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Mumbai (formerly ‘Bombay’) is the financial hub of India.  It is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world and certainly in India.  It is also a mix or extreme wealth and poverty existing side by side.

Land reclamation has conjoined what was once an archipelago of seven islands.  Historically, Mumbai was the dowry of Portuguese Princess Catherine of Braganza who married Charles II of England in 1661.

Mumbai has a natural harbour and caters to about half of India's international trade.  This ratio is reducing fast with the development of newer and better port facilities in other towns including Mumbai’s satellite town Navi Mumbai  (New Mumbai).

Weather: The most pleasant time of the year is between November and February.  This is when the island city enjoys a balmy season of clear blue skies and a cooler than usual sea breeze with the low temperatures dropping to 11°C (52°F). There is no spring season.  Beginning from the month of March, the temperatures gradually rise to a mean max of 35 °C (95°F) and the humidity reaches a strength sapping, saturation point.  The monsoons (rainy season) with about 2200 mm of rainfall begin in June and last until September.

This financial capital houses the BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) from where most of stocks are traded turning many an investor into a millionaire and quite a few millionaires into paupers.  Activity in the stock exchange has to be seen to be believed.  It, like the popular sport of men’s cricket is like a religion to its followers.

The city is humming with commercial activity in virtually every nook and cranny.  The extra-ordinarily expensive and prime locales of Nariman Point in the South and the Bandra-Kurla Complex in the suburbs cater to big business houses, while every other street and even footpath is cover choc-a-block with traders selling anything and everything. 

The city used to have a number of cloth mills but most of them have wound down giving way for malls or housing complexes.  Most of the residents have to commute from the suburbs to downtown offices, banks, factories and the few remaining mills.  Though the city is well connected and serviced by public transport (road and rail), commuting can be a harrowing experience even for the brave.

The residents of Mumbai come from all walks of life and the city is truly a ‘melting pot’ of ethnic backgrounds.  Marathi is the local language, but English and Hindi are widely spoken or at least understood.

Aside from the commerce, Mumbai is famous for its show business, particularly the Hindi film industry or ‘Bollywood’. 

There are two divisions of the Indian Railways (Western and Central) providing both suburban and long distance services.  It is estimated that over 6 million people travel by suburban trains each day.

About the name: The Portuguese, who by the mid 16^th century, were already present in strength in India’s western coastal regions of Panjim, Daman, and Diu, took Bombay by force from the local rulers. They fortified the ‘city’ by building forts at (from North to South) at Bassien, Bandra, Mahim and Sion.  Many of thes forts or what is left of them attract tourists.  The Portuguese named this outpost "Bom Baia", the English translation of which is "Good Bay".

When the British took over control of the city, they changed the name to "Bombay".  However, the local people, specifically the Kolis used to call the islands "Mumbai" after Mumbadevi, a Hindu.

The city’s name remained ‘Bombay’ until recently when it was officially changed to the more popular ‘Mumbai’. 

Places of interest to tourists include –

Jehangir Art Gallery: (Entry Free). Built in 1952 and funded by Ciwashi Jehangir, is India's  most famous art gallery and popular tourist attraction.  This gallery is situated in South Mumbai close to another attaction, the Prince of Wales Museum.  It has four exhibition halls. The country's oldest antique dealer is also housed within the gallery.

The Prince of Wales Museum:  This museum was founded by the prominent citizens of Bombay in the early 20th century to commemorate the visit of the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VII of the United Kingdom.  The exhibits are generally rare and ancient relics of Indian history and  from foreign lands. It has also houses artefacts, relics of the  Indus Valley Civilization (ancient Indian civilisation).

The Gateway of India:  (Entry Free). A 26 metres high yellow, basalt stone arch, monument and located on the waterfront in South Mumbai. It is close to the star hotel Taj Mahal Palace. Just behind the Gateway are steps that lead down to the waterfront, ferry jetty from where boat trips can be had to the Elephanta Island.

Marine Drive:  A C-shape, forming a natural bay forms part of a 3-kilometre-long boulevard in South Mumbai.  The bay is part of the Arabian Sea and Marine Drive is built over reclaimed land facing West-South-West.

Botanical Gardens: The Hanging Gardens, just opposite the Kamala Nehru Park, also known as Ferozeshah Mehta Gardens, are terraced gardens perched at the top of Malabar Hill, on its western side. One can view the sunset over the Arabian Sea.  The main feature of this garden is a number of hedges carved into the shapes of animals. The park was laid out in 1881 over Mumbai's (Bombay's) main reservoir.

Beaches:  Girgaum Chowpatty · Juhu Beach · Versova Beach ·(on the outskirts of Mumbai -> Madh Island · Aksa Beach · Marvé Beach · Powai Lake · Kashid Beach)

Chaupati 'Chow-patty' Beach: is one of the most famous public beaches in South Mumbai. The beach is famous for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations when thousands of people from all over the city come to immerse the idols of Lord Ganapati into the Arabian Sea. 

Juhu Beach: This is a relatively un-crowded beach and tourists should make it a point to visit the beach when they come to Mumbai.  Here you will find the local fast-food favourties of 'bhelpuri', 'shevpuri', and 'pani puri'.  Mahatma Gandhi's residence 'Gandhi Gram' can be see nearer the North end of the beach.

'Mount Mary’s Church':  Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount is a Roman Catholic church and is situated in the fast evolving suburb of Bandra.  This church is one of the most visited in the city.  Week long celebrations known as the 'Bandra Fair' are held in the week following the Virgin Mary's birthday (September 8th).

Nehru Science Centre: Located at Worli, in Central Mumbai, The Nehru Science Centre is  India's largest interactive science center. This centre is named after India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

‘Chor’ Bazaar: in South Mumbai famous for its antique and second-hand goods.  The area is one of the tourist attractions of the city. The shoppers rummage through heaps of dirt to find that special something they always wanted.

Linking Road: Famous for its shopping stalls.  It is located in the suburbs, from Bandra to Santa Cruz. Many come from all over to shop on Linking Road. One can find everything from international brands to clever 'genuine' fakes to cheap Chinese/Taiwanese goods here. Here there is a mix of large departmental stores, brand outlets, hawking carts and smaller shops that sell mainly clothes and accessories.

Borivali National Park: Officially 'Sanjay Gandhi National Park', is a small National Park within the precincts of Mumbai city. Over 2 million persons visit this 104 sq. km. park each year. The 2400 year old  Kanheri Caves dating back 2,400 years, sculpted out of the rocky cliffs are found within the park.

Temples: Mumba Devi Mandir, Mahalaxmi Temple, Siddhivinayak temple, Sitala Devi Temple, Swaminarayan Mandir, Walkeshwar Temple

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      Eating Out:

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