Travel Guide Mumbai (Bombay)
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Travel Guide
Mumbai (Bombay)
02 Quick view 05 Phone calls & Internet 08 Restaurants
02 India 05 Top 10 sights 09 Nightlife
04 Travel etiquette 08 Shopping in Mumbai 10 Calendar of events
04 Health (Bombay) 12 Hotels
© AHOWDEN INTERNATIONAL / Alamy
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Quick view
Mumbai (Bombay) – a brief overview
Delhi may have the political power, but Mumbai has the glamour. India’s capital of
finance, fashion and entertainment is fast-paced and frenetic, always bold, often
brash, but never forgettable. A staggering 12.5 million people call this city home,
from the dhobi-wallahs (laundry men) who clean the city’s sheets to millionaire
financiers and Bollywood superstars.
Sprawling across a series of islands in the Arabian Sea, Mumbai is tipped to be
the world’s largest city within 20 years. Travellers can find everything imaginable
here, from colonial mansions and ancient cave temples to gleaming modern
shopping malls and even a national park inside the city limits. Welcome to India’s
maximum city!
India
General Information
Country overview
India is a beautiful and bamboozling place, where holy cows amble along the
streets, bask on heavenly beaches
next to modern hotels and where ancient temples sit perfectly at home besides
shiny new offices.
Geography
India shares borders to the northwest with Pakistan, to the north with China, Nepal
and Bhutan, and to the east with Bangladesh and Myanmar. To the west lies the
Arabian Sea, to the east the Bay of Bengal and to the south the Indian Ocean. The
Andaman and Nicobar Islands are Indian territory but lie off the coast of Thailand in
the Bay of Bengal. Sri Lanka lies off the southeast coast, and the Maldives off the
southwest coast.
The far northeastern states and territories are all but separated from the rest of
India by
Bangladesh as it extends northwards from the Bay of Bengal towards Bhutan.
India is separated from the rest of Asia by mountain ranges, forest, and desert -the
Himalayan mountain range in the north, the Thar Desert in the west and the Chin
Hills and Patkai ranges in the east. The Indus River runs through the northern
disputed territory of Jammu & Kashmir. The most sacred of rivers, the Ganges, is in
the east.
General knowledge
Key facts
Population: 1,34 billion (estimate 2017)
Population Density (per sq km): 371
Capital: New Delhi.
Language
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Hindi is the official language of India. English is also enshrined in the constitution
for a wide range of official purposes. In addition, 21 regional languages are
recognised by the constitution.
Currency
Rupee (INR; symbol Rs) = 100 paise. Notes are in denominations of Rs 2,000,
500, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of Rs5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25,
20, 10 and 5 paise.
Notes: In November 2016, 500 and 1,000 rupee banknotes were withdrawn from
the financial system. New 500 and 2,000 rupee denomination notes are issued to
replace those removed from circulation. The import and export of local currency is
prohibited.
Electricity
230-240 volts AC, 50Hz. Some areas have a DC supply. Plugs are of the round
two- and three-pin type.
Public holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2019 – December 2020 period.
Note
Only the secular holidays of Republic Day, Independence Day and Mahatma
Gandhi’s Birthday are universally observed.
(a) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the
moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of
Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night
and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some disruption may continue
into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last up to several days,
depending on the region.
(b) Hindu festivals are declared according to local astronomical observations and it
is not possible to forecast the date of their occurrence exactly.
