Tourism Update
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MUMBAI TOURISM UPDATE TOURISM to fulfill and is willing to work for it, Mumbai FIVE KEY aids every step of the way. No wonder then, it is HIGHLIGHTS the melting pot of diverse cultures from across MUMBAI! India and home to many foreigners. Its charac- 1. MODERN MONUMENT ter affects all, and soon, everyone who lives in Mumbai, becomes a Mumbaikar. The land of the mighty Marathas, Mumbai is hospitable and UPDATE welcoming to a fault. High Finance: The towering Bombay Stock For the history buff, exploring the magic and Exchange building in mystery of the ancient caves in and around downtown Mumbai Mumbai is mandatory. Let your imagination The 5.6 km long Bandra symbolises its business Worli Sea Link connects and financial might. soar recreating history around the Elephanta downtown to Bandra and Caves. Discovered by 17th century Portuguese the western suburbs. Heritage Central: Amazing Rock Art: A network of sculpted caves dating back The Chhatrapati Shivaji explorers, the caves are actually temples of to the 5th century, 10 km from the Gateway of India, the famed train terminus is more Lord Shiva. They are best visited during the 2. ICONIC GATEWAY Elephanta Caves are a major tourist attraction. than 120 years old and a UNESCO heritage site. Elephanta festival. It takes 30 minutes by boat from the Gateway of India in south Mumbai, to onions and chutney for a man on the move. The reach this UNESCO World Heritage site. Ferries Chowpatty beach, at the far end of Marine Drive, Towering Dreams: Revellers during the leave at regular intervals. But before you board is known for its creamy handmade ice cream in Ganesh festival watch a boat, pause at the historic Gateway of India, scores of flavours. The beach also has the best transfixed as a devotee climbs to the top of a and admire the majestic and world famous Taj Astride the waterfront of the other local favourite, Bhelpuri, a mouth- human pyramid to reach Hotel. You can spend a few meditative hours facing the world famous Taj wateringly tangy snack made from puffed rice. a pot full of goodies. Mahal Hotel, the Gateway among hundreds of circling pigeons and the of India symbolises the The Parsi Brun Maska (bun and butter) and the Arabian Sea smashing against the large landing city's friendliness. Marathi Vada Pav are no less delectable and can platform, right behind you. An 85-foot high be found at street-corner shops and kiosks. basalt arch, the Gateway was built by the British 3. AWE-INSPIRING ART The city comes alive during festivals and the in 1911, to welcome King George V and Queen Ganesh Festival is the city’s own, in a sense. It Mary of England. It used to be the mariner’s bridges the gap between religions and is cel- first sight upon landing in what was then called ebrated as one big carnival by all. For the art lover, Bombay. The last of the British ships leaving an the Jehangir Art Gallery and Prithvi Theatre are a independent India also sailed out of this place. must. Situated right behind the Prince of Wales Less than five kilometres away, near the com- museum in the Fort area, it is so prestigious, that Magical Set in a 2.5 km long mercial city-centre of Fort, you must visit the island, the basalt caves painters and sculptors have to wait years to exhib- Chhattrapati Shivaji Train Terminus, earlier of Elephanta house fine it their works here. There are easy and affordable stone sculptures and known as the Victoria Terminus. The mag- ancient rock art. bus and train rides to each of these places. Mumbai! nificent building blends Indian elements with Mumbai boasts of contemporary architectural British architecture to form a style unique to 4. SUNSET BEACH marvels like the Bandra Worli Sealink, Nehru This cultural melting pot blends Mumbai. Its stunning stone dome, turrets and Science Centre and the IMAX Dome Theatre. pointed arches are close to traditional Indian The 5.6 km long Sealink is India’s longest history that’s ancient and dreams palace architecture. Lit up and dazzling at night, bridge and the first in the country to be built that are tomorrow’s. BY RUCHIRA MITTAL. the terminus is a monument worth visiting. over the open sea. Kiran Kurundkar, managing of Indian industry and commerce. It is also The imposing 29-storey Phiroze Jeejeebhoy director of the Maharashtra Tourism Devel- where the influential Bombay Stock Exchange Towers, not far from the train terminus, houses opment Corporation, says: “At Maharashtra The wind-swept Juhu umbai is not just India’s most populous city, it is also is located, as also the nation’s financial regulator the Bombay Stock Exchange, symbolising the beach in suburban Tourism, we want to tell the world the stories of the most popular. the Reserve Bank of India. city’s, indeed the nation’s, thriving economy. Mumbai attracts locals Mumbai that ring out from her every street. The Thirteen million, and counting, its residents are high- Renamed from Bombay, the city pulsates with Not far away, the stunning Marine and tourists alike. story of a colonial dominion breaking free, and ly focussed, industrious, tough, hardworking, resilient a rare and potent vibrancy. Some say this life Drive, also called the queen's neck- in 60 years becoming a global economic power.” and fun-loving. Numerous books, songs and movies force comes from Mumbai being ideally located lace for its evenly spaced street 5. ANIMAL INSTINCT The spirit of Mumbai is indomitable. It rises have eulogised and romanticised this sea-side financial hub, easily the according to the ancient Indian science of town lights, glitters like diamonds. In At Mumbai's Sanjay above each challenge, bouncing back to life and M Gandhi National New York of India. And like its transcontinental counterpart, the city hosts planning and architecture, Vastu Shastra—on Mumbai, do sample Pav Bhaji, a Park watch spotted even stronger. Come what may, the city bedecks some of the mightiest industrial giants of India, indeed the entire world. the western coastline, with the Arabian Sea curl- spicy, high-octane vegetable-and- leopards. Go itself for the night. The vibrancy of Mumbai is birdwatching in one From the Tatas, Godrej, Reliance, Cadbury, Essar, Jet Airways, Larsen & ing around it. Others insist its energy comes bread speciality of Mumbai. It’s a of the world's most an enduring symbol of the resilience and pride Toubro to Zee Telefilms, Mumbai is headquarters to the virtual who’s who from its people. For anybody who has a dream wholesome meal, spiked with pickled visited parks. of the Mumbaikar and his beloved city. 44 JUNE-JULY 2011 www.ibef.org www.ibef.org JUNE-JULY 2011 45.