A trip to your dream…Mumbai.

Rather than calling it a dream city... Mumbai is a dream.

It’s a lifestyle, people want to live.

Everything and EVERYTHING about this city is memorable. Street food, to five-star hotels, never-ending beaches to the Great skyline.

It’s the city of the ocean, the city of lights. Here lives the artist, talent and passion that are pampered by everyone.

Mumbai has always embraced every single soul in its arms.

Don’t let it scare you with the huge crowd or that so-called Mumbai traffic. People might seem cold but has really warm hearts.

Mumbai is nothing but a big Canvas which blends every single color available and still manage to look beautiful and freshly painted masterpiece. It will not be a lie if we say that Mumbai literally gives an image of a whole India itself.

as the busiest cosmopolitan city, Mumbai has a stronghold on its age-old culture.

Music, arts, theater, festivals are close to a Mumbaikars heart.
Indians believe a grand celebration is a must no matter what the occasion is. With an open mind cast religions are set aside and take part in each other's happiness. On the festive season, we exchange foods, give out gifts, and wish each other with love.  

Mumbaikars have seen many dark dreadful days. Mumbai floods, 26//11 terrorist attacks leave a chill down your spine but we had never backed down. Even though people leave at a fast pace they never fail to stay and help the person in need.

This city has many stories but… are you willing to hear.

We welcome you to explore our and now also yours, Mumbai. 

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if you are planning to explore, planning beforehand is a must. you don't want to waste your day just keeping one destination at a day. 

If you are a solo star you planning beforehand is a must but if you don't want to worry and easy trip,  there are tourist websites available who would do all the hard work for you and let you enjoy your time here. 

What to see?

There are many tourist spots you can find on google on how to reach part also included.  
but here I would like to share some of my favorite places and experiences. 

let's start.

Gateway of India.

Why don’t we start our day with a blissful sunrise at Gateway of India?  

Build in the honor of King George V in 1924, the Gateway of India is one of the most recognizable attractions in Mumbai; also can be described as an icon of the city. It gives a great view of the sea and the floating boats.

You can also see the famous Taj Mahal Palace hotel situated just right next to the Gateway of India.

The sunrise would be around 6 in the morning but just to be cautious be present a little early. In mornings there would be a fewer crowd so you can actually enjoy the art with an eyeful. The morning air and chiming birds would purify your soul and calm your nerves. Spend as much as time you want, there are no entry fees for Gateway.

How to reach: 

You can take a train to Churchgate or CST (Chhatrapati Shivaji terminals) as it's the nearest railway station thereafter grab a taxi to your destination. (note: if you are not aware of the rates, where you can get the taxi to Gateway or any other place, or confuse about taxi fare, it's always recommended to ask people around you. it'll be helpful)

P.S: don’t forget to take a memorable picture with you.

Elephanta caves.

Now. 

our next destination is a bit historical. 

Heard of Elephanta caves. 

All explained in the name, Isn’t it?

Elephanta caves are a collection of rock art linked to the cult of Siva it’s situated on an island in the sea of Oman close to Bombay. You can reach there by taking a boat from the Gateway of India also.

The Elephanta Caves are located on Gharapuri Island the “city of caves”, it contains the rock-cut stones that show the culture of Hindu and Buddhist. Though, it is named as Elephanta caves due to its elephant-like shape.you can no longer see the impenetrable elephant statue here as it was damaged when tried to move it to England. but in 1914 it was reassembled and now placed at Jijamata Udyaan, a zoo, and garden located in Byculla, Mumbai.

The caves were built about a mid 5^th or 6^th centuries, some historians and scholars believe that it was constructed by about 550CE.

Every year hundreds of tourist from various parts of India or even outside countries visit Elephanta Caves. There are in total 7 caves which are dedicated to Shiva: the creator, the masterpiece at the entrance to the cave 1 represents the three aspects of Shiva.

The layout of the caves itself seems like an idea borrowed from the Buddhist Viharas, where the Square court being surrounded by the pillars.

Upon entering you’ll see a Lord Shiva with three heads also called as Sadashiva sculptured carved in a wall. 

The three heads represent the creator, preserver, and destroyer; these are the forms of Shiva.

There is one another important sculpture situated just right beside the Trinity. 

Gangadhar, here it is shown that Gange was brought down from heaven to meet the needs of mankind.

On the left of Trimurti set Ardhanarishvara, literally means the God Siva half female. It’s considered as the second-best statue after the Trimurti at Elephanta. 

The statue represents the famine and masculine aspects interdependent in the universe as the Hind ancient concept. The image shows half women and half man.

There are many stories, explaining the actual concept behind this theory.

The half women represent the Parvati with breast, waist, feminine hair and the mirror in the upper hand while the other half side is Shiva with male characteristics.  

Cave two was restored in the year of 1970s; it has four pillars and two small cells.

Cave three and four, has the mandapa architecture, with pillars and chambers inside. The door in middle holds a shrine, and rambling veranda surrounded by pillars. The state of the architecture is a bit damaged by the time, with no reference of cave five to the history.

Cave six exist just across the cave one and is also referred to as Sitabai temple. There is no establishment remaining in the cave other than the central shrine and pillars surrounding the chamber with some lion figures incurved.

The last one, cave seven is a very small veranda which has three chambers, there is a dry pond said to be a Buddhist water tank. Close to it is a mound dated back to the 2^nd century, identified as a stupa.

If you are a fan of art and historical places Elephanta Caves is a must-visit place for you.

You can visit the Elephanta caves in the time between 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. There is a ferry from Gateway of India that leaves in every half hour; it takes around an hour to reach the Caves from Gateway of India.

Also please note that the last ferry leaves from Gateway is at 2:00pm. And from Elephanta to Gateway the last ferry is at 5:30 pm.

There is an entry ticket for Elephanta caves, starts from RS.40.

Believe me, after this, you’ll feel even more close to Mumbai.

Historical arts and ancient temples, no matter how beautiful it looks, they give out a sad vibe on it. Feels like there’s something missing, something that is in front of us but we can’t spot it.

Food

Site seeing has done, now what?

You must be Feeling hungry right?

Then, let’s go to Madras café, a must-try place for South Indian cuisine/ snacks, Tasty, pocket-friendly and great service, what else is needed?

Isn’t it great, sitting in Mumbai and having a traditional south Indian breakfast. 

Yes, just like a South Indian cuisine, you can also try some amazingly tasty street foods.

Panipuri, pav bhaji, chole puri are the well-known dishes in Mumbai and easy to get kind of food. 

But how can we forget Vadapav, right

Vadapav, this “Indian Burger” can seriously give a strong head-on competition to the well known American Burgers.

Who knew that just a mere experiment would flip the world upside down with its taste?

 Vadapav / “Indian Burger” can easily win in a national food category (if there is such a thing).

They say that if you want to explore a city or country, you must try their street food. The cheap but finger-licking taste will stay with you forever.

Mumbai is a part of a country where we treat our guest as gods.

Don’t hesitate to visit India/ Mumbai once in your life, you won’t feel like an outsider here for sure.

So when are you planning to visit?