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Forget Me Not: 5 Reasons to Remember Mumbai

Posted by Jude Buttle on Monday, November 03, 2008

Formerly known as Bombay, Mumbai is home to some fine beaches, historical monuments and the Bollywood film industry.

The three-headed Shiva

1. The Elephanta Caves

The Elephanta caves are the focal point of Elephanta Island, known in days gone by as Gharapuri Island, which are located 10 kilometres from the Gateway of India in Mumbai.

Rich in sculptural content, the Elephanta Caves cover an area of 60,000 square feet, consisting of a main chamber, two lateral ones, courtyards and several subsidiary shrines.

The most important sculpture is that of Trimurti Sadasiva, which was carved in relief at the end of the north-south axis. This colossus 20 foot high image is of the three-headed Shiva, representing Panchamukha Shiva, with the three faces showing different forms of Shiva.

A big tourist attraction, the caves are thought to date back as far as the 9^th Century. In 1987, the caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2. The Gateway to India

The Gateway to India is located on the waterfront in south Mumbai and is the city's most famous monument.

It was built as a triumphal arch to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay, prior to the Durbar in Delhi in December 1911.

The 26-metre structure faces the Arabian Sea and is the starting point for many of the tourists wishing to explore the city.

The monument is a perfect amalgamation of Mogul and Indian architecture, complete with four turrets and intricate of lattice work carved into the yellow basalt stone.

3. Beaches

The city has a selection of fine beaches with Girgaum Chaupati, commonly known as just Chaupati (pronounced chow-patty), known for the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, which celebrates the day Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati showed his presence on earth.

The most famous beach in Mumbai is Juhu Beach, situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea in one of the most affluent areas in Mumbai.

Other top beaches include Versova, Aksa and Marve Beach, which is located in the Western Suburb of Malad and connects the Essel World (Amusement Park) and Madh Island to the city through the ferry service.

4.  Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly known as Victoria Terminus Station, is an historic railaway station, which serves as the headquarters of the Central Railways.

Designed by the British architect Frederick William Stevens, the station's construction started in 1878 and took ten years to complete.

Initially named after the then English Monarch, Queen Victoria, it was renamed in 1996 by the state Government after Chhatrapati Shivaji, a famed 17th Century Maratha King.

Nevertheless, it is still referred to as Victoria Terminus or VT by almost everyone living in the city today.

In July, 2004 the station was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

5. Bollywood

Bollywood is the name given to the Mumbai-based Hindi-language film industry in India, which produces more than 800 films a year - twice as many as Hollywood.

The term Bollywood was created by blending Bombay (now known as Mumbai) and Hollywood (the famous centre of the US film industry).

The genre of Bollywood films are normally musicals and are made with at least one song and dance number.

The plots of the films are often melodramatic and formulaic, such as star-crossed lovers, corrupt politicians, twins separated at birth, conniving villains, angry parents, dramatic reversals of fortune, and convenient coincidences.

Conclusion

A buzzing and vibrant city, Mumbai bombards your senses with sights, sounds and tantalising flavours.

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Photo by Karamalize

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