Mumbai: the most populous city in the world. Mumbai - India Gateway Private Guides in Mumbai

02. Such a nice view opens from the window of my hotel, where I got from the airport after about two hours of endless traffic jams ...

03. I confess, of all the cities in India where I have been, Mumbai is perhaps the most interesting.

04. Well, actually the pronoun "most" is applicable to many adjectives related to the description of Mumbai: The largest in India ( more than 22 million); Most business ( read rich); The most contrasting ( outright poverty and no less frank wealth nearby); The most cosmopolitan city in India (here is a real clash of east and west, Europe and Asia) ...

05. It is located on the shores of the Arabian Sea.

06. So, somewhere beyond the horizon Dubai ...) By the way, it is from here that cheap consumer goods come to Dubai Creek.

07. The main visiting card of Bombay, the royal gate to India (and from India) ...) The arch was laid in 1911 in honor of the visit of King George V, and through them the last British troops left India in 1948, after the country's independence ...

08. I must admit that all the most interesting in architecture was built during the period of English domination, approximately in the second half of the XIX-XX centuries. Here, near the arch, is the Taj Mahal luxury hotel, built in 1903 and attacked by terrorists in 2008.

09. Next to the historic, modern building was added already in the era of Indian independence (approximately in the 70s of the XX century).

10. The place is very popular among townspeople and numerous tourists. It is also popular with terrorists. There have been many bloody terrorist attacks here. Now the entrance to the territory is limited by the need to go through the personal search procedure (however, very formal).

11. From here you can go to the remote island of Elephanta ( where there are many monkeys and caves, and there are no elephants at all).

12. Or take a ride along the coast on the numerous pleasure trams. This is for those who have a lot of time.

13. As for me, I chose a walk in the center of the historic city.

14. There are many interesting colonial buildings here, built in the spirit of English neoclassicism and neo-Gothic.

15. There is, of course, something like constructivism.

16. Green Mumbi, Clean Mumbai. Green Mumbai, Pure Mumbai. Both are applicable, perhaps, only to the historical center of the city, and then with a big stretch.

17. Is it traffic jams? Perhaps they are really fantastic here. Moscow in the middle of zero is resting ( today seems to be better) ... In general, the ecology is the same!

18. But there is a lot of greenery.

19. For example, in the very center of the city, the so-called Oval Maidan is located, surrounded on all sides by pretty tropical vegetation,

20. and very beautiful colonial buildings of the past. For example, the building of the Supreme Court of the State of Maharashtra.

21. Or the beautiful Rajabai Clock Tower, which is part of the University of Mumbai.

22. And actually the Oval Maidan -

23. this is the current field for the mega popular cricket in India ( colonial echoes),

24. and football.

25. Photos from the past. Oval Maidan in 1875. When tropical trees were small.

(photo from the Internet)

26. As the trees grew, the beautiful historic buildings were barely visible ... Part of the University of Mumbai campus.

27. Walking around the city, I was sincerely amazed at the diversity of colonial architecture. Literally, every building is a masterpiece!

28. The same cannot be said about local public transport.

29. However, how else to look ...)

30. A little further away, the legacy of independence?)

31. I wonder what modern Indian cities would look like if India had not declared independence in 1947?

32. It is clear that this is a trick question. But when you look at the colonial past and the relative present, the latter seems to be inferior to the former.

33. Cathedral of St. Thomas, 1718 by the way, 299 years old! Anniversary next year.

34. Inside the ceiling fans, usual for hot countries. Naturally, this is the cathedral of the Anglican Church.

Today we will tell you about Mumbai - the largest and richest city in India and the most populous in the world. About sleeper buses, a big city wash, an electric washing machine, and another wedding - this time a Muslim one.

Bom bahai- these words, according to legend, were uttered by the Portuguese, having landed here, and this meant - "Good Harbor". This is how the first name of the city of Bombay appeared, then the British changed it in their own way - Bombay, and after gaining independence the city received its modern name.

Many Indians believe that Mumbai is more intended for life in general and making money in particular than the capital, Delhi (in one of the previous posts we just talked about our who came here to work). We spent 5 days here walking around Colaba, Marina Bay andacting in films.

We arrived from Mumbai by night bus. These buses turned our minds upside down, because it was then that we learned that there are sleeper buses, i.e. with shelves for sleeping! The configuration of the bus is as follows - on the left side there are shelves one below the other (like sidewalls in a reserved seat), and on the right, the lower part is reserved for seating, and the upper one is for .. double shelves !! Moreover, the shelves are closed from strangers with a latch, so that complete privacy is ensured.

When we rode in Europe in 2007 trailer, it was forbidden to lie there while driving, it was necessary to sit in armchairs, wearing seat belts (as far as this rule was observed, this is a separate conversation, but nevertheless), but here, please - official sleeping buses.

The first thing that surprised us when we got off the bus was the absence auto rickshaw (this is such an integral attribute of India, and they are so ubiquitous that their absence is immediately evident). Instead of them here are yellow-black taxi cabs

The main tourist area of \u200b\u200bMumbai is Colaba... Here, on an area of \u200b\u200bseveral square kilometers, practically all tourist life is concentrated, at least the concentration of foreigners here is off scale. Hotels - from the cheapest to 5-stars, restaurants - from street eateries to decent European-level establishments, shops, carriages that drive tourists


as well as Bollywood agents looking for white extras - it's all here at Colaba.
Here is the Indian Gate (Gate to India), in front of which, in honor of some holiday, a stage for special events was installed



Near one of the most expensive hotels in Mumbai "Taj Mahal"

A wonderful view of the city opens from the top floor of the hotel

There is also a port from which you can sail to the islands located nearby.

