coast you can find fish restaurants; in the north of the state, meat dishes are popular. Favorite type of meat is lamb. There are no problems with chicken anywhere.

Street food is very widely available. I was pleased with the cheap juices at every turn from 0.44 USD (30 INR), they also sell lassi (fermented milk drink), cane juice and milkshakes right on the street. Mumbaiites also love sandwiches. Moreover, they buy them not in cafes or stores, but right on the street: bought and eaten. If in most places they sell samosas (pies), then in Mumbai they sell closed sandwiches from small counters. There are many varieties, prices from 0.44 USD (30 INR) and above. All of them are filled with vegetable fillings, maximum cheese and butter. In a couple of minutes, they will prepare a sandwich for you, put it in a double-sided grill, and cut it into small squares. Instead of a fork, toothpicks are offered - as a result, there is a Mumbai-style canapé in front of you on the newspaper, you can eat even on the run. This is what an active and fast city means! What else can you try in Mumbai and only here?

Mid-level

Expensive

Lake View Cafe. Located in the Renaissance Hotel and has a beautiful view of the lake.
Masala Library. A restaurant with a creative touch, offering molecular cuisine.
Gadda da Vida. Mediterranean, Italian cuisine with sea views.
Pan Asian. There are sushi and rolls in Mumbai too!
Peshawri. Large selection of meat, kebabs, barbecue.

How to get there

From Russia to Mumbai you can only get by plane. Within the country, you can fly to Bombay by plane from many other cities in India, travel by train or by bus. Mumbai is the largest transport hub in the country, so getting there is not a problem.

By plane

Most major airport in the country is located in Mumbai and is called international Airport named after Chhatrapati Shivaji. The airport is located 30 km from the city center to the north. You can get there by following numerous signs. National Highway 8 leads from the city center to the airport. The airport has 2 terminals: domestic and international, each of which is divided into three more terminals. The area of the entire airport is almost 6 square kilometers. Therefore, if you have several flights in a row from different terminals, allow time to get from one to another.

Free air-conditioned buses run between the terminals, located 4 km apart, every 20 minutes. Passengers are allowed into the shuttle bus only if they have a ticket. If time is running out and you need to get to another terminal urgently, you can take a taxi. Inside the airport building you can take a pre-paid taxi (one that is paid in advance) for 4.4 USD (300 INR). If you go outside, local taxi drivers will ask for much more - from 15 USD (1000 INR), while they will assure you that free buses and there are no cheaper taxis.

Direct regular flight from Russia to Mumbai there is no (you can fly directly to India only by Aeroflot on the route – Delhi). Therefore, you will have to fly with transfers. However, the choice of flights is simply huge. You can choose a convenient docking to suit your taste. As always, try to purchase tickets to Mumbai several months in advance. During the sales season, you can find good options from 300 USD (20,000 rubles). It is convenient to fly to Mumbai from Moscow with the following airlines: Air Arabia, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates. The easiest way to find a connection is in Dubai, Sharjah, Doha,. In addition, these airlines are generous with sales.

Domestic flights within India are very inexpensive. Therefore, you can take a direct flight from Moscow and take a ticket to Mumbai. Airlines at your service: Air India, GoAir, IndiGo, Jet Airways, Jet Lite, Spice Jet. From the capital to Bombay, a direct flight costs about 80 USD (5500 INR) in both directions. Moreover, on domestic airlines there is no significant difference in purchasing round-trip tickets together or separately. The flight lasts about two hours. When using the services of Indian airlines, always check your email and phone messages in advance - flights are often postponed or cancelled, passengers are warned in advance using the contacts provided when purchasing a ticket. To be on the safe side, you can check the online scoreboard. You can find tickets from Mumbai at very attractive prices. Sometimes the cost of travel by plane and bus is approximately the same. The flight is only about one hour, the trip can cost 20 USD (1300 INR) one way.

You can view prices for air tickets for the dates you need.

