I have almost spent my whole life in Bombay and am really proud to be one of its 13 million people. Original Bombay consisted of seven small islands, whose narrow shorelines were later filled with sand to make it a big single island. In the mid 17th century, the original islands of Bombay were passed on to the British as part of the dowry of the Portugese princess, Catherine Braganza when she married Charles II. The name Bombay itself is the modified version of "Good Bay" in Portugese. The British monarch later ceded the territory to the East India Company in 1667. The then fortified factory or trading establishment became a well defined nucleus for the urban growth of Bombay.
Bombay is called the Manhattan of India, a melting pot for the different
cultures and religions, and of course, both were/are islands. The city
of Bombay has been rapidly growing in size and population ever since India
got Independence from the British in 1947 and the subsequent partition
of the country. This marked the shifting of the film industry from Lahore
(now in Pakistan) to Bombay city. Bollywood, as the Bombay film industry
is known, churns out the maximum number of films in the world. Bombay has
always been a major cotton textile producing center in the country. The
city is also a major port and the capital of the State of Maharashtra.
HOW TO GET THERE
:
Nearest Airport :
Sahar Airport (Bombay). It is about 20 kilometers from the Bombay Central
Station
Nearest Railway Station
:
Central Railway - Victoria Terminus ( popularly known as V.T. )
Western Railway - Churchgate
TEMPERATURE :
Bombay is warm for
most times of the year. Maximum temperature in summer is 38 degree celcius
and minimum in winters in 12 degree celcius. No woolens required.
SHOPPING :
Cotton clothes, Souvniers,
Antiques, Hand made cards and leather goods.
PLACES OF ATTRACTION
:
Victoria Terminus
(now renamed as Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus aka C.S.T.), Gateway of India,
Prince of Wales Museum, Bombay University, Elephanta Caves, Taraporewala
Aquarium, Mahalaxmi Temple, Film City, Aarey Milk Colony and Sanjay Gandhi
National Park.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
:
Bombay is a wonderful
city if you don't mind crowds. It has a population of about 13 million
with 300 people added every day. Crime in Bombay is relatively low compared
to western countries. Mugging is unheard of and it is safe to walk alone
in the streets, even at night. Travelling is a bit inconvenient for people
staying in the suburbs. Bombay on the whole is a vibrant, hectic and an
always moving city!