Photos that remind of Mumbai's Bombay days

While Mumbai is this city's name, Bombay has always been its sentiment. The true Mumbaikars still refer to the city as Bombay, the city where everyone's dreams come true, as they say. While I do not have a lot of rags to riches story to tell you here, I can certainly take you to places that still remind of Mumbai's Bombay days.

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This fountain has been guarding the heart of South Mumbai since 1864, and has evolved over time. It was designed by Richard Norman Shaw and was built out of Portland stone that was imported back then! A Roman goddess guards the top of this fountain, and looks all the more beautiful when it is illuminated at night.

Colaba's Taj Mahal Palace is the grand, luxurious hotel across the Gateway of India that is more famous as a landmark. It is one of the oldest hotels in India, and its foundation stone was laid in 1898. It is quintessentially Bombay in its history and grit, and was turned into a military hospital during World War 1, and is still known as one of the best hotels in the East.

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The High Court here is classic Bombay, with its very fine architecture that is reminiscent of English-Gothic design traits. It was designed by Colonel JA Fuller and was built at the cost of INR 16,44,528 back then. It is one of the oldest high courts in India and stands as a reminder of the magic of Bombay.

The Haji Ali Dargah off the coast of Worli is another landmark that is synonymous with the city. It goes back to year 1431 in memory of Sayyed Pir Haji Ali, and holds a place of reverence for followers from all religions. It is built 500 metres off from the coast, and the dargah can be reached only during low tide.

Marine Drive, lovingly referred to as the Queen's Necklace, lined with palm trees is the one great love of Bombay-wallas. It was built by Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry, who was awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan award in 2016. On a typical evening in the city, you would find droves of people, young and old, enjoying seaside walks here. The place has also featured in a number of Bollywood movies, right from the days of Amol Palekar to now.

Head to Girgaon for an essentially Bombay neighbourhood that is Khotachiwadi. Most of the houses here are built in old-Portuguese style architecture. This is also the place, where most of the residents are descendants of the first inhabitants of the city. A lot of photo opportunities await you here, do not miss.

This was constructed in 1875 and was one of the first docks to be built in the city, called Bombay back then. It is often referred to as the tourist central of Mumbai and is very popular for its history, artsy vibe, and some rightly famous eating joints. It is also the place for fresh seafood if you get hungry with all the roaming around.

Of course, with that name, this place is a very beautiful reminder of old-school Bombay. The history of this place goes back to 1846, and was under the patronage of Queen Victoria. The beautifully built club won an award of merit in 2013 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards.