Mumbai – City of dreams

Mumbai (formerly called Bombay) is a densely populated city on India’s west coast. A financial center, it’s India’s largest city. On the Mumbai Harbour waterfront stands the iconic Gateway of India stone arch, built by the British Raj in 1924. Offshore, nearby Elephanta Island holds ancient cave temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The city’s also famous as the heart of the Bollywood film industry.

History

1. Human habitation of Mumbai existed since the Stone Age, the Kolis (a Marathi fishing community) were the earliest known settlers of the islands
2. The Maurya Empire gained control of the islands during the 3rd century BCE and transformed it into a centre of Buddhist culture and religion.
3. Portuguese explorer Francisco de Almeida‘s ship sailed into the deep natural harbour of the island in 1508, and he called it Bom baía (Good Bay)
4. Bahadur Shah ,then ruler,  was obliged to sign the Treaty of Bassein with the Portuguese on 23 December 1534. According to the treaty, the islands of Mumbai and Bassein were offered to the Portuguese
5. The marriage treaty of Charles II of England and Catherine of Portugal on 8 May 1661 placed Bombay in British possession as a part of Catherine’s dowry to Charles
6. After getting independence from British rule Mumbai became capital of Indian state Maharashtra 

Activities

1. Visit Gateway of India
2. Visit Elephanta caves
3. Watch Drama at Prithvi Theatre
4. Drive along Bandra Worli sea link
5. Pray at Siddhivinayak temple / ISKON temple or Haji Ali
6. Watch a Boliwood movie shooting at Film city

How to reach there

Air

The Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport  is the main aviation hub in the city and the second busiest airport in India in terms of passenger traffic.It is well connected to many of the major cities of the world

Sea

Mumbai is served by two major ports, Mumbai Port Trust and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, which lies just across the creek in Navi Mumbai.Mumbai Port has one of the best natural harbours in the world, and has extensive wet and dry dock accommodation facilities

Road

Mumbai is served by National Highway 3, National Highway 4, National Highway 8, National Highway 17 and National Highway 222 of India’s National Highways system.The Mumbai-Pune Expressway was the first expressway built in India.

Rail

Mumbai is also well connected to most parts of India by the Indian Railways. Long-distance trains originate from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Dadar, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Mumbai Central, Bandra Terminus, Andheri and Borivali.

Nearby destinations

1. Lonavala (84 kms away)
2. Khandala ( 295 kms away)
3. Daman and Diu ( 173 kms away)
4. Elephanata caves( 14kms away)
5. Karla caves ( 70kms away)

Some hotels in Mumbai with room tariff less than Rs.5000/- per night

Ginger Mumbai, Andheri East https://www.gingerhotels.com/ginger-mumbai-andheri-east/?utm_source=Google_Business_Listing&utm_medium=google&utm_campaign=GINGER_MUMBAI_ANDHERI_EAST_BUSINESS_LISTING

Hotel Le Grande http://www.hotellegrande.com/

Mogul Palace Hotel http://www.mogulpalace.com/

The Oriental Residency http://www.theorientalresidency.com/

Hotel A. K. International http://www.hotelakinternational.in/

Carlton Hotel – Colaba http://www.carltonhotel.in/