Maharashtra

India’s western gateway is Mumbai, with a major international airport and harbour. The city’s rise from the dowry of a Portuguese queen to the country’s foremost sea port, commercial centre and producer of films has been nothing short of meteoric. Mumbai’s Gothic architecture is embodied in the Gateway of India, Bombay High Court, Old Secretariat, University Buildings and Victoria Terminus. Open spaces in this crowded city include Chowpatty Beach, Juhu Beach and Sanjay Gandhi National Park, the latter a fine wildlife park at Borivili. Bombay is the country’s premier cultural centre. Jehangir Art Gallery attracts regular art exhibitions; Prithvi Theatre is well known for its theatrical performances, and the National Centre for Performing Arts periodically hosts Indian and international concerts of music and dance. The city’s shopping embraces informal fashion and accessories at Colaba Causeway, antiques - and clever reproductions of antiques - at Chor Bazar, gold and diamond jewellery at Jhaveri Bazar, high fashion at Kemps Corner, Bhulabhai Desai Road and the airconditioned shopping plaza at The Oberoi. 

Bombay (Mumbai)
Altitude : Sea level.
Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max 33.3, Min 22.7; Winter- Max 29.5, Min- 19.4.
Rainfall : 212 cms (June to September).
Season : Throughout the year.

Gateway to India & capital of Maharashtra, Bombay was once a cluster of seven islands called Heptanasia by Plotemy in AD 150. The word Mumbai (locally called) however, is derived from Mumba Devi or Maha Amba Aai, the patron goddess of the kolis or fisherfolk, who have been its original inhabitants.

Infrastructure 
Air : Bombay's International Airport is at Sahar (30 kms) and Domestic Airport at Santacruz, 26 km. Most of the International Airlines, Indian Airlines Vayudoot & many other private airlines touch Bombay and connect it with the major cities of India and the world. 
Rail: Bombay is the headquarters for both western & Central Railways. Regular train services connect Bombay with all major towns and cities in India. 
Road: Bombay is connected by good motorable road to Pune 163 km, Nasik 185 km, Mahabaleshwar 239 km, Shirdi 307 km, Aurangabad 392 km, Vadodara 432 km, Ahmedabad 545 kms, Panaji 597 kms, Hyderabad 711 kms, Bangalore 998 kms. 
Local Transport: Metered black & yellow top taxies, Auto rickshaws, B.E.S.T. city buses, Electric trains are available. 
Tourist Taxis & Coaches: AC & Non-AC Coaches, Mini-Coaches, Luxury & Ordinary Cars can be hired from bus operators & Car operators. For Approved List contact Government Tourist Offices. 

Tour
Gateway of India 09.00 hrs Luxury Coach M.T.D.C Office 
Jain Temple, to Rs.55/- Tel: 2026713/ 
Hanging Gardens, 13.00 hrs 2027762/2027784.
Kamla Nehru Park, and M.T.D.C Office,
Mani Bhawan, 14.00 hrs C.D.O Hutments,
Aquarium, Prince to Madam Cama Road, of Wales Museum. 18.00 hrs (Opp. LIC Office)
Nariman Point,(Except on Mondays) Bombay-21. 

Observation Point, 09.15 hrs Semi Luxury
Kanheri Caves, to Coach Rs.90/-
National Park, 18.15 hrs
*Lion Safari Park, M.T.D.C. Office, (Closed on Mondays), C.D.O. Hutments, Juhu Beach and Madam Cama Road, Hare Rama Hare Krishna Temple. (Opp. LIC Office) 
Elephanta Tours: (Subject to weather conditions)
Launches leave Luxury Launch (with guide) Gateway Elephanta Jal every hour from 0900 Rs.50 (adult), 30 (child) Vahatuk Sahakari hrs to 1415 hrs. Ordinary Launch Sanstha Maryadit, (returns after (without guide) Apollo Bunder. every 4 hours) Rs.35 (adult), 20 (child) Bombay-39. Tel: 2026364/2023585.
Note: Ordinary launches suspended during monsoons.

