About Mumbai Commonly known as ‘Bombay’ until 1996, Mumbai is the commercial capital of India. Its original name "Bombay" emerged from the Portugal term "Bom Bahai" meaning good bay or harbour. The city was formed by the reclamation of 7 islands on the central-western coast along the Arabian Sea. Mumbai lies 1400 km west of the Indian capital, New Delhi. It is also known as Manchester of India. Mumbai boomed into a textile city in the 19th Century. With the opening up of the Suez Canal in 1869 the city's future as India's primary port, was assured. Now it is the second biggest city in the world. The glamour of a prolific film industry, cricket on the open areas on weekends, bhel puri (Indian snack) on the Chowpatty beach and red double-decker buses symbolizes the sprit of the city. The Taj hotels in Mumbai include The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Taj Lands End, Taj President and Taj Wellington Mews Luxury Residences. All the 4 Taj hotels in Mumbai offer the best in luxury and comfort besides being equipped with state-of-the-art conference facilities for conferences and seminars. The Taj Wellington Mews Luxury Residences situated in south Mumbai consists of beautifully designed service apartments. These luxury service apartments in Mumbai offer world class amenities. The premises also include a spa, gym and swimming pool. Location & Attractions Kala Ghoda Art District This is a magical place, for those who are willing to look through the dust and grime, to discover a world of architectural treasures that are now, being painstakingly brought into their own. The Kala Ghoda Art District, covering roughly 2 square kilometers, drew its name from a huge statue of King Edward VIII astride a black horse (Kala Ghoda in Hindi) that once graced the centre of the main thoroughfare. Beginning from the Regal Cinema (behind the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai), this hub of culture is home to a heady mix of quaint restaurants, museums, educational institutions, cultural organisations, theatres and art galleries like Jehangir Art Gallery, Gallery of Modern Arts and the Bodhi Art Gallery, making it comparable to many international art districts. It is also the venue of a two-week annual festival (February) that transforms it into a cultural wonderland -The Kala Ghoda Festival. Poetry reading sessions creative workshops, dance performances and workshops, International films on urban life and a retrospective of Franz Osten’s films, art exhibitions, music performances, various types of cuisine, street plays, open-air performances, outdoor exhibitions all create a intriguing experience. Victoria Terminus One of the city's oldest and largest historical edifice, this terminus station of Central Railway was designed by Frederick William Stevens for the princely sum of 16.14 lakh rupees, the station is graced with an elaborate Victorian Gothic design and bears some resemblance to St Pancras station in London. The first train to steam out of this station, abbreviated as VT, to Thane was in 1853. Gateway of India A ceremonial arch built in 1927 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary is located in the southernmost peninsula of the city. Constructed in honey-coloured basalt, the design of the gateway was inspired by 16th century Gujarati Architecture. The changing light of the rising and setting sun bathes this imposing arch with various hues of gold, russet and pink. The Gateway holds historical significance as the last of the British troops leaving Independent India by sea, marched through its portals. Prince of Wales Museum The Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, was founded in the early years of the 20th century by some prominent citizens of Bombay with the help of the government, to commemorate the visit of the Prince of Wales It is located in the heart of South Mumbai near the Gateway of India. The museum houses rare and ancient exhibits of Indian history as well as objet d'art, from foreign lands. It has also Indus Valley Civilization artefacts, relics from ancient India from the time of the Guptas and examples of Mauryan art. Jehangir Art Gallery The Jehangir Art Gallery is Mumbai (India)’s most famous art gallery and a tourist attraction. It was founded by Sir Cowasji Jehangir at the urging of K. K. Hebbar and Homi Bhabha. It was built in 1952. The gallery displays changing exhibits by well known Indian artists It also houses natesans, the country's oldest licensed antique dealers. Entry is free. National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) This was established in 1954 by the Government of India, with a gallery in New Delhi. Its collection of more than 14,000 works includes artists such as Thomas Daniell, Abanindranath Tagore, Rabindranath Tagore, Gaganendranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose, Jamini Roy, Amrita Sher-Gil as well as foreign artists. This art gallery is one for the art aficionados. Marine Drive This sweeping Queen's Necklace, glistening like a string of pearls with a thousand lights at night turns into the main thoroughfare linking Malabar Hill and the northern parts of the island to the southernmost points of Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Nariman Point and Fort. Flora Fountain It stands at a busy five-point intersection in the heart of the commercial Fort area. The beautifully sculptured fountain depicts the Roman goddess Flora was erected in the memory of the Governor, Sir Henry Bartle Edward Frere, as a tribute to the contribution he made to the city. Chowpatty Beach This stretch of beach is well known by locals and tourists alike as a great place to indulge your taste buds in the evenings. A 'food-plaza' of stalls offering a range of snacks like 'bhel-puri', 'chaat', 'kulfi' and fresh coconut water! Chowpatty, situated at the northern end of Marine Drive, is a great place to witness the annual Ganesh Chaturthi Festival in August/September when large idols of the elephant-headed god are immersed in the murky sea. As a part of the city's cleanliness and beautification drive, Chowpatty is also being given a face-lift. Malabar Hill On the northern promontory of Back Bay is the up market residential area of Malabar Hill, favoured for its cool breezes and fine views over Back Bay. The formal Hanging Gardens, known as Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens, on