Orientation in Mumbai is relatively simple. Mumbai is actual an island fenced by Arabian sea and connected by bridges with the mainland. The main part of the city is hoarded at the southern part of the island while northern part is sparse. The airport, Santa Cruz are some of the main area of northern part of the city. Mumbai railway is the lifeline of the city. Out of many railway stations, Mumbai has three main railway stations. Churchgate and Victoria Terminus are in the central and Mumbai central is some distance further away.

The southern head of Mumbai is Colaba Causeway and northern end is Colaba. The place is popular for restaurants, hotels and bars. The place is also prominent living place of top notch people. Two famous tourist places, gateway Of India and Taj Mahal hotel are at Colaba. Mumbai Fort was the ruins of old Fort established by British, is situated at the north of Colaba. During the last 40 years Mumbai has experienced some remarkable buildings and architecture. Some of them are GPO, offices, banks, tourist offices and two railway stations. Chatrapati Railway Terminus is also a World Heritage Site. A popular hangout place, Marine Drive sweeps to the west of the Fort. The Nariman Point is marked at the southern end of the drive. The place is a modern business center where hotels, skyscrapers, airline offices and banks dotted the place. Malabar Hills, a residential area is at the other end of the drive. Many of Mumbai’s best restaurants and night spots can be found at the upmarket suburbs of Bandra and Juhu.

Information

Just directly across the Churchgate Station at 123 Maharshi Karve Rd, the Government of India Tourist Office is situated. It is closed on Sunday s and open from 8 am to 7 pm. Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Office at Madame Cama Rd.

The General Post Office of Mumbai is a baronial building located at Nagar Chowk near Victoria Terminus Station. At Nariman Point Indian Airlines shares the large Air India building. Buses to airport depart from here and you will find fast money changer in the building. If you are searching for book shops you can head for Nalanda bookshops in the Taj hotel. Also you will find few good pharmacy shops here.

Festivals In Mumbai

Mumbai has its own versions of all the major Hindu and Muslim festivals, plus host smaller neighborhood celebrations imported by its immigrant communities. Exact dates vary from year to year.

Makar Sankranti ( January)
A celebration of prosperity, when sweets, flowers and fruits are exchanged by all and kites are flown in the parks as a sign of happiness.

Elephanta Music And Dance Festival (February)
It is a unique festival swept up of colorful cultural events including floodlight performances by classical artists with the Shiva cave temple as a backdrop.

Gokhulashtami (July-August)
The celebration of Lord Krishna’s birthday. Pots filled with curd, milk sweets and cash are strung from house’s balconies and break by human pyramids of young boys.

Nowroz (July/August)
The Parsi New Year is celebrated with special ceremonies in the Fire Temples and feasting at home.

Ganesh Chaturthi ( Aug/September)
The biggest festival of entire Maharashtra devoted to Lord Ganesha ( elephant God). Huge effigies of Ganesha are immersed in the sea at Chowpatty Beach in a ritual originally promoted by freedom – fighters to circumvent British anti assembly legislation.

Nariel Purnima ( September)
Koli fishermen launch brightly decorated boats to mark the end of the monsoon.