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MUMBAI
Bombay, renamed Mumbai, could well be any other metropolitan city in the world, with its skyscraper-filled skyline. However, that is where the comparison ends, for the integral part of Mumbai lives and works at sea level and at the street level - in its old crumbling homes flanking lanes and even narrower bylanes. Like all big cities, Mumbai too shows its seamy sides in the slums. It has th "honour" of having Dharavi, the largest slum in Asia, in its folds. "Jhuggis" (Hutments) exist cheek-to-jowl with "ivory towers".  The Gateway to India & capital of Maharashtra, Bombay was once a cluster of seven islands called Heptanasia by Plotemy in AD 150. The word Mumbai (locally called) however, is derived from Mumba Devi or Maha Amba Aai, the patron goddess of the kolis or fisherfolk, who have been its original inhabitants.

	The domestic airport at Santacruz, 26 km from Nariman Point, is served by leading international airlines, India's own Air India, Indian Airlines and private airlines, connecting Mumbai with almost all the major cities in the country. Sahara International Airport, (30 km) has Air India and all the other international flights in the country.
	Mumbai is the headquarters of the Central and Western Railways. Regular train services connect Victoria Terminus and Mumbai Central stations to different parts of India.
	Mumbai is well connected by road with many major cities.

Some important road distances from Mumbai

Gateway of India, the entrance to the port of Mumbai. Historically, the Gateway holds greater significance as the last of the British troops which left Independent India by sea, marched through its portals.

Prince of Wales Museum, King George V, who as Prince of Wales, laid the foundation stone of this museum in 1905. Situated near the Gateway of India, it was designed in the Indo-Saracenic style to commemorate the King's first visit to India. During the First World War, it was used as a hospital. It was opened as a museum in 1923 and has three main sections: Art, Archaeology and Natural History. Once of the best museums in the country, it is a treasure house of art, sculpture, china, rare coins and old firearms. It also has a priceless collection of miniature paintings. The glistening white marble dome crowning this building can be sighted from a distance as it lies nestled amidst a well-laid out garden.

Nehru Museum/Planetarium, This museum, adjacent to the Planerarium has a Childrens' Science Park and a permanent gallery which has exhibits relating to the properties of life. A collection of a tramcar, railway engine, supersonic jet and steam lorry are also present. 

Mani Bhawan, A memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, who stayed at these premises a number of times between 1917 and 1934. It contains a collection of books on and by the Mahatma. A pictorial gallery captures the moments and events of his life.

Marine Drive, This sweeping Queen's Necklace, flickering with a thousand lights at night turns into the main thoroughfare linking Malabar Hill - and the norhtern parts of the island - to the southernmost points of Colaba, Cuffee Parade, Nariman Point and Fort.

Hanging Gardens, Laid out in 1881 on top of a reservoir which supplies water to many parts of the city, the Hanging Gardens are situated on Malabar Hill. Now re-christened Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens, it is still popularly known by its old name. The hedges are cut into enchanting animal shapes. A floral clock also adorns the gardens which are very popular not only with the local residents, but also with people living in far-flung parts of the city. The location also provides an enchanting view of the sea, the harbour and the hills, on the mainland.

Kamla Nehru Park, Situated across the road, this park is very popular with children. Laid out in 1952, it was dedicated to the memory of the wife of India's first Prime Minister. A replica of the Old Woman's shoe is a great attraction, as are the swings and slides for the very young. Important civic receptions are held here, offering a scenic view of the marine Drive and Nariman Point, besides the wide expanse of the Arabian Sea.

Kanheri Caves, are 2nd century Buddhist hill caves at Kanheri. Though there are no representations of the Buddha himself, symbolic representations of his religion are found. The caves lie abount 40 km. From the heart of the city.

Chowpatty, Situated at the northern end of Marine Drive, it is a stretch of sandy beach and attracts hordes of people during the weekends and on holidays. A food-mart of stalls have become a permanent feature and offer a range of eatables from "bhelpuri", the local speciality to "chaat", "kulfi", coconut and other snacks. A larger portion of the terrain is left open for the public where people come to enjoy the evening sea breeze and the children come to play, As a part of the city's cleanliness and beautification drive, Chowpatty is also being given a face lift.

Juhu Beach, Situated 30 km from the city, it is a crowded beach with residential apartments and bungalows surrounding it. It seems as if the entire population of the area descends on the beach for a breath of fresh air! The central part has food stalls again, similar to Chowpatty. And a lot more, in terms of fun-riders for children.

Elephanta Caves, 9 km by sea from Gateway of India. A ferry ride across the harbour takes you to Garapuri - the local name for Elephanta. Almost at its centre, the island rises into two conical hillocks. The famed caves lie about tow-thirds up the higher of the two hills. The island was named by the Portugese after a great stone elephant was found when they landed there in the 16th century. The elephant now rests at the entrance of the Victoria Gardens (Jijamata Bhonsale Udhyan) in Mumbai. These eight century rock-cut caves were hewn out of the hills and sculpted intricately. Steps, flanked by sculptured elephants, lead to a wide columned verandah outside the main cave.

Sculptures of "dwarapalas" are found in three recesses. Further, three avenues made from four rows of massive columns, cut into the main rock, lead to the 18-ft. high imposing structure of Mahaeshmurti - depicting Shiva as the creator, destroyer and preserver. it has been often erroneously called the Trimurti - which depicts the three faces of Brahman the creator, Vishnu the preserver and Shiva the destroyer.

Krishnagiri Upavana,  Situated about 7 km from the Kanheri caves, it has the Gandhi Smriti Mandir on Pavilion Hill. From here, one gets an unrestricted view of the surroundings hills and streams. 

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India Notes Music & Dance Museums & Galleries Religions Transport Fairs Festivals Beaches Wildlife Indian Embassies around the world  World Heritage Monuments in India Heritage Hotels Ayurveda Pushkar Fair-2002 EXOTIC TRAIN JOURNEYS IN INDIA Palace On Wheels Royal Orient Express Fairy Queen SELECTED WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES & NATIONAL PARKS IN INDIA Dachigam National Park Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary   Corbett National Park  Dudhwa National Park  Bandhavgarh National Park  Kanha National Park  Panna Tiger Reserve Keoladeo Ghana National Park  Sariska Tiger Reserve Ranthambore National Park  Gir National Park  Bandipur National Park Rajiv Gandhi (Nagarahole) National Park  Indira Gandhi (Anamalais) Wildlife Sanctuary  Periyar Tiger Reserve Sundarban National Park  Manas Tiger Reserve Kaziranga National Park

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