Formerly known as Bombay, Mumbai is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. The city is mainly popular for housing “Bollywood”, the Indian film Industry and is also known as “City of Dearms”. Although, the city does not feature many historical monuments, yet it is popular among the tourists as it has massive amount of other fascinating and unique attractions that are capable of mesmerizing the visitors to the place. The city is situated on Salsette Island and has an archipelago of seven small islands, to be more precise Old Woman's Island, Mahim, Colaba, Wadala, Matunga-Sion, Mazagaon and Parel. Besides these beautiful islands, this beautiful Indian city features beautiful beaches, which as well attracts a horde of travelers. Some of the prominent travel destinations in Mumbai for India travellers include :
Gateway of India
The starting point of Mumbai’s sightseeing is the Gateway of India. One of the most well-known monuments of India, Gateway of India also has a historical significance. This was the way through which British came to India and also felt India using the same route. Situated on the harbor in Colaba, the Gateway of India is a 26 ft high structure made of yellow basalt stone and features four steeples and elaborate latticework engraved into it. This place is not only a popular attraction among the visitors from India but for all tourists who visits the city from different parts of the globe.
Haji Ali Dargah
Visited by travelers from all parts of the World, Haji Ali Dargah is both a mosque and tomb. This dargah is visited not only by Muslim Pilgrims but also by people from other religions. Built in the middle of the sea, this religious place was established in the year 1431 by an affluent Muslim businessman and Sufi saint Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, who was motivated to transform the path of his life after his visit to Mecca. The Dargah also contains the body of this Sufi saint as he was buried here and is thronged by pilgrims almost every day but mostly on Thursdays and Fridays.
Elephanta Caves
Elephanta Caves is one of the major attractions of Mumbai, which is situated in the vicinity of the famous Gateway of India. These caves were built during 600 A.D., wherein one group depicts the Shaiva Sect and the other group features two Buddhist caves. These rock cut caves are made from solid basalt rock and is a World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO. The sculptures made in these caves depict the story of both the Shaivat Sect and Buddhists, which attracts the tourists from various parts of the World.
Chowpati Beach
Popular both among the locales of Mumbai as well as travelers, Chowpati Beach is situated on the northern part of Marine Drive. The beach is a prominent picnic spot, which is thronged by swarms of people. This beach remains all the time lively with people from all ages. Besides being a popular picnic spot of the city, Chowpati beach is also popular for its street food stalls like pav bhaji, vada pav, behelpuri, ice cream and lots more. This beach is even more crowded by people during the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, who visits it to offer homage to Lord Ganesha.
Bollywood
The India’s biggest film industry, Bollywood is in the city of Mumbai. Bollywood is a dream of many Indian youth and owing to this, the city of Mumbai has got its name as “The city of dreams”. It is ranked 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] in the World for producing films every year and has gained a lot of fame for the nation. Movies produced here is popular in every nation of the World. This has become one of the most prominent places in the city, which is visited by almost every tourist.
Siddhivinayak Temple
Last but not the least; Siddhivinayak Temple is one of the most visited places in Mumbai. This temple is dedicated to lord Ganesha that features an idol of the deity that measures 12 feet. Built during the 18[SUP]th[/SUP] century, this temple has gained significance through these years and is crowded by pilgrims from all parts of the nation all throughout the World. This is one of the 8 shires among the Ashta Vinayak shrines of Maharashtra.
Gateway of India
The starting point of Mumbai’s sightseeing is the Gateway of India. One of the most well-known monuments of India, Gateway of India also has a historical significance. This was the way through which British came to India and also felt India using the same route. Situated on the harbor in Colaba, the Gateway of India is a 26 ft high structure made of yellow basalt stone and features four steeples and elaborate latticework engraved into it. This place is not only a popular attraction among the visitors from India but for all tourists who visits the city from different parts of the globe.
Haji Ali Dargah
Visited by travelers from all parts of the World, Haji Ali Dargah is both a mosque and tomb. This dargah is visited not only by Muslim Pilgrims but also by people from other religions. Built in the middle of the sea, this religious place was established in the year 1431 by an affluent Muslim businessman and Sufi saint Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, who was motivated to transform the path of his life after his visit to Mecca. The Dargah also contains the body of this Sufi saint as he was buried here and is thronged by pilgrims almost every day but mostly on Thursdays and Fridays.
Elephanta Caves
Elephanta Caves is one of the major attractions of Mumbai, which is situated in the vicinity of the famous Gateway of India. These caves were built during 600 A.D., wherein one group depicts the Shaiva Sect and the other group features two Buddhist caves. These rock cut caves are made from solid basalt rock and is a World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO. The sculptures made in these caves depict the story of both the Shaivat Sect and Buddhists, which attracts the tourists from various parts of the World.
Chowpati Beach
Popular both among the locales of Mumbai as well as travelers, Chowpati Beach is situated on the northern part of Marine Drive. The beach is a prominent picnic spot, which is thronged by swarms of people. This beach remains all the time lively with people from all ages. Besides being a popular picnic spot of the city, Chowpati beach is also popular for its street food stalls like pav bhaji, vada pav, behelpuri, ice cream and lots more. This beach is even more crowded by people during the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, who visits it to offer homage to Lord Ganesha.
Bollywood
The India’s biggest film industry, Bollywood is in the city of Mumbai. Bollywood is a dream of many Indian youth and owing to this, the city of Mumbai has got its name as “The city of dreams”. It is ranked 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] in the World for producing films every year and has gained a lot of fame for the nation. Movies produced here is popular in every nation of the World. This has become one of the most prominent places in the city, which is visited by almost every tourist.
Siddhivinayak Temple
Last but not the least; Siddhivinayak Temple is one of the most visited places in Mumbai. This temple is dedicated to lord Ganesha that features an idol of the deity that measures 12 feet. Built during the 18[SUP]th[/SUP] century, this temple has gained significance through these years and is crowded by pilgrims from all parts of the nation all throughout the World. This is one of the 8 shires among the Ashta Vinayak shrines of Maharashtra.