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Mumbai
formerly known as Bombay is the only cosmopolitan and the
commercial capital of India. This bustling metropolis known
as Mumbai is famous as the capital of the industrial state
of Maharashtra. The place gets its name Mumbai from the local
goddess Mumbadevi (the Goddess of the Koli fishermen) who
is worshipped religiously in the traditional fishermen community
of Maharashtra. Formed from the cluster of seven islands,
Mumbai emerged out of the oldest area of the country.
Ruled for years by the Maharaja of Gujarat,
Parsis, Portuguese and British people; the city of Mumbai
became a multi-cultural city incorporating every culture and
tradition into its fold. Mumbai has prospered a lot in the
post-independence period and acquired the status of a commercial
and financial capital of India.
The metro city is well nestled in the Western
Ghats where one can enjoy the boating and fishing in the picturesque
surroundings. Mumbai is the largest city on commercial level
and the second largest city in size, next to Calcutta. Draped
in the Maharashtrian culture, Mumbai is always known for the
festive occasions like Ganesh Chaturthi and Guri Parwa. The
Gateway of India is the major landmark in the city, which
marks its majestic appearance. The city is also nearby the
main tourist attractions of Maharashtra like Pune, Nashik,
Dhule, Lonavala and Khandala.
The city of Mumbai has also got the right
appellation of Indian Hollywood or Bollywood. The glamour
industry or film industry in Mumbai has made a mark on the
international level. The tourists often visit Mumbai to witness
the colonial buildings standing at towering heights within
the city. The city of Mumbai also has other tourist destinations
to boast of including the Marine Drive (The Queen's Necklace),
Crawford Market, Essel World, Elephanta Caves etc.
The major tourist places in Bombay in Maharashtra
include the Marine Drive, Malabar Hill, Hanging Gardens, Flora
Fountain, Crawford Market, Prince of Wales Museum, Juhu Beach,
Chaupati Beach etc. Malabar Hill with Cumbala Hills takes
you down towards Marine Drive (The Queen's Necklace), which
makes Bombay quite picturesque and beautiful for all the tourists.
The travelers can enjoy the cool sea breeze by the side of
Marine Drive.
Gateway of India: the Englishman
Wittet designed the most dominant figure on Apollo Bunder
in 16th century Gujarat style, to commemorate the landing
of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911. The Gateway of India
is composed of a central hall with great archways and side
halls, which can accommodate 600 people.
The Hanging Gardens: Located at the
Malabar Hill adjoins the Sir Pherozshah Mehta Gardens. It
is also known as the Kamla Nehru Park (popularly known as
the "the Hanging Gardens") where the visitors can witness
a spectacular view of the skyscrapers and the serene beaches
in Bombay. At the night, one can walk down the Marine Drive
with the glittering streetlights and lighting looks like "the
Queen's Necklace."
Priyadarshini Park: Amidst the dense
jungle of Malabar Hill, the Priyadarshini Park has a large
jogging park, a fully equipped gym, a health club and numerous
tennis courts.
Mahalakshmi: This station in Bombay
is famous for the Mahalakshmi Temple visited by millions of
devotees every year. Nearby are the Mahalakshmi Race-course
and the 500-year old Muslim shrine, the Haji Ali's Tomb, which
stands amidst the sea in its pristine white hue.
Crawford Market: Also known by another
name Jyotiba Phule Market was built in 1871. Here you can
get fresh vegetables; fruit, fish, meat and poultry, flowers
and provisions are sold.
Flora Fountain: Built in Gothic Style,
it is also known as Hutatma Chowk and is located at the junction
of Mahatma Gandhi Road, Dadabhoy Naoroji Road and Veer Nariman
Road. The University, the old Secretariat and the Gateway
of India are the major landmarks nearby this fountain.
Prince of Wales Museum: Built in
the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture of Western India
that dates back to 15th and 16th centuries. The museum encloses
Art, Natural History, and Archaeological Sections apart from
other specialized small sections.
Jehangir Art Gallery: The modern
Jehangir Art Gallery built in 1952 is the famous venue for
art and photographic exhibitions and ably promotes modern
Indian painting and sculpture. The other tourist places in
Bombay is Juhu Beach, Marve and Manori Beach, the fishing
village Trombay, Powai Lake, Vihar Lake, Aarey Milk Colony,
Sanjay Gandhi National Park at Borivli, Kanheri Caves, Chowpati
Beach, Taraporewala Aquarium and Nehru Planetarium and Science
Center.
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