Contact Information

Public transport and taxis

In the airport building itself (in any terminal) you can find companies offering rental cars and regular taxis. Taking a car without a driver doesn't make much sense, the traffic is crazy and driver services are very cheap in India. Taxis can be taken from the pre-paid counter or even booked in advance online on this website. Approximate prices: first kilometer 0.4 USD (7 INR), then 0.29 USD (20 INR) per 1 kilometer. A pre-paid taxi on the street near the airport will cost approximately 7.4 USD (500 INR) to the Colaba area. The nearest railway station is Vile Parle Railway Station, you can get there by buses 312 (departs from Terminal 1) and 321 (departs from Terminal 2), a ticket costs less than a dollar. There is also the Airport Road metro station nearby, which can also be reached by buses 321 and 308.

By bus

I traveled to Mumbai from Goa on a night sleeper bus, it is quite convenient and inexpensive. Travel time – from 12 hours. Tickets start from 9 USD (600 INR). The advantages of traveling by bus for me personally are the ability to buy a ticket at any time (for example, train tickets need to be purchased a month or earlier), low price and convenience.

Taxi. What features exist

Taxis in Mumbai make up a huge number of the total transport. Old black and yellow Fiats scurry around the city back and forth. Catching a taxi is as easy as shelling pears – wave your hand and someone will definitely stop. Most of the cars do not have air conditioning and the furnishings are quite old. As always, the indefatigable imagination of the drivers-decorators saves us: the interior of Mumbai taxis is unforgettable, you have to look for such a riot of colors. This alone is worth a taxi ride. Some cars are equipped with meters. When boarding, pay attention to it: the amount should not be large; they charge about $0.30 (20 rupees) for boarding. Sometimes it is easier to agree on the price right away, then you will know what to expect from the trip. At night, after midnight and before 5 am, the cost of the trip increases by 25%.

Simpler taxis are rickshaws or tuk-tuks, as they are called in Asia. It's a three wheeler vehicle, where the driver sits in front and up to three passengers in the back. Most rickshaws in Mumbai are also metered. A trip from Colaba to Victoria Station, for example, will cost 1.5 USD (100 INR).

Trains

The Mumbai metro is expected to be completed by 2021. In the meantime, local residents are content with a developed network of railways, which they use as electric trains. Railway transport has existed in Mumbai since 1853 and is still the most popular transport in the city. Electric trains come in 9, 12, and 15-car sizes. There are 3 main branches and 1 more is being finalized.

The Western Line runs along the entire coast in the west and consists of 36 stations (Dahanu Road - Churhgate), and it consists of two parallel railways - regular and express. On a regular line, trains stop at every station, on an express line - only at the most important ones.
There are 24 stations on the Central Line. From Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) to Kalyan there are two parallel lines - high-speed and slow, and on the sections from Kalyan to Kasara and Khopoli only high-speed.
The port line runs along the bay and crosses it through an underground channel. The railway starts from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus station, then it branches and ends at two stations: Panvel and Andheri. There are no express lines here.
The transport line does not go to South Mumbai, it connects Vashi and Thane stations.

All trains have first and second class carriages. The carriages are also divided into mixed and women's carriages (I highly advise foreign ladies to travel on these). Tickets for first class carriages are much more expensive, but there are also significantly fewer people there. Tickets can be purchased at any of the stations. You can take a one-way or round-trip ticket (valid for 24 hours). Tourists can buy a pass for 1, 3 or 5 days. Also, foreigners are not recommended to use electric trains during rush hour; the carriages are overcrowded at this time.

Buses

The most common public transport in the city is buses. There are a great many of them:

A regular bus with white numbers on a black background stops at all stops.
Limited buses with red numbers and the registration Ltd stop only at major stops.
Special buses with white numbers on a red background and the suffix Spl run only in the city center.
Express trains with red numbers on a yellow background and the affix Exp run between the center and the outskirts of the city.
Air-conditioned buses with black numbers on a yellow background and the letter A also run between the center and outskirts.
Buses labeled Port Ferry go to the port.

Tickets are purchased on the bus from the conductor, and the cost depends on the distance of the trip. average price– 0.29 USD (20 INR).

