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Check these places out.
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Gateway
Of India
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GATEWAY
OF INDIA
Apollo Bunder Tel:202-3585/ 202-6364/ 287-5473.
Bus routes (1, 3, 4, 9, 65, 69, 101, 106, 107,
123, 133). The Gateway of India, which graces the
locally known Apollo Bunder Pier, was designed by
George Wittet to commemorate George V and Queen
Mary’s visit to India in 1911. It was inspired
by 16th Century Gujarati architecture. From here
one can take launch cruises. Rates for 1/2 hour
harbour cruise Rs 30/- (Deluxe launch). A launch
service is also available to take people on
expeditions to the 6th Century Caves of Elephanta.
Nearest station is Churchgate (Western Railway).
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Prince
of Wales Museum
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PRINCE
OF WALES MUSEUM
M. G. Road Tel: 2844484/2844519 (1015 to 1800 Mon
Closed). Bus routes (1, 3, 4, 9, 65, 69, 101, 106,
107, 123, 133). The Prince of Wales Museum was
designed by George Wittet and completed in 1914.
Built in the grand Indo-Saracenic style from
locally quarried yellow and blue basalt and topped
with a Bijapur style dome, it stands in beautiful
gardens. Admission Rates: Adult Rs. 10/- Child
Rs.2/-. Nearest station is Churchgate (Western
Railway) or C.S.T. (V.T.) (Central Railway).
JEHANGIR ART GALLERY
M. G. Road (Kala Ghoda) Tel: 2048212/2843989 (1100
to 1900) Bus routes
(1,3,4,9,65,69,101,106,107,123,133). Built in 1952
and situated at Kala Ghoda, adjacent to the Prince
of Wales Museum, the Jehangir Art Gallery is the
most prestigious and modern venue for Indian
artists to exhibit their talent. The Samovar
Coffee Terrace that faces the Museum gardens is a
popular hangout for local artists. Nearest station
is C.S.T. (V.T.) (Central Railway) or Churchgate
(Western Railway)
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Rajabai
Clock Tower
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RAJABAI
CLOCK TOWER
Opp. Oval Maidan (1100 to 1700) Bus routes (1, 3,
4, 9, 65, 69, 101, 106, 107, 123, 133). One of
Mumbai’s outstanding landmarks, the Rajabai
Clock Tower is situated in the gardens of Mumbai
University. Based on plans by George Gilbert Scott
and completed in the 1870’s, it is said to have
been inspired by Giotto’s Campanile in Florence.
It houses the University Library, which was
endowed by a Hindu businessman, Premchand Raichand,
in memory of his mother Rajabai. It is 280 feet
tall with five storeys and at a height of 30 feet,
there are eight statues representing the Indian
castes. The tower clock is reported to have played
16 tunes including ‘Rule Britannia’. Nearest
station is Churchgate (Western Railway).
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Flora
Fountain
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FLORA
FOUNTAIN
Hutatma Chowk Bus routes (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
10, 45, 62, 65, 69, 70, 81, 84, 85, 86, 87, 101,
106, 107, 122, 123, 124, 133, 143 etc.). Also
known as Hutatma Chowk, Flora Fountain is a statue
of the Roman Goddess of Spring erected in 1869 in
memory of British Governor Sir Bartle Frere. Frere
was responsible for the demolition of the Fort
walls in 1864. It remains a major downtown
landmark in Mumbai’s business centre. Nearest
station is Churchgate (Western Railway).
FASHION STREET
M. G. Road (Opp. Bombay Gymkhana) Bus routes (1,
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 45, 62, 65, 69, 70, 81,
85, 86, 87, 101, 103, 106, 107, 122, 123, 124,
132, 133). This bazaar of export surplus cotton
and inexpensive ready mades is for one and all.
They sell latest fashion clothes at very
reasonable prices. It is advisable to check the
clothes before payment. Bargaining is expected.
Nearest station is Churchgate (Western Railway)
and C.S.T. (V.T.) (Central Railway).
