LH.com/travelguide Mumbai (Bombay)

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1 Quick view Travel etiquette Health Phone calls & Internet Top 10 sights Shopping in Mumbai (Bombay) Restaurants Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels AHOWDEN INTERNATIONAL / Alamy LH.com/travelguide 01/13

2 02 Quick view a brief overview Delhi may have the political power, but Mumbai has the glamour. s capital of finance, fashion and entertainment is fast-paced and frenetic, always bold, often brash, but never forgettable. A staggering 12.5 million people call this city home, from the dhobi-wallahs (laundry men) who clean the city s sheets to millionaire financiers and Bollywood superstars. Sprawling across a series of islands in the Arabian Sea, Mumbai is tipped to be the world s largest city within 20 years. Travellers can find everything imaginable here, from colonial mansions and ancient cave temples to gleaming modern shopping malls and even a national park inside the city limits. Welcome to s maximum city! General Information Country overview is a beautiful and bamboozling place, where holy cows amble along the streets, bask on heavenly beaches next to modern hotels and where ancient temples sit perfectly at home besides shiny new offices. Geography shares borders to the northwest with Pakistan, to the north with China, Nepal and Bhutan, and to the east with Bangladesh and Myanmar. To the west lies the Arabian Sea, to the east the Bay of Bengal and to the south the n Ocean. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are n territory but lie off the coast of Thailand in the Bay of Bengal. Sri Lanka lies off the southeast coast, and the Maldives off the southwest coast. The far northeastern states and territories are all but separated from the rest of by Bangladesh as it extends northwards from the Bay of Bengal towards Bhutan. is separated from the rest of Asia by mountain ranges, forest, and desert -the Himalayan mountain range in the north, the Thar Desert in the west and the Chin Hills and Patkai ranges in the east. The Indus River runs through the northern disputed territory of Jammu & Kashmir. The most sacred of rivers, the Ganges, is in the east. General knowledge Key facts Population: 1,34 billion (estimate 2017) Population Density (per sq km): 371 Capital: New Delhi. Language LH.com/travelguide 02/13

3 03 Hindi is the official language of. English is also enshrined in the constitution for a wide range of official purposes. In addition, 21 regional languages are recognised by the constitution. Currency Rupee (INR; symbol Rs) = 100 paise. Notes are in denominations of Rs 2,000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of Rs5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25, 20, 10 and 5 paise. Notes: In November 2016, 500 and 1,000 rupee banknotes were withdrawn from the financial system. New 500 and 2,000 rupee denomination notes are issued to replace those removed from circulation. The import and export of local currency is prohibited. Electricity volts AC, 50Hz. Some areas have a DC supply. Plugs are of the round two- and three-pin type. Public holidays Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2019 December 2020 period. Note Only the secular holidays of Republic Day, Independence Day and Mahatma Gandhi s Birthday are universally observed. (a) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-fitr itself. Eid al-fitr and Eid al-adha may last up to several days, depending on the region. (b) Hindu festivals are declared according to local astronomical observations and it is not possible to forecast the date of their occurrence exactly New Years Day: 1 January 2019 Republic Day: 26 January 2019 Holi: 20 March 2019 Chaitra Sukhladi: 6 April 2019 Mahavir Jayanti: 17 April 2019 Good Friday: 19 April 2019 Buddha Purnima (Buddha s Birthday): 18 May 2019 Idu l Fitr: 4 June 2019 Id-ul-Zuha (Feast of Sacrifice): 11 August 2019 Independence Day: 15 August 2019 Janmashtami: 24 August 2019 Muharram: 31 August 2019 Mahatma Gandhi s Birthday: 2 October 2019 Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami): 8 October 2019 Diwali (Festival of Lights): 27 October 2019 Milad un Nabi: 10 November 2019 Guru Nanak Jayanti: 12 November 2019 Christmas: 25 December New Years Day: 1 Januar 2020 LH.com/travelguide 03/13