Mumbai - holidays with children

Let Mumbai not best city for a holiday with children, they will not get bored here. When planning a vacation with a child, try to take into account the weather in Mumbai - in April it starts to get hot and give way to rain. The best time for vacation is from November to February, children will be most comfortable. Also, when planning a trip to Mumbai, consider the area where you will live. You shouldn’t skimp on a hotel and stay in a cheap guesthouse.

Here are a few activities that are sure to please children of all ages:

Nehru Science Center and Planetarium. School-age children will be interested in getting to know scientific achievements, watch shows at the planetarium, and simply wander through galleries dedicated to history and discovery.
Hanging Gardens. In addition to lawns and flower beds where children can frolic, the park has a shoe house you can climb into, playgrounds and animal-shaped bushes.
Taraporewala Aquarium. The aquarium was recently restored, now it houses fish from all over the world, there is a glass tunnel with marine life and even a contact pool.
Water Kingdom water park. A good water park within the city. There are slides for adults and children.
Essel World Amusement Park. Located in the same place as the water park. You can visit both in a day. If you are tired of walking around the city and seeing the sights, come here.

Ski holiday

Friends, you often ask, so we remind you! 😉

Flights- You can compare prices from all airlines and agencies!

Hotels- don’t forget to check prices from booking sites! Don't overpay. This !

Rent a Car- also an aggregation of prices from all rental companies, all in one place, let's go!

Anything to add?

Mumbai is the most populous city in 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 coexist with slums - northern regions

cities that 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 ““However, modern research disproves 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 the city's residents and renowned institutions, and 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 hilly, with the city's highest point being 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 with drinking water. There are three rivers in Mumbai that originate in the national park. There are mangrove swamps within the city boundaries. Coastline 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. Especially a lot of precipitation fell 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. Large quantity men is explained by the influx into the city of the male population from rural areas. 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. In Mumbai, the spoken form of Hindi (a mixture of Hindi, Marathi and English) is used, but official language The language of the state 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. There are art galleries: gallery "Jehangir", 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. Many buildings in the spirit of English neoclassical and neo-Gothic, as well as imitations Indian architecture-XVIII centuries (Gateway to India, Prince of Wales Museum). The city has many buildings in European and American styles. In the old business quarter there is the Armenian Church of 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 agencies, banks, shops, university (), 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”. Along eastern shore the islands are lined with warehouses, docks, piers; 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 there is the Hanging Garden Park. 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 refinery, chemical, machine-building factories, TPP.

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 the lakes of the national park and 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), 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 of the English language. 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.

Updated 06/18/2019

Mumbai is an amazing Indian city. Previously, until 1995, the city was called Bombay, and although it changed its name and was renamed, the local population continues to call it that way. Even though Mumbai is not the capital of India, it is the most populated city in the country.

Mumbai is located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the capital of the state of Maharashta and is the largest Indian port, commercial and industrial centers countries .

The population of the city of Mumbai in 2011 was more than 3 million inhabitants.

If we talk about the origin of the city’s names, it is believed that the old name comes from the word that the Portuguese used to call this area (which translated meant “good bay”). And the name “Mumbai”, according to legend, comes from the name of the Hindu goddess Mumbadeva.

Attractions. What to see in Mumbai?

The city is an interesting combination of two cultures: European and Asian. When visiting Bombay, you should pay attention to Elephant Island, the Prince of Wales Museum and the buildings of the Supreme Court, University and Victoria Station (rather, it is even an architectural monument, and not just a station).

In general, a lot of conditions have been created here for tourists: a large number hotels, restaurants and all kinds of shops and local shops. The city is very popular among tourists thanks to beautiful places and recreational opportunities.

Pay attention to Chor Bazaar - interesting swap meet, where you can find a lot of original cheap gizmos. And there is also an area that is unusual for us, called Dhobi Ghat. There's a lot of washing going on there - you can see great amount baths in which women do their laundry every day (however, they don’t like tourists here, it’s better to watch from afar).

In Mumbai you can find exhibitions, cinemas, art galleries. It is noteworthy that there is a symphony orchestra there (the only one in India!). By the way, a building is currently under construction there, which should become the second tallest in the world - the India Tower, and the authorities plan to complete the construction by 2016.