MANTRALAYA
Madame Cama Road Bus routes (5, 7, 45, 81, 82, 89,
90, 92, 126, 138). This modern style building
houses the offices of the Government of
Maharashtra . Near this building at a little
distance is Yogakshema and the offices of Life
Insurance Corp. Nearest station is Churchgate
(Western Railway).
VICTORIA TERMINUS
D. N. Road Bus routes (1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 45,
61, 65, 66, 69, 81, 101, 103, 124, 126, 130 etc.)
V.T is now known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (C.S.T.)
and is Mumbai’s architectural masterpiece. It
stands on the old Bori Bunder station from where
Asia’s first train departed on 6th April, 1853.
It is said that in the 17th century the Portuguese
used to hang their criminals in the station’s
vicinity. This solid Gothic structure was designed
in 1878 by F. W. Stevens and cost 1.6 million
rupees to build. The statue atop the dome and the
intriguing figures of animals and birds represent
‘Progress’ and ‘Prosperity’. It is the
headquarters of the Central Railway system
consisting of 14 platforms. It offers passenger
amenities and also operates local trains.
J. J. SCHOOL OF ART & ARCHITECTURE
D. N. Road. Bus routes (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 45,
61, 103, 130). The J. J. School of Art was founded
in 1857 by Jamshetjee Jeejeebhoy, a wealthy
philanthropic Parsi gentleman. It is the oldest
and one of the foremost art schools in India
today. In the gardens of the school still stands
the house of Lockwood Kipling, who headed the
metalwork faculty. The decorative features on many
of Mumbai’s public buildings were carried out
under his direction. His son, Rudyard Kipling, was
born here in 1865. Nearest Railway station C.S.T.
(V.T.) (Central Railway).
MUMBAI MUNICIPAL CORPORATION BLDG.
D. N. Road (Opp. C.S.T.) Bus routes (1, 3, 4, 6,
7, 8, 9, 45, 61, 65, 66, 69, 81, 101, 103, 124,
126, 130). The building that overlooks the
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is the MMCB.
Constructed in 1893 and designed by F. W. Stevens,
this gothic structure has a 255 ft. high tower and
stands like a guardian angel over Mumbai city.
Nearest station is C.S.T. (V.T.) (Central
Railway).
G.P.O. (GENERAL POST OFFICE)
St. Georges Road Tel: 2620956. Open Mon to Sat
(0900 to 1800) Bus routes (3, 43, 44, 47, 49). The
G.P.O. building, completed in 1911, was designed
by John Begg in Indo-Saracenic style. The main
Post Office of Mumbai is also the centre of "Poste
Restante" where foreign tourists (please
bring passport) can collect their mail. It is
situated near to C.S.T. (V.T.) (Central Railway).
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Crawford
Market
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CRAWFORD
MARKET (MAHATMA JYOTIBA PHULE MARKET)
L. T. Road Bus routes (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 45,
61, 103, 130). Crawford Market is named after
it’s founder Arthur Crawford, the Municipal
Commissioner (1865/1871). Built in Norman Gothic
style in the late 19th century, the bas reliefs
were inspired by the works of William Morris and
carried out by Lockwood Kipling’s department at
the J. J. School of Art. Inside is the largest
fresh produce market in Mumbai, where one can
purchase everything from flowers, fruits,
vegetables and meat to fish. There are also mini
bazaars selling bambooware, hardware, tobacco and
imported foods. The prices are reasonable and
bargaining is the norm. It was re-named after the
Maharashtrian Social Worker Mahatma Jyotiba Phule.
At the pets bazaar one can buy pets from
cockatoos, love birds, cats, dogs and rabbits to
tropical fish. Nearest station is C.S.T. (V.T).
(Central Railway).
