Mumbai in pictures

Easily the city’s most iconic structure, the Gateway of India is symbolic of Mumbai. Gracing the waterfront of South Mumbai’s Apollo Bunder area, this compelling structure was built during the British Raj to welcome the arrival of King George V and Queen Mary when they visited India in 1911. Today it’s one of Mumbai’s most popular tourist spots, thronged by click-happy tourists and locals who want to take in unparalleled views of the Arabain Sea.

Mumbai is often called the city of dreams. A city where everything is possible and you can be whoever you want to be. Apart from being the country’s commercial and entertainment capital, Mumbai can also be safely called India’s most cosmopolitan city

Mumbai (or Bombay as it was formerly called) was a collection of seven islands which connected over a span of five centuries through land reclamation projects.

Mumbai is also a city that never stops and the most significant driving force that runs the city’s economy has to be the Mumbai local train that transports around four million people from their suburban homes to their workplace in Southern and Central Mumbai each day.

Mumbai is also the city that is known for being home to the world’s largest film industry- Bollywood. Here, we see a mural of Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan on a wall in Bandra, a hip suburb of Mumbai

If you’re a Bollywood junkie, you should surely drop by at Mumbai’s infamous Chor Bazaar or thieves market near Mumbai Central which retails everything from mobile phones to motorbike parts. It is also known to be a treasure trove of Bollywood memorabilia like old movie posters, LPs and rare books and magazines

This library has been a popular shooting location in Bollywood films where it has often been portrayed as the exterior of a High Court. Apart from the majestic Roman columns that define this learned society of Asian studies, this historic construction finds its roots over two centuries back. Located close to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station, this is a popular sight for most tourists arriving to the city.

One of the reasons why Mumbai is called the financial capital of India is because it is home to the country’s stock exchange, called the BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange). Located in South Mumbai’s Dalal Street, it is the 11th largest stock market in the world by market capitalisation. While it has a glorious present, it has humble roots and it traces its roots to 1855, when four Gujarati and one Parsi stockbroker would gather under banyan trees facing the city’s Town Hall. The location of these meetings was never fixed but as the number of brokers grew, they formed an organisation called 'The Native Share & Stock Brokers Association' and moved to Dalal Street. In 1958, BSE become the first stock exchange to be recognized by the Indian Government and in 1980 it moved to Phiroze Jeejeebhoy Towers in Dalal Street where it presently stands

One of Mumbai’s recent achievements would be the cable-stayed bridge linking Bandra to Worli. It is a part of the larger Western Freeway project which intends to link the suburbs to South Mumbai’s largest business district, Nariman Point. Being a city that thrives on local trains for daily commute, this was an attempt to encourage people to opt for the road. During peak hours, the sea link is said to reduce travel time between Bandra and Worli from 60-90 minutes to 20-30 minutes. Commuters can opt for single way or return toll options (if the return falls on the same day).

The Sanjay Gandhi National Park, located in the Mumbai suburb of Borivali offers Mumbaikars a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of Mumbai. This forest reserve, apart from being a few degrees cooler than the rest of the city, is also less polluted. It is recommended to visit this place only during the day and it would be convenient to have a car to explore the forest and the many hidden spots that reveal stunning sights. This place comes alive during the monsoons, as the forest has several secret waterfalls which are seasonal and will surely excite the photographer in you. Find a stream that rocks your boat and plonk yourself on a rock next to it

This southern-most station on the Western line peaks in congestion during transit hours for the working class. As the closest station from corporate zones like Nariman Point, Fort and Colaba, it becomes the only option for people living on the Western line to commute through. While the station has 5 platforms, the best vantage point to take in the waves of humanity would be near the entrance to the station, facing all the train time indicators. While you’re at it, it would be recommended to try the filter coffee or munch on some freshly baked popcorn available here. Only advice: watch your back or you will be pushed around like you’re riding against the tide

South Mumbai’s Machchimar Nagar is home to several fishermen who belong to the Koli community. Interestingly, they are the original inhabitants of Mumbai and were responsible for naming most of the landmark places in the city. Just that the names they gave were distorted over time. Colaba was first called Kolbhat, Apollo Bunder was initially named Palva Bunder and perhaps their most crucial contribution would be naming Mumbai after the Mumbadevi temple in Dongri. Head to Cuffe Parade early in the morning and you can catch a glimpse of Koli fishermen returning with their daily catch

If you’re one for the outdoors, the lush greens of this park would be ideal to stretch out with that book you’ve been meaning to complete. With Mumbai’s version of the Big Ben, Rajabai Clock Tower, the Oval Maidan is usually isolated and it’s easy to lose track of time when you’re kicking back here. This place is also ideal to check out amateur cricket matches or sights of budding cricketers practicing if you fancy the sport. The Oval Maidan is located near the Churchgate station on the Western Railway line

Mumbai’s infamous Chor Bazaar or thieves market near Mumbai Central retails everything from mobile phones to motorbike parts. It is one the largest flea markets in India and a major tourist attraction for those who want to explore places beyond the obvious. The word ‘chor’ means ‘thief’ in Hindi and Marathi and hence the name. Interestingly, the name of the market was originally called ‘Shor Bazaar’ meaning ‘noisy market’ and the current name is said to have come from a British mispronunciation. The market finds mentions in many popular novels. One of them being Rohinton Mistry’s ‘Such a Long Journey’, where he refers to the place as, “not a nice place”

South Mumbai’s most famous wholesale market, Crawford Market went into business in 1869. Today, the market has gone beyond vegetables and fruits and one can expect anything from spices, condiments to imported food items. Many big restaurants in Mumbai are said to source their ingredients from here, primarily for their wholesale rates and international quality of products. Drop by to check out the varieties of French cheese in stock or pick up some Belgian cooking chocolate

The festival of Dussehra is celebrated with a lot of fanfare in central Mumbai's Shivaji Park which draws a huge crowd to watch the effigy of Ravana being burnt