Fishing boats and small yachts drift in the bay

We sailed to Elephanta Island, there are two types of ferries - more expensive and simpler

We went on the second 🙂 The ferry moors to the pier, from which it takes about 10 minutes to go to the coast, there is a train for an additional fee - Europeans go on foot, and mostly lazy Indians ride on it

Some still refuse to walk

The low tide caused many boats to run aground

On the island you can climb to the top of the mountain



here are partially preserved British cannons that once defended the island. In addition, the island has the "City of Caves" Elephanta Caves, we are not lovers of caves, so we refused to visit.
In the evening, returning to Mumabi, you can admire the sunset city

One of the symbols of Mumbai, the Haji Ali Mosque, is also located on an island, albeit not so distant - at high tide you can reach it by the bridge, and at low tide the bridge is not needed



We unfortunately ended up here on Sunday, when apparently all the Muslims of Mumbai came here


Not far from the mosque, there is another interesting place - Dhobi Gat (Dobi Gat) - this is the largest laundry. Laundry is washed by hand in concrete cells by hundreds of people



They say they bring linen here from most hotels and hospitals in Mumbai

The staff of the "laundry" also live here next door.

Walking around the city, we looked at the exhibition, some of the exhibits of which we did not understand

But some are very curious, such as a washing machine

Water filter
Bicycle assembled from machine parts

In the evening, many tourists and locals gather on the embankment of Marina Drive - this is a great place for an evening exercise

You can stroll along the long and wide embankment for as long as you like, watching the sunset

and admiring the city lit with lights

There is also a beach here, but no one dares to swim, and the Indians do not like sunbathing, why should they?

Here they have just the opposite - whitening creams are popular. We somehow accidentally saw an advertisement on local television, and so in every second video, a Hindu woman with a whitewashed face flaunts in front of her girlfriends or men. It's hard to imagine living in a country where a solarium is one of the most popular services \u003d)
Not far from the embankment - a monument to the boot, which is also a place for entertaining children
In the city center, as befits a stadium with many cricketers

The local metro in Mumbai (as well as in Bangalore) runs only on the surface, but here it is much older, therefore it looks accordingly


There are two classes in the metro, respectively, II are cheaper and more crowded, I - more decent and freer, as well as women's cars. We accidentally went into one of these, so the aunts around him hissed at us like snakes. They say the fines are very impressive for such a violation.
On the outskirts of the city, these are the views from the windows of the carriage.

In Mumbai, we lived with three different, completely dissimilar people in different parts of the city.
### - lives in an elite area of \u200b\u200bthe city in a small but modern apartment with a plasma panel and other joys of life. Previously, he was a self-employed person, and now, having gained experience, he became an independent HR consultant and organizer of corporate events. Moreover, he himself loves outdoor activities and specializes, accordingly, in organizing tours for companies - rafting, rock climbing, trekking, etc. Again, it was surprising to learn that India has such concepts as "corporate events" and HR 🙂
$$$ lives with his parents not far from the center, but in a windowless shack with cement floors, peeling walls and a pile of dusty rubbish. At the same time, he is also a businessman - he is engaged in robotics, speaks at conferences in South America, there are customers even from Russia. In addition, $$$ is one of the most active members of the couchsurfer movement in Mumbai, has already received more than a hundred guests, but places them on the floor on a mattress surrounded by hanging drying clothes, so not only Russia cannot be understood with the mind, India is also not easy 🙂
@@@ lives on the outskirts of Mumbai with 2 colleagues. They pay 50,000 rupees for a three-room apartment an hour's drive from the center - real estate prices here are practically Moscow. At the same time, an employee who comes twice a day, cleans the apartment, prepares breakfast and dinner, they pay 5000 rupees a month.
While looking for where @@@ lives, we accidentally got to another wedding - this time a Muslim






The influence of the metropolis was felt here too - the wedding was clearly richer and more elegant, with a lot of decorations

both decorative and natural

And although the principle of self-service was also observed here, tables and chairs were provided for guests

And the waiters were serving fruit and milkshakes

But its main difference was that the assortment contained many meat dishes.





and for vegetarians there was only a small corner


And of course, you can't talk about Mumbai, and not mention the film industry, especially since the desire to look at Bollywood from the inside and star in the film was even before we arrived here.
We will tell about our shooting in Bollywood in the next post, but for now you can read about how we were in

Hello! I am Gleb Kuznetsov, I am 26 years old, today I want to tell you about one of my days spent in the Indian city of Mumbai, which, however, is known all over the world under its former name Bombay, thanks to the wonderful book "Shantaram". We visited those very Bombay slums where the action of "Shantaram" takes place, and about. In the evening I arrived by train from the mountain resort of Pune, famous for the Osho ashram, and did not have time to comprehend this phenomenon - Bombay. Therefore, the first glance through the window upon waking, and a shiver runs down the back. Having seen this, a person cannot remain indifferent, and a photographer cannot sit idly by. It’s half past five, daybreak quickly, but I do the prescribed exercise, take a photo for memory and run to the city.

