Mumbai Mania

Before I talk about Mumbai, you must know that I am a huge Bollywood aficionado. I grew up watching Hindi movies and for me Tabloid stories meant Bollywood gossip. And to get in to the Mumbai sentiments for this blog, I watched "Wake Up Sid". It is a movie that is shot centered around Mumbai and ends with how a new girl in the city falls in love with Mumbai.

Mumbai is the most populous city in the world. It is the commercial center of India, located on the west of the country. When I say Mumbai is the heartbeat of India, I actually mean it with all belief. You can feel the pulsating energy and rush of progression in every corner of the city. There is the rustic, metallic Mumbai becoming alive every morning in the Mumbai Railway. There is the skyscrapers of modern day Mumbai with people rushing to work, thunder in their heart, dreams in their eyes. There is the laid back colonial architecture of the South Mumbai and Marine awaits to welcome you with its sea. Mumbai- it has a story for everyone. 

The earliest trace of habitation in Mumbai can be traced back to the Marathi fishing community- still the most dominant community there. Mumbai, previously known as Bombay, was a group of 7 islands- Bombay Island, Parel, Mazagaon, Mahim, Colaba, Worli, and Old Woman's Island (also known as Little Colaba).The islands were incorporated into the Maurya Empire under Emperor Ashoka of Magadha in the third century BCE. The empire's patronage made the islands a centre of Hindu and Buddhist religion and culture. Mumbai experienced reigns of the Islamic Empire, followed by the Portuguese and ultimately the British Empire. A series of refurbishments and battles later, the city was officially deemed as the capital of the state of Maharashtra.

The name Mumbai is an eponym, derived from the name of a local Goddess called Mumbadevi.

I was in Mumbai for a week. For work and leisure and I covered the basics of a first time traveler, only to discover Mumbai is much, much more. Most of the city's character lies in the South. Malabar Hill is the highest point in Mumbai and it's one of the most expensive neighbourhoods in the world (compare with Manhattan). Must go places in the South of Mumbai-

• Colaba Causeway: The best street market with the most amazing cafes and restaurants (specially the Parsi ones)
• Marine Drive- you have watched it a thousand times in the Bollywood movies but it's magical up front
• Leopold's Cafe or Cafe Mondegar
• Gateway of India- The view is majestic with Hotel Taj behind you
• Walk across during low tide to Haji Ali at Worli, stand at the place that used to be the point for the boats to leave the Haj Pilgrimage. I missed it because of high tide
• Chumbak and Bombay Stores- for the nuances of Mumbai quirkiness 

Nightlife in Mumbai:

Girls, Mumbai is one the most safest cities in India, so go out there and party. I did not venture in to night clubs but I hung out at some of the most chilled places around Bandra (where most of the movie stars live). Alcohol is reasonably priced and available at most hours of the day and I loved this quaint place called Doolally. It's a casual bar with the most delicious hand-fries and one of the few places that allow your pet. My recommendation there? The Mango Cider is to die for. 

I was lucky enough to not have to live in hotels but accommodation ranges from moderate to expensive in good hotels. Plane fare is expensive if you direct flight from Dhaka to Mumbai but goes significantly down if you come via Kolkata or Delhi. Transportation is the easiest with Ola/Uber and it's quite reasonable compared to Uber in Dhaka. The metro is still not commonly used because it has only one line right now. 

The biggest mall in Mumbai now is Infiniti but I liked smaller malls like Oberoi. Most malls have outlets of luxury brands like Gucci, Mont Blanc etc. I am more of a local brand shopper and enjoyed my time at Oberoi Mall. 

Try the street food at Colaba and midnight snacks next to wherever you are staying. Food cannot get better than Mumbai but have no hopes to eat beef as it is not available in most of the places. 

Take a walk across Juhu Beach or a drive across Bandra-Worli Sea Link, this city has adventures oozing from its concrete and architecture. And I am definitely going back again.