Mumbai (until 1996 the city was called Bombay) is the economic and financial capital of India. The main bank of the country is located here - the Reserve Bank of India, the Bombay Stock Exchange, the headquarters of many large Indian companies (Tata Group, Reliance Industries Ltd., Mahindra and Mahindra), commercial banks, as well as representative offices of a large number of transnational corporations. Mumbai is a major hub for international transport routes. Having a deep natural harbour, it is the largest port in western India. Mumbai is the center of the entertainment industry: it is home to most of India's television and satellite networks, as well as India's dream factory, Bollywood.

Attractions

Elephanta Island.

One of the main attractions of Western India. small island, located in Bombay Bay (10 km from Mumbai), received its name from the stone figure of an elephant carved into the rock, which was transported to Bombay in 1864.

There is a temple on the island, built between 450 and 750 AD. AD, dedicated to the god of the Indian pantheon Shiva. A long, wide stone staircase (approximately 90 m) leads to the place where this temple is located, consisting of four caves. In the main cave there is a relief image (about 6 m high) of the trinity of Indian gods: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The vault is supported by 42 massive columns, and the side walls are decorated with relief images of scenes from the myths of Shiva. The entrance to the temple is guarded by eight figures of mythical guards carved from stone.

Of other sculptural compositions, the “Arddhanarisvar” (where one side of Shiva’s body is made as a man and the other as a woman), the wedding scene of Shiva and Parvati, the dance of Shiva shaking the world is of interest. Also worthy of attention is the sculpture of the demon Ravana, who is trying to destroy the abode of the gods, Mount Kailash.

Gateway of India.

Located at the end of the street named after. Shivaji (Maratha national hero). This massive arch, which was officially opened in 1924, is located on the waterfront of the Mumbai creek. Designed by J. Whittet, it was built in honor of the visit of King George V to India in 19110. and symbolized the inviolability of British rule. It is notable for the fact that in 1947 British troops passed through it as they left India after the country gained independence. Near the India Gate there is an equestrian statue of Shivaji, erected in 1960, as well as the Royal Bombay Yacht Club building, which was built in 1898 in the Gothic style.

Taj Mahal Hotel.

Located next to India Gate. The hotel building was built in 1903 by the famous industrialist J.N. Tata according to the design of W. Chambers. The hotel is also notable for being home to the first Russian diplomatic mission in India. Now this is one of the best five-star hotels in the city, where big number cultural and business events.

Museum named after Chattrapati Shivaji.

The museum, also known as the Prince of Wales Museum, was built to commemorate King George V's first visit to India in 1905, who laid the foundation stone for the museum. In 1923 it was opened to the public. The museum building is made in the Indo-Moorish style. The exhibition has three main sections: art, archeology and natural history. The collection is based on the holdings of the Royal Asiatic Society. Subsequently, the museum's collection was constantly replenished with works of art and historical valuables donated by representatives of India's financial and industrial elite. In particular, the Tata family made a great contribution to the development of the museum.

The ground floor gallery houses sculptures by local artists and a rich collection of Indian birds. On the second floor there are various objects of art, including paintings, dishes, weapons, etc. On the third floor there is a wonderful collection of Indian miniatures.

The entire exhibition occupies 18 halls on three floors and includes more than 6 thousand exhibits. Main halls: ancient and ancient history, Assyrian palace bas-reliefs, Indian sculpture, Indian bronze sculpture, Nepalese and Tibetan art, European painting, art of the peoples of the Far East.

Station named after Chhatrapati Shivaji.

Station named after Ch. Shivaji, previously known as the station named after. Queen Victoria, is considered one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings in the city. Finally built in 1888, it was originally designed by the English architect F. Stevens as the headquarters Railway company Hindustan. Listed as Worldwide cultural heritage UNESCO.

Bombay University.

The university, which is one of the oldest universities in India, was founded by the British in 1857 (at the same time as the Universities of Calcutta and Madras). Now it has 46 faculties, including the Russian language faculty, and unites 338 colleges. More than 380 thousand students study at the university and colleges.

