West India
Western India is the most developed part of the country and and includes three large states – Gujarat, Goa, and Maharastra along with two Union territories – Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. Some of the most populous cities in West India are Mumbai (Bombay), Panjim, and Ahmedabad. The film industry, known as Bollywood, is located in Mumbai and has a huge influence over the city and the region.
In contrast, Goa is a striking blend of Indian and Portuguese styles. For 450 years Goa was known as Portuguese India. The state is a major draw for tourists seeking warm weather, beaches, and unique architecture. Culturally, Gujarat exerts a strong Hindu identity but has been influenced by the Persians migrating to the region over 1000 years ago, and its time under Mughal rule. The climate in Western India is diverse but changes between tropical wet and dry, and semi-arid. The hotter months begin in April.
Mumbai (Bombay)
History
Mumbai is a bustling modern city and is probably the closest a traveler will see to an example of the West thriving in the Eastern part of the world. Its mix of skyscrapers, shopping centers, and luxury homes serve as a striking counterpoint to the history of the city and the rest of the country. The city population is estimated to be over 18 million and makes it the most populous in India. In 1995, Bombay changed its name to Mumbai, the original Marathi name for the city. Marathi is the official language of Mumbai.
The city was built on an archipelago of seven islands – Worli, Colaba, Mahim, Mezagaon, Parel, Bombay Island, and Old Woman’s Island. It wasn’t until the mid-19th Century that these seven isolated island were joined into a single land mass. This land mass is defined as a single long peninsula island. Once the land reclamation projects were completed and the islands were connected, Mumbai truly began its ascent as one of the most important business and cultural centers in India.
Probably the best time to visit Mumbai is from October to February. The wet season begins in July and ends in September. Also, from March until June, Mumbai can be swelteringly hot. Some of the major tourist draws in Mumbai include the Gateway of India, the Elephanta Caves, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, also known as the Prince of Wales Museum. More colorful and vibrant than other large cities in India, such as New Delhi, Mumbai offers the visiting traveler an intoxicating taste of modern and ancient India and serves as a signpost for what many citizens hope the future of the country will look like.
Hotels
Mumbai has its share of high-end hotels and many affordable and comfortable mid-range options. Probably, at the top of the list is the Taj Mahal Palace, which was built in 1903. Guests of the Taj Mahal Palace can book rooms that many of which have views of the Arabian Sea and the Gateway of India. There are also restaurants located within the hotel that serve contemporary Indian, Chinese, Japanese, and Eastern Mediterranean cuisines. Additionally, there is a poolside restaurant and a 24-hour al a carte restaurant option. The hotel is an indispensable part of Mumbai and one of the architectural highlights in the city.
Another upscale option is the Trident Bandra-Kurla. Located in the new business district the Bandra Kurla complex, this hotel attracts business travelers from all over the country and the world. Its amenities are also attractive for travelers to Mumbai. Some of the high-end services a guest can take advantage of include 24-hour laundry and valet service, babysitter on call, currency exchange, an on-call doctor, and much more. The Trident Bandra-Kurla has three restaurants and a patisserie and deli on site.
There are many other less upscale options for the weary traveler to Mumbai. Some of these options include the Hilton International Airport, the Sofitel Mumbai BKC, and the Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport. These alternatives do not have the upscale amenities of many high-end hotels but offer guests comfort and needed essentials and may be a better fit for travelers who plan to spend more time exploring Mumbai than in their rooms.
Attractions
One of the the most identifiable and historically significant landmarks of Mumbai is the Gateway of India. Built to commemorate the first visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai, the Gateway of India was officially unveiled on December 4, 1924. Designed by Scottish architect, George Wittet, the style is Indo-Saracenic with Islamic influences. There is no entry fee to the Gateway of India and the structure is open to the public everyday of the week. The structure is also a point to connect with boat rides to the Elephanta Caves, a trip that roughly takes about an hour.
Located on Elephanta Island (or the Island of Gharapuri), 6.2 miles east of Mumbai, the Elephanta Caves date back to the mid-5th and 6th Centuries AD. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Elephanta Caves consist of five Hindu caves and two Buddhist caves that are smaller in size. Visitors to the Hindu caves will find numerous sculptures cut by the Shaiva Hindu sect and dedicated to Lord Shiva. The caves were a site for Hindu worship until 1534 when Portuguese rule began. Afterwards, the Elephanta caves suffered damage and it wasn’t until the 1970s a restoration project began. Currently, the caves are managed by the Archeological Survey of India.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS), or also commonly known by its former name, the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, is the primary museum in Mumbai. Visitors to the CSMVS, which was established in the early 20th Century, will be taken aback by its striking architectural style, a mix of Indo-Saracenic, Jain, and Mughal influences. Located inside Victoria Gardens, the building is surrounded by palm trees and stunning flower beds. The CSMVS houses an estimated 50,000 artifacts and is divided into three main sections: Art, Natural History, and Archeological. Some of the pieces that are housed at CSMVS date as far back as 2000 BC to the ‘Indus Valley’ civilization.