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Home to a few of the most iconic tourist places in the country, Maharashtra has a lot to offer for those travel enthusiasts. If you are planning for a vacation to Maharashtra, Mumbai is a must-visit place that can turn your holidays into an extraordinary experience. It is high on fun, great vibes, surprises, and adventure. Whether you are on a weekend escapade or a family vacation, Mumbai is the best destination in Maharashtra for an ideal holiday experience. From wildlife to ferry rides, exploring religious places and historical forts to local delicacies, Mumbai has something for everyone.
Nestled by the large Arabian Sea, Mumbai is known to be a vibrant and colorful city. The heritage city is flocked by a large number of tourists and locals all around the year. From marine drive and happening beaches to amusement parks, vintage structures, and museums, the city is filled with delights that allure the avid wanderer. Mumbai is also known as the entertainment, financial, and commercial capital of India. Mumbai is not only famous as a tourist spot but also as a business hub that allures people from around the whole country. It is the city that never sleeps.
Mumbai was derived from Maha-Amba or Mumba – after Mumbadevi, the patron Goddess of the native Koli community. The Kolis originated in Central Gujarat and Kathiawad, and as per a source they brought Goddess Mumba from Kathiwad with them. But other sources disagree with this derivation.
Galajunkja and Kakamuchee are the oldest names for Mumbai. They are used sometimes still. Gasper Correla, a Portuguese writer used “Bombaim” for this place in “Lendas da India” in 1508. This name came from “Bom Baim,” which is a Galician-Portuguese phrase which means “a good little bay.” Duarte Barbosa, a Portuguese explorer used “Tana-Maiambu” for this place where Tana refers to the Thana town and Maiambu refers to Mumbadevi.
Some other variations of the names given to this place in 16 century and 17th century include Mombayn, Bombay, Bombain, Bambaym, Monbaym, Mombaim, Bambaye, Bombaim, Bombeye, Boon Bay, and Bon Bahia. After the possession of this city by the English in the 17th century, the Portuguese name was changed to Bombay. And in the 20th century, this city was referred to as Mambai or Mumbai in Marathi, Sindhi, Kannada, Gujarati, and Konkani and Bambai in the Hindi language. In November 1995, the name was officially changed to Mumbai by the Government of India.
Mumbai stands on 7 islands. These islands in the 3rd century BCE formed a part of the Maurya Empire ruled by Ashoka of Magadha, the Buddhist Emperor. In the 1st century CE, The Borvali Kanheri Caves were exhumed from the basalt rock. It serves as a vital Buddhism center in Western India in the ancient period. At that time, this city was called Heptanesia. The Andheri’s Mahakali Caves were cut somewhere between the 1st and 6th centuries. The islands got under the rule of many successive indigenous dynasties between the 2nd and 9th century CE before they were ruled by Sholaharas between 810 and 1260. In the 13th century, King Bhimdev established his kingdom here and made Mahikawati his capital. The islands were captured by the Delhi Sultanate in 1347 until 1407. Later, the islands were governed by Gujarat Sultanate.
During the middle of the 16th century, The Mughal empire was the dominating power. Due to the growing power of Humayun, the Mughal Emperor, Sultan Bahadur Shah signed a Treaty of Bassein on December 23, 1534, with the Portuguese Empire. The treaty stated that the seven islands and the Bassein were given to Portuguese. Roman Catholic religious orders were founded by the Portuguese in Bombay. Many developments took place under the Portuguese. With the increasing power of the Dutch Empire, the English in the mid of the 17th century acquired one station located in western India. Later the British East India Company took over and several developments were made with the construction of many places. Bombay was active during the struggle of India’s Independence also politically and was a part of the Royal Navy Mutiny and Quit India Movement.
Below is the list of best places to visit in Mumbai. Ensure to include them in your itinerary to have ultimate fun and create the finest vacation experience and memories.
Go For An Evening Walk: If you are looking for some leisure and peace, you can take a leisurely walk by the huge Arabian Sea on the Marine Drive. The sea with a refreshing breeze, photogenic sunsets, and ferries sailing in will hypnotize your mind.
Kayaking: If adventure and thrill are on your mind, Kayaking in Mumbai is one of the most exciting activities in Mumbai. You will get a chance to explore the magnificent city during this activity and enjoy the scenic views of the city.
Shopping: For all those shopaholics, Mumbai is a shopping paradise. From gorgeous and fashionable clothes to accessories, you can buy many different things from here.
Beach Visit: Beaches of Mumbai offer a view of the matchless oasis and are a perfect rejuvenating retreat. They also offer some of the most excellent views to admire.
Trekking: Another great activity in Mumbai that can be enjoyed by one and all is trekking. There are many trekking routes in Mumbai that offer scenic views of the city that are worth admiring.
Seek Blessings: Visit the revered temples of Mumbai and seek blessing of the God. Most of the temples here hold great importance and are thus visited by most people who come to visit Mumbai.
Relive Your Childhood: Mumbai has many adventurous and water parks for family outings that can be fully entertaining and magical. They are perfect for kids and can help brighten your day. The waterpark can be an ideal respite in the blistering summer days with many fun rides. The adventurous and water parks in Mumbai are wonderful places to chill, enjoy, and de-stress body and mind.
Wildlife Sighting: Perfect for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers, the Sanjay Gandhi National Park is home to many common and endangered fauna. Many bird species can also be spotted here.
Relish the Street Food: To experience the city’s culinary richness, you should definitely visit the Juhu Chowpatty. The buzzing food arcade has many street karts and food stalls. You can try out the local delicacies here along with mouth-watering seafood platters.
Witness the Sunset: If you want to witness the Sunset in Mumbai, you should definitely visit Bandstand in Bandra. It is well-known for being a romantic hotspot, sunset point, and jogger’s park.
Mumbai has an excellent connectivity t all the major nearby cities and states via road. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is the main airport in Mumbai. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station, the second biggest railway station in the world is the closet railway station in Mumbai.
If you’re planning a trip to Mumbai, ensure to tailor an enthralling itinerary for maximum frolic and fun on your trip!