Every year, thousands of Indians visitors take the time to head over to India just get a taste of Indian heritage in various parts of India and to specially visit the top attractions of Mumbai. With a population of 20 million, Mumbai houses Bollywood and living quarters of many famous Bollywood superstars, five-star hotels, restaurants that bring you the delectable taste of Indian food, historical temples and buildings left over from colonial era in India are just a few of Mumbai’s attractions that bring thousands of tourists to this city every year.
Maybe before the touristic and historical places of the city startle the tourists, the chaos of the city with the continuous sound of car horns and people who are always on the move will delight every newcomer.
In order to touch the city of Mumbai closely, it might not be a bad idea to forget the taxis and use an auto rickshaw to go around the city. Double-decker buses are also a cheap and safe choice. You can sit on the top floor and enjoy the view of the financial capital of India. There are various attractions in Mumbai waiting for you. We have prepared a list of top attractions of Mumbai that will help you organize an unforgettable adventure in the city of dreams.
Gateway of India
The Gateway of India on the banks at the Apollo Bunder waterfront area, is probably the most famous piece among the top attractions of Mumbai, which has become a symbol of the city. This magnificent structure was built in 1911 when George V and Queen Mary wanted to visit Mumbai. Although Gateway of India is a reminder of the British rule over India, this amazing building is just as much a reminder of the end of the colonial era; Because the British sailors passed under this special gate, boarded their ships and left India forever for England.
Viewing the unique architecture of this structure by the boundless Indian sea is so popular that tourists have given the Gateway of India the title of Mumbai’s Taj Mahal. You can wander around for an hour or two and try some spicy Indian street food. This place is the starting point for sea tours and boating in the Indian Ocean. You can also board a boat from here and visit one of the most famous attractions in India, the Elephanta Caves.
Elephanta Caves
In less than 10 km from Gateway of India lies another one of top attractions of Mumbai: Elephanta Caves! These caves are actually huge stone temples carved out of natural stones in the 5th century. This complex includes five Hindu temples and two Buddhist temples. Most of these temples have been destroyed over time, but still the exceptional statues, unique architecture and the historical and cultural value of Elephanta Caves have made them one of the most important historical monuments of Mumbai which have been registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The one-hour boat riding from Gateway of India to Elephanta Caves is very scenic and beautiful. You can visit the caves for about two hours and watch the 3000-year-old carvings and paintings that were once offered to Hindu gods.
Bollywood Tour
Who can speak of top attractions of Mumbai and miss out on India’s Bollywood? One cannot think of Mumbai and not remember Bollywood’s breathtaking action, complex drama and musical scenes with jaw-dropping dances? If you are interested in the Indian film industry and Bollywood, by taking Bollywood tours you have the chance to go behind the scenes of Indian movies and see famous actors up close. You can even register as a Supernumerary actor and act in Hindi movies.
Global Vipassana Pagoda
To find peace in the crowded city of Mumbai, you can go to the Global Vipassana Pagoda. This pagoda was built with the inspiration of a pagoda in Myanmar and has a huge dome made of gold, the brilliance of which attracts the attention of every viewer and that’s why it is one of the top attractions of Mumbai. Inside the building there is a large hall with a capacity of 8000 people.
People gather under this dome and experience meditation together. But before you enter the main hall, you should visit the smaller halls to familiarize yourself with the basics of this place so that you can use the revelation and meditation space of the main hall.
If you like to adjust the spiritual energies within yourself, this temple will be the best option for you. Global Vipassana Pagoda was built in 2009 as a symbol of human peace and tranquility in the city of Mumbai. The atmosphere of the temple remains like a small paradise on earth and conveys a feeling of peace to its visitors.
Dhobi Ghat
The biggest laundry in Mumbai is 140 years old. It is amazing to watch so many people washing clothes by hand on concrete stones in the traditional way. In this interesting space, you can smell the soap and detergent and watch the white sheets washed on the stones.
If you want to understand the greatness of this space properly, you need to imagine 1026 washing ponds side by side. People’s dirty clothes are brought to Dhobi Ghat from miles away to be returned to their owners clean and smelling good. The fame of this traditional laundry is so great that Bollywood is also inspired by it and made a movie called Dhobi Ghat.
To have the best view of the Mumbai laundry, you can go to the nearby bridge, which passes over the railway and the incoming trains to the Mahalaxmi train station. There you will see the washed clothes waving in the wind like colored flags and presenting a beautiful scene. The best time to visit Dhobi Ghat, the world’s largest open-air laundry, is in the afternoon.
Those who wash clothes are known as Dhobi, which means to wash. The Dhobi people have continued this family business for generations and of course they have also established their own traditions. For example, from the olden days, the Dhobi people only married with another Dhobi family, so that the purity that came from their work would remain in their nature.
Mumba Devi Temple
India is a land of temples. The people of this country have diverse beliefs and that is why there are many temples in this country. Standing on Bhuleshwar, the MumbaDevi Temple is one of the oldest temples in the city dedicated to the god of power, Mumba Devi. Mumba Devi is the deity of Bombay, or as the locals say, the mother of Bombay, and the name of the city is also inspired by this deity.
It is a holy place of pilgrimage and worship for Hindus. Therefore, hundreds of people visit it daily and give gifts to their gods. A statue of Mumba Devi, which is covered with a silver crown and a gold necklace, is one of the most popular and famous parts of this collection, which attracts many visitors.
Around this temple there are many stalls that sell products such as copper bracelets, rings, Rudraksha malas, brass lingams, pictures of deities, incense and saffron. You can buy small souvenirs from Mumbai for yourself or your friends from the nearby stalls.
Other Top Attractions of Mumbai
There are other countless attractions in Mumbai such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, palaces and temples that if we are to name all, this post would probably have never ended. Taking a trip to India and specially to Mumbai will be one full of adventures, excitement, fun and exotic dishes!
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