Mumbai City Guide
Mumbai , largest city of India after Delhi is also the commercial capital of India. Mumbai is also an attractive city for the tourists with its temples , historical buildings and exotic life style.
Best time to visit :
Mumbai has a tropical climate. April and May weather is very hot ( over 35 degrees Celsius ) and humid . June - October monsoon season with humid and relatevly lower temperature. Winters temperatures is around 28 degrees.
Popular places
Historical Buildings:
- South Mumbai
- Gateway of India : Designed by George Wittet to commemorate George V and Queen Mary's visit to India in 1911. It is located along the waterfront, the Gateway of India is a large monument opened in 1924.
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus : ( Victoria Terminus ) . The station building is designed as a fusion of the High Victorian Gothic style of architecture and traditional Indian architecture. It is used as a disembarking station for Central Railway local trains and long-distance trains.
- Haji Ali Dargah ( Mosque ) : is both a mosque and a tomb located in south-western Mumbai, on an islet off the coast of Worli. It is constructed in 1431 in memory of a wealthy Muslim merchant, Sayyed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari.
- Mani bhavan : The former home of Mahatma Gandhi,between 1917 and 1934: a 3 storied Gujarati-style house featuring a rich library, books, periodicals, photographs related to Gandhi.
- Babulnath Temple :The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is Close to the beach , in the heart of south Mumbai at about 1000 feet above the sea Level.
- Mahalaxmi Temple : The temple is dedicated to Mahalaxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
- Mumbadevi Hindu Temple : The temple is at Bhuleshwar. It is visited by the newly married Hindu couples
- Walkeshwar Temple : Temple dedicated to the Hindu god, Shiva.
- St. Thomas Cathedral : Built in 19th century. the building is the first Anglican church in Mumbai.
- Rajabai Clock Tower : A tower which was built in a fusion of Venetian and Gothic styles.(1878) . It is located at the premises of Mumbai University.
- Flora Fountain : built to the honor of Sir Bartle Frere, next to another monument that honors the soldiers who died protecting the state, leading to the square being renamed Hutatma Chowk .
- Central Mumbai
- Shree Siddhivinayak Temple: is a shrine to the Lord Ganesha (the elephant headed god , the destroyer of obstacles).
- Mount Mary's Basilica : a Roman Catholic Basilica built on 1640 on a small hill which overlooks the Arabian Sea
- Don Bosco Church and School:
- Sitladevi Temple in Mahim
- Mazagaon Fort Built in 1680 and was razed in June 1690. The fort in Joseph Baptista Gardens,
- Sewri Fort Built in 1680, fort served as a watch tower on the hill which overlooks the Mumbai harbour.
- Sion Hillock Fort The ruins of the fort which was built in 1677 by the British Governor of Bombay
- Lord Ram temple in Wadala founded in 15th-century.
- St. Michael's Church built in the early 16th century is the oldest catholic church in Mumbai.
- North West Mumbai
- The Madh Fort: Located near Aksa Beach was built by the Portuguese and used as a watchtower in the 17th century.
- Northern Mumbai
- Kanheri Caves: Complex of Buddhist temples cut out of the rock.
- Vasai or Bassein Fort : Ruins of the Portuguese fort. Watch-towers and the facade of the chapels can still be recognisable.
Attractions :
- South Mumbai
- Taraporewala Aquarium : Exotic collection of marine and fresh water life.
- Elephanta Caves Rockcut dwelling 533-566 AD named as Elephanta by the Portuguese, because of the large stone elephant on its shore. It is located on the Elephanta Island ,11 kilometres from Mumbai. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
- CST Heritage Gallery : It is about the history of Indian railways: Trains , engines , miniature models, photos.
- Central Mumbai
- Nehru Planetarium: Large domed building designed by J.M. Kadri, in the heart of south Mumbai at about 1000 feet above the sea level.
- Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat: Open air laundry. Dirty laundry from all over Mumbai were washed by the washermen.
- Bollywood: Largest film producer in India based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. Its name is derived from Bombay (the former name for Mumbai) and Hollywood. These studios are located away from city life, in the vicinity of Aarey Colony in Goregaon.It is only open for admission with prior permission.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
( formerly The Prince of Wales Museum )
photo :https://www.csmvs.in
Museums :
- South Mumbai
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly The Prince of Wales Museum) : This Indo-Saracenic style building was founded in 1914 to commemorate the visit of (eventual King of the United Kingdom) George V. It was designed by George Wittet and it houses a priceless collection of art, sculpture and miniature painting, tuffed animals .
- Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) : Collections of beetles and butterflies. Embalmed reptiles, birds, and animal pelts.
- Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum : (Victoria and Albert Museum) with Archaeological finds , 6,000 artifacts and 4,000 books . It is surrounded with Botanical Gardens established in 1855. There is also Mumbai's zoo in this complex.
- Central Mumbai
- Nehru Science Centre: This science museum is India's largest interactive science center.
- Bombay Electric Supply and Transport Museum (BEST ): Trams, old photos, tickets and logos of buses, models for children
Parks :
- South Mumbai
- Sanjay Gandhi National Park: Funny activities, tours in the caves , safari tours to visit the leopards and the lions.
- Hanging gardens : Terraced garden with spectacular view of Mumbai
- Central Mumbai
- Shivaji Park : Created in 1925. This is the largest park in Mumbai.
- Former Joseph Baptista Garden and Reservoir : Created in 1880 . Ppopular with its panoramic view of the Mumbai harbour. Under the gardens a water reservoir is constracted.
- Western Mumbai
- Bandra's Carter Road promenade : A kilometre-long walkway along the sea on the west side of Bandra.
- Eastern Mumbai
- Chintaman Dwarakanath Deshmukh Garden:
- Northern Mumbai
Events & Festivals
January:
Banganga Festival :Music festival
Sankranti : Harvest festival
Mumbai International Film Festival
February:
Elephanta Festival the festival of music and dance at Elephanta Caves
Kala Ghoda Festival : Cultural festival . It is an exhibition of a world of arts in the fields of music, dance, theatre, and films
March:
Maha Shivaratri : Great Night Celebration
April:
Gudi Padwa Festival :Hindu New Year,
August - September:
Ganesh Chaturthi : The Major Festival of Mumbai
Coconut Festival : Celebrated by fishermen community who offersJanmashtami :birth of Lord Krishna coconuts to God of Rain
Janmashtami :Birth Anniversary of Lord Krishna.
Eid: Islamic festival
October:
Diwali : This festival of lights is a symbol of victory over the spiritual darkness.
Navratri
December:
Christmas
Beaches
- Northern Mumbai
- Gorai Beach : Wide diversity of plant and animals can be seen in this park.
- Marve Beach :
- Southern Mumbai
- Marine Drive Chowpatty beach : City's most famous beach
- Western Mumbai
- Juhu beach :
Airport:
Nearest Airport: Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport
Hotels & Restaurants:
Use our Place Explorer page to find the Hotels , restaurants and car rental services.
Mumbai Map
Get Weather of Mumbai with 5-day forecast .
photos from 
Sanjay Gandhi National Park