Traveller's information about Mumbai [33/10]

Mumbai, earlier known as Bombay, is the largest city in India and the capital of Maharashtra state. Mumbai was originally a conglomeration of seven isles on the Konkan coastline which over time were united to build the key city of Bombay. Then the island combined with the neighbouring isle of Salsette to produce Greater Bombay. The city has an estimated metropolitan population of 17 million (2005), making it one of the largest cities in the world. Mumbai is the only major city in India which has the largest slum population. Mumbai is also one of India's largest port cities and surfaces large as the commercial capital of India. Mumbai's nature as the most eclectic and cosmopolitan Indian city is expressed in the presence of Bollywood within the city, the centre of the globally-influential Hindi film and TV industries.

Mumbai is a city raised in successive wavings of migrations. The Mumbai regions developed their character from the communities that organized there first. These regions are too numerous to list and there is no commonly took way to organize these neighborhoods into larger divisions. But roughly, from the south to the north, this is how the city developed.
- South Mumbai
— Fort, Colaba, Malabar Hill, Nariman Point, Marine Lines, and Tardeo.

The oldest areas of Mumbai.

Holds Mumbai's downtown domain and is counted the commercial crown of India. The richest regions in the territory are placed here, which direct among the highest rates in the world. Most of the real estate in South Mumbai is much more expensive than Manhattan. This is the primary tourist area of Mumbai and home to most of Mumbai's museums, art galleries, bars, upscale restaurants, and the Gateway of India.

- South Central Mumbai — Byculla, Parel, Worli, Prabhadevi, and Dadar. Used to be Mumbai's industrial heartland, but went into decline when the industries did. Now this space has been redone into a white-collar bureau place. Home to Mumbai's only zoo, the Worli ocean side, and the temple to what masses count the city's guardian divinity. As you move north, it morphs into a nice middle-class neighborhood.

- North Central Mumbai — Dharavi, Matunga, Vadala, Sion, and Mahim. Primarily an upper middle-class space, except for Dharavi, which holds Asia's largest slum area. This domain grew immediately after India's self-government, because of a wave of immigration. Part of the migrants were refugees from the partition.

- Western Suburbs of Mumbai — Bandra, Khar, Santa cruz, Juhu, Vile Parle, and Andheri. Contain Mumbai's other downtown and is home to those rich who covet to have a more peaceful surrounding. It has some beaches. Home to a large Christian community and the city's most famous church. Also this is where the city's two airports are.

- Central Suburbs

— Kurla, Vidyavihar, Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, Kanjur Marg, Bhandup, Mulund and Powai. This is a solidly middle class bastion. Mulund and Ghatkopar are home to predominantly middle and upper middle class populace, many from the entrepreneurial Gujarati community.

- Harbour Suburbs — Chembur, Mankhurd, Govandi, and Trombay. Before the development of Navi Mumbai as a satellite town of Bombay, this area used to be known only for the existence of an atomic research centre. Now this is known for being on the way to Navi Mumbai.

- Northwest Mumbai — Manori, Jogeshwari This is where you go to find beaches that are not dirty. Other than this, it is just another victim of Bombay's vast urban sprawl. Holds the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Mumbai's oldest patrimony sites: the Kanheri, Mahakali, Jogeshwari, and Mandapeshwar rock-cut churches going from the 1st century B.C to the 5th century A.D.

- Northwest Mumbai — Mira Road, Bhyander, Naigaon, Vasai, Nala Sopara & Virar.