People sleep everywhere, they sleep in families, side by side, deep sleep, women, children, old people. Obviously, they are not vagabonds and not beggars, as there are bags with spare clothes nearby, some kind of belongings. I understand that I walk among those whom I read about in children's books about India, among the untouchables, employed in the dirtiest and lowest-paid jobs and never had a place to live. I take hundreds of photographs, but taking pictures of people sleeping on the streets of Bombay is like there are countless clerks running through the streets of New York.

The night is very warm and people don't even need blankets, and cardboard is enough for bedding. But I notice that among the homeless men sleep alone, usually at the door of the shops. Later, my guesses will be confirmed - these are their workers or even owners, who preferred to go home, to the suburbs, to spend the night at their workplace. But the room is stuffy - and the street is like a common bedroom.

By half past six, the city wakes up. Employees and taxi drivers appear on the streets, and those sleeping on the sidewalks begin their morning toilet. I see that they are not vagabonds at all in our understanding, and after half an hour I would not distinguish them from most Indians. People from the sidewalks brush their hair and wash and brush their teeth, taking water from special barrels, and preparing breakfast here on the fires.
They all have developed unquestioning obedience - they allow themselves to be photographed in this unsightly form, do not interfere with taking pictures of sleeping members of their families. They only smile fearfully and often thank for the shot, but do not even ask to show it.
Meanwhile, the morning is in full swing, but I went too far towards the "Central Railway Terminal", running from one group of sleeping people to another, as Mashenka ran from mushroom to mushroom until she got into a den. Thus, the idea of \u200b\u200bhaving breakfast at the table with a fork in hand fails, as there is no safe place to be found in the area. But there is an opportunity to taste street cuisine. Unlike most of the local taverns, street food in India is both tasty and safe (at least I, having driven this country from Trivandrum in the south to Varanasi in the north and tasting all the local cakes and gingerbreads, never had any problems). Well, a few puff pastry potato pies with paprika and a glass of sweet milk tea for $ 2, and I'm ready to hit the road. Ah, I completely forgot to tell you that from minute to minute a night bus from Goa is to arrive in the Borivali area and my friends, the Chistozvonovs, are in it. Sasha and Ira spent their vacation on the beach and for the sake of thrill decided to sacrifice two nights on the bus, but wander with me through the Bombay slums. This is our mission for today, and in order to facilitate it, in the evening I agreed with the taxi driver Fazil about a tour of slums and brothels and communities of transvestite hijdras.
I get to Borivali by local train faster than expected, and while my friends are just approaching the city, I go into the entrance of a concrete high-rise building near the station that I have liked. These houses in Bombay are home to the well-to-do middle class, and as far as I could see, they are built up all over the suburbs, while the city center is occupied by slums and a patch of "World Trade Center" with the local "Latin Quarter".
The entrance to the entrance is blocked by the crazy man Faisal. He forbids taking pictures of himself, as he is afraid of death from the camera. But Faisal is not a coward - he protects his home from evil. He has an amulet on his bare chest, and the ghost cannot walk past him. I nevertheless made my way and, not wanting to frighten and offend a crazy person, I focused on photographs of the situation in the entrance.




But here is San Sanych! And I immediately immerse him and Ira in the world of real Bombay!
Guide Fazil meets us in Borivali. However, he fears getting on the front pages of world publications as a person involved in exposing the Bombay "dark kingdom", so he avoids the group photo. We manage to persuade him to be captured on film much later, when all the tests are already behind us. In the meantime, he drives us to the slum area in his 40-year-old Fiat, which is parked on the sidewalk below.
The city center, called the "World Trade Center", is virtually not separated from the slums. There is neither a stone wall nor a wall of submachine gunners - these two completely different worlds exist side by side and, unlike the large cities of Latin America, do not show any hostility.
The Bombay slums are enclosed areas surrounded by wide streets. Inside, there is an unimaginable confusion of narrow alleys. Basically, slums are divided into Hindu and Muslim, as well as slums where there are houses, albeit made of sheet iron, and those with only plastic sheds. Fazil is a Muslim and a representative of the middle class, therefore he leads us to those slums that are close to him in spirit. We do not object at all, since the Muslim slums, where the Bombay middle class live, is, as they say, a classic of the genre.
The outer perimeter of the slums is occupied by shops and workshops, there are always warehouses in the barracks next to them, and already inland there are residential "quarters".



After going around the outer perimeter, Fazil asks us: "Maybe to the India Gate?" But we stubbornly demand to the very depths, and he fears for my cell and our mental health leads to the slums. By the way, the Bombay slums are universally recognized as the safest place in India. They are completely under the control of local communities, no outsider will enter here, and if they do, they will not come out in case of violation of local laws. For tourists, access to the slums is completely free, but ... one of the basic rules in the slums: "Do not take pictures!" Muslims are totally against cameras. However, how would I tell this story? All the way, you first have to bow to the models, politely ask how you are, then timidly ask if you can make one picture. Men and children are always happy about this, completely dispelling established ideas. Women, especially old ones, on the contrary, react intemperately: often not realizing that I am only asking permission, they start calling their husbands - they run out angry and it takes a lot of time to explain. In short, step by step into the slums.
After a confusion of sewage nooks and crannies, rats and children running interspersed, we reach the heart of this part of Bombay - courtyards. They are relatively clean and spacious and resemble the kitchen in a communal apartment in spirit. Here they wash and dry clothes, play, tinker with motorcycles, in a word, the whole life of people is focused on these pieces of "land" in the midst of an ocean of nightmare. Here the air is like air!

