Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

If Mumbai is about the pollution, the fast-paced life, the never-ending traffic, it is about hidden treasures and gems too. And if on reading this you delve into a contemplation of sorts and fail to figure out those, then read on… You’ll know that Mumbai, meri jaan, is not devoid of sights worth seeing, says Bindiya Chotrani

Marine Drive

Marine Drive:

Wanting a view of the sunset, then there is no better place to catch a glimpse of it than at the Marine Drive. Also affectionately dubbed as the “Queen’s Necklace” due to the sparkling string of street lights that arc this stretch after dark, this pretty route gently curves some two miles from the southern end of Nariman Point north to Malabar Hill. The place is a must-visit during the rains with waves splashing across the pavement. The place is a huge attraction for love struck couples and here on a romantic stroll.

 

 

 

 

gateway-of-indiaGateway of India: 
Located at the Apollo Bunder Waterfront in Southern Mumbai – a Major tourist hub – the Gateway was built to commemorate the royal visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay. Interestingly, the British builders of the gateway used it just 24 years later to parade the last British regiment as India marched towards Independence. A favourite gathering spot for locals, you are more often than not touted by giant-balloon sellers, photographers, bhelpuri vendors and more. The best time to visit the Gateway of India, though, is during the period of November to March, with the post-monsoon climate being pleasant and less chances for a downpour. Now, right behind the gateway, steps lead you to a waterfront where trips can be had to locations like the Elephanta caves.

 

 

Asiatic-Library

Asiatic Library:

Now if you immodestly count yourself as one of those geeks, and are bespactled, then this stop is going to be of great interest for you. One of the key landmarks of South Bombay, the Town Hall library has been frequently featured in films and television advertisements. With much more than the rare collection of books, the place also houses rare manuscripts, scrolls coins, a good set of magazines and newspapers. Spacious and quite, the reading room overlooks the Horniman Circle garden – a great place to relax and take a break from the studying schedule. The steps leading to the library, more commonly known, as the Asiatic Steps is a popular hangout during the evenings where one can simply sit back and watch the world go by.

Girgaum Chowpatty: 
A stroll, the sunset, a jog, chaat chaska – ask for it and the Girgaum chowpatty shall give it to you. Often confused with the Juhu Beach, the Girgaum Chowpatty comes alive during the Ganesha Festival with enormous Ganesha idols being immersed into the water. The beach is a retreat from a tedious routine for many.

Bandra Worli Sea-Link
The 5.6 kilometer Bandra Worli Sealink, which crosses the Arabian Sea, linking the Mumbai suburbs with south Mumbai, is as an engineering marvel. The bridge apparently contains steel wires equivalent to the circumference of the earth and weighs the same as 50,000 African elephants and is made of 90,000 tonnes of cement – enough to construct five 10 storied buildings. The Sealink hasn’t been without controversy though. Delays doubled the amount of time of construction from the estimated five years, to 10 years and the cost estimate increased from 6.6 billion rupees to 16 billion rupees The Taj Lands End hotel at Bandra Bandstand offers a bird’s eye view of it. But take your hooptie along because pedestrians and motor cycles are not allowed entry on the bridge.