2019
New Years Day: 1 January 2019
Republic Day: 26 January 2019
Holi: 20 March 2019
Chaitra Sukhladi: 6 April 2019
Mahavir Jayanti: 17 April 2019
Good Friday: 19 April 2019
Buddha Purnima (Buddha’s Birthday): 18 May 2019
Idu’l Fitr: 4 June 2019
Id-ul-Zuha (Feast of Sacrifice): 11 August 2019
Independence Day: 15 August 2019
Janmashtami: 24 August 2019
Muharram: 31 August 2019
Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday: 2 October 2019
Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami): 8 October 2019
Diwali (Festival of Lights): 27 October 2019
Milad un Nabi: 10 November 2019
Guru Nanak Jayanti: 12 November 2019
Christmas: 25 December 2019
2020
New Years Day: 1 Januar 2020
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Republic Day: 26 January 2020
Holi: 10 March 2020
Chaitra Sukhladi: 25 March 2020
Mahavir Jayanti: 6 April 2020
Good Friday: 10 April 2020
Buddha Purnima (Buddha’s Birthday): 6 May 2020
Idu’l Fitr: 23 May 2020
Id-ul-Zuha (Feast of Sacrifice): 30 July 2020
Janmashtami: 12 August 2020
Independence Day: 15 August 2020
Muharram: 19 August 2020
Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday: 2 October 2020
Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami): 25 October 2020
Diwali (Festival of Lights): 14 November 2020
Milad un Nabi: 10 November 2020
Guru Nanak Jayanti: 12 November 2020
Christmas: 25 December 2020
All information subject to change.
Travel etiquette
How to fit in
Social Conventions
The traditional Hindu greeting is to fold the hands, tilt the head forward and say
namaste. Indian women generally prefer not to shake hands. All visitors are asked
to remove footwear when entering places of religious worship. Most Indians also
remove their footwear when entering their homes; visitors should follow suit.
Many Hindus are vegetarian and many, especially women, do not drink alcohol.
Most Sikhs and Parsis do not smoke. Women are expected to dress modestly and
men should also dress respectfully. Women should not wear short skirts and tight
or revealing clothing, although there is a more casual approach to clothing in Goa.
Health
Health
Food & Drink
Water for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should first be boiled or otherwise
sterilised. Milk is often unpasteurised and should be boiled. Avoid dairy products
likely to have been made from non-boiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and
fish. Do not eat salads, vegetables should be cooked and peel your own fruit. Don't
eat street vendor food unless it is piping hot. Tap water is not safe to drink, rely on
bottled water which is widely available. However, do check the seal on bottled
water.
Other Risks
Vaccinations are sometimes advised for hepatitis A and B, Japanese encephalitis,
tuberculosis (for infants), polio and typhoid. Dengue and malaria are both caused
by mosquito bites and are prevalent in hot and humid conditions. There are
occasional, seasonal outbreaks of dengue fever. Travellers should vigilantly
protect themselves against mosquito bites.
Malaria prevention is strongly recommended so use insect repellent and wear
protective clothing. Obtain anti-malarial medicine from your doctor before
travelling.
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Even seasoned travellers may find themselves at the mercy of travellers’
diarrhoea. Hygiene standards vary. If possible, travel around with soap or
antibacterial gel in order to clean your hands. The culprits that cause diarrhoea are
often the microorganisms found in local water supplies, so decrease your chances
by
drinking bottled or boiled water. You can have alcoholic drinks but say no to ice.
Drink carbonated beverages or those with only boiled water like coffee and tea.
Carry rehydration solution packets, Pepto Bismol or Imodium in case you are
afflicted. Before your travel, seek medical advice about what to take for self-
treatment.
Wear adequate sunscreen or do like the locals to beat the heat and avoid the sun
between 1200 and 1600 when it is at its harshest; don a cotton kameez to keep
covered and cool.
Note: All visitors aged between 18 and 70 years of age wishing to extend their
visa for one year or more are required to take an AIDS test.
Contractual physician of Lufthansa
Dr. Pocha, Nusly P.J.
R.N. Gamadia Polyclinic
Unit 19
Gamadia Colony Road
Tardeo
Mumbai 400 007
India
Tel. +91-22-23534036
Tel. +91-22-23521068
Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it
bear the cost of any treatment.
Phone calls & Internet
Phone calls & Internet
Mobile Telephone
Dialing code: +91
Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies.
Coverage is limited to major towns but is increasing all the time.
Internet
The internet can be reliably accessed from an increasing number of hotels and
from internet cafés across the country, many now with Wi-Fi.
Top 10 sights
Top 10 sights in Mumbai (Bombay)
Gateway of India
The triumphal arch that dominates Colaba quayside was erected to celebrate the
visit of King George V and demonstrate the unassailable power of the British
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Empire. Ironically, this monumental arch also marked the point where the last
British soldiers departed when India achieved independence in 1948.