Fazil tells us that in Bombay they are outraged by the myth that the poor live in the slums. According to the guide, men earn up to $ 500 a month here, and the housing itself in the slum can cost several tens of thousands of dollars, since it is close to the center and, if I may say so, is located in a comfortable and safe area. As for general poverty, its main reason is a large number of children in families and unemployed women. And even if our Fazil doubled the earnings of the Bombay slum people, Sasha and Ira and I at the same time came to the conclusion that these people are not so much hopelessly poor as irrevocably accustomed to the surrounding nightmare situation and are not able to adequately assess it.
But okay, a photo for memory, and gradually we leave the slums, because after several hours of wandering, there is nausea in my throat from the stench and I only want one thing: without fear to take full lungs of air!


This is the main sports arena of the Bombay slums! No comments - we are skipping to Fazil's minibus!
And we ask for fresh air. Slums united us! But the beach is also not quite like a beach, but a combination of a fishing dump and massive deposits of Indians. Sasha and Ira desperately ask Fazil to take them "to a quiet place" for at least half an hour, but he only laughs: "Where can I find a free place in Bombay!"
But we stroll through the city center and find it quite civilized and cute: a university and administrative buildings of English construction, wide streets, wonderful old Fiats ...

But if we caught our breath, it would be nice to have lunch. We go to a vegetarian restaurant. For four dollars we order a classic dish of rice and vegetables, and we get such a palm leaf with a mountain of delicious food. One question: "How is this?"
Like this!
What we got up with this food with our curly fingers - I dare not show. And there is no time, as Fazil is already taking us to the Congress Hall area - Bombay's red light district. So the first charming lady shyly attracts visitors on her porch.
Prostitutes in clumsy outfits hustle along the street, but when they see the camera they scatter in the corners - they are afraid, therefore, of fame. Fazil says that young ladies come to work from Nepal and Bangladesh, and they ask for $ 3 for half an hour of work.
But be careful! India is famous for the LGBT community called the Hijdras. The danger is not so much in confusing such a representative of a sexual minority with a natural lady, but in not pleasing her! Hijdras are the oldest and most authoritative caste in Indian society. They have the privilege of cursing people, and it will be costly to buy off such a curse! My dear Sasha was seriously scared of the hijdr and hid in the car, leaving me alone with them, but I, having talked to my heart's content, made an opinion about them as cute creatures (don't get it wrong).
The price for half an hour with a hijdra is the same as with a prostitute, and the money will go to the same pocket. At the back entrances to cheap brothels sit "cats" - local pimps. In addition to their strict protective function, they also supervise children while mothers are busy serving clients.
Brothels merge with slums, and, in the end, you can never tell a respectable Muslim from the tycoon of the Bombay bottom.

But is it a little for one day? Imperceptibly 6 o'clock in the evening came, and it was time for Sasha and Ira to go to the bus station and back to a cozy hotel in Goa. They categorically reject all my offers to stay for a day and only ask to accompany them to the bus. We pay Fazil - the six-hour all-inclusive tour cost us $ 30. But in Bombay, there is no need to look for miracles - at the station of the ultra-modern city train, we find ourselves in the epicenter of a gypsy camp. In no case should you give money, because at the sight of banknotes, these gypsies get wild and begin to tear you apart (I had such an experience in the south of India, in Madurai).
By the way, there are traces of Bollywood influence here. The whole city is glued and re-glued with such posters, and any European who wants to can play in the crowd and receive 10 dollars for it. But Sasha and Ira don't want to be in the crowd, they want to go to the hotel!
It is cozy and cool in the first class of the train. We drive 40 minutes, and Sasha and I fervently drink a bottle of Indian rum, so to speak, for disinfection.
At the bus station, the usual welcoming crowd!
Wonderful gypsies sit by the bus, but all this, although it looks scary from the outside, does not carry any aggression - therefore you walk in the middle of such bedlam and, of course, you do not feel comfortable, but it does not cause great tension either.
And sleeping places in Indian buses are still not for a Russian person. But okay, I accompanied Ira and Sasha back to Bombay in the same way.
On the beach, the sunset and crowds of Indians eat and drink after work, but they are afraid to swim, because they cannot swim and believe that an evil miracle Yudo lives in the ocean. I didn't go swimming, because then I don't want to go back to the hotel naked.
Well, the end of this extraordinary day at the computer. Photos must be selected as soon as possible, as more will be added tomorrow. For such an occupation I fall asleep without noticing it myself.

Mumbai is the most populous city in India: the concept of a city includes the so-called. Mumbai Municipal Corporation, which includes two districts of the state of Maharashtra: "Mumbai" proper (157 km², 3 145 966 \u200b\u200binhabitants in 2011), as well as the Mumbai (suburban) district (446 km², 9 332 481 inhabitants. 2011), a total of 603 km², 12 478 447 inhab. in 2011. Together with satellite cities, it forms the fifth largest urban agglomeration in the world with a population of 21.3 million people [ unauthorized source?] .

Located 10 meters above sea level. The population density is 21,665 people per km² (the city ranks first in the world in terms of density), about 1/2 of the population - Marathi, about 1/4 - Gujarati. The city itself occupies the island of Bombay (German)russian (eng. Isle of bombay) and the southern part of Salsett Island, which are connected by bridges and dams.

Mumbai is a major international transport hub. The city has a deep natural harbor and is the largest port in western India. About half of India's passenger flow passes through the passenger terminal. Mumbai, one of the most important economic and cultural centers of India, is a city of great contrasts, where luxury and wealth coexist with poverty. Modern neighborhoods coexist with slums - the northern districts of the city, which are considered breeding grounds for various diseases.

Compared to other cities in India, Mumbai has a relatively high standard of living and high business activity. Job opportunities to the city attract labor from all over South Asia, excluding India itself.

Origin of the city name

The name of the city of Mumbai comes from "Mumb", this is the name of the local Hindu goddess Mumba Devi and aiwhich means "mother" in the Marathi language. There is an opinion that the name "Bombain", which the Portuguese gave to the city in the 16th century, allegedly comes from the words meaning "good bay", but modern research refutes this. Under British possession, the word was Anglicized in Bombay. The name was officially changed to Mumbai in 1995. The former name is still used by residents of the city and famous institutions, and is also popular in the West.

Geographic location

Mumbai is located at the mouth of the Ulhas River (eng. Ulhas), occupying the islands of Bombay, Salsett and the adjacent coast. Mumbai is located at an altitude of 10 to 15 meters above sea level. The northern part of Mumbai is hilly, with the highest point in the city at 450 meters above sea level. The area of \u200b\u200bthe city is 603.4 km².

There are lakes within the city boundaries: Tulsi (eng. Tulsi), Vihar (eng. Vihar), Povai (eng. Powai). The first two, located in Borivali National Park (eng. Borivali), supply part of the city with drinking water. There are three rivers flowing in Mumbai, originating in the national park. There are mangrove swamps within the city boundaries. The city's coastline is cut by numerous streams and bays. The soil in the city is mainly sandy due to the proximity of the sea, in the suburbs it is alluvial and clayey. Rocks are classified as black basalts. Mumbai is in an area of \u200b\u200bseismic activity.

Climatic conditions

Seaside within the city

The city is located in the subequatorial belt. There are two seasons: wet and dry. The rainy season lasts from June to November, with particularly intense monsoon rains from June to September, causing increased humidity in the city. Average temperature is about 30 ° C, temperature fluctuates from 11 ° C to 38 ° C. The amount of annual precipitation is 2200 mm. Especially a lot of precipitation fell in 1954 - 3451.6 mm. The dry season from December to May is characterized by moderate humidity. Due to the prevalence of the cold north wind, January and February are the coldest months, the absolute minimum in the city was +10 degrees.

Demography

Street traffic in Mumbai

The population of Mumbai is over 17 million people. The ratio of women to men is 811 to 1000. The greater number of men is explained by the influx of men from rural areas into the city to earn money. The literacy rate is 77%, which is higher than the national average. Literacy among men is 82%, among women - 71.6%. On a religious basis, persons professing Hinduism make up 68% of the city's population, Muslims - 17%, Christians - 4% and Buddhists - 4%. In addition, the city is inhabited by followers of Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Sikhism and Judaism, there are atheists. Mumbai uses a colloquial form of Hindi (a mixture of Hindi, Marathi and English), but the official language of the state of Maharashtra is Marathi. English is popular among the working intelligentsia. In the city you can also hear speech in Bengali, Tamil, Punjabi, Nepali, Marathi, Telugu, Urdu, Gujarati.

History of the city

City map. 1888 year

In the second half of the XIX century in Bombay, for the first time in India, a national industry and a large national commercial and industrial bourgeoisie began to emerge and form. Together with this, the city becomes the center of the labor movement in India. Repeatedly there were massive demonstrations of workers and sailors. The uprising of sailors in February 1946 in Bombay led to the conquest of independence by India ().

Economic potential

Mumbai is one of the largest economic centers in the country. About 10% of all workers in the country work in this city. The city provides 33% of income tax receipts and 60% of all customs duties. Mumbai accounts for 40% of all India's foreign trade. The city has developed industries: cotton, oil refining, chemical, mechanical engineering. Electricity is provided by hydroelectric power plants located at the foot of the Western Ghats, thermal power plants on the island of Trombay. There is a nuclear power plant. Many financial institutions are located in Mumbai: Bombay Stock Exchange, Reserve Bank of India, National Stock Exchange, Mint. Large companies such as Tata Group, Godredzh (eng. Godrej) and many others have their headquarters in the city.

The business center is located in the southern part of Mumbai. In addition to Indian financial institutions, the business center houses various foreign organizations. Until the 1980s, Mumbai's economy was heavily dependent on the textile industry and maritime trade. The port's cargo turnover was 25 million tons. 60% of all imports passed through the cargo port.

After the 80s of the XX century, other, more progressive and highly qualified industries began to develop in Mumbai, such as: the development and polishing of diamonds, high information technology, and healthcare.

It is worth noting that employees working for the state make up a significant part of the entire workforce of the city, but at the same time there are many residents engaged in low and medium skilled labor: taxi drivers, shopkeepers, mechanics, repairmen and others.