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Chor
Bazaar
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CHOR
BAZAAR
Mutton Street (Between S. V. Patel & Moulana
Shaukat Ali Roads) Bus routes (1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
9, 10, 45). Nearest station is Sandhurst Road
(Central Railway). Commonly called Thieves Market,
a name coined by the British mistakenly. It is
also thought that the original name was Shor
Bazaar which aptly describes the yelling and
shouting of the local traders on Mutton Street
while selling their second hand household goods.
Today, it is a hustling bustling market selling a
range of old and new furniture and bric-a-brac.
The traders have been in this business for
generations and scour the countryside for goods to
sell in the market. Here are some of our favourite
shops but rummage through as many as possible for
that treasure or bargain. Take a taxi or bus to
Maulana Shaukat Ali Road and walk down Mutton
Street.
* Art Centre: Shop No. 13/13A. Sells old boxes,
carved pillars & screens, old & new
furniture
* Fine Art: Shop No 23. Specialises in old camphor
chests.
* Taherally's: Shop No. 28. Sells hundi (glass
lamps), Tanjore paintings, antique furniture.
* Mini Market: Shop No 31/33. Tiny objets from
buttons, cufflinks to figurines.
* A. A. Memon: Shop No 36. Deals in Chinese &
Dutch crockery and glassware.
* Baltiwala & Co: Shop No 38A. Old bottles and
beads.
* Kasam Jamal: Shop No 60. Sells children's toys,
books, picture postcards.
* Art Gallery: Shop No 66. Ivory objects, temple
carvings, Goanese candlesticks.
* Ebrahim Abdul Gani: Shop No 68. Huge selection
of inexpensive teak and rosewood furniture.
* Dadhabhai: Shop No 70. Old birdcages, lamps and
ceiling fans.
* Gallery d'Art: Shop No. 75/77. Objets d'Art,
watches, teak and rosewood furniture, old petit
point and ghara sari borders.
* ARD Mansuri: Shop No 83. Temple and Church
carvings.
* M Yasin Shah: Shop No 93A. Brass measures and
bric-a-brac.
* Omerson: Shop No 99A. Lamps, stoneware, musical
instruments and objects d'art.
* Mughul Bazaar: Shop No 99. Sell ship equipment,
glass clocks and watches.
* The Lamp Shop: Shop No 125. Huge variety of
lamps, lights and candle sticks.
* Abdulgani Ibrahim: Shop No 133. Deal in clocks
and gramaphones.
CHOWPATTY BEACH
Marine Drive Bus routes (101, 102, 103, 106, 123).
Chowpatty, literally meaning four channels, is
situated at the end of Marine Drive at the foot of
Malabar Hill. It witnesses great religious
ceremonies, including the Ganesh festival in early
September and the colourful festival of boats
which marks the end of the monsoon. There are
numerous food stalls selling bhelpuri (a Mumbai
speciality), kulfi and paan (be cautious!). There
are snake charmers, shooting galleries, monkey
trainers, balloon men and even masseurs who charge
about Rs. 30/-. One should be careful of
pickpockets. Nearest station is Marine Lines
(Western Railway).
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Marine
Drive
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MARINE
DRIVE
Netaji Subhashchandra Road Bus routes (108, 123).
This is Mumbai's pride. It is a popular promenade
and is Mumbai's favourite spot for watching the
sun setting over the Arabian Sea. It is fondly
called the "Queen's Necklace" because of
the dramatic curve of its streetlights at night.
Horse drawn Victoria rides are available from
either ends of the promenade. Nearest station is
Churchgate (Western Railway).
THE ASIATIC SOCIETY LIBRARY
Shahid Bagat Singh Road (Adj. to Reserve Bank).
Ph: 2660956 (1030 to 1730) Mon to Sat. Bus routes
(3, 34, 44, 47, 66, 83, 122, 130). Formerly known
as the Town Hall, this is Mumbai’s most
distinguished example of neo-classical
architecture. Completed in 1833 and designed by
Col Thomas Cowper it looks down on Horniman
Circle, constructed 35 years later. The central
garden was laid out by Rienzi Halton in 1869 on
what was Old Bombay Green. The library contains
many ancient books and manuscripts along with
bronze and marble sculptures of prominent Mumbai
personalties. Nearest station is C.S.T (V.T.)