Strand Road, Apollo Bunder
400001 Mumbai
India
Girgaum Chowpatty Beach
A dramatic clean-up has restored Chowpatty Beach to its rightful place as the city’s
favourite place to promenade. Order a paper plate of bhelpuri, Mumbai’s famous
noodle salad, and join the crowds strolling over the sand and enjoying the cool
breezes as the sun sinks into Back Bay.
Marine Drive
400004 Mumbai
India
Elephanta Island
Studded with cave temples adorned with dramatic rock carvings of Hindu deities,
this dusty island in Mumbai Harbour could be plucked straight from Sinbad the
Sailor. The largest temple features a vast carving of Shiva as Trimurti-Sadashiva,
the creator, preserver and destroyer of the universe.
Elephanta Island, Mumbai Harbour Opening times:
400001 Mumbai Tue-Sat 0900-1700
India
asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_elephanta.as
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Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum
Named for the Maratha warrior who vanquished the sultans of southern India,
Mumbai’s most important museum is housed in a lavish Indo-Saracenic building
from 1923. Inside, the exhibition halls display everything from ancient temple
carvings to miniature paintings and gruesome medieval weaponry.
159-161 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort Opening times:
400023 Mumbai Daily 1015-1800
India
Tel: (022) 2284 4484 csmvs.in
University of Mumbai and High Court
Dominated by the Rajabai Clocktower, and flanked by an arcade of palm trees, the
handsome University of Mumbai was built by George Gilbert Scott, the same
architect who designed London’s St Pancras station. The adjacent High Court was
constructed in the same lavish architectural style and visitors are welcome in the
public gallery during trials.
University of Mumbai, Mahatma Gandhi Opening times:
Road, Fort Entry by permission
400032 Mumbai
India www.mu.ac.in
Tel: (022) 2270 8700
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Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue
This graceful 19th-century synagogue is a flashback to the golden age of the port
of Mumbai, when the city’s Jewish community dominated the international trade in
cotton, spices, tea and porcelain. The synagogue is still an active place of worship
and the calm interior offers a welcome retreat from the crowded street of the
business district.
Forbes St, Kala Ghoda, Fort Opening times:
Mumbai Mon-Sat 1100-1800
India Sun 1300-1800
www.jacobsassoon.com/synagogues/k
eneseth-eliy...
Global Vipassana Pagoda
Soaring above the suburb of Gorai and the Esselworld Theme Park, this gleaming
golden spire was modelled after the great Shwedagon stupa in Myanmar. The
pagoda is an important centre for Vipassana meditation, and the main meditation
hall sits beneath the world’s largest unsupported stone dome.
Gorai Village, Borivali (West) Opening times:
400091 Mumbai Daily 0900-1900
India
Tel: (022) 3374 7501 www.globalpagoda.org
Dr Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum
Set in a graceful colonial mansion in the peaceful Jijimata Gardens, the Dr Bhau
Daji Lad Museum explores the complex history of Mumbai, from its early days as a
fishing village to its modern status as the financial and entertainment capital of
India. It’s worth visiting just to see the elegant Victorian interiors.
91A Rani Baug, Veer Mata Jijbai Opening times:
Bhonsle Udyan, Dr Baba Saheb Thu-Tue 1000-1800
Ambedkar Marg,Byculla East
400027 Mumbai www.bdlmuseum.org
India
Tel: (022) 2373 1234
Haji Ali Dargah
Only accessible at low tide, via a wave-lashed causeway stretching out into the
bay, the dargah (mausoleum) of Haji Ali is dedicated to a local Sufi saint who died
en route to Mecca but was miraculously washed ashore in Mumbai. The shrine is
crammed with pilgrims whenever the causeway is open, and atmospheric qwwalis
(Islamic hymns) resound across the compound.