Mumbai is a major hub for the entertainment industry. Most of India's television and satellite networks are located in this city. Film Industry Center of India, so-called. Bollywood (eng. Bollywood), located in Mumbai, which has other lesser-known film studios.

City government

Mumbai is the state capital. Consists of two separate districts - Cities and Suburbs, which also form two districts in the state of Maharashtra.

The city is governed by a municipal council, headed by a mayor who performs purely nominal functions. Real executive power is concentrated in the hands of a commissioner appointed by the state government.

The Municipal City Council is responsible for the development of the city. Mumbai is divided into 23 urban districts, headed by an Assistant Commissioner.

Crime among the population

Crime in Mumbai is moderate by Indian standards. In Mumbai in 2004, 27,577 cases were registered (in 2001 - 30,991 cases), there has been a decrease in crime during this time by 11%. The main prison of the city is Arthur Road. On November 27, 2008, riots and a chain of explosions broke out in Mumbai. There are victims.

Social and cultural life of the city, architecture, sights

Mumbai is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in India. The city is home to European and Asian cultural traditions. There are many celebrations and festivals of various ethnic groups and religions. The population of the city takes a wide part in them, often regardless of religion.

Mumbai has its own roadside fast food chain: Vada Pavs and Bhelpuri.

There are many adherents of Chinese and South Indian cuisine in the city. The city is a mixture of international and Indian tastes in the fields of music, food, art.

In 2004, Mumbai received three awards from UNESCO for the preservation of national traditions. Mumbai is the birthplace of Indian cinema, the first film was released in 1896. The city is home to a large number of cinemas, including the largest in Asia, the IMAX Cinema, which shows new films from Bollywood and Hollywood.

In addition to cinema, the city hosts many exhibitions, and many plays are staged in theaters. There are art galleries in the city: Jehanjir Gallery, National Gallery of Modern Art, Prince of Wales Museum, and others.

Mumbai is home to India's only permanent symphony orchestra (The Bombay Chamber Orchestra).

The public library, the oldest in the city, is the library of the Asiatic Society, built in 1833.

Mumbai has six sister cities (this is the maximum allowed by the Indian government):

Bombay was actively built up during the domination of the British, in the second half of the 19th and 20th centuries. Its layout and development retains the features of colonial rule and social inequality. There are many buildings in the spirit of English neoclassicism and neo-Gothic, as well as imitations of Indian architecture -XVIII centuries (Gateway to India, Prince of Wales Museum). There are many European and American style buildings in the city. In the old business district is the Armenian Church of St. Peter (18th century)

The center of the city, around which Bombay (Mumbai) was formed - a former English fortress, a fort located in the southeastern part of the island of Bombay. The area has a correct layout, wide streets, lots of greenery. On the territory of the fort there are government offices, banks, shops, a university (), offices of commercial and industrial companies.

To the north of the fort are the randomly built up residential quarters (the lower floors of the houses are occupied by benches and workshops) of the former "Black City". Warehouses, docks, and piers stretch along the eastern coast of the island; branches of both railways connecting Bombay with the mainland are also suitable here. Along the west coast of the island - rich neighborhoods (villas, the governor's residence); in the Malabar Hill area - Hanging Garden Park. On the island off the west coast is one of the symbols of Mumbai - the Haji Ali Mosque.

A semicircular Marine Drive hugs Back Bay in the south of the island. 8 km from Bombay - Elephanta Island (Gharapuri) with cave temples (dating back to the VIII century); the largest of them contains a giant bust of the three-faced Shiva (about 6 m high; 8th century) and reliefs.

The city expands towards Salsett Island, and the official urban area (since 1950) stretches from south to north, from the fort to Thana town. In the northern part of Bombay there are the Trombay nuclear research center, a technological institute (-, built with the help of the USSR), an oil refinery, a chemical, an engineering plant, and a thermal power plant.

The city has announced the construction of the second tallest building in the world, India Tower. This building should be completed by 2016.

Housing and utilities

The municipality supplies the city with drinking water from the lakes of the national park and collects garbage (78,000 metric tons per year).

The city has a developed telephone network and mobile operators with a wide coverage of the area.

media

Newspapers are published in Mumbai in English (Times of India, Midday, Aftonun, Asia Age, Economic Times, Indian Express), Bengali, Tamil, Marathi, Hindi. The city has television channels (more than 100 in different languages), radio stations (8 stations broadcast in FM and 3 in AM).

Education

There are public and private schools in Mumbai. Private schools base their policies on better education and good knowledge of the English language. The children of the poor are enrolled in public schools who cannot afford to pay for their education in private schools. After ten years of study (secondary education), students study in colleges for 2 years in four areas: art, trade, the science and legislation... This is accompanied by a professional training course. Most of the vocational colleges in Mumbai are affiliated with the University of the City of Mumbai (one of the largest universities in the world). Mumbai also has a developed system of higher university education and university science. Mumbai universities are considered to be among the best in India and throughout Asia.
Among them:

• - the leading technological and engineering university in the country and one of the main research centers in the world.

Mumbai is the largest among Indian cities, on its vast territory the Indian flavor and the architectural heritage of the British are closely intertwined. Those who want to plunge into the world of new impressions, enjoy the atmosphere of a large city and at the same time see ancient sights, you should think about a trip to this peculiar Indian Manhattan. Features of vacation in Mumbai in 2019, attractions, entertainment and prices, you can find out from the article in order to better plan your trip to this stunning city.