One of the university buildings contains a large hall with a round stained glass window depicting the signs of the zodiac, as well as a university library with spiral steps and colorful galleries. The building is crowned by an 80-meter clock tower, reminiscent of London's Big Ben.

Jyotiba Mahatma Phule Market.

This is Mumbai's largest indoor food market. Better known as Crawford Market, it was built in 1869 with the participation of the father of the famous English writer R. Kipling. It is believed that Kipling the Elder is the author of the bas-reliefs on the market building. On the opposite side of the street, in the depths of the garden, the Kipling house, where the writer spent his childhood, has been preserved.

Mumbai Stock Exchange.

The modern high-rise exchange building, also known as the Bombay Stock Exchange, is located on Dalal Road. The exchange was founded in 1875 as the Stock Brokers Association and is the oldest exchange not only in India but also in Asia.

Flora's Fountain.

This fountain is located at the intersection of the most important streets in the southern part of the city on the site of the gates of the English fort that were previously located there. It was built in 1869 in honor of B. Frere, the Governor of Bombay.

Asiatic Society building.

This large white building with columns used to house the municipality. It was then given to the Asiatic Society and now houses an extensive library. Next to it is the building of the old mint, built in 1828, and not far from it is the old customs house (1720).

Afghan church.

The church was built in 1847 in memory of British military , who died during the Sindhi campaign of 1838 and the Afghan war of 1843.

Cathedral of St. Thomas.

Anglican Cathedral of St. Thomas at the intersection of the streets. The Nariman and Cowasjee Patel Veer is the oldest English building in Mumbai.

Marine Drive.

This crescent-shaped promenade stretches along the entire Back Bay and is considered one of best places for walks.

Chowpatty beach.

Located at the beginning of Marine Drive. This sandy beach is one of the favorite pastime places for city residents. He is also famous for witnessing a number of events in Indian history. Thus, during the struggle for independence, it was there that one of the largest anti-English protests began. In 1920, the prominent leader of the national liberation movement Bal Gangadhar Tilak was cremated here, and a monument to him was erected on the beach.

Taraporevala Aquarium.

Built in 1961, the aquarium is located on Marine Drive and has a rich collection of freshwater and oceanic fish and shells.

Malabar Hill.

Some parts of this hill in one of the most famous areas of the southern part of the city offer wonderful views of Mumbai. In addition, there are a number of attractions here, including the Hanging Gardens, famous for their collection of plants. Next to them, covered with dense foliage of trees, are the so-called. towers of silence, where Parsis (immigrants from Persia, followers of Zoroastrianism) used to bury their dead. According to their religion, water, fire and earth are sacred and cannot be desecrated by the bodies of the dead, therefore it is customary among the Parsis to give corpses to be eaten by vultures, placing them on the tops of these towers. On the same street as the Hanging Gardens, one of the best parks in the city, built in 1952, is located - the park named after. Kamala Nehru. In the southern part of the hill is the Raj Bhavan, the residence of the Governor of Maharashtra.

Mahalakshmi Temple.

Located in the prestigious Breach Candy area, located at the foot of Malabar Hill, this famous temple is dedicated to the Hindu goddess of prosperity, Mahalakshmi.

Mausoleum of Hadji Ali.

Built a few tens of meters from the shore on the site of the death of a Muslim saint named Haji Ali, in whose honor it was erected. It is connected to the shore by a long passage, which sometimes goes under water at high tide.

Siddhivinayaka Temple.

One of the main Hindu temples in Mumbai is located in the Prabha Devi area. Dedicated to the god of the Hindu pantheon, Ganesha, whose statue, made of black stone, is located inside.

Mani bhavan.

In this house, located near August Kranti Square, from 1917 to 1934. M. Gandhi's headquarters was located in Bombay, where in 1931 and 1934. Important meetings of the working committee of the Indian National Congress took place. It was here that on January 4, 1932, M. Gandhi was arrested by the British authorities.

