Places of Interest - India

"Bombay" ("Mumbai")

introduction

Bombay (officially "Mumbai") is the cultural and commercial heart of India. It houses a lot of important financial institutions and many Indian companies have their headquarters there. Because of the higher standard of living, immigrants from all over India are attracted, the city is therefore also a melting pot of different (Indian) cultures. The Portuguese once called the city "Bom Bahia" (good bay) not knowing that it would ever become the city of which almost half consists of slums. The most famous is Dharavi, with about 1 million inhabitants, one of the largest slums in Asia. The city is located on the island "Salsette", located on the Arabian Sea. Together with the suburbs, Bombay is one of the world's largest urban agglomerations. Officially, the city has more than 22 million inhabitants.

One of the most striking buildings of the city is the Gateway of India, built in memory of a visit by the British king George V in 1911. The last British soldiers left India in 1948 through this gate. Other notable sights are; the Colonial buildings such as the university and the High Council building, a gigantic open launderette, the many bazaars and the island "Elephanta". In addition, Bombay offers a variety of restaurants, entertainment venues and you can also go to a "Bollywood" movie or go to a horse riding or cricket match. Bombay also has one of the largest ports and busiest train stations in Asia.

highlights

"Colaba":

The (urban) district "Colaba" is seen as the unofficial tourist headquarters of Bombay. It is a busy district with countless street stalls, markets, bars, restaurants and hostels. The most impressive and interesting building is the "Gateway of India". For India, it is a symbol of the regained freedom on the British. The British built this gate in 1911 at the entrance of the harbor, so that this was the first to be seen when approaching Bombay. Nowadays it is often used today as a meeting point. A little further (south) you can go to the "Sassoon" dock; a place where in the afternoon the freshly caught fish is brought in and traded.

"Fort" area:

This district was once located directly on the Arabian Sea. For that reason, countless large, now magnificent Colonial buildings were erected here by the British. One of those masterpieces is the building of the Supreme Court. Not far from there you can marvel at the University of Bombay. Something very different is the "St. Thomas' church. One of the most impressive buildings is the immense "Chhatrapati Shivaji" terminus or the old "Victoria" train station. A walk along the "Oval Maidan" where cricket is often played is a must.

"Dobi Ghat"

A gigantic large open air "launderette" - this is the best way to describe the 136-year-old "Dhobi Ghat" (place where the laundry is done). The chance that your laundry was done here, in this huge hand washed laundry complex is great. Hundreds of people kick the dirt from the mountain clothing and other textiles which was pounded in one of the more than 1000 potholes. It seems to be a tourist trap but this is the real deal.

"Elephanta" island

In the middle of the port of Bombay about 9 km away ly the carved temples of "Elephanta" island. Beautiful stone decorated temples built between the 5th century BC and the 8th century AD of which the "Shiva" temple is the most impressive. The Portuguese called it "Elephanta" as there used to be a large stone carved elephant. Monkeys on the island will accompany you and beg for some food or drink.

Other attractions:

Prince of Wales museum ("Kala Ghoda"), Crawford market, "Chowpatty Beach" and "Chor" bazaar.

history

Human habitation in and around the current Bombay has been documented since 250 BC when it was known to the Greeks as Heptanesia. In the third century BC the islands were part of the Maurya Empire, ruled by the Buddhist emperor Asoka. The Hindu rulers of the Silhara dynasty ruled the islands until 1343, when Gujarat annexed them. In 1543 the Portuguese received the islands in exchange for an alliance of sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat and in 1661 they were given by Catherine of Bragança as dowry to Charles II of England. The islands were then leased to the British East India Company in 1668 for ten pounds a year. The company found the deep natural harbor on the east side of the islands well suited for their first port on the Indian Subcontinent. The Maharajas in the hinterland were defeated and the city wall was overthrown. The population grew rapidly from 10,000 in 1661 to 60,000 in 1675 and in 1687 the British East India Company moved their headquarters from Surat to Bombay. From 1817 the city was redecorated and expanded. During the American Civil War (1861-1865) the city became the most important cotton market in the world, which led to a strong growth of the economy and gave the city a higher status. By opening the Suez Canal in 1869, Bombay became one of the largest seaports along the Arabian Sea. Bombay also became an important stronghold for the Indian independence movement, with the Quit India Movement of Mahatma Gandhi in 1942 as the main event.