4 04 Republic Day: 26 January 2020 Holi: 10 March 2020 Chaitra Sukhladi: 25 March 2020 Mahavir Jayanti: 6 April 2020 Good Friday: 10 April 2020 Buddha Purnima (Buddha s Birthday): 6 May 2020 Idu l Fitr: 23 May 2020 Id-ul-Zuha (Feast of Sacrifice): 30 July 2020 Janmashtami: 12 August 2020 Independence Day: 15 August 2020 Muharram: 19 August 2020 Mahatma Gandhi s Birthday: 2 October 2020 Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami): 25 October 2020 Diwali (Festival of Lights): 14 November 2020 Milad un Nabi: 10 November 2020 Guru Nanak Jayanti: 12 November 2020 Christmas: 25 December 2020 All information subject to change. Travel etiquette How to fit in Social Conventions The traditional Hindu greeting is to fold the hands, tilt the head forward and say namaste. n women generally prefer not to shake hands. All visitors are asked to remove footwear when entering places of religious worship. Most ns also remove their footwear when entering their homes; visitors should follow suit. Many Hindus are vegetarian and many, especially women, do not drink alcohol. Most Sikhs and Parsis do not smoke. Women are expected to dress modestly and men should also dress respectfully. Women should not wear short skirts and tight or revealing clothing, although there is a more casual approach to clothing in Goa. Health Health Food & Drink Water for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should first be boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is often unpasteurised and should be boiled. Avoid dairy products likely to have been made from non-boiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Do not eat salads, vegetables should be cooked and peel your own fruit. Don't eat street vendor food unless it is piping hot. Tap water is not safe to drink, rely on bottled water which is widely available. However, do check the seal on bottled water. Other Risks Vaccinations are sometimes advised for hepatitis A and B, Japanese encephalitis, tuberculosis (for infants), polio and typhoid. Dengue and malaria are both caused by mosquito bites and are prevalent in hot and humid conditions. There are occasional, seasonal outbreaks of dengue fever. Travellers should vigilantly protect themselves against mosquito bites. Malaria prevention is strongly recommended so use insect repellent and wear protective clothing. Obtain anti-malarial medicine from your doctor before travelling. LH.com/travelguide 04/13

5 05 Even seasoned travellers may find themselves at the mercy of travellers diarrhoea. Hygiene standards vary. If possible, travel around with soap or antibacterial gel in order to clean your hands. The culprits that cause diarrhoea are often the microorganisms found in local water supplies, so decrease your chances by drinking bottled or boiled water. You can have alcoholic drinks but say no to ice. Drink carbonated beverages or those with only boiled water like coffee and tea. Carry rehydration solution packets, Pepto Bismol or Imodium in case you are afflicted. Before your travel, seek medical advice about what to take for selftreatment. Wear adequate sunscreen or do like the locals to beat the heat and avoid the sun between 1200 and 1600 when it is at its harshest; don a cotton kameez to keep covered and cool. Note: All visitors aged between 18 and 70 years of age wishing to extend their visa for one year or more are required to take an AIDS test. Contractual physician of Lufthansa Dr. Pocha, Nusly P.J. R.N. Gamadia Polyclinic Unit 19 Gamadia Colony Road Tardeo Mumbai Tel Tel Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it bear the cost of any treatment. Phone calls & Internet Phone calls & Internet Mobile Telephone Dialing code: +91 Mobile Telephone Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is limited to major towns but is increasing all the time. Internet The internet can be reliably accessed from an increasing number of hotels and from internet cafés across the country, many now with Wi-Fi. Top 10 sights Top 10 sights in Gateway of The triumphal arch that dominates Colaba quayside was erected to celebrate the visit of King George V and demonstrate the unassailable power of the British LH.com/travelguide 05/13

6 06 Empire. Ironically, this monumental arch also marked the point where the last British soldiers departed when achieved independence in Strand Road, Apollo Bunder Girgaum Chowpatty Beach A dramatic clean-up has restored Chowpatty Beach to its rightful place as the city s favourite place to promenade. Order a paper plate of bhelpuri, Mumbai s famous noodle salad, and join the crowds strolling over the sand and enjoying the cool breezes as the sun sinks into Back Bay. Marine Drive Mumbai Elephanta Island Studded with cave temples adorned with dramatic rock carvings of Hindu deities, this dusty island in Mumbai Harbour could be plucked straight from Sinbad the Sailor. The largest temple features a vast carving of Shiva as Trimurti-Sadashiva, the creator, preserver and destroyer of the universe. Elephanta Island, Mumbai Harbour Tue-Sat asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_elephanta.as p Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum Named for the Maratha warrior who vanquished the sultans of southern, Mumbai s most important museum is housed in a lavish Indo-Saracenic building from Inside, the exhibition halls display everything from ancient temple carvings to miniature paintings and gruesome medieval weaponry Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort Mumbai Tel: (022) Daily csmvs.in University of Mumbai and High Court Dominated by the Rajabai Clocktower, and flanked by an arcade of palm trees, the handsome University of Mumbai was built by George Gilbert Scott, the same architect who designed London s St Pancras station. The adjacent High Court was constructed in the same lavish architectural style and visitors are welcome in the public gallery during trials. University of Mumbai, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort Mumbai Tel: (022) Entry by permission LH.com/travelguide 06/13

7 07 Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue This graceful 19th-century synagogue is a flashback to the golden age of the port of Mumbai, when the city s Jewish community dominated the international trade in cotton, spices, tea and porcelain. The synagogue is still an active place of worship and the calm interior offers a welcome retreat from the crowded street of the business district. Forbes St, Kala Ghoda, Fort Mumbai Mon-Sat Sun eneseth-eliy... Global Vipassana Pagoda Soaring above the suburb of Gorai and the Esselworld Theme Park, this gleaming golden spire was modelled after the great Shwedagon stupa in Myanmar. The pagoda is an important centre for Vipassana meditation, and the main meditation hall sits beneath the world s largest unsupported stone dome. Gorai Village, Borivali (West) Mumbai Tel: (022) Daily Dr Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum Set in a graceful colonial mansion in the peaceful Jijimata Gardens, the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum explores the complex history of Mumbai, from its early days as a fishing village to its modern status as the financial and entertainment capital of. It s worth visiting just to see the elegant Victorian interiors. 91A Rani Baug, Veer Mata Jijbai Bhonsle Udyan, Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Marg,Byculla East Mumbai Tel: (022) Thu-Tue Haji Ali Dargah Only accessible at low tide, via a wave-lashed causeway stretching out into the bay, the dargah (mausoleum) of Haji Ali is dedicated to a local Sufi saint who died en route to Mecca but was miraculously washed ashore in Mumbai. The shrine is crammed with pilgrims whenever the causeway is open, and atmospheric qwwalis (Islamic hymns) resound across the compound. Haji Ali, Lala Lajpat Rai Marg Mumbai Tel: (022) Daily hajialidargah.in Victoria Terminus LH.com/travelguide 07/13

8 08 Also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai s central railway station is a flamboyant fantasy of gargoyles, balconies, buttresses and onion domes. Carved inside and out with eccentric details (monkeys, parrots, palm trees and fruit baskets), the station was designed by Frederick Stevens, the British Empire s finest colonial architect. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Fort Shopping in Shopping in Key Areas Mumbaikers love to shop, and many streets double as open-air bazaars, with stalls selling everything from gramophones to sequined sandals. For souvenirs and knick-knacks, take a wander along Colaba Causeway, or check out the airconditioned emporiums around the Taj Mahal Palace hotel. For a glitzier shopping experience, explore the malls, jewellery stores and department stores of Parel, Worli and Bandra. Markets Mumbai s most famous market, Crawford Market (Lokmanya Tilak Marg) was designed by Rudyard Kipling s father, and its covered main arcade is one of the best places to buy the city s famous Alphonso mangoes. The adjacent Mangaldas market specialises in fabrics, saris and gleaming steel cookpots, while the neighbouring Chor Bazaar has stalls selling rescued bric-a-brac and the occasional antique treasure. Shopping Centres Mumbai has gone mall crazy in recent years, and the city s glitziest shopping centres would hold their own in London or New York. High Street Phoenix in Lower Parel is the most glamorous address, with boutiques run by s leading fashion designers. Other megamalls are scattered around the suburbs; try Sobo Central in Worli, R City in Ghatkopar, or the Oberoi Mall in Goregaon East. Restaurants Restaurants in Mumbai has no shortage of glamorous eateries catering to millionaire financiers and movie stars, but there s plenty for travellers on more modest budgets. Seek out the city s nostalgic Parsi restaurants, run by the descendants of refugees from Iran, or try the city s famous bhelpuri (noodle salad) from the food stalls at Girgaum Chowpatty beach. Other top options for cheap eats include the old-fashioned traveller cafés along Colaba Causeway, and the street stalls feeding crowds of hungry office workers at Nariman Point. Golden Dragon The lavish interior lives up to the name at this superior Chinese restaurant at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel; appropriate to the setting, the food is divine. Taj Mahal Palace, Apollo Bunder Price: Expensive LH.com/travelguide 08/13

9 09 Indigo Pet project of renowned chef Rahul Akerkar, Indigo creates fabulous modern European fusions in a nostalgic colonial bungalow near the harbour. 4 Mandlik Road, Colaba Price: Expensive Smoke House Deli With doodles covering the walls and an eclectic menu of salads, sandwiches and burgers, this hip eatery shows Mumbai at its most international and cosmopolitan. Main Courtyard, High Street Phoenix, Phoenix Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel Mumbai Price: Moderate Khyber Richly spiced dishes from the Northwest Frontier arrive sizzling to the table in this atmospheric dining hall styled like an Afghan palace Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort Mumbai Tel: (022) Price: Moderate Ideal Corner A delightfully old-fashioned Parsi canteen that whisks you back to the 1920s, serving classic Irani dishes such as Bombay duck and dhansak (hot and sour stew with lentils). Hornby View, Gunbow Street, Ballard Estate, Fort Price: Cheap Nightlife Nightlife in As the entertainment capital of, Mumbai boasts bars, cocktail lounges and clubs to match any international capital, and the top nightspots offer abundant chances to mingle with Bollywood superstars.a trip to the designer ateliers in Phoenix Mills might be appropriate if you hope to gain entry to more exclusive bars and clubs. Note that a 25 per cent tax is applied to liquor across the city. Aer LH.com/travelguide 09/13

