"Welcome to Mumbai" navinkurian2002's Profile

Basic Facts

The cities name in different languages
Marathi :- Mumbai Mumba=godess ai=mother
Portuguese :-bom bahia=good bay
English =Bombay (British interpretation of the portuguese)
Bombay is set to replace Tokyo as the world's most populoulated city by 2020
Estimates of the present population are in the range of 14 to 15 million.
Altitude: Sea level
Rainfall: June to September
Telephone Code: +91 interntional 022 local

languages spoken in Mumbai
Gujarati
Bengali
Tamil, Urdu
Malayalam
Telugu
Punjabi
Konkani
Nepali
Kannada
Sindhi
Bojhpuri
Marathi
Urdu
Religions
Hindu
Muslim
Christian
Buddhist
Parsi
Jain
Sikh
Jewish
Atheist ideology

Fisherwomen and Stone goddesses
Although the archipelago which developed into the modern city of Mumbai was inhabited whenever history chanced on it, we are forced to imagine the lives of these early Mumbaikars, because the islands lay outside of the sweep of history and beyond the marches of armies for millennia. Stone age implements have been found at several sites in these islands. Later, around the third century BC, the coastal regions, and presumably the islands, were part of the Magadhan empire ruled by the emperor Ashok. The empire ebbed, leaving behind some Buddhist monks and the deep-sea fishermen called Kolis, whose stone goddess, Mumbadevi, gave her name to the modern metropolis.

Between the 9th and 13th centuries, the Indian ocean, and especially the Arabian Sea, was the world's center of commerce. Deep sea crafts made of wood tied together with ropes transported merchandise between Aden, Calicut, Cambay and cities on the West coast of Africa. Marco Polo, Ibn Batuta and other travelers passed by without ever making a landfall in these islands.

Bombay changed hands many times. The islands belonged to the Silhara dynasty till the middle of the 13th century. The oldest structures in the archipelago--- the caves at Elephanta, and part of the Walkeshwar temple complex probably date from this time. Modern sources identify a 13th century Raja Bhimdev who had his capital in Mahikawati-- present-day Mahim, and Prabhadevi. Presumably the first merchants and agriculturists settled in Mumbai at this time. In 1343 the island of Salsette, and eventually the whole archipelago, passed to the Sultan of Gujarat. The mosque in Mahim dates from this period.

Mumbai has a centuries old history and many sites of tourist interest. Some of them are: Banganga Bhuleshwar Bombay Natural History Museum Chor Bazaar Chowpatty Beach Crawford Market Elephanta Caves Fashion Street Film City Gateway of India Jehangir Art Gallery Juhu Beach Kanheri Caves Prince of Wales Museum Prithvi Theatre Rajabai Tower Sanjay Gandhi National Park (Borivali National Park) Taraporewala Aquarium
Attractions and Things to See and Do

History
Prince of Wales Museum,
Mani Bhavan or Gandhi Museum,
Elephanta caves
Kanheri Caves 2nd century Buddhist caves

Religious Places
Muslim religious place-Haji Ali Mosque
Jain religious place-Jain Temple
Parsee religious place-Firetemple
Tower of Silence,Parsee places their dead within a tower and then the vultures eat the flesh

Hindu religious Places
Banganga
Sri Babulnath [Shiva] Temple
Sri Siddhivinayak [Ganesh] Temple
Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari Temple [Krishna]

Getting there and away
>Getting around
Rickshaw fare card is here !!
http://www.geocities.com/sue20001au/images/tariffcard.html

by Air

Mumbai Airport

At a height of 26 feet above mean sea level, Mumbai airport serves as one of India's major international airports. It operates throughout the day, and currently handles upto 35 landings and takeoffs per hour. On November 3, 1995, Bombay airport reached a record 150 arrivals and 152 departures. International arrivals and departures are most frequent at night.

Usage information
International terminals
On arrival at the Sahar International Airport, the immigration, baggage retrieval and customs areas precede the remainder of the services. Exchange can be obtained at bank counters just outside the customs area. Hotel bookings and pre-paid taxis are available. There are no shops in the arrival area. The departure lounges are marginally better equipped for shopping. They also have a restaurant, a snack bar and exchange. However, check in and emigration are chaotic because of the bunching of flights at night. Phones are available at both arrival and departure.

