Introduction To Mumbai

The India experience cannot even be considered without paying a visit to Mumbai. It is after all the largest city in India with population of 17 million people (and that is just an estimated number). Like it or hate it Mumbai is a heady mix – the chaotic traffic, the masses of people, the sprawling bazaars, plenty of Bollywood action, a great number of relics from it’s colonial past, the rich, the poor, the capitalists and the artists – all of these and more coexist in one city.

Mumbai was built in waves – as more immigrants came in, more neighborhoods were built, each taking on the characteristics of it’s residents. But as it grew and developed it turned into a powerhouse of it’s own – it is the center for the India’s entertainment industry, it serves as headquarters for some of the most powerful companies in the world and it is one of India’s busiest ports. It would be wise to brace yourself for the impact as Mumbai is not for the faint hearted – the sheer size and bustle of it all might make one faint.

However there is plenty to explore and do in this metropolis – wander through the Crawford market and prepare for the visual overload, admire the architecture of the Fort or mingle with other tourists at Colaba (home to the Gateway to India and the famous Taj Mahal hotel), meditate for clarity in one of the city’s temples or enjoy a delicious dinner in one of the prestigious restaurants and then mingle with the young and beautiful in one of the many nightclubs.