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Sightseeing Tours

OVERVIEW - LIST OF SIGHTS - NATIONAL PARK

Overview

There are a number of sights to see in Mumbai which we will gladly show you around in comfort in one of our air conditioned cars (max capacity = 5 tourists).

The tour guide (there will be a driver plus the guide), who has detailed knowledge of the sites, will be with you all the time. He will explain what you can do, and then the itinerary is completely up to you. If you want, he can also help you bargain for gifts in the local markets (not a bad idea in Mumbai!)

We tend not to visit sites in the Colaba area (where most tourists stay) since most tourists prefer to explore these in their own time and at their own pace on foot.

You can incorporate more traditional sightseeing with a slum tour in one action packed day, and sign on for the "Slum and Sightseeing Tour".

Alternatively, you can simply hire the car (with driver) and you will be taken where you want.

Click on the link for the list of prices.


List of sights

in Colaba
Gateway of India - Prince of Wales Museum - Rajabai Tower and Oval Maidan - Other British Architecture

outside Colaba
Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus - Crawford Market and Kalbadevi bazaars - Mani Bhavan (Gandhi Memorial) - Mahalaxmi Temple - Haji Ali Mosque - Jain Temple - Banganga Tank - Nehru Centre - Kamala Nehru Park

Sanjay Gandhi National Park (Borivali National Park)
Introduction - Tiger and Lion Safari - Kanheri Caves


IN COLABA

Gateway of India

Gateway of India and Hotel Taj Mahal
The Gateway of India was built in 1924 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India. Built in the 16th century Gujarati style, the monument stood testament to British supremacy. It was from here that the last British troops left the country after independence.

Opposite the Gateway of India is the famous Taj Mahal Hotel, a beautiful 5 star hotel built in 1903.


Prince of Wales Museum

Prince of Wales Museum
Like the Gateway of India, this structure commemorates the visit of King George V. The building is built in Indo Sarcenic style and is surrounded by beautiful gardens. The central hall features a huge dome which is believed to have been inspired by the Gol Gumbaz. The museum, which opened in 1923, has an impressive collection of artifacts from places such as Elephanta Island, Jogeshwari Caves, and the Indus valley. There is a large collection of terra-cotta figurines, ivory carvings, statues, and miniatures.



Rajabai Tower and Oval Maidan

Rajabai Tower and Oval Maidan
The Rajabai Tower, built in a mixture of Venetian and Gothic styles at a height of 85m (280 ft), is located in the confines of the University of Mumbai. Designed on Big Ben in London, it was completed in 1878 but is now closed to the public after it became a favourite place to commit suicide.

It overlooks the Oval Maidan, a recreation ground where the most popular sports are football and especially cricket.


 
Want to do some voluntary work while in India? Please click on the icon for details of organisations offering such opportunities.

Do you want to see and understand life in the Indian villages, getting involved yourself? You visit three different communities in the beautiful countryside and stay the night in one of them.

Do you want us to book a room for you in Mumbai, or in India? We will make reservations for hotels of ANY budget, and in most cases we ensure that what you pay will not be more than the listed price.

Do you want to travel independently around India on your own itinerary but without the hassle of booking trains, coaches, domestic flights and hotels? We can do as many or as few of these tasks as you wish, at very reasonable, transparent rates.

Do you need help for any purpose in Mumbai? Filming? Research? Shopping? Sourcing a manufacturer? We are not experts in all these fields but with the assistance of our Hindi speaking staff, we will help find what you want. Please contact us with your requirements, no matter how bizarre they may be!!
   

Other British Architecture

Colaba and the surrounding area of Kala Ghoda and Fort is a great way to wander, observing the beautiful British architecture such as Elphinstone College and Flora Fountain.

Elphinstone College Flora Fountain



OUTSIDE COLABA

Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus
 
CST station
Formerly known as Victoria Terminus (VT), this is one of the most imposing buildings in Mumbai. It was from Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus that the country's first train rolled out. At the entrance to the terminus is a large statue of Queen Victoria. The clock on tower is 3.19m in diameter. Stone gargoyles, peacocks, monkeys, elephants and British lions are placed among the buttresses, domes, turrets, spires and stained glass windows. The Terminus looks more like a cathedral than a railway station.



Crawford Market and Kalbadevi bazaars

Crawford Market
This is a colourful market just north of Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus and is the last oupost of British Bombay before the commotion of Kalbadevi′s bazaars begin. Built in 1869, it used to be the city′s wholesale produce market before this was stragically shifted to Navi Mumbai. Today it where south central Mumbai goes shopping for provisions. Besides a load of fresh fruit and veg, there is also an animal market where most are kept in cruelly small cages, a meat market for the non-squeamish only. The market is best visited when it is buzzing with activity.

North of the Crawford market is a predominantly Muslim area, dotted with Chawls (dwelling clusters), and home to some of the busiest and most colourful bazaars in Mumbai. Near Kalbadevi is the Jama Masjid and the Mumbadevi temple, dedicated to the patron Goddess of Mumbai's original inhabitants. It is one of the best places to wander aimlessly.


