Mumbai, India - Cruise Stories

~Mumbai, India~

India’s premier metropolis is a city of stark contrasts, modern towers of steel and glass stand next to stately stone edifices from the days of the Raj. Automobiles race down the crowded streets and everywhere one confronts the paradox of India.

The commercial capital of the subcontinent, a large percentage of Mumbai’s population lives in hutments without running water or electricity. Yet the fabled “Gateway of India” is a place of haunting beauty, from the marble serenity of the Jain Palace to the Elephanta Caves, where sculptures of Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu were carved out of solid rock over a millennia ago.

India’s principal seaport, Bombay is “Mumbai” in Marathi. The Portuguese acquired the city from Bahadur Shah in the 15th century, they called their new possession Bom Baim, “good bay.”

In the year 1995, the city’s name officially changed from Bombay to Mumbai to glorify the Maratha culture and pay tribute to the local goddess Mumbadevi. This was done by the state political party Shiv Sena as a way to reflect and re-glorify the Maratha culture.

India’s First Train and bus Travelled Here

A very lesser-known fact about is that the first ever train in the country had run here. The train had started off in Mumbai central and had stopped at Thane. Along with the trains, it was the place where bus services began operating for the first time. The Best bus services are considered one of the fastest and most efficient modes of transport.

India’s wealthiest City

Mumbai has always been known for its giving-back characteristic. It is said that nobody sleeps on an empty stomach in Mumbai if he/she is ready to work hard and give their best. This is the reason why there are migrants from all around the country residing here with the hope to make a better living. This makes Mumbai the wealthiest city in India with the rich and the poor both trying to achieve different standards of living and get over the demarcation that separates them.

Mumbai is the home to the highest number of billionaires and millionaires in India which contribute a lot to making it the wealthiest city in India.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Mumbai is a major tourist hotspot with amazing places to explore. There are 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites here that are a major attraction of the city. The chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus also known as the Victoria terminus, the different deco buildings here reflecting the Victorian era, and the Elephanta Caves are these heritage sites.

Made up of Seven Islands

There’s everything unique about Mumbai and its locations. Unlike other cities, Mumbai is made up of seven different islands that were united to make the city a whole. These islands include Colaba, Mahim, Parel, Worli, Isle of Bombay, Little Colaba, and Mazagaon.

Juhu Aerodome

The Juhu Aerodome in Mumbai was the first airport founded in India. Today, it goes by the name, ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport’ and is the international airport of Mumbai. It is considered among the top 3 airports in India and has a lot of aesthetic value to it.

Mumbai’s Dabbawallas

The dabbawallas or the tiffin service providers are the heart of Mumbai. They are known for their on-time deliveries and amazing management skills. They act as the middlemen receiving the tiffins prepared from different areas and then delivering them to their exact locations on time. They have been serving the city for a long time and are now recognized worldwide.

Bandra-Worli Sea Link

The mesmerizing bridge linking Bandra to Worli crosses Mahim Bay to reduce the travel time from around 30 minutes to 10 minutes. Also known as the Ragiv Gandhi Sea Link, it was built by the Hindustan Construction Company and extends to 5.6 km. The most interesting part about it is that it was constructed with cement and steel wire that was equal to the earth’s girth.