Mumbai: City of Seven Islands

Mumbai is India’s melting pot, a cosmopolitan hub that attracts hordes of people from across the country. Mumbai has always been a conglomeration of several cultures, in keeping with its origin itself – the city was formed out of seven islands. The seven islands include Mahim, Old Woman’s Island, Worli, Mazagaon, Parel, Colaba, and Bombay Island.  

If you are visiting the city on business or on a holiday, it is a great idea for you to make time for a heritage walk, which will give you an insight into the rich history of the city.

• Bombay Island was the island that was the main harbour during the time of the British Raj. It stretched till Malabar Hill region from Dongri. This original stretch that went by the name Isle of Bombay was a small one, only 24 km long.
• Mahim is at the westernmost part of today’s Mumbai. The island was part of the other group of islands that were given to King Charles as dowry. There are many landmarks in today’s Mahim, from the Bandra-Worli Sealink to the Sitladevi Temple and St. Michael’s Church.

  

  Bandra-Worli Sealink Mumbai(Photo Courtesy: http://www.flickriver.com)

• Colaba in today’s Mumbai is all about museums and galleries, and the iconic Gateway of India, Sassoon Docks, and the Taj Mahal Palace ad Tower Hotel among others. Back then, the island went by the name Candil by the Portuguese. Colaba is called the Kolis’ territory. The Kolis are the local fishermen.

  

  Gateway of India (Photo Courtesy: http://www.indiaunimagined.com)

• Parel is known as an upmarket area, with a slew of high-end apartments and hotels. There are places such as the Planetarium, the Palladium and Nehru Centre Art Gallery you can visit. Parel is also known for its cotton mills.
• Mazagaon was a fishing village in the southern part of Mumbai. However, it is now a suburb on the outskirts. There are many churches and temples in the area, some dating back to the time of the Portuguese and the British.
• Haven’t we all heard of Haji Ali? Well, the famous dargah is located on a rock on the island of Worli. Today’s Worli is a bustling locality and is home to major businesses and companies.

  

  Haji Ali (Photo Courtesy: https://www.pinterest.com)

• Old Woman’s Island is the tiniest land mass of Mumbai, and is often called Little Colaba. 

Enjoy the greenery and flowers at the Hanging Gardens or go for a stroll along the beach, be it Juhu or Chowpatty and relish a bhel puri or pani puri. If you are inclined to visit temples, you could visit the Mahalaxmi Temple or Siddhivinayak, which gets hordes of devotees, from film stars to other well-known personalities from varied fields.

When to visit

If you plan to make a trip to Mumbai, the idea time would be between September and April. It is best to avoid the rainy season that starts around June.

In terms of accommodation, there are plenty of hotels in Mumbai to choose from. There are budget options, home stays, luxury resorts and 5-star hotels in Mumbai, so you really are spoilt for choice. A relaxing stay in a 5-star hotel on a holiday with family – who wouldn’t want that!

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Aurangabad: Home of Famous Ajanta & Ellora Caves

Visiting Aurangabad during any vacation was a given in my school and college days because we had family there. There are memories of innumerable trips to Ajanta and Ellora, and each time, it was a new experience. One cannot but stop and marvel at the glory of the place. The sculptures in the caves at Ellora date back to the period between sixth and eleventh centuries. There are 34 caves at Ellora, while the Ajanta caves (2nd century BC to 6th century AD) stand at 29. The caves are located in Aurangabad district.

Ellora

It is impossible to put into words the sheer magnificence of Ellora’s many caves, but the Kailasa temple complex is the crowning glory. Each time I visited it, it took my breath away. The sunlight shining through the rocks gives the place an other-worldly feel to it. It is said to be the largest monolithic structure in the whole world, and displays the genius of artisans several centuries ago. There is a courtyard with several etchings of episodes from the epics.

Kailash Temple (Photo Courtesy: http://en.wikipedia.org)

There are also Jain caves at Ellora, with figures of Gomateshwara and Mahavira. There are Buddhist caves as well at Ellora. Ellora is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a must-visit, even if you have already seen it before. Ellora is about 30 km from Aurangabad and is easily accessible by road. To reach Ellora, you will have to book your tickets on one of the Aurangabad flights; Aurangabad is the nearest airport.

