07/01/2014

Today let me bring you some info on Mumbai....Amchi Mumbai :)

Mumbai is noise, a constant chatter. It’s a fusion of the most varied flavours not necessarily palatable; an enigma often sighed upon or at times spoken off in awe. Whatever your impression of this megacity is, a fact that cannot be denied is that Mumbai is a blast!
In Mumbai, you may have a hard time locating the quintessential tourist spots unlike Delhi with its large cache of grand Mughal monuments but the fact is that this city has always worked on a beat rather different from the rest of the country.  So, in the true Mumbaikar spirit here’s a list of ‘things to do’ while you’re in Mumbai and trust me you’ll come back for more.

1) Sunrise / Sunset at the seafront
Mumbai derives its character from the great sea shores that offer instant relief from the daily grinds of city life. Some of the most popular beaches / seafronts in Mumbai are located at Juhu, Girgaum and Bandra. The Juhu and Girgaum beaches are popularly known as ‘Chowpatty’ and the sea front to go for while in Bandra is the Bandra Bandstand where you’ll find hordes of crazy fans waiting outside Shahrukh Khan’s as well as Salman Khan’s residence. The Juhu and Girgaum chowpattys are fun places to visit in the evenings where the environment is akin to that of a carnival especially on weekends. The favourite thing to do here is to binge on the famous ‘chowpatty bhelpuris’. On the other hand the Bandra Bandstand is a quieter place fit for an evening stroll and settling down for a cup of coffee by the sea.

My pick: Go for a morning jog at the beaches. The combination of clean air with pristine beaches and hardly any crowd is stuff right out of the picture postcards. There is an ISKON temple a few minutes away from Juhu beach. I’d suggest you attend the morning aarti there if you happen to be by the beach. It’s a blissful setting with devotees singing praises of Krishna with drums and guitars et al. More than a religious experience, it’s a spiritual one!
At Bandstand, walk further towards the end of the road (Taj Land’s End) towards the Bandra fort garden. Ignore the ‘coochie cooing‘ couples and head for the top for the most spectacular view of the Bandra-Worli Sealink!
Nearest local stations: Vile Parle station for Juhu beach; Marine Lines station for Girgaum Chowpatty and Bandra station for Bandra Bandstand.

2) Sunset at Haji Ali: Haji Ali is a famous dargah that houses the tomb of Sayed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. This 15th century structure is built on a tiny island connected right off the coast of Worli in Mumbai. Sitting on the rocks behind the dargah in the evenings with the sea waves splashing on them is a favourite pastime for many. It’s actually a culmination of a thousand emotions if you were to ask me. A view of the city form a distance with the waves splashing and the sweet rhythms of the qawali singers – all conspire to serenade you into an endless chain of thoughts and emotions. After spending those few well deserved moments at the dargah, you can visit the Heera-Panna shopping complex right across the road which is famous for cheap imported electronic goods following which you can end your day with a scrumptious meal at Cafe Noorani famous Mughlai cuisine. The Reshmi Tikka Biryani is a must try here.

Best time to visit the dargah is between 5 & 6:30 pm or am. Weekends at the dargah are more crowded than weekdays. Get down at the Mahalakshmi station and hop onto a cab for Haji Ali.

3) The ferry ride to Elephanta: A ferry ride on the Arabian Sea is a must especially for those who haven’t experienced deep waters. The sight of no land around you while you’re standing on the deck of a wobbly boat is quite an adventure in itself. The Elephanta Island is famous for the Elephanta Caves, a designated world heritage site. A deluxe ferry ticket costs Rs. 150/head for Adult & Rs. 90/head for kids. Some ferry operators also charge an additional 10 bucks or so if you wish to climb on the deck to soak in the view.  It’s totally worth it!

Colaba, the area around the Gateway of India, is a great place to hangout at anytime of the day. So after you’re back from the ferry ride and still in a mood to explore, there are a lot of thing you can do here. From unwinding over a cup of latte at Starbucks behind the Taj hotel to feasting on some great sizzlers at theAlps restaurant. The fact that Leopold’s, Mondegar and Bade Miyaan are also in the vicinity also helps your cause a lot.

Note: The first ferry to Elephanta leaves from the Gateway of India leaves after 9 am and the last ferry from Elephanta leaves at 5:30 pm. There are no facilities for an overnight stay on the Elephanta Island. You can take a cab from either Churchgate or CST station to reach the Gateway of India. Please note: The ferries do not operate in the monsoon season.

4) Getting silly drunk at Leopold’s, Mondegar, Janta and Totos:  These places that I’ve mentioned are some of the most popular and iconic city institutions. Depending on the area you’re in, you can hop into any of these pubs and binge on endless beer pitchers that have for so long been etched in the memories of generations of city dwellers and tourists alike. While Leopold’s and Mondegar are neighbours and are located in Colaba Causeway, Janta and Totos are based out of the Pali Hill area in Bandra. Janta is particularly a cheap no frills joint meant for large groups while Leopold’s is the most expensive of the lot. It was here at Leopold’s that terrorists opened fire at beer guzzlers during the 26/11 attacks. The bullet holes from the fated attacks have been preserved by the owners.

5) A walking tour of Fort: The old heritage buildings of Mumbai are some of the most charming structures built on Indian soil. Most of these buildings have pages of history attached to them. Like theBombay House that has been the head office of the Tata Group since 1924. It is among these lanes that you’ll find the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) which was once India’s tallest tower. These quaint lanes dotted with famous Irani restaurants and cafes and add further to the charms of an area that has historically had the highest density of millionaires in the country! Historical buildings such as theChhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) that was formerly called the Victoria Terminus (VT) and theAsiatic Society Library draw a considerable number of tourists towards their fold.

And next time I'll get back with more...

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