Haji Ali, Lala Lajpat Rai Marg Opening times:
400026 Mumbai Daily 0930-1730
India
Tel: (022) 2352 9082 hajialidargah.in
Victoria Terminus
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Also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai’s central railway station is a
flamboyant fantasy of gargoyles, balconies, buttresses and onion domes. Carved
inside and out with eccentric details (monkeys, parrots, palm trees and fruit
baskets), the station was designed by Frederick Stevens, the British Empire’s
finest colonial architect.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Fort
400001 Mumbai
India
Shopping in Mumbai (Bombay)
Shopping in Mumbai (Bombay)
Key Areas
Mumbaikers love to shop, and many streets double as open-air bazaars, with stalls
selling everything from gramophones to sequined sandals. For souvenirs and
knick-knacks, take a wander along Colaba Causeway, or check out the air-
conditioned emporiums around the Taj Mahal Palace hotel. For a glitzier shopping
experience, explore the malls, jewellery stores and department stores of Parel,
Worli and Bandra.
Markets
Mumbai’s most famous market, Crawford Market (Lokmanya Tilak Marg) was
designed by Rudyard Kipling’s father, and its covered main arcade is one of the
best places to buy the city’s famous Alphonso mangoes. The adjacent Mangaldas
market
specialises in fabrics, saris and gleaming steel cookpots, while the neighbouring
Chor Bazaar has stalls selling rescued bric-a-brac and the occasional antique
treasure.
Shopping Centres
Mumbai has gone mall crazy in recent years, and the city’s glitziest shopping
centres would hold their own in London or New York. High Street Phoenix in
Lower Parel is the most glamorous address, with boutiques run by India’s leading
fashion designers. Other megamalls are scattered around the suburbs; try Sobo
Central in Worli, R City in Ghatkopar, or the Oberoi Mall in Goregaon East.
Restaurants
Restaurants in Mumbai (Bombay)
Mumbai has no shortage of glamorous eateries catering to millionaire financiers
and movie stars, but there’s plenty for travellers on more modest budgets. Seek out
the city’s nostalgic Parsi restaurants, run by the descendants of refugees from Iran,
or try the city’s famous bhelpuri (noodle salad) from the food stalls at Girgaum
Chowpatty beach. Other top options for cheap eats include the old-fashioned
traveller cafés along Colaba Causeway, and the street stalls feeding crowds of
hungry office workers at Nariman Point.
Golden Dragon
The lavish interior lives up to the name at this superior Chinese restaurant at the
Taj Mahal Palace hotel; appropriate to the setting, the food is divine.
Taj Mahal Palace, Apollo Bunder Price: Expensive
400001 Mumbai
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India
Indigo
Pet project of renowned chef Rahul Akerkar, Indigo creates fabulous modern
European fusions in a nostalgic colonial bungalow near the harbour.
4 Mandlik Road, Colaba Price: Expensive
400001 Mumbai
India
Smoke House Deli
With doodles covering the walls and an eclectic menu of salads, sandwiches and
burgers, this hip eatery shows Mumbai at its most international and cosmopolitan.
Main Courtyard, High Street Phoenix, Price: Moderate
Phoenix Mills Compound, Senapati
Bapat Marg, Lower Parel
400013 Mumbai
India
Khyber
Richly spiced dishes from the Northwest Frontier arrive sizzling to the table in this
atmospheric dining hall styled like an Afghan palace.
159-161 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort Price: Moderate
400023 Mumbai
India
Tel: (022) 2284 4484
Ideal Corner
A delightfully old-fashioned Parsi canteen that whisks you back to the 1920s,
serving classic Irani dishes such as Bombay duck and dhansak (hot and sour stew
with lentils).
Hornby View, Gunbow Street, Ballard Price: Cheap
Estate, Fort
400001 Mumbai
India
Nightlife
Nightlife in Mumbai (Bombay)
As the entertainment capital of India, Mumbai boasts bars, cocktail lounges and
clubs to match any international capital, and the top nightspots offer abundant
chances to mingle with Bollywood superstars.A trip to the designer ateliers in
Phoenix Mills might be appropriate if you hope to gain entry to more exclusive bars
and clubs. Note that a 25 per cent tax is applied to liquor across the city.
Aer
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The most glamorous bar in Mumbai, Aer lords it over the city from the open rooftop
of the towering Four Seasons Hotel.
Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai, 114 Dr E
Moses Road, Worli
400018 Mumbai
India
Olive Bar & Kitchen
This elegant bar and café is where Bollywood stars head to celebrate or drown
their sorrows after the latest hit or miss on the silver screen.