Mani Bhavan- Gandhi Memorial (see website)

Mani Bhavan
Mahatma Gandhi's residence in Bombay between 1917-34 has been converted into a museum, which displays pictures, models and books related to his life.

The room on the second floor which used to be the living room and working place of Gandhi has been preserved as far as possible in its original setting.


Mahalaxmi Temple

street leading to mahalaxmi temple
This popular Hindu Temple, dedicated to the goddess of wealth, is situated on a headland at the northern edge of Malabar Hill. The narrow street leading to the temple is lined by stalls selling offerings of marigolds, lotus flowers and coconuts.


Haji Ali Mosque

Haji Ali Mosque
This mosque is located at the end of a long causeway protruding into the Arabian Sea. The white mosque is the tomb of Saint Haji Ali, a wealthy Muslim who renounced the world and proceeded to Mecca. It is said that he died in Mecca and the casket miraculously drifted to the spot at which the mosque is built toady. The mosque can only be approached during low tide.



Jain Temple

Jain Temple
The Jain Temple, in Malabar Hill is a beaufiful place for worshippers of Jainism to pray to the “Tirtankars”- humans who have achieved enlightenment (perfect knowledge).

The Jains, a small but influential minority in India, believe that every human is responsible for his/her actions and all living beings have an eternal soul- jiva. Jains insist that we live, think and act respectfully and honor the spiritual nature of all life, human and non-human.


Banganga Tank

Banganga Tank
Built by the Silhara dynasty in the 12th Century, several small, crumbling, stone-turreted temples and flower-garlanded shrines surround a rectangular pool of holy water. Ritual bathers who come here believe the mossy waters have healing powers and originated from a natural spring created by an arrow shot by Rama (the hero of the Ramayana), who rested here while on a mission to rescue his beloved Sita from the demon king's abode in Lanka. The source of the spring is said to be an underground offshoot of the Ganga, and the waters are considered just as sacred as those of the great river itself.



Nehru Centre (see website)

Nehru Centre
The Nehru Centre, a beautiful pineapple-shaped building opened in 1986, houses The Discovery of India Exposition- a low tech, carefully labelled maze of exhibits (50,000 exhibits spread over an area of 100,000 sq. feet), covering every aspect of artistic, intellectual and philosophical attainment of India through the ages. The Centre also holds an art gallery dedicated to the promotion of young talent, and the Nehru Planetarium is nearby.



Kamala Nehru Park

From this garden at Malabar Hill, one gets a spectacular view of the city, especially Chowpatty Beach and Marine Drive.

We find this is a great place to finish the sightseeing tour.

Kamala Nehru Park View from Kamala Nehru Park




SANJAY GANDHI NATIONAL PARK (BORIVALI NATIONAL PARK) (see website)

Introduction

Entry = Rs 90 plus Rs 20 per person.

The Borivali National Park, officially known as the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, is a rare National Park that lies within city limits. The park lies on the northern fringes of suburban Mumbai. It encompasses an area of 104 square kilometres and is surrounded on three sides by the city. It is possibly one of Asia's most visited National Parks with 2 million annual visitors. The park is also the largest park in the world located within city limits.

The region is hilly with a maximum height of about 400 m. The Park encompasses two lakes, Vihar Lake and Tulsi Lake, which meet part of the city's water requirements. The park is said to be the lungs of the city as it purifies most of the pollution over the city.

It is a great place to escape the chaos and pollution of the city.

The highlights of the park are the ancient Kanheri Caves, which are sculpted into the rocky cliffs, from the top of which you can see the suburbs of Mumbai on either side. We normally spend most of the time here.

There is also a Tiger and Lion Safari for those desperate to maybe see one lion and one tiger, but we wouldn't recommend it.


Tiger and Lion Safari

Cost = Rs 30 per person plus entry into the national park (see above).

For details of the Tiger and Lion Safari, see official website.

tiger lion


We don't think it's worth the effort to do the safari. You speed around a dirt track by bus, and you might see the occasional lion or tiger asleep. It only takes 15 minutes.

safari bus


Kanheri Caves

Cost = Rs 100 per person plus entry into the national park (see above).

The Kanheri Caves are located deep within the green forests of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, about 10 minutes drive from the entrance. Kanheri comes from the Sanskrit word Krishnagiri which generally means black in color.

These caves date from 1st Century B.C. to 9th Century A.D. There are 109 of them carved into the side of the hill overlooking the park.

caves- view from below caves



Most of the caves are the Buddhist viharas (Indian Buddhist monasteries) meant for living, study, and meditation. The larger caves were chaityas (worship halls) are lined with intricately carved Buddhist sculptures, reliefs and pillars, and contain rock-cut stupas (Buddhist religious monuments) for congregational worship.

caves- prayer hall caves



You get a great view of both sides of Mumbai from the top of the hill, and is a great place to spend a few hours.

caves- view of park caves- view of city



There are lots of monkeys around (look after your food!), there is a cafe selling soft drinks and snacks, and there are normally a few vendors selling mangoes and other fruit.

monkeys caves




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tel: 022 22833872. email: info@realitytoursandtravel.com
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many photos of dharavi, as indicated, have been provided courtesy of julien cassagne (http://juliencassagne.free.fr).
any use is forbidden without authorization of the author