Jain Caves in Ellora (Photo Courtesy: http://thinkingparticle.com)

Ajanta

Ajanta caves are about one-and-a-half hours away from Ellora, so you can hire a car and drive around the two places. The paintings in the caves are bound to take your breath away. You might have noticed the image of Padmapani on many a picture postcard from Aurangabad; the image has become representative of the glory of Ajanta. The Ajanta caves are World Heritage sites as they indeed should be. The highlight of your visit to Ajanta is the reclining Buddha, a huge carved statue which is deceptive of Buddha’s moment of nirvana, or liberation from the world.

The Buddha's nirvana (Photo Courtesy: http://www.studyblue.com)

Also don’t miss the Buddha in cave 1, where you can see different facial expressions of the Buddha from different sides, a trick of sculpture. The cave also has several beautiful paintings on ceilings and walls. The painting techniques employed at Ajanta are said to be similar to the fresco methods employed by Europeans. The artists of those times were said to have used only six colors, and the pigments were extracted from natural resources.

Ajanta Cave painting (Photo Courtesy: https://www.flickr.com)

While at Aurangabad, you can also visit the Daulatabad Fort and the Bibi ka Maqbara, the latter being a poor man’s version of the Taj Mahal.

Daulatabad Fort (Photo Courtesy: https://ghumakkarchronicles.wordpress.com)

Bibi ka Maqbara (Photo Courtesy: http://www.rajasthangk.net)

There are plenty of shopping opportunities as well, look for Paithani sarees and bidriware to take home. The city has decent accommodation options and is well connected by air, rail and road. There are regular flights to Aurangabad from major Indian cities.

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Maharashtra: Rich in Culture and Tradition

Maharashtra is a state which represents rich culture, prosperity, spirituality and tradition. This Indian state has preserved its traditions amidst advancing industrialization and has gained its rightful place as a global tourist destination. Today, airlines operate flights to Mumbai from almost every corner of the world as well as other parts of India. Maharashtra is home to Marathas, who contributed immensely towards India’s rich heritage and culture. The state is renowned for its quality of education, and of course, Bollywood, the dream merchants of the country. Here are some facts which Maharastra which make Maharashtra unique.

Art and craft: Maharashtra is famous for Paithani sarees, Warli paintings, kolhapuri jewelery, etc. Hand-made sandals and chappals made of leather are known for their quality, design and style, known as Kolhapuri chappals. Kolhapur jewelery is one of Maharashtra’s famous exports, particularly the necklace known as the Kolhapur saaj.

Warli paintings art of Maharastra (Photo Courtesy: http://www.nazarmagazine.com)

Dance culture: Various dance forms are performed on festivals and special occasions in the state. Dhangari Gaja is performed by Sholapur Dhangars to honor their God Biruba. Another popular dance form is the Lavani, which interprets romance and passion at its best. Povadas is equivalent to Ballad, which aims at explaining the life and times of Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Lavani interpretation of romance and passion (Photo Courtesy: http://mumbai-eyed.blogspot.in)

Religions: Though 80% of the state’s population is Hindu, Maharashtra is a secular state and several religious co-exist here peacefully. Hindus pray to Lord Krishna and Ganesha, and Janmashtami and Ganesh Chaturthi are the popular festivals in Maharashtra. Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Zoroastrians, Jews and Buddhists co-exist happily in this vast Indian state.

Cuisine: Pani puri and vada paav of are some of the most popular Maharashtrian snacks. Fish and meat are poplar, especially the Bombil fish. Bharlivangi is a popular vegetarian dish prepared by filling spicy coconut stuffing into brinjals. Pachadi is a mix of vegetables in a sauce of green mangoes and coconuts. Shreekhand, puran poli and modak are Maharashtra’s favorite sweet dishes.

Popular Bombil fish fry (Photo Courtesy: http://sanjivkhamgaonkar.wordpress.com)

Fairs and festivals: Apart from Ganesh Chaturthi and Janmashtmi, Diwali is also celebrated with great show and pomp. The state also celebrates Narali Poornima, Dusshera, Bakari Eid, Ramzan Eid, Gudi Padawa, Moharram, Mahashivratri, Holi, Shree Datta Jayanti, Vata Poornima, etc. Ellora Ajanta festival is held every January in Aurangabad, and the Elephanta Festival in March.

Ganesh Chaturthi (Photo Courtesy: http://www.journeymart.com)

Breaking Dahi Handi at Janmashtmi (Photo Courtesy: http://www.boston.com)

People of Maharashtra are kind hearted, and welcome guests with warmth and love. If you would love to experience the rich culture and tradition of this unique Indian state, check for Mumbai flights today. Plan a holiday and experience Maharashtra in all its hues.

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