Exploring the lesser-known Heritage and Culture of Mumbai
Overlooking the beautiful blue Arabian Sea lies the city of Mumbai. The city of the dream was a cluster of seven islands that eventually formed Bombay and now Mumbai. It is one of the biggest and popular cities in the country. From beaches to bazaars to fancy restaurants, the city is filled with attractions. As Mumbai was under the rule of the British, their influence on the architecture of the city is quite evident. The heart of the city is filled with beautiful colonial buildings. There are several places in the city that will leave you mesmerized, from which let's take a look at the lesser-known places.
Here are Some lesser-known Places in Mumbai
Gilbert Hill
In the midst of Andheri, a suburban region of Mumbai, lies the heritage structure of Gilbert Hill. It is a 61 meters long monolith column of black basalt rock. About 66 million years old, the column was formed out of molten lava. Only 3 such hills are naturally formed in the whole world, out of which two are in the USA. It is now a National Park, since 1952. Atop the rock hill, there are temples of Gaondevi and Durga Mata which can be accessed by a steep staircase. The Hill offers a panoramic view of Mumbai suburbs and is situated within a 10 minutes walking distance from Andheri station.
Khotachi Wadi
Khotachi Wadi is a heritage village, since the late 18th century, in Girgaon. Houses here, resemble the old Portuguese-style architecture. Pathar Prabhu was the founder of the wadi who used to sell land to East Indian families. The wood houses here have a large open verandah and a back Courtyard with an external staircase. Just behind the buzz and light of Chaupati beach, Girgaon has its historical neighborhood, Khotachi wadi.Art Deco
The Victorian and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai is a group of buildings in the Fort vicinity of Mumbai. The buildings are of the 19th and 20th centuries and depict the remarkable Victorian neo-Gothic and Art Deco architecture. The buildings are set around Oval Maidan and were declared as a World Heritage Site in 2019. Some of the popular buildings around here are Rajabai Clock Tower and Mumbai High Court. One should definitely take a stroll along with the buildings, appreciating the heritage of the city. Baan Ganga Festival
Baan Ganga Festival is a two-day music festival that takes place in the area of Malabar Hill in Mumbai. It is held annually in the month of January, where people witness the classical music concert which is a tribute to Lord Ram. The festival was first held in 1992, to preserve the cultural heritage of the country. According to the legend, when Lord Ram was on his way to Lanka, stopped at Malabar Hill. Upon feeling thirsty, he could not find a source of freshwater. Lord Ram then shot his arrow (Baan) to the ground, and water from the holy Ganga sprung. Hence it is known as Baan Ganga Tank.
Colaba Causeway
Colaba causeway is the major causeway commercial Street in South Bombay. Is known as Mumbai's cultural square. The architecture of the area remindful of old Mumbai surrounded by the buildings of Regal Cinema, CSMVS museum. The Causeway is a paradise for shoppers. There are high-end retail stores, small shops, and also pavement outlets. From electronics to cosmetics to home decor items, one can find everything here. Although the shops are opened in the afternoon, the best time to visit the causeway is in the evening.
Food Joints you should not miss:
Cafe
Causeway is also home to Mumbai's most popular and old Irani cafes, Cafe Mondegar and Cafe Leopold. They are not only popular for their food but also for their interior and murals painted inside the cafe. Don’t forget to relish Mondy’s club sandwich and cold coffee from Café Mondegar, and walnut pie from Cafe Leopold. So, if you are in Colaba, you sure should visit the cafe.
Ashok Vada Pav
We can't talk about Mumbai and food without mentioning ' Vada Pav'. One can find hundreds of vada pav stalls in Mumbai, but one of the most authentic ones is found in Dadar, which was the birthplace of the snack. Ashok vada pav, located near Kirti College, Dadar has the most delicious vada pav in town. The tasty vada combined with red and green chutney, green chilies, and dry chutney with pav is something no one can refuse. Narayan Dosa
One of the food, that Mumbai has mastered is the fusion dosas. More than 40 years old, Narayan Dosas, near the Central Plaza Theatre, has a wide range of fusion dosas. From butter Sada dosa to palak masala dosa, they have it all. My personal favorite is paneer chilly dosa. If you like Chinese and are a fan of fusion food, this one is a must-try. Best Time to visit Mumbai:
Visiting Mumbai in summers can be difficult as the temperature rises up to 40 degrees. The ideal time to visit Mumbai is during winter. The pleasant weather is perfect for sightseeing and outdoor activities.How to reach Mumbai:
Mumbai being a tier 1 city, is well connected by rail, road, and air.
By rail: The most convenient way to reach Mumbai is by train. All major cities of India have direct trains to Mumbai. Trains departing from North arrive at Mumbai Central station, and Trains departing from South, East, West, and Central arrive at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.
By road: Mumbai is connected with National Highways and expressways. Government and private buses are operated daily to the city.
By Air: Mumbai has direct flights from all the major places in the world as well as from rest of the India. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and Santa Cruz Domestic airport are the two airports that serve the city.