Brief historical background

The history of the settlement of this area is rooted deep in the Stone Age. The settlements were located on seven islands. During the colonization of India, at the very beginning of the 16th century, a Portuguese settlement was founded here.

In the 17th century, the islands became a dowry for the princess, who was married to the king of England, and an enterprising ruler leased them to the East India Company. During this time, the harbor of Mumbai became an important point on the maps of merchants, and the military was based here. In the last third of the 17th century, the city became similar to the one that stands here to this day. Then it was called Bombay - this name thundered all over the world.

In the following centuries, the infrastructure of the city developed: roads were built, industrial enterprises appeared, transport developed. Thus, at the beginning of the 20th century, the city became a millionaire. The inhabitants of the city actively participated in the movement for the independence of the country, and in the middle of the century the settlement finally became Indian.

Planning your trip to Mumbai: transportation and accommodation

How to get there and how to get around?

Air travel is the only option to get from Russia to Mumbai. A one-way ticket will cost at least 170 euros. There are no direct flights. Depending on the flight of which company the flight is performed, the transfer can be in Istanbul, Arab Dubai or other cities. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is the leader among Indian airports in terms of received flights and passenger traffic. It consists of two terminals located one kilometer apart. Free shuttles are a means of delivering passengers between terminals. The 1st terminal serves domestic airlines, the 2nd - international.

By the way, each of the terminals, in turn, is divided into two more parts.

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is located 30 km from the city. The most convenient way to get to the center of Mumbai is by taxi.

Payment in a taxi is possible only in cash in national currency, and there are no ATMs in the international terminal. Therefore, it is worth making a preliminary exchange at the airport exchange offices.

• Option 1: Order a car at a special counter in the airport building. The cost of the trip is paid immediately.
• Option 2: Use a metered airport taxi. The benefit in comparison with the first option will be only in the case of a long trip.
• Option 3: Catch a taxi on the street. The cost of the trip will depend on your bargaining skills.

An alternative to a taxi is a bus ride to the Vile Parle train station, then by train to the central part of the city. Do not use this option in the morning and evening hours when the trains are very crowded. The class of the ticket must be at least the first if you want to ride in comfort.

How to get around the city?

The Mumbai Metro is a popular mode of transportation for the local population and a tourist attraction. The train consists of first and second class cars. A second class ticket will cost INR 10, and a first class ticket will cost Rs 80. There are special carriages for women and men.

A more comfortable way of getting around is by taxi. And for those traveling in a large company - even cheaper. So, a trip along the route of 20 kilometers will cost about 350 rupees.

In addition, Mumbai has buses, rickshaws and water transport. It is worth getting around by bus if you plan to leave the city or go to another town. A rickshaw is a peculiar way to move around the city with interest during the trip itself, but you should remember that not all drivers have a clear conscience, so it is worth agreeing on the price clearly and in advance. You can ride on water transport in order to admire the city from the water and listen to the excursion.

Where to stay and where is it better to live?

Previously, the city included 7 separate islands, which later merged into one locality with centralized control.

Districts of modern Mumbai:

1. South Mumbai is the oldest district where elite housing of the richest Indians is concentrated, interesting tourist sites, museums, exhibitions, restaurants are collected. This area is the commercial center of the country.
2. The south center of Mumbai is office buildings, the only tourist attraction is the zoo.
3. North Center Mumbai is a middle-class and immigrant residential area.
4. The outskirts to the west are a residential area of \u200b\u200bwealthy Indians, there are several beaches.
5. The central area is a residential area not remarkable for tourists.
6. Harbor area - Mumbai Atomic Research Center.
7. North Mumbai - clean beaches by Indian standards, ancient temples.

Mumbai is full of hospitality establishments for all tastes. India is popular with tourists who love adventure and are willing to sacrifice European comfort in order to save money and see more interesting places. And in Mumbai it is quite possible to stay in an inexpensive hostel, which will cost about 500 rubles a night. However, not everyone is willing to compromise on comfort.

There are also mid-range establishments in the city: a night in a three-star hotel in the city center will cost about 1,500 rubles per person. Finally, there are some amazing five star hotels, there are not many in India, but there is a good selection in Mumbai. So, in the city center you can stay at an international hotel chain, which will have a rooftop bar, swimming pool, spa and fitness center, as well as European level of comfort in the rooms. It will cost the traveler about 10,000 rubles per day.

Travel to Mumbai: where to go, what to do and what to see?

Attractions in Mumbai

Variety is what makes Mumbai, India holidays different in 2019. For connoisseurs of Indian culture, architecture and history, attractions of different directions are presented here.

First of all, it is worth remembering that this is a city with an ancient history, with stunning nature, and therefore there are many worthwhile places for tourists to visit in Mumbai.

You should definitely go to Elephanta islandfamous for its cave temples and pesky monkeys. The trip as part of the excursion will cost 2,000 rupees. You can get there on your own by a tourist ferry for 160 rupees. It departs from the pier near the India Gate Monument. The caves on the island are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, where you can admire stone sculptures and rock paintings, the earliest of which date back to the 5th century.