Aurangabad- Departs Rs.2405/- M.T.D.C 
-Ajanta- 2100 hrs. (lodging & boarding at Tel: 2026713/ 7762/
-Ellora. Returns Ajanta Ambassador Hotel) 7784. 4th day Rs.1465/- 0730 hrs. (lodging & boarding at Aurangabad Ashok), Rs.770/- (lodging at Holiday Camp. without food) Rs.152/- one way fare. Nashik-Shirdi Dep. 8.00 p.m Rs. 247/- (On Wednesday) Returns next day (to & fro transport) at 10.00 p.m Rs.347/- (with accomodation) (On Saturday) Dep. 2.00 p.m Returns next day at 10.00 p.m

M.T.D.C. operates luxury bus services from Maharashtra Tourist Office, Nariman Point to Ganpatipule (9 p.m, 11 hrs, Rs.175); Panchgani (6 a.m, 9 hrs, Rs.175) & Nashik (6 am, 6 hrs, Rs.125); Mahableshwar via Mahad (7 am, 7 hrs, Rs.160). Tickets for the above tours are available at the Govt.of India Tourist Office, 123, M. Karve Road, Churchgate, Bombay- 400 020.

Places to see
Afghan Church (4.5 kms), Chowpatty Beach (4 kms), Gateway Of India (2.4 kms), Haji Ali Tomb (2.4 kms), Headquarters of Western Railway, High Court, Hutatma Chowk or Flora Fountain, (1 km), Kamala Nehru Park (5.6kms), Crawford Market (2 kms), Malabar Hill (5.6 kms), Mahalakshimi (7.2 kms), Municipal Corporation Building (12 kms), Marine Drive, Hanging Garden (6 kms), Race Course (7 kms), Rajabai Towers & Bombay University (1 km), Raudat Tehra Mosque & Mausoleum (3 kms), Town Hall (2 kms), Victoria Terminus (1 km), Weaver's Service Centre (2.4 kms), Nehru Planetarium [Daily show except Mondays at 3 p.m & 6 p.m (Eng) 4.30 p.m (Hindi), Saturdays & Sundays 3 p.m & 6.30 p.m (Eng), 4.30 p.m (Hindi) 1.30 p.m (Marathi), Charges Rs.10 (adult), Rs.4.50 (child), Tel: 4920510; Taraporewala Acquarium (3.2 kms), Timing: 1100-2000 hrs except Mondays. Fees Rs.2.50 (adult), Rs.1.00 (child); Jijamata Udyan Tel: 8725799. 
Mani Bhavan (Gandhi Memorial) Tel : 3677864, 3.6 kms.
It houses a pictirial gallery and a library of books by and on Mahatma Gandhi. 
Timings: 0930-1800 hrs. Entry Fee: Rs.3.50. 
Nehru Science Centre Tel: 4932667, 8 kms.
The museum has permanent gallery called light and sight and a children's science park. There are also antique exhibits like railway engine, tramcar, supersonic aerolpane & steam lorry. Timings: 1200-1900 hrs. (Except Mondays)
Prince Of Wales Museum Tel: 24484/4519, 2 kms.
It is famous for its collection of miniature paintings.Timings: 1015-1800 hrs. (Except Mondays). Entry Fee: Rs.4 (Free on Tuesdays). 
Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum. Tel: 3077121, 5.6 kms.
Timmings (Except Wed.): Mon. to Sat. 1030-1730 hrs, 0830-1645 hrs on Sundays. 
Entry Fee: Re.0.50 (Adult); Re.0.25 (Child). 

Aarey Milk Colony (35 kms), Timing: 0900-1200 hrs; Ambarnath (74 kms); Bassein Fort (77 kms); Elephanta Caves (9 kms); Gorai Beach (59 kms); Juhu Beach (21 kms); Kanheri Caves (42 kms); Ghodbunder (43.2 kms); Karla Caves (100 km); Karnala Bird Sanctuary (61 kms), Madh, Marve & Manori Beaches (45, 38.4 & 40 kms respectively); Powai Lake (26.6 kms); Vihar Lake (28.6 kms); Tansa Lake (10.3 kms)); Tulsi Lake (32 kms); Uran Sea Side Resort (74 kms); Vaitarna Dam (122 kms); Vajreshwari (88 kms); Versova Beach (29 kms); National Park & Lion Safari Park (35 kms), Vehicle charges per trip Rs.15 (Adult), Rs.7.50 (child).
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Informations
Government of India Tourist Office, 123 M.Karve Road, Churchgate, Bombay-400 020. Tel: 293144-5.
Government of India Tourist Office Counter, Domestic Airport, Tel: 6149200, 6116466 Extn. 278, 279 (Timing 0700 hrs till the last flight)
Government of India Tourist Office Counter, International Airport, Tel: 6325331, 6366700 Extn. 3253/3608 (round the clock)
Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, CDO Hutments, Madam Cama Road, Nariman Point, Tel: 2026713, 2027762.
India Tourism Development Corporation, Nirmal Building, 11th Floor, Nariman Point, Tel: 2023343, 2026079.
Bombay (Mumbai) Links