Useful Information about Nagar Haveli and Dadra [32/8]

The enclave of Dadra and Nagar Haveli is a tiny union territory in Western India stuck between the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. The two territories - Dadra and Nagar Haveli are parted from each other by a few kilometers. Both lie on the West coast, at the mouth of the Daman Ganga river. The Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli is a small piece of land packed between the Maharashtra and Gujarat. Until 1954, this area was under the Portuguese colonial rule. Between 1954 and 1961, it was self-governing. On its integration with the Indian Union in 1961, Silvassa was made its capital. It is less than 500 sq. km. in weight, crossed with tall trees and rolling rivers. The hospitable, kind, unselfish native tribals have their own customs, dances and rituals which are quite fascinating.
The land delights a very pleasant weather from November to March, which is actually the best time for a call. Temperatures during summer are comfortable both even during the day due to its proximity to the sea. Tourist Spots to be seen in and around Silvassa town are Children's Park, Tribal Museum, Ram Temple, Balaji Temple, Ayyappa Temple, Church, Van Dhara Garden, Hirva Van Garden (both these gardens are near the river). Vanganga Garden is placed in small town Dadra in Western India, this garden has mastery of boating. There is Madhuban Dam located on the river Daman Ganga. Going souths, approximately 18 km from Silvassa a small settlement named Bindrabin (in local accent), some call it Vrundavan is Temple of Lord Shiva.

Itineraries

There really isn't any form of matters that you can do. If you are expecting for a quick weekend getaway, Silvassa is the site for you. You can be holed up in any one of the many spas in Silvassa and surrounding areas, but you only allow yourself loose in the lush green deals of the surrounding botany and fauna.

Portuguese Church Tribal Museum Local Gardens (if you 'd like) Madhuban Dam Guest House - Magnificent view!

Lion Safari on way to Khavel of Western India.

Khanvel Gardens Dudhni Watersports!

Try out the local cuisine of Desi Chicken.

Local wadapaav BhelPuri/PaaniPuri at Dadra gardens.

Western India - General ingormation [8/31]

Western India comprises three large states, one small state and two minuscule alliance lands. It is limited by Pakistan and the Arabian sea to its west and the Gangetic plains to its east. This is the most heterogeneous of India's regions. The lands differ drastically from one another in speech, its culture and degrees of economic condition. Maharashtra and Gujarat are among the most industrialized provinces of India while Rajasthan and Goa are magnets for sightseers, though for different reasons. Western India comprises the next states/union territories.

Dadra and Nagar Haveli — a small land stuck between the larger provinces of Maharashtra and Gujarat in Western India

Daman and Diu — two small metropolises, one an isle off the Gujarat seaside and the other on the coastline

Goa — Western India home to the state's best shores

Gujarat — an important business core, and a great location to buy traditional fabrics

Maharashtra — India's third largest state is home to two of its most fascinating cities - Mumbai and Pune

Rajasthan — the land of warriors, deserts, colorful saris, historic forts and Rajput temples

Cities The Gateway of India, the icon of Mumbai The Gateway of India, the icon of Mumbai

Ahmedabad — beautiful fabric museum of the whole world

Aurangabad — a few miles from the famous Ajanta and Ellora caves, a sacred site for Hindus, Jains and Buddhists

Jaipur — the Pink City, famous for Rajput architecture

Jodhpur — the Sun City, also known as the Blue City

Mumbai — the financial capital of Western India, the hub of Bollywood and London to many an Indian Dick Whittington.

Nagpur — at the geo centre of India.

Nashik — the city of temples placed 180 km from Mumbai

Pune — Maharashtra's cultural capital, a historic city and home to many educational institutions.

Pushkar — home to the country's only Brahma temple, the camel festival in November is an added extra Other stops

Shekhavati, a part representing Sikar and Jhunjhunu districts, has a lot of fascinating home towns with well-preserved havelis, forts and temples.

Mount Abu is Rajasthan's only hill-station and is home to a circle of five Jain

Western India Temples

Kumbhalgarh is a gigantic red fort placed in Western India beautiful landscape amongst the rugged Arravali Hills. There is also a nearby wildlife sanctuary by the same name west of the fort on the leeward side. Squirrels, wolves, panthers and birds can be recognized here during the spring months.

Matheran, between Mumbai and Pune is Asia's only pedestrian resort.

Goa is home to miles and miles of beaches. Some of its quaint cities such as Panaji and Madgaon are best traveled by feet.