The library located on the ground floor of the museum contains more than 30 thousand volumes of M. Gandhi's works, books about his life, as well as studies on the philosophy of Gandhism by Indian and foreign authors. On the second floor there is an auditorium where visitors can watch films about M. Gandhi or listen to recordings of his speeches. The room on the third floor gives museum guests a complete picture of the conditions in which M. Gandhi lived and worked; its furnishings and furniture are as close as possible to the original ones. The museum also has an exhibition of sculptures by M. Gandhi and a small art gallery with a rich collection of photographs, letters, articles and documents, including manuscripts of M. Gandhi and his associates.

Kanheri Caves.

Kanheri Caves are located 45 km from the historical center of Mumbai, in one of the most attractive places National Park them. S. Gandhi. These are 109 caves of various sizes, carved out of stone during the period from the 1st century. BC e. to the 9th century n. e. From the point of view of the development of Buddhist culture, the history of the creation of caves can be divided into three stages: the first stage covers the end of the 1st-2nd centuries. BC, second – IV-V centuries. AD and the third stage – IV-IX centuries. AD In their design, the Kanheri caves reflect two directions of Buddhism - “Hinayana” and “Mahayana”.

The caves were used by Buddhist monks for housing, study and as places for prayer and meditation. High architectural level cave temples gives visitors a clear idea of the existence at Kanheri of a highly organized settlement of Buddhist monks who had well-developed connections with many of the major trading centers of India. In the mid-70s, Indian scientists discovered evidence that the Kanheri cave monastery was a major center of learning.

The most interesting is cave No. 3, the largest in size and original in design, attracting attention with its high colonnade and architectural style.

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

But visiting the country is easier than ever. And then everything that was known only from movie stills will be in walking distance. Before traveling, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the information, features, customs and morals. In this case, the trip will take place without unexpected surprises.

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

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

The capital of an Indian state is connected to populated areas by rail and highways. You can get there not only by air, but also by other means. That is why it is called the “gateway” of the country.

Geographical location

Situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea, it stretches along the coast for about 150 km. Some are located on the islands of Solsett and Bombay.

Built 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 experiences wet and dry seasons.

The rains begin in March and continue until October. It's humid and hot here. The peak of the rainy season is from July to September. It seems that the downpours will flood the streets. But this doesn't happen. The air warms up to +30 degrees and above.

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

Many people think that this is best time for visiting. The weather does not interfere with sightseeing and long walks.

Story

Archaeological finds prove that the settlement existed as early as the 2nd century BC. e. It is believed that at that time it occupied 7 islands. Tourists travel to Elephant Island to personally examine the remains of that era. stone caves and ruins of religious buildings.

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

In the mid-17th century, the area on which Bombay was located was given as a dowry to the English king. He, in turn, transferred the islands to a trading company. Since then, the harbor began to be used for trade 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 found the location of the policy on the islands inconvenient. Work has begun to unite the islands into one point. Was laid railway track. This was a necessity - there was a cotton factory in Bombay, and cotton had to be exported from the country.

By the beginning of the 20th century, Bombay had become a major city with a population of one million. Communication routes and 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 and economic capital of India.

The most populous metropolis in India, but also the most major port in the west of the country. The population increased by as much as 50,000 in 15 years. This happened in the mid-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 awarded the city with honorary awards for the preservation of historical and cultural sites.

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.

Number

The population is increasing from year to year. According to the latest data, more than 17 million live here. It 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

The official language is Marathi, but the majority of the population speaks Hindi. Residents also use English language, almost all residents know him.

Take an English phrasebook with you when traveling, then you won’t have any problems with communication.

National composition

The main part are Indians. But since the population is constantly growing, you can meet people of the most unexpected nationalities. In addition, people get married, give birth to children, and sometimes they themselves cannot answer what their nationality is.

Religion

More than half of the residents profess Hinduism. But with the arrival of the Portuguese, Christianity spread. So you will also be able to meet Catholics. In addition, followers of Buddhism, Judaism and Islam live and the oldest mosque is located.

Economy

The largest economic center. Locality is important for the entire country. This policy alone annually contributes more than 30% of income to the state treasury.

Well developed industrial industry. Oil is being processed and diamond and gold deposits are being developed. A nuclear power plant has been equipped. Financial institutions are concentrated, including the Reserve Bank of India.

