Mumbai Things to Do Tips by Canadienne

During the British occupation, this monument was the first sight to greet travellers arriving by boat in India. In 1947, it also became the focal point for the official departure of the British. . .parting through the same gateway which had first greeted many of them.

It's a fantastic place for people-watching ~ there are always lots of tourists (Indian and foreign alike), streetstalls and souvenir salesmen. It's located right across the street from the Taj Mahal Hotel so, if you aren't going to be coughing up the big bucks to stay here, this is also be your chance to stop inside for a drink or snack. The hotel is beautiful inside, as well as out, and has a killer Sunday brunch ($10 US).

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Although photos aren't allowed inside, be sure to enter the Chhatrapati Shivaji train station (renamed in an effort to eradicate English); the interior is very impressive, with Gothic vaulted ceilings and ironwork.

My first trip to CST was in a jetlag haze, and I missed out on the architectural beauty of it completely, but I managed to smarten up and return for a second look before leaving. There is heavy, heavy traffic around the building, so be careful when you're backing up to get any photograph of it.

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This museum was the first "sight" I visited in India. After securing a train ticket, I came to the museum, thinking that being indoors (out of the heat) and in a controlled environment would help ease my transition to the country. I was partly right ~ the building has minimal air conditioning/air flow (it's quite humid and made me wonder about the conditions of the works being displayed inside), and I was followed throughout my afternoon (br alternating groups of young schoolgirls ~ very cute! ~ or not-so-young men ~ less cute).

Still, the collection of miniature paintings is superb here. It was the focus of what I looked at, and I was not at all disappointed. The main gallery is also breathtaking, as itopens up through the other floors to the domed ceiling.

I didn't think to take a photo until I was leaving, and by then it was beginning to turn dark, so it's a poor example of the architecture.

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The causeway to Haji Ali's Tomb is almost as interesting as the mosque itself (almost, but not quite!). . .it is lined with people ~ some pilgrims, some devotees, some beggars and a variety of salesmen (trinkets, puja offerings, etc.) as well.

The man pictured here is selling change ~ he'll give yu coin for rupee notes, so that you can have a smaller denomination for an offering at the mosque. A small fee applies, of course.

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The long causeway leading up to Haji Ali's Mosque is a sight in itself, but the mosque is also worth a visit. The tomb inside (where Haji Ali remains) is 15th century work, but the surrounding mosque wasn't added until the mid-20th century.

You need to cover your head to take a closer look inside (you can't go in as far as the tomb), but you'll be rewarded with a view of thebeautiful decorative engravings in the marble. The island also offers a view of the Mumbai coast ~ how good the view is depends heavily on the smog that day.

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The Mumbadevi Temple is hidden behind numerous storefronts; you are almost in it before you realize you have reached your destination. Crowded, pulsing with life, colourful and exciting. . .it's almost the kind of fervour that you'd find at a rock concert.

It's a bit hard to find, and it's not architecturally outstanding, but the extra effort is definitely rewarded. The temple was named after the goddess Mumba, after whom the city was renamed.

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Address: Mumbadevi Road & Sheikh Memon Street
Directions: About ten minutes' walk from Crawford Market