10 10 The most glamorous bar in Mumbai, Aer lords it over the city from the open rooftop of the towering Four Seasons Hotel. Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai, 114 Dr E Moses Road, Worli Mumbai Olive Bar & Kitchen This elegant bar and café is where Bollywood stars head to celebrate or drown their sorrows after the latest hit or miss on the silver screen. Le Sutra, 14 Union Park, Khar (West) Mumbai Trilogy The most fashionable address in Juhu, this Mumbai super-club is the place to dance with sequined stars and starlets. Sea Princess Hotel, Juhu Beach Mumbai Leopold s A traveller institution since 1871, Leopold s is crammed nightly with travellers enjoying lively conversation, cheap eats and cold Kingfisher beers. Colaba Causeway Mumbai Tel: +91 (022) Regal Cinema This nostalgic art deco picture house is a prime location to catch the release of a new Bollywood blockbuster, when queues often stretch around the block. Prince Of Wales Museum, Bhagat Singh Road Apollo Bunder, Colaba, Opp., Tel: Calendar of events Calendar of events Banganga Music Festival Banganga Festival is celebrated for two days in the picturesque Malabar Hills and takes it name from a sacred water tank in Walkeshwar Temple link to the legends LH.com/travelguide 10/13

11 11 of Lord Ram.This is celebrated with a cultural extravaganza with the focus on live classical music concerts. January Venue: Malabar Hills Kala Ghoda Festival Held in the Kala Ghoda area of south Mumbai, this nine-day arts festival is becoming increasingly popular and offers dance, music, theatre, cinema, workshops, heritage walks, food and more February Venue: Venues in Kala Ghoda McDowell's n Derby First staged in 1942, this is one of the premier sporting events in the city and one of the biggest events on Mumbai's social calendar. 3 February 2019 Venue: Mahalaxmi Racecourse Holi Hindu festival of harvest and fertility when the streets are overrun with people bombarding each other (and stray tourists) with brightly coloured powder and water. March 2019 Venue: Throughout the city Independence Day National holiday to celebrate 's independence from British rule. 15 August 2019 Venue: Throughout the city Ganesh Chaturthi Mumbai's biggest festival held in celebration of Ganesh, the elephant-headed deity and god of wisdom and prosperity. The festival's colourful climax involves thousands of people converging on the seashore to submerge their Ganesh statues in the sea. 2 September 2019 Venue: Climaxes on Chowpatty Beach LH.com/travelguide 11/13

12 12 Hotels Hotels in Mumbai has hotels to match every budget, from modest backpacker hotels in Colaba to the elegant heights of the Taj Mahal Palace. Reflecting Mumbai s status as financial capital, room rates are some of the highest in, particularly at thelower end of the spectrum. With more money to spend, the city s 5-star hotels offer truly lavish rooms and some of s finest restaurants, plus the obligatory rooftop bar. Taj Mahal Palace Hotel Those who can afford it stay at the Taj Mahal Palace, where elegant restaurants and opulent rooms hide behind a glorious colonial-era facade overlooking Mumbai Harbour. Apollo Bunder Category: Expensive ITC Maratha Worth every one of its five stars, this elegant escape is the first choice for the jet set, with sumptuous décor, extremely fine dining and a towering atrium full of potted palms. Sahar Andheri (East) Mumbai Category: Expensive Marine Plaza Like a little piece of Los Angeles dropped onto Marine Drive, the Marine Plaza offers a rooftop pool, art deco interiors and views across Mumbai s iconic seafront promenade. 29 Marine Drive Mumbai Category: Moderate Hotel Sahil Part of the Best Western group, Hotel Sahil has smart, modern rooms and a fantastic central location. 292 Bellasis Road Mumbai Category: Moderate Hotel New Bengal What the New Bengal lacks in luxury, it makes up for in location just yards from Crawford Market and within strolling distance of CST station. B Shalimar Estates, Dr DN Road, near Crawford Market Category: Cheap LH.com/travelguide 12/13

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