Historic quarter Cala of the Year - a must-see place for lovers of museums and exhibitions. The most popular and largest museum is the Prince of Wales Museum with an attached gallery, which hosts exhibitions of Indian artists. In addition, this quarter will appeal to all lovers of colonial architecture, it is the focus of the architecture of this period.

It is worth admiring the mumbai University and Supreme Court buildings... The University of Mumbai was built in the 19th century and is currently one of the most prestigious in the country. It is interesting from the point of view of architecture: the monumental building is decorated with graceful, carved decorative elements. And the Supreme Court is somewhat reminiscent of a medieval castle, only it is surrounded by a park with palm trees - a suitable place for walking in the sultry hours.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Station, formerly known as Victoria Station, looks more like a palace. This example of Victorian Gothic is an active site dating back to the 90s of the 19th century. The neo-Gothic base is complemented by Indo-Saracenic elements; the station should not only be used for its intended purpose, but you can just admire it.

Taj Mahal Palace Hotelwhose construction began at the end of the 19th century, has a rich history and is an example of a successful mixture of Indian, Florentine, Moorish and Victorian styles. It is now one of the most luxurious hotels in the world. By the way, you can still stay in it - for about 11,000 rubles per day per person.

Arch "Gate of India" was erected at the beginning of the 20th century in honor of the visit of the British royal family.

If you get tired of contemplating the majestic buildings, then you can go closer to nature. Malabar Hill, with hanging gardens, Jogeshwari caves and a host of other interesting objects located there, is a great place to visit on a hot day.

You can get to Malabar along the beautiful and distinctive promenade of Mumbai - Marina drive... It is always crowded here. But it looks especially picturesque at sunset, when the sun disc descending behind the Malabar Hill is reflected in the sea, and vendors of various snacks and locals flock to the embankment.

Hanging Gardens of Mumbai were also created by the British, and therefore are an interesting example of landscape design. Well-groomed bushes and flower beds, gazebos are surrounded by flowering vegetation. In the gardens, you can see bright fluttering butterflies. In turn, the Jogeshvari caves are in stark contrast to the well-tended gardens: these are ancient caves, which contain dilapidated sculptures from about the 6th century.

Hunters for unique shots should definitely visit Joby Ghatwhere thousands of women wash their clothes in concrete bathtubs that are close to each other. True, a very aggressive method of washing, involving many hours of striking with soapy linen on a special sharp stone, is quite consistent with a similar attitude towards tourists. It is better not to come close to the laundresses. A good place to shoot is the nearest bridge.

For those who love Indian culture, however, not in such an exotic version, there is an opportunity to penetrate Bollywood... This is a huge film studio, the name of which has been heard, perhaps, by almost everyone, and even more so, those who are fond of cinema. For several years now, the pavilions of the film studio have been accessible to tourists. It is worth buying a tour, which will cost about 3000 rubles, and the guides will take you among the stunning scenery, tell the history of Indian cinema, and allow you to admire the filming process.

Things to do in Mumbai

The city is located on the shores of the Arabian Sea, and therefore, some beach activities are available here. There is Chowpaty Beach, which is forbidden to swim, but you can ride a jet ski, go parasailing or take a cruise along the bay. Prices for such attractions are not the lowest. Parasailing, duration 3 minutes, will cost Rs 2,500. 1900 rupees will have to pay for a 10-minute ride on a jet ski.

For a beach holiday in Mumbai, you can go to the small island of Manori. If the beaches within the city are not clean, then here you can sunbathe, have a picnic or dine in a cafe or restaurant. However, swimming is still not worth it, because in the local waters there are a lot of pieces of coral and stones.
However, there is no need to despair: you can go to the Esselworld water park and amusement park. A ticket to this institution will cost about 600 rupees for an adult and 400 rupees for a child. It is located on the shores of Manori Bay. The water park has a pool for kids, extreme slides, and a kind of "sea" with waves.

Those interested in science can head to the Nehru Center and Planetarium. The ticket price will be only Rs 50 for an adult and Rs 25 for a child. This center is currently a large educational complex where you can listen to shows in English.

For those who love shopping, Mumbai will be to their taste. Being the center of trade earlier, the city remains so to this day. You can buy branded items in boutiques and shopping centers, or you can visit the Indian market. Fashion Street is the best place for a "European type of shopping", and for color you can go to Chor Bazaar, Zaveri Bazaar, Crawford Market and others. What to bring from Mumbai? These can be souvenirs and gifts such as:

• bronze products;
• silk products;
• incense, spices;
• ayurvedic cosmetics and medicines;
• indian tea or rum.

Mumbai is such a large city that you can easily find a restaurant in almost any cuisine.

Traditional dishes are South Indian cuisine: puri cakes, dosa pancakes, an abundance of vegetarian dishes. You should also try the Mumbai Chicken Curry. A snack in a street cafe will cost about 150 rubles, a dinner for two with alcohol will cost about 1000 rubles in an average restaurant.

The only drawback of Mumbai is that it is not highly recommended for families with small children. Noise and din on the streets, an abundance of industrial production, the lack of a comfortable beach holiday. Yes, middle-aged and older children will quite like the city, since they can already appreciate the unusual surroundings and sights, but the kids may not be so comfortable and interesting here.

In general, a vacation in Mumbai is a good experience of getting to know Indian culture and architectural heritage left to the Indians by the British. To visit Mumbai in 2019, it is better to set aside a few days to experience the local city flavor and get acquainted with all the sights.