Le Sutra, 14 Union Park, Khar (West)
400052 Mumbai
India
Trilogy
The most fashionable address in Juhu, this Mumbai super-club is the place to
dance with sequined stars and starlets.
Sea Princess Hotel, Juhu Beach
400049 Mumbai
India
Leopold’s
A traveller institution since 1871, Leopold’s is crammed nightly with travellers
enjoying lively conversation, cheap eats and cold Kingfisher beers.
Colaba Causeway
Mumbai
India
Tel: +91 (022) 22 82 81 85
Regal Cinema
This nostalgic art deco picture house is a prime location to catch the release of a
new Bollywood blockbuster, when queues often stretch around the block.
Prince Of Wales Museum, Bhagat
Singh Road
Apollo Bunder, Colaba, Opp.
400001 Mumbai, India
Tel: +91 22 2202 1017
Calendar of events
Calendar of events
Banganga Music Festival
Banganga Festival is celebrated for two days in the picturesque Malabar Hills and
takes it name from a sacred water tank in Walkeshwar Temple link to the legends
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of Lord Ram.This is celebrated with a cultural extravaganza with the focus on live
classical music concerts.
January 2019
www.mumbai.org.uk/banganga-festival.html
Venue: Malabar Hills
Kala Ghoda Festival
Held in the Kala Ghoda area of south Mumbai, this nine-day arts festival is
becoming increasingly popular and offers dance, music, theatre, cinema,
workshops, heritage walks, food and more.
2 - 10 February 2019
www.kalaghodaassociation.com/
Venue: Venues in Kala Ghoda
McDowell's Indian Derby
First staged in 1942, this is one of the premier sporting events in the city and one of
the biggest events on Mumbai's social calendar.
3 February 2019
Venue: Mahalaxmi Racecourse
Holi
Hindu festival of harvest and fertility when the streets are overrun with people
bombarding each other (and stray tourists) with brightly coloured powder and
water.
March 2019
Venue: Throughout the city
Independence Day
National holiday to celebrate India's independence from British rule.
15 August 2019
Venue: Throughout the city
Ganesh Chaturthi
Mumbai's biggest festival held in celebration of Ganesh, the elephant-headed deity
and god of wisdom and prosperity. The festival's colourful climax involves
thousands of people converging on the seashore to submerge their Ganesh
statues in the sea.
2 September 2019
Venue: Climaxes on Chowpatty Beach
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Hotels
Hotels in Mumbai (Bombay)
Mumbai has hotels to match every budget, from modest backpacker hotels in
Colaba to the elegant heights of the Taj Mahal Palace. Reflecting Mumbai’s status
as financial capital, room rates are some of the highest in India, particularly at
thelower end of the spectrum. With more money to spend, the city’s 5-star hotels
offer truly lavish rooms and some of India’s finest restaurants, plus the obligatory
rooftop bar.
Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
Those who can afford it stay at the Taj Mahal Palace, where elegant restaurants
and opulent rooms hide behind a glorious colonial-era facade overlooking Mumbai
Harbour.
Apollo Bunder Category: Expensive
400001 Mumbai
India
ITC Maratha
Worth every one of its five stars, this elegant escape is the first choice for the jet
set, with sumptuous décor, extremely fine dining and a towering atrium full of
potted palms.
Sahar Andheri (East) Category: Expensive
400099 Mumbai
India
Marine Plaza
Like a little piece of Los Angeles dropped onto Marine Drive, the Marine Plaza
offers a rooftop pool, art deco interiors and views across Mumbai’s iconic seafront
promenade.
29 Marine Drive Category: Moderate
400020 Mumbai
India
Hotel Sahil
Part of the Best Western group, Hotel Sahil has smart, modern rooms and a
fantastic central location.
292 Bellasis Road Category: Moderate
400008 Mumbai
India
Hotel New Bengal
What the New Bengal lacks in luxury, it makes up for in location – just yards from
Crawford Market and within strolling distance of CST station.
B Shalimar Estates, Dr DN Road, near Category: Cheap
Crawford Market
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400001 Mumbai
India
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