After India's independence in 1947, it became the capital of Bombay State (Bombay State). In 1950 the city acquired its current city limits, by a city extension to the north. Disagreement arose whether the city would become a city state or a capital of a new "Maharashtra" state. Hundreds of people died due to riots and demonstrations. Hereafter, Bombay became the largest city and financial capital of India. It also took on a leading role as a technology center and became the Indian center of the entertainment industry (including Bollywood). In the sixties and seventies, Bombay was hit several times by communal violence, which included supporters of the Hindu nationalist party "Shiv Sena". On 17 May 1984, riots broke out between Muslims and Hindus, which cost more than two hundred lives. This would repeat itself in the 1990s; countless riots with hundreds of deaths and bombings. In the summer of 2006, the city was hit by a series of explosions during the busy evening rush hour. At least 200 people were killed and more than 714 wounded. In short, seven bombs exploded in overcrowded commuter trains. On 26 November 2008, new attacks took place in the city, including shootings, attacks on hotels and hostage-taking.

tips & advice (2004 and 2008)

Bombay airport is called Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (formerly Sahar International Airport) and is the busiest airport in India. The Andheri terminal provides the international flights and the Santacruz terminal provides the flights within India. The airport is located in the northwest of the city. The port of Bombay is regarded as one of the best natural harbors in the world and, in addition to a considerable part of Indian freight transport, provides fifty percent of Indian passenger transport by sea. Ferries from Ferry Wharf provide cheap access to nearby islands and beaches.

The city is the headquarters of two zones of the Indian railways; the Central Railway (CR) with the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly the Victoria Terminus) and the Western Railway (WR) headquartered with the headquarters near Churchgate. Private bus companies run like state buses to other major cities. The first are more expensive, faster and more comfortable.

The construction of the Bombay metro started in June 2006 and the plan is for the first line to become operational in 2011. Buses are used for short to medium distances and the trains for longer distances. The buses from BEST consist of regular buses and double-deckers. The taxis, which take up to four people, drive in almost the entire urban area. Automated rickshaws, which operate only outside the center, are the most used means of transport on demand. These three-wheeled vehicles can take up to three people.

Airport - Center (2008): especially when you arrive in the evening, it is best to take a taxi with meter. Fixed prices are 350 Rupees; this is to "Colaba" area. Late in the evening, an extra amount is often asked for the late hour; there is also sometimes tried to ask for money for your luggage. Read the latest developments in this area. The journey takes about 45 minutes.

"Koloba" (center) - "Elephanta" island (2004): between 09:00 and 15:00 boats from "Gateway of India" go every half hour to the island. The trip takes a little more than an hour. Prices vary by boat. The cheapest is 100 Rupees for a return. It is closed on Monday.

Bombay - Nasik (2008): the train does this part in about 4 hours. Prices vary and cost about 210 Rupees for a seat. You have to get out awkwardly 8 km from the city center in Nasik.

Bombay - Matheran (2004): you can take trains from CST and get off at "Neral" (costs 20Rs). There is certainly one at 06:40. This takes about 2 hours. There you can change trains to Matheran (09:00 - 11:00). Here you pay 39 Rs. You get off in the center.

Bombay - Aurangabad (2004): You can take the train from Bombay direction "Kaylian" where certainly a (night) train leaves for Aurangabad. This leaves at 22:00 and arrives around 05:00.

Name: Hotel "Outram" (2009)

Address: Marzaban Road ("Fort" area)

Price: 570 Rupee (single)

Phone nr. : 22094937

Content:

It is quite central located in the "Fort" district so you can quickly visit "Colaba" but you can be also pretty quickly at the train station (CTS) for ungoing travelling. It is quiet here for Indian standards; the hostel is not super in appearance and beauty. The staff is friendly and helpful and very numerous and will try to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Of course you can negotiate the price; there are singles, doubles with and without their own toilet and shower. The above is without. Breakfast is not included

Name: "Maria Lodge" (2004)

Address: 5/2 Grand Bldg, Arthur Bunder Rd ("Colaba" area)

Price: 350 Rs (single)

Phone nr. : 22854081

Content:

Major advantages of this "cheappie" is its location; it is located in the center of the center of Colaba area and from here you can walk to the "Gateway" and boulevard in a few minutes. The whole street, incidentally, has sleeping options. Rooms are small but you have your own toilet and it is all fine clean. Staff is very friendly and helpful.

Bombay is a terribly energetic, big, chaotic, interesting and fun city and perhaps these tips will help you even more:

Go to the ATM directly at the airport and turn this into a bank in smaller coupeurs;
Bombay is one of the most expensive cities in terms of accommodation - in other words if you are going to write your memoirs, do this elsewhere and use your time in Bombay to do things that make the city unique;
One of the things that you really need to do once in India (Bombay) is to go to one of the 100 cinemas that run Bollywood films: "Eros" cinema (Bollywood film); MK road, Churchgate - tickets between 40 and 100 Rupees. (2004);
If you want something different, you can go to the horse racing for an afternoon (and combine this perfectly with "Dhobi Ghat" which is a stone's throw away) from "Mahalaxmi". The races are held on Sunday and Thursday and the entrance fee is 200Rs. You can get off at the train station with the name of the same name.