Domestic terminals
On arrival at the Santa Cruz airport the baggage retrieval area is skirted by counters for various services such as hotel reservations. There is no pre-paid taxi counter, although some auto-rentals may represent themselves as such. Taxis are available from a policed queue outside the terminal. The departure area has minimal shopping and a snack bar. Phones are available at both arrival and departure.

Technical information
Noise restrictions are minimal. There are restrictions on low overhead circling and idling engines on the tarmac. Aircraft taking off have to rise to a specific height and clear the Mumbai metropolitan area before making a turn. There are no noise detection systems, nor any surcharge or budget on noise in force.

The runways serve the domestic and international terminals. There are several runways, including one of length 11,630 feet, with a width of 153 feet.
http://theory.tifr.res.in
under the GNU Free Document License

Train

Local trains are only good to travel in during non peak hours ie before 7 am and after 10 pm it all depends on which way you are going.
http://www.westernrailwayindia.com/
http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/
http://www.geocities.com/indianrailnut/images/mmrrail.gif (extremely useful map for locals and also tourists for getting around mumbai by local trains
Bus

Buses are the cheape way to travel over a short distance but you need to know the exact bus stop you want to get off at and remember to not get in at rush hours .Certain routes get so filled up that its difficult getting off the bus.It is better to get a bus at the starting point till the end point thats what i do
http://www.bestundertaking.com/trans_route.htm

Rickshaw

This is the fastest way to travel short distances in comfort.You need to know the meter rates currently if the meter shows 1.00 = 9.00 Rupees 1.50=14 Rupees

Taxi

There are 2 types of taxis on coloured in yellow and black the meter rates are if the meter shows 1.00=11.00 Rupees and a taxi painted in blue called "Cool cab" theses are air conditioned luxury taxis

Hitchhiking

This does not work in mumbai,People are scared to pick up hitchhikers unless you are outside mumbai then you could hitchhike on transport trucks Bicycle

There are no special roads for bikes so unless you are a really really good rider and have cycled in crowded cities its not recommended

Food and Drinks and Local Specialties

South indian
Dosa Diner
Opp Moti Mahal Restaurant, Turner Road, Bandra (W)
2640-4488
Open: 12 - 3pm & 7pm - 12.30am.

Gujarati
Chetana Restaurant & bar
34 K Dubash Marg, Kala Ghoda
2284-4968
Open: 12.30 - 3.30pm & 7.30 - 11.30pm.
Aditya Restaurant 53, Sindhi Society,
Saheed Hemu Kalani Road,
Chembur,
Mumbai-400071
Tel:2522-0744

Backyard 230 Linking Road,
Bandra (west)
Mumbai-400050
Tel: 2642 0041

Bristo Chatmasala 6/8 Ambalal Doshi Marg,
Opp. Bombay Stock Exchange
Fort,
Mumbai-400023
Tel: 56395181

Behind The Bars Lotus Suites
Andheri Kurla Rd, Int Airport Zone
Andheri East
Mumbai-400059
Tel: 28270707

Blend and Brew 70(0), Central Avenue Road,
Chembur East,
Mumbai-400071
Tel:25280014

Blossoms Hotel Suncity
16th Road,MIDC,Marol,
Andheri(east)
Mumbai-400093
Tel: 28306133

Cirkus Cirkus
Lotus Suites
Andheri Kurla Rd, Int Airport Zone
Andheri East
Mumbai-400059
Tel: 28270707

Café Royal 166 Mahatma Gandhi Road,
Opp. Regal Cinema
Mumbai-400001
Tel: 2288 3982

Chilli-n-Spice 355 Linking Road,
Khar West,
Mumbai-400051
Tel:2648-0483

Far East Rodas Hotel
Hiranandani Gardens
Powai,
Mumbai-400076
Tel: 5693 6969

Golden Lawn Restaurant Krishna Marg,
R.C Marg,
Chembur
Mumbai-400072
Tel:25286850

Howrah
B-Block Sitaram Bldg,
Dr D.N Rd
Crawford Market,
Mumbai-400001
Tel: 23401976

Hyderabad House Plot-61-62,
Versova Springleaf Co-operative
Housing society, Seven bunglows,
J.P. road,Versova,
Mumbai-400061
Tel: 26343352

Mussafir Sahil Hotel
292, J.B Behram Marg,
Mumbai Central
Mumbai-400 008
Tel:23081421

Mirch Masala 355 Linking Road,
Khar(west)
Mumbai-400051
Tel: 26480491

Nizam's Comfort Inn
Sant Sarta Marg,
Byculla,Mum-400027
Tel: 2371-4891

On the platter Plot No-47,
Gulmohar Rd,
JVPD scheme
vile parle (west),
Mumbai-400099
Tel:2670-7010

Ornament Opp. Chembur Railway Station
Mumbai-400071
Tel:5597-8090

Parabola Rodas Hotel
Hiranandani Gardens
Powai,
Mumbai-400076
Tel: 5693 6969

Royal Fantasy Mhada Shopping complex,
Near Oshiwara police station,
New link Rd
Andheri(west)
Mumbai-400102
Tel:2633-6549

Riceboat 45 Gandhi Nagar,Service Rd,
Next to Mhada
Bandra (east)
Mumbai-400051
Tel:2640 3030

Raaga (Excluding Alcoholic Beverages) 36 Kiran Service Ind Estate,
M.G Road
Goregaon (west),
Mumbai-400062
Tel:2872 0199

Starters and More Cambatta building (Eros theatre)
1st floor,
East wing,MK Road,
Churchgate
Mumbai- 400020
Tel: 56315871

Something Fishy (Inclusive of Alcoholic Beverages) Mhada Shopping complex,
Near Oshiwara police station,
New link Rd
Andheri(west)
Mumbai-400102
Tel: 2633-6549

Stars Parade Swami Jairamdas Shopping Centre
Oppst Basant Park,chembur,
Mumbai-400071
Tel: 25271787

Sheesha Roof top,Shoppers stop,
L linking Road,
Bandra
Mumbai
Tel: 5677-0666

Tangerine Mirador
New link Road,
Chakala,
Andheri(east)
Mumbai-400099
Tel:5649 5000

Tian Resto Bar 48 Gulmohar Road,
Juhu,
Mumbai-400049
Tel:5691-4425

Tangy Tamarind Rukson cuisine,
41 pali Hill,
Bandra,
Mumbai-400050
Tel:26481094

Zaffran B-Block Sitaram Bldg,
Dr D.N Rd
Crawford Market,
Mumbai-400001
Tel: 23442690

Supermarkets
Inorbit Location :- Malad
Shoppers Stop Location:- Bandra ,Andheri

Street Food
A simple rule to thumb which the locals follow is to eat where there is a crowd .
This would mean the food at the restaurant/food stall is fresh and not stale and eat only hot food,
Local Specialties
Vada-pav Bread Bun with a ball of potatoes in it

Exchanging Money

As the exchange rate keep changing this is the best place to get updated infomation
http://www.businesstraveller.com/includes/externallinks/foreignexchange.asp
http://www.xe.com/ict/
1.Foreign Exchange Bureau (Cusrow Baug. M.G. Road)
2. American Express travel Services - Regal Cinema Building M.G. Road.

3. Bank of Baroda, Eucharistic Congress Bldg., M.G.Road, cash drawings from Visa or Master card.

4. Canara Bank -M.G.Road next to Wesley Church- For Visa or Master card

ATM's

1.Bank of India Electric House - M.G. Road

2. Hong Kong Bank, Flora Fountian -M.G.Road

3. A N Z Grindlay

http://www.tulleeho.com/bc/drinking_new.asp?City=Mumbai (for the best reviews)

Bars

Geoffrey's
Location: Hotel Marine Plaza, 29 Marine Drive

HQ
Location: Above Cafe Royal, near Regal Cinema,

Cafes

Café Mondegar
Location: Colaba Causeway,

Leopold Café
Location: Colaba Causeway,

Discos/Pubs
clubs
1. Enigma
Location JW Marriott, Juhu Tara Rd
Phone 022/25693 3000

2. Shooters
one of the best Rock Pubs in Bombay
Getting there:Linking road, in lane diagonally opposite Jai Jawan; two lanes Bandra side of MacDonalds

3. Squeeze
Location : S.V.Rd, Khar, behind Hotel Maurya, Mumbai ; Tel : 91 22 26489313

4. Zensi
183, Waterfield Road, Bandra (W), Mumbai - 400050 ; Tel :91 22 25643 0670
www.zenzi-india.com
Restaurant, bar, lounge and the outdoor area ... Zenzi has all these... but it is more than a place to eat. It's perfect for everything: A great breakfast, a dinner to celebrate, lunch with friends, Sunday brunch with the family & also Friday evening drinks to unwind after a tough week. Or just quiet cocktails for two. The music at Zenzi is top notch and so is the food. Mumbai was incomplete without this place.

5. Bed
Location 230- Linking Road (near Shoppers Stop), Bandra (w), Mumbai - 400050; Tel 91 22 39535544

6. Rock Bottom
Hotel Ramee Guestline, AB Nair Road, Juhu
Phone 25693-5555

7. Athena
Address 41/44 Minoo Desai Marg Colaba
Phone 022/2202 8699

8. Lush
Phoenix Mills Compound, Bombay, Maharashtra, India
Phone: 25663-4601

Cocktail Lounge's

1. Olive
2. Indigo
Indigo, 4 Mandlik Road, (91-22) 5636-8999. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Dinner about $28 a person at 44.7 Indian rupees to the dollar; drinks $3 to $9.
3. Busaba
Lounge and relax
Mandlik Road, Behing Taj Mahal Hotel
Colaba
Mumbai, MH
400 001

4. Vie
102 Juhu Tara Road, Opp Little Italy, Juhu; Tel : 91 22 2660 3003

5. Tian
Address: Tian Resto-Bar 48,Gulmohur Road, Juhu 400049 Tel No : 6914425
Summer of 69 at TIG’s Pub International style pub with live DJ . Summer of 69 offer of Rs.69/- plus taxes for all domestic beer, spirits and of course VAT 69, the offer has been extended for a limited period only.
Watch the Formula 1 on Big screen TV ,Unlimited draft beer on Sundays for Rs.300/- all incl.
http://www.tianrestaurant.com/location.html

7.Velocity
Location Film Centre, Tardeo, near Crossroads Mall
Phone 022/2491-2313

8.Polly Esther's, Garden House Hotel, 5 Battery Street, (91-22) 2287-1122. Open Tuesday to Sunday, cover $7 to $14, with drink tickets, individual drinks $3 to $5.

9.Voodoo Pub, 2/5 Kamal Mansion, Arthur Bunder Road, (91-22) 284-1959. Open daily. Drinks $3 to $5

10. The Dome
The InterContinental, 135 Marine Drive, Mumbai ; Tel : 91 22 25639 9999
www.ichotelsgroup.com

11. Provogue lounge
High Street, Phoneix Mills, Lower Parel, Mumbai - 400013; Tel : 91 22 2497 2525
www.provogue.net

12. Hawaiian Shack
16th Road, Opposite Mini Punjab,
Bandra West
Mumbai, MH
400 050
Bandra
Phone +91 22 2605 8753

13. Insomnia
Location Taj Mahal Hotel, Colaba
Phone 022/2202 3366

14. Ontoes
http://www.ontoespub.com/
7, Mithilla Shopping Center
V.Mehta Road
J.V.P.D Scheme
Mumbai 400 049
Tel : 2614 4274 2615 3173
Fax : 2619 4453
Email : info@ontoespub.com

15. Red Light
145 Mahatma Gandhi Road, (91-22) 25634-6249. Open, for couples and members only, Wednesday to Saturday.

16. Toto's Garage
The grub pub in demand
30, Lourdes Haven
Pali Junction, Bandra West
Mumbai, MH
400 050
Bandra West
Phone +91 22 2600 5494

Club IX
Dance Club, Khar
Location: Dr Ambedkar Rd., Pali Hill,

event group
Zulu People
Shop No. 2, Sukh Shanti Apartment, Vidhyanidhi Marg, Juhu Scheme, Mumbai 400049. India
Tel: (91-22) 26703100 Telefax: (91-22) 56920531 Email: zulupeople@hotmail.com

