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Home > Best of India > Mumbai
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Tours to Mumbai India
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Mumbai the mesmerizing commercial capital of India makes a great holiday spot. Mumbai acts as a gateway for international tourists planning to visit western India. Mumbai is a convenient starting point from which to tour the beaches of Goa or travel further down the coast to South India. There are many tourist attractions in Mumbai, including its beaches, markets, heritage buildings and film city. Tourist attractions near Mumbai include the Elephanta Caves and the hill stations of Lonavala and Khandala. You can have an enjoyable holiday in the cosmopolitan city of Mumbai, with Indian Horizons.
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The metropolitan city of Mumbai derives its name from Goddess Mumbadevi - the patron goddess of the Koli fisher folk, its oldest inhabitants. Mumbai is essentially a cluster of seven islands namely Colaba, Mahim, Mazgaon, Parel, Worli, Girgaun and Dongri. Once upon a time Mumbai was passed off as a Portuguese princess' dowry and later an adornment of neo-gothic British architecture. The Portuguese predecessors of the British preferred to refer to it as Bom Bahia or the Good Bay.
Located on the long, narrow coast of Western India Mumbai is a lovely natural harbour. Mumbai is often referred to as the financial powerhouse, industrial heartland, and economic nerve centre of India and Bollywood for the innumerable motion films that are produced here every year.
There are a number of landmarks and places of tourist interest in Mumbai. For the holy Mahalaxmi Temple, the oldest temple in Mumbai, dedicated to the Goddess of Wealth is a must visit. Gateway of India, the monument synonymous with Mumbai, was the principal port when the visitors came to India by ship. The gateway was conceived, following the visit of King George V to India in 1911, and was officially opened in 1924. Close by is the Sassoon dock which is always interesting to visit at dawn, when the fishing boats come in and unload their catch.
The Prince of Wales Museum, another must visit in Mumbai, was built to commemorate King George V's visit to India and inaugurated in 1923. It is modelled on the Indo - Saracenic design, and has sections for art and paintings, archaeology, and natural history. The Jehangir Art Gallery is within the compound of the Prince of Wales Museum, and displays paintings of modern Indian artists. VT or Victoria Terminus, which was designed in Italian Gothic style by F. W. Stevens, is known to be the station from which the first train in Indian ran from Mumbai to Thane in 1853.
One of the most famous beaches in Mumbai is Chowpatty beach which is a popular spot for people seeking an evening out. The annual Ganesh Chaturthi festival is best experienced here. Nightlife in Mumbai is exciting with many hip and happening discotheques and nightclubs. Gourmet restaurants add to the party mood in Mumbai.
For excursions Mumbai offers places like Elephanta islands, Gateway of India, Krishnagiri Upavan National Park, Kanheri caves, Manori beach, Montepezir and Jogeshwari Caves and Bassein.
Mumbai is pleasant enough to be visited any time of the year, though the hot and humid months of June, July and August are best avoided. An extensive network of flights from Mumbai's Sahar (International) and Santa Cruz (Domestic) airports connect it with national and international destinations. Mumbai has trains connecting it to all the major cities of India. The road network links Mumbai with other cities in Maharastra as well as its adjoining states.
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