(Central Railway).
MINT
Shahid Bagat Singh Road (Adj. to Reserve Bank).
Bus routes (3, 34, 44, 47, 66, 83, 122, 130). The
Mint occupies an area of 60,000 sq. yds. reclaimed
from the sea in 1823. It was constructed in 1829
and extends up to Ballard Estate. It is here that
India’s currency is coined. Prior permission to
visit can be obtained from the Mint Master.
Nearest station is C.S.T. (V.T.) (Central
Railway).
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Banganga
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BANGANGA
Walkeshwar Road. Bus routes (101, 102, 103, 105,
106, 107, 108, 47). Banganga is a beautiful
stepped tank surrounded by 30 temples, 2
hermitages and several gymkhana. The steps were
constructed in the Silahara dynasty (810-1240) and
the waters rise from an underground stream which
is said to fill the tank in a mere eight days.
This is an ancient site, originally called
Shrigundi, recorded in the epic tale The Ramayana.
Lord Rama was on a mission to rescue his wife,
Sita, kidnapped by Ravana to Sri Lanka. He and his
men camped here for the night. Because his brother
Laxman had not returned from Banares with a Shiv
Lingam, Lord Rama took sand and fashioned his own.
The deity became Valuka Ishwara, Lord of the Sand
(Valu = sand, Ishwar = Lord) or Walkeshwar, the
name of the principal temple at Banganga. Rama
then shot an arrow (Baan) into the ground and out
flowed Bhagirati, the underground Ganges River (Ganga),
thus the name of the tank, Banganga. This is the
oldest settlement in Mumbai and is worth a visit.
Nearest station is Grant Road (Western Railway).
HANGING GARDENS
B. G. Kher Road (Malabar Hill) Tel: 3633561 (0500
to 2100) Bus routes (102, 105, 181). Built in 1880
and renovated in 1921, the Hanging Gardens are
also known as the Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens. They
were landscaped on top of three reservoirs which
store 30 million gallons of potable water supplied
to the city. Joggers and walkers regularly use
these well maintained gardens and lush green
surroundings. Nearest station is Grant Road
(Western Railway).
KAMALA NEHRU PARK
B. G. Kher Road (Malabar Hill) Tel: 3633561 (0500
to 2100) Bus routes (102, 105, 181). This
children’s park is opposite the Hanging Gardens
and was built in 1952 after the wife of India's
first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The
park covers an area of 4,000 sq. yds. and offers a
magnificent view of Marine Drive. There are lovely
shaded pavilions covered with flowers and plants
if one wants seclusion. Outside the park there are
hawkers serving bhelpuri, paan, ice-creams and
cold drinks. Nearest station is Grant Road
(Western Railway).
MANI BHAVAN
Laburnum Road, Near to Gowalia Tank, Gamdevi. Tel:
3805864 (1000 to 1730) Bus routes (64, 67, 102,
104, 123). This was the temporary residence
(1917-1934) of Mahatma Gandhi, known
affectionately as the Father of the Nation and
houses the Gandhi Museum. It contains an
exhibition of diorama depicting scenes from his
life, an extensive collection of books and letters
and other personal articles. There is also a shop
selling memorabilia. Rate: 3/-. Nearest station is
Grant Road (Western Railway). Entry free for
Locals.
MAHALAXMI RACE COURSE
Lala Lajpatrai Road (Haji Ali) Bus routes (81. 83,
84, 85, 86, 87, 89, 90). Situated at Mahalaxmi,
Opp. The Haji Ali Dargha, this world class race
course was built under the enthusiastic direction
of Major J. E. Hughes. There are two enclosures,
one for Members and the other for the general
public. The Indian Derby is always in February.
Mumbai's horse-racing season runs from November to
April. The big races are major social occasions.
