Thanks to the easing of visa restrictions, a trip to Mumbai reveals a city full of life and fun
MUMBAI is the financial and trading centre of the Republic of India. It is the chief seaport on the western coast with an excellent harbour sheltered from the Arabian Sea.
Mumbai’s history takes it back to the 9th century when it was ruled by Hindu rajas. That ended in 1348 when it became part of the sultanate of Gujarat. In 1534, the ruler of Gujarat handed over the city to the Portuguese who in turn gave it to the British in 1661 as part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza, when she married Charles II of England. The British government leased it to the British East India Company and they moved their headquarters there in 1672. Since, Mumbai, that is named after the goddess ‘mumba devi’ has held its place in the world.
Today it’s a bustling metropolis that is the financial heart of India. However, for visitors to the city, the best time to visit Mumbai is November to February when the weather is pleasant. The heat starts to pickup in March and by May day time temperatures are soaring. The monsoon lasts from June to September. It is because of the monsoons that the outskirts of Mumbai are very green.
The views to behold in this scenic island city and the bay in which it lies, is from the Malabar Hills from where the ‘Necklace of the City’ or the Marine Drive is clearly visible. The harbour area has many attractive buildings of differing architectural styles, ranging from ancient forts, Victorian Gothic buildings and modern high-rise hotels. The city has, to a large degree retained its splendid colonial legacies, including the Gateway of India and the Prince of Wales Museum. This along with Mumbai’s superb collection of cinemas, theatre, shopping and lots more offer a lot to the visitor.
Souvenir shopping is one of the many pleasures of a visit to Mumbai. There’s no shortage of potential suppliers and the good pleasant (at times humorous) vendors can often arrange to ship goods home for you. Nevertheless, do bargain hard and remember, there is something available to suit everyone’s pocket.
Many operators offer organized tours of the city. But if you have the energy to travel independently, then do so for it offers a more authentic taste of the ‘real’ India. English is the most widely spoken language in the city, though others can be heard and spoken as well. Accommodation varies from the cheap basic concrete rooms with fans, to palatial old hotels exuding grace and charm, to modern tower blocks with also ‘steep’ rates similar to western hotels. There are also government-run tourist bungalows and then there are retiring rooms at the railway stations!
Some hotels serve western or Chinese food as well as Indian dishes. Southern Indian cuisine is mainly vegetarian and therefore cheaper than meat. But eating out is a must in this city of more than ten million people. And one of the thing to have here is the famous, Mumbai Duck. Don’t be fooled by the name for this isn’t a bird; rather it’s a dried and salted small fish which is eaten with curried dishes. It is said that the wheatish complexion of the people here is due to their consumption of spices and tea. The masala dossa and idli with sambhar are other, albeit South Indian, delights.
An important notice for travellers; health travel insurance (covering medical expenses) is strongly recommended. Traveller’s Tummy is notorious here, but the risks can be greatly reduced by commonsense precautions such as drinking bottled or purified water and avoiding ice, salad and unpeeled fruits. Malaria is endemic here, so see your GP well in advance to start a tablet course. Cover yourself with long sleeves and trousers in the evening. This is the time when the city’s mosquitoes are active and use a mosquito net while sleeping.
Travelling by train is a vital part of the Indian experience; the most expensive seats offer air-conditioned comfort. Air-conditioned buses are sometimes quicker than rail travel although the nonstop videos can be tiresome. Renting a car and driver is another possibility while hoping into a rickshaw or hiring a bicycle for off-the-beaten-track exploring is also recommended.
Besides being the chief port for goods brought into India, Mumbai is still the centre of the cotton and textile industry. But other important industries have grownup including leather, wood, chemicals, oil and engineering as well as nuclear research, that is carried out in the suburb of Trombay where a large atomic reactor has been built.
Mumbai’s cosmopolitan fabric allows people of many religions to live in harmony. At the same time, the city is literally bulging with people that has resulted in what is known as the largest slum dwelling in Asia.
And now, a word about Mumbai’s film industry. It was more than a hundred years back when the city screened its first movie, in 1896. Since Bollywood, as it is now known, has taken an international identity of its own. But it’s the people of the city who enjoy it the most. Be them the residents of the western style suburbs, housing a growing prosperous and internationalized community or the residents of nearby slums, the movies can be afforded by all and you too.
With visa restrictions now relaxed, Mumbai, the city of incense is well worth a visit to many visitors. So pay it one and watch it with its vitality.
Thanks to the easing of visa restrictions, a trip to Mumbai reveals a city full of life and fun