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

It is clearly visible how the poor strata of the population 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: Suburb and City. They are also part of the state as separate units.

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

Social and cultural life

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

This is a metropolis that hosts festivals and celebrations of ethnic origin. All nationalities participate in them and treat them with respect cultural traditions another nation.

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

The public library was founded at the beginning of the 19th century. This is one of the oldest establishments cultural capital. It stores not only books and periodicals of past years, but also manuscripts of historical value.

Private and public schools are open. The poor sections of the population study in public educational institutions. The authorities are monitoring this. Children are required to attend classes and child labor is not encouraged.

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

Sights and architecture

The architecture is mainly represented by buildings of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. At this time, the British dominated, and they built the policy. Two styles predominate: neo-Gothic and neoclassical. They were characteristic of England. There are buildings built in purely Indian traditions of the 16th-18th centuries.

The center is an English fort, around which Bombay was formed. This is a spacious, green area. Government offices, banks, shops, offices, and educational institutions are located in the Fort. The main attractions are concentrated in the Old Fort.

The areas following the Fort are densely built-up streets. Poor people 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 and 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 come to take a look at the process. There is also a cheerful, festive atmosphere here. Family events are celebrated with neighbors, singing and dancing. You can get to one of these holidays while walking.

Bollywood

Cinema is a favorite entertainment and spectacle. Bombay was famous for its films, and Mumbai has the same reputation.

The first film was released back in 1986; Polis 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 surround them during the action.

In 2011, Bollywood was opened to the public. This immediately increased the influx of travelers. Many people strive to come here and see how the filming of their favorite childhood films takes place. Viewers can even participate in the filming.

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

Traditional cuisine

No one will remain hungry. There are points everywhere Catering, food vendors walk right down the street. The best restaurants are located in the Old Fort.

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

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

A lot of different fruits. Bananas and juices are sold very cheaply at every step.

From local dishes be sure to try:

crispy masala papad;
bhelpuri (fried porridge of rice, noodles, corn with spices);
chicken with curry sauce;
pani puri (rice and potato baked goods).
Vegetarians will certainly appreciate the special sandwich – vada pav.

Shopping

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

ChorBazaar;
ZaveriBazaar;

On Elephant Island there are shops selling cheap souvenirs. There are also shops open in all areas.

Among the shopping centers there are:

Central Cottage Industries Emporium;

Products of all types are offered at affordable prices. Feedback from tourists suggests that you should bargain. We manage to reduce the price by almost half. It is recommended to go shopping in the morning. There is a discount for first buyers. In addition, goods are not always cheaper on the market. Before buying, find out how much the item costs in the store.

Entertainment

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

Lovers active rest go to Shivaji Park. Bicycles, roller skates, and scooters are available for rental. Picnic areas are provided. There is a famous aquarium nearby. Here you can swim with seals and dolphins.

For lovers beach holiday you need to visit the coast. Tourists are offered a parachute flight, rental of water equipment, or just swimming.

For new knowledge, head 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 area. Clubs and dance floors are open until the morning. Some nightlife establishments offer visitors to while away the evening playing roulette.

Transport

There is an excellent metro here. I'll like it Russian tourists, since the local metro is similar to the Moscow one. Lines are laid throughout the policy, and stops are equipped near the main attractions.

You can also use taxi and rickshaw services. Prices are moderate and depend on where the passenger needs to go.

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

The ferry also works. You can swim to some of the sights. For example, to Elephant Island.

Best time to visit

To decide when to visit, think about why you are going there. Long walks to places of interest are best taken from late autumn to early spring. Then the heat will come, you won’t be able to walk on the asphalt streets for a long time. But this is an excellent option for visiting museum sites and beaches.

During the rainy season, the humidity is high, it is stuffy, and it rains. If you don’t 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 explore historical monuments and enjoy the national beauties.

Vacation prices

This direction has recently become very popular. Exotic, vibrant, with unique traditions and rich culture attracts more and more tourists. Despite its popularity, the holiday will become budget-friendly if you take into account some features when traveling.

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