Nearest station is Mahalaxmi (Western Railway).
DHOBI GHAT
Dr. E. Moses Road (Mahalaxmi). Bus route (124). A
visit to Mumbai is not complete without witnessing
the early morning activity at the Dhobi Ghat,
where Mumbai’s dirties are scrubbed, bashed,
dyed and hung out to dry. With the busy local
trains passing close beside it, passengers hanging
out like the laundry, photographic opportunities
are many. Nearest Railway station Mahalaxmi
(Western Railway).
KALBADEVI
Bus routes (1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 45). No visit
to Mumbai is complete without a foray into the
bazaars of Kalbadevi, north of Crawford Market.
This is the heart of ethnic Mumbai, known as The
Native Town in British times. The narrow lanes of
this predominantly Muslim area, hemmed in by
laundry-draped chawls, are a seething mass of
people who bring the local traffic to a
standstill. It is here that you can buy anything
from jewellery (Zaveri Bazaar), material (Mangaldas
Market), household goods (Bhuleshwar Road),
stationery (Abdul Rehman Street) or electrical
items (Lohar Chawl). Visit JAMMA MASJID and
MUMBADEVI TEMPLE (both on Sheikh Memon St.). The
temple, dedicated to the patron goddess of the
island's original Koli inhabitants, is one of
Mumbai’s main pilgrimage centres. Nearest
station is Masjid Bunder (Central and Harbour
Railways).
VEERMATA JIJABAI BHONSLE UDYAN (Victoria Gardens)
DR. BHAU DAJI LAD MUSEUM (Victoria and Albert
Museum)
Dr. B. Ambedkar Road (Byculla) Tel: 3725799 (0830
to 1630) Closed on Wed. Bus routes (1, 3, 49, 65,
69, 126, 165). Entry Fee: Adult 4/- Children: 2/-.
Victoria Gardens is the oldest and largest public
garden in Mumbai. Established in 1863, it is home
to the city’s only zoo. The Museum, adj. to the
gardens, exhibits a large collection of
archaeological finds, maps, books and photographs.
Nearest station is Byculla (Central Railway).
NEHRU PLANETARIUM
Dr. Annie Besant Road (Worli) Tel: 4920510 Booking
Hours: 1100 to 1700 Except 1345 to 1430 Closed on
Mon. Shows in English 1500, Hindi 1230 & 1630
Marathi 1330. The Nehru Planetarium was
inaugurated by our late Prime Minister, Mrs.
Indira Gandhi, on 3 March,1977 as a memorial to
her father, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. In the last
17 years, 6 million people have visited the
planetarium. The education programmes for children
have been highly appreciated. It exhibits
collections of lunar and astronomical photographs.
Admission rates: Rs. 20/- for adult & Rs 10/-
children (4-12 yrs). Student and Group concessions
available. Nearest station is Mahalaxmi (Western
Railway).
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Nehru
Centre
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NEHRU
CENTRE
Dr. Annie Besant Road (Worli) Tel: 4964676 (1030
to 1700) Closed on Mon. The Nehru Centre was
designed by the renowned architect I. M. Kadri and
houses the ‘Discovery of India Exposition’.
The design of the building is said to embody
Nehru’s vision of India’s step-by-step rise
from an agricultural nation to a modern
industrialised state. The ‘Discovery of India’
exposition tracks India’s history from
prehistoric times to Independence in 1947.
Three-dimensional replicas of major architectural
and artistic works, diorama, photographs and audio
visual are displayed. Entry: Free. Nearest station
is Mahalaxmi (Western Railway).
WEAVERS SERVICE CENTRE
Mama Parmanand Road (Near Roxy Cinema)
Tel: 3610923 (1000 to 1700) Closed on Sat &
Sun. Situated near Opera House, visitors can
observe the preparation of designs, weaving and
block printing by hand. Prior permission from the
Director must be obtained before visiting the
centre. Nearest Railway station is Charni Road
(Western Railway).
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