top of the hill, Kamala Nehru Park and the Banganga temple complex at Walkeshwar are important tourist stop overs. Elephanta Island Rock-cut temples on this peaceful Island, 10 km northeast of the Gateway of India, are Mumbai's major tourist attractions. Believed to have been carved between 450 A.D. and 750 A.D, the temples are still worth a visit. The main cave contains large sculpted panels relating to Siva, including the astonishing 6 meters high triple-headed Trimurti - in which Siva embodies the roles of creator, preserver and destroyer. Juhu Beach Situated 30 km from the city, Juhu is a crowded beach with residential apartments and bungalows surrounding it. It seems as if the entire population of the area descends on the beach for a breath of fresh air! The central part has food stalls again, similar to Chowpatty. And a lot more, in terms of fun-rides for children. Kalbadevi A visit to Mumbai is incomplete without a foray into the bazaars of Kalbadevi, north of Crawford Market. The narrow lanes of this predominantly Muslim area are hemmed in by laundry-draped tenements, and a seething mass of people that bring Mumbai's traffic to a standstill. Crowford Market For a true city experience venture into the bustling allies of Crowford market. This market is situated opposite the Mumbai Police headquarters, just north of Victoria Terminus. The market houses a wholesale fruit, vegetable and poultry market, pet store, imported articles such as foods, cosmetics, and household and gift item stores. Fashion Street One of the famous shopping boulevards Fashion Street is a cluster of about 130 to 140 clothing shoe and jewelry shops on MG Road in South Mumbai, India. It is a very popular area with college students, teenagers and locals. Fashion Street is little known to those outside of Mumbai. One can get the best deals on a verity of items. This place is A bargain shopper’s paradise. Colaba Causeway Colaba Causeway is situated in the Southern part of Mumbai behind the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower. Formerly known as Old Woman’s island, Colaba Causeway was built in the 1838 and the two islands were joined to become Mumbai. The area includes National Gallery of Modern Arts (NGMA), Regal Cinema, Khushrow Baug and Gateway of India and Sasson Dock. This culture zone of Mumbai is very famous amongst locals and tourists for its restaurants, bars, clubs and shopping places. A vibrant shopping boulevard all with stalls and small shops display the latest fashionable charms and accessories, trendy textiles and fabrics, semi-precious stones made from wooden, glass or porcelain pellet, ceramic doorknobs, bangles, nautical sextants, compasses, miniature telescopes, antique watches, colored glass lanterns, ethnic artefices and hookahs make for an enthralling experience. NCPA The art and cultural enthusiast must visit the National Centre for the Performing Arts. It hosts multifaceted social and cultural events of all kinds- including plays, concerts, films, readings, exhibits, dance performances, seminars, workshops, conferences and many more programs. Mumba Devi Temple Mumba Devi Temple, is an old Hindu temple in the city of Mumbai (formerly Bombay) dedicated to the goddess Mumba, the local incarnation of the Devi (Mother Goddess). Marathi Mumba derives from Sanskrit Maha-Amba "Great Mother" Mumbadevi are attested to as far back as the 15th century, it is said that the temple was built in 1675 near the main landing site of the former Bori Bunder creek against the north wall of the English Fort Saint George by a Hindu woman also named Mumba. Located in Bhuleshwar area in South Mumbai, the temple is in the heart of the steel and clothing markets. It is a sacred pilgrimage spot and place of worship for Hindus and is thus visited daily by hundreds of people. It is not uncommon for visitors of Mumbai to pay their respects at the temple and is one of the popular tourist destinations in the city. Haji Ali Dargah The Haji Ali Dargah is a mosque and dargah (tomb) located on an islet off the coast of Worli in Mumbai. Lying as it does in the heart of the city, the dargah is one of the most recognizable landmarks of Mumbai. The structure was built in memory of a Muslim merchant and saint named Haji Ali around 40,000 pilgrims visit the shrine on Thursday and Fridays. Mount Mary Mount Mary, is a Roman Catholic church in the city of Mumbai, India. The church is one of the most visited churches in the city located in the suburb of Bandra. The 1760 church stands on a hillock about 80 metres above sea level overlooking the Arabian Sea. It draws lakhs of devotees and pilgrims annually. Many faithful attest to the miraculous powers of the Mount. This is a must visit for all tourist in Mumbai. Festivals Ganesh Chaturthi Ganesh Chaturthi is dedicated to the Elephant God. Idols of Lord Ganesh are installed at homes and places of worship for a period of one to ten days, after which the idols are taken out ceremoniously in a procession through the streets of the town and immersed into the sea The sea front at Mumbai, packed with people, is a spectacular sight. A cultural feast is held to coincide with Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra. Diwali Diwali is a holy tradition celebrated joyously on all over Mumbai and India, Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness; darkness refers to ignorance and light refers to knowledge. The joy, happiness and the display of lights and fireworks at night is a spectacle worth seeing. Diwali is celebrated 20 days after Dussehra in the month of October / November every year. Parsi New Year Parsi New Year or Pateti as popularly know falls in the month of August signifying the day that the Shahenshahi Zoroastrian community landed in India while migrating from Persia. The Parsis celebrate the festival at the fire temple, and community bonds are strengthened through feasts and meeting friends and relatives. Mount Mary Festival Mt. Mary Church is among the most prominent churches in Mumbai. Situated in West Bandra past Hill Road the Basilica of our Lady of Mount Mary was built by the Portuguese in 1640. In the month of September the festival of the Virgin Mother culminates in a week long Bandra fair where devotees flock in large numbers to the church to offer prayers to Mother Mary. Streets around Bandra are lined with stalls, festive lights and fun game rides.