Festivals, Sports, Concerts, Public Holidays

Jan. 26 Republic Day
March 4 Mahashivratri
March 16 Bakri-id (id-ul-zuha)
March 20 Holi
April 1 Bank's year end account closing
April 5 Gudhi Padwa
April 12 Ram Navami
April 14 Dr. Ambedkar Jayanti
April 15 Moharrum
April 21 Good Friday
May 1 Maharashtra Day
May 5 Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti
May 18 Buddha Pournima
June 15 Id-e-Milad
Aug. 15 Independence Day
Aug. 21 Parsi New Year
Sept. 1 Ganesh Chaturthi
Sept. 30 Bank's half-yearly closing of accounts
Oct. 2 Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti
Oct. 7 Dusserha
Oct. 26-28 Diwali
Nov. 11 Guru Nanak Jayanti
Dec. 25 Christmas ...

http://passport.nic.in/visrules.htm
http://www.embassyworld.com/

U.S. Consulate General - Mumbai (Bombay)
Lincoln House
78 Bhulabhai, Desai Rd
Mumbai 400026
Tel:(22) 363-3611, (22) 363-3618
Fax:(22) 363-0350
Operating Hrs: 8:15 a.m. - 5 p.m., Mon - Fri
http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/in1/

Australian High Commission
Mumbai Consulate - General
16th floor, Maker Towers Block E
Cuffe Parade, Colaba.
Mumbai 400005
Tel: (022) 218 1071 & 72, 2186995
218 0770 and 218 6865
Fax: (022) 218 8228

Italy
Consulate General of Italy, Mumbai
Consolato Generale D'italia, Mumbai
Kanchanjunga, 1st Floor, 72 G.Deshmukh Marg,
Mumbai - 400 026
Tel : 0091-22-23804071, 23804073
Fax : 0091-22-23874074
E-mail: consulgeneral@italianconsulatemumbai.com

Royal Netherlands Embassy
Forbes Building
Charanjit Rai Marg
Mumbai 400001
P.O. Box 11135
Mumbai 400020
Tel: 91-22-2016750
Fax: 91-22-2069436

Consulate General of Belgium
M.Babasahed Dhanukar Marg
Mumbai - 400 026
Tel : 022-24939261, 24929202
Tlx : 011-73744
Fax : 022-24925030
Mumbai@diplobel.org



British Deputy High Commission
Makers Chambers IV, 2nd Floor
222 Jamna Lal Bajaj Rd.
PO Box 11714 Nariman Point
Mumbai 400021
Tel: 022 2830517 Fax: 022 2027940



Consulate General of France in Mumbai
2nd floor Dattaprasad Building,
10 Naoroji Gamadia Cross Road,
Mumbai - 400 026.
Tel: [0091] (22) 24950918 / 24951870 / 24952289 / 24981217
Fax: [0091] (22) 24950312
Email: consufra@vsnl.com (general)
Visas.bombay-fslt@diplomatie.fr (visa section)

Economic Department of France in Mumbai
3rd floor Dattaprasad Building,
10 Naoroji Gamadia Cross Road,
Mumbai - 400 026.
Tel: [0091] (22) 24903361
Fax: [0091] (22) 24903488
Email: bombay@dree.org

Germany
Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany
Hoechst House, 10th Floor
Nariman Point, Mumbai, 400 021
Tel: + 91 22 22832422
Fax: + 91 22 22025493
E-Mail: Germanconsulmumbai@vsnl.com

Costa Rica
Consulate of Costa Rica
Standard Bldg. (1st Floor)
346, Dadabhai, Naoroji Road,
Mumbai- 400 011
Tel : 22040351,2245002
Fax : 2202 4202



Trade Commissioner of the Republic
of Hungary of India, "Tanna" House,
11-A, Woode House
Mumbai - 400 039
Tel : 22020224
Tlx : 011-82308
Cable : HUNGCOM
Fax : 22020429

Iran
Consulate General of The Islamic Republic of Iran
" Swapnalok", First Floor, 47, Nepean sea Road,
Mumbai-400 026
Tel: 3630073, 3631029
Fax: 3637002