Mahalaxmi Temple

Located at the seashore on the northern side of Malabar hills, Mahalakshmi temple is one of the most sacred temples in Mumbai. The temple enshrines three dieties namely Lakshmi, Kali and Saraswati. However, the principal diety is goddess lakshmi and hence the name Mahalakshmi temple.

History
Built around 1785, the history of this temple is supposedly connected with the building of the Hornby Vellard. It is said that when Britishers failed in their repeated attempts to connect Mahalakshmi area to Worli by building Breach Candy on account of ferocious tides, they had almost surrendered. The problem was fixed only by divine intervention when the goddess Lakshmi appeared in the dream of chief engineer and asked him to remove the three statues from the sea bed and establish them in a proper shrine. A search operation was launched to recover the statues and a temple was built. After this, the work on the vellard could be completed without a hitch. .

Inside 
The Temple contains images of Goddess Mahalakshmi, Mahakali and Mahasaraswathi. All three images are adorned with nose rings, gold bangles and pearl necklaces. The image of Mahalakshmi is shown riding a tiger and a demon (Mahishasur) in a tandem. Beyond the ornate gate is the shrine wherein resides the buxom goddess of Lucre -- Laxmi. The compound of this temple is abuzz with stalls selling flower garlands and pious paraphernalia.

Navaratri Festival
During Navarathri celebrations, the temple gets special looks. Devotees from distant places throng to temple to pay their obeisance. They have to stand for hours in long queues holding coconuts, flowers and sweets which they offer to the goddess. 

Madh Island

Madh Island Beach in Northwest coast of Mumbai has for a change a peculiar rural backdrop and to the forefront of it are some eye-popping galleries of exquisite bungalows that dot the beach. Madh Island Beach is popular for the kind of rave parties that are thrown discreetly, when gentries from upper strata of the city converge and shake a leg amidst peppy music, unleashing absolute fun and frolic.

The best thing about Madh Island Beach is the number of unspoilt sandy beaches where you can revel in utmost peace and calm. However, the beaches are not exactly picturesque, strong and wild Sea current make the beach treacherous and susceptible to the changing of its area and hence it is advisable not to venture out into the Sea.

Whatever be the mood of the sea here, you can be rest assured that Madh island Beach provides you a complete escape from the heat and dust of the city and it is a perfect destination to chill out and reflect alone or your dear ones. You can stroll along the seashore and explore the fishing community that populates the area.

Another attraction on Madh Island Beach is the Madh Fort also called Versova fort. It is believed that this fort was built by the Portuguese as a watchtower and later used as a training camp for cadets. You could come over here for a fresh bout of breeze and fort's picturesque locale that is sure to enthrall you.

How to Reach Madh Island Beach

By Air
Mumbai is easily accessible by air to all the corners of the country and abroad. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport and domestic airport carry the services of almost all the major flights. These airports are well connected to all the major points of the city by road and suburban railways.

By Train/Rain
Mumbai has an efficient network of local trains that you can board to reach each and every nook and cranny of the city. The nearest railway station to the Madh Island is Malad, about 12kms from the Churchgate Virar suburban section of Western Railway.

By Road
Mumbai is well connected to all the major cities of Maharashtra state and other states neighboring to it. City bus services are run by BEST connecting Marve-Erangal-Aksa-Madh.

Juhu Beach

Juhu Beach is a beautiful beach, which gets strokes of turquoise waves day and night. Located in the central suburb of Mumbai, this coastline acts as a coolant to your worries and tensions. One can access this unruffled beach from Vile Parle, Santa Cruz and Andheri as well. It's the pre-eminent place to view spectacular sunsets, when the ceaseless horizon appears splendidly tinted in shades of red and orange. This lovely sight of the sun descending into the vast Arabian Sea, presents an amazing vista that is hard to forget.

As the Sun goes down, Juhu Beach cloaks in the feel of fun-fair, where local food stalls and ferry riders' horde the area. Like Chowpatty Beach, it is a popular place to spend time in the evenings and enjoy the appetizing local snacks of Mumbai. You can nibble the spicy Bhel Puri or gobble the appetizing Pani Puri at the local kiosks out here. Pav Bhaji could be another delicacy that you would love to eat again and again. On weekends, it become an extravaganza in presence of vendors, toy sellers, horse and donkey rides, dancing monkeys, acrobats and cricket matches.

Juhu Beach is frequently visited by score of people round the year. It has been picturized in many movies of the Bollywood, but it seems actors have liked this place so much that they have chosen it as their abode. Many a hotels and lavish restaurants have cropped up on its southern side. To its north, there lies the Versova Beach, renowned for its fishing community. Not advisable for swimming and sun-bathing, Juhu Beach is a perfect place to enjoy the tasty local food and admire the mesmerizing sunsets.

Gateway of India

Gateway of India is the landmark of Mumbai city and most of the tourists commence their trip by visiting this monument. It is situated on the waterfront in the southern part of the city. The gateway is an arch with a height of 26 meters and is made up of yellow basalt and reinforced concrete. Gateway of India is an architectural marvel and belongs to Indo-Saracenic architectural style, with some elements derived from the Muslim architectural styles of the 16th century Gujarat.

The central dome of the structure measures 15 m in diameter, while its peak is at an altitude of 26 m from the ground. It was constructed with an estimated cost of 21 lakh, funded mostly by the Government of India. Peeping into the history, we can say that the monument was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay in December 1911. The foundation of Gateway of India was laid down in 1911 by the then Governor of Bombay, Sir George Sydenham Clarke.

The final structure was at last opened to the public on December 4, 1924, by the Viceroy, the Earl of Reading. After India got independent, the last British troops passed across the gateway in 1948 to board their ship heading for England. This amazing architectural monument was very much alive in the colonized nation and still doesn't fail to capture the attention of every onlooker. Inscription imprinted on the gateway reminds the historical event of the King's arrival.

This majestic gateway has always been the centre of attraction for one and all. Moreover, the large expanse of the Arabian Sea visible from the monument makes the entire view simply overwhelming. This makes Gateway of India, the most visited spot in Mumbai. At the back of the Gateway, there are steps leading into the sea, where motor boats rest to take the visitors on a ride to Elephanta Islands. Moreover, a short cruise through the natural harbor of Mumbai is absolutely refreshing.

Flora Fountain

Flora Fountain in Mumbai lies in the midst of one of the busiest parts of the city. This is an aesthetically architectured white marble statue with a jutting fountain presenting a hypnotic aura untouched by the chaos that surrounds this piece of art.

Built in 1869 in the honor of the Governor of Mumbai, Sir Bartle Frère, the Flora Fountain is an epitome of the Roman Goddess Flora, the deity of abundance and prosperity. The timeless beauty and splendor of the statue has earned it a heritage status.

The Flora Fountain was erected by the Agri-Horticultural Society of Western India when Cursetjee Fardoonjee Parekh donated Rs. 20,000 for its construction. The complete built up incurred a cost of Rs. 47,000, then a princely figure. Designed by R. Norman Shaw, Flora Fountain was sculpted in imported Portland stone by James Forsythe. It now wears a white coat of oil paint.

The fountain today stands exactly at the point where once the original Church Gate of Bombay Fort stood.

Also known as Hutatma Chowk, Flora Fountain is near to several interesting places where you could explore and spend time. You could make rounds to the famous Bombay University, admire the Old Secretariat and who could miss out the famous Gateway of India.

A major hub of commercial activities, Fountain area houses all the major banks along with the country's premier stock exchange, Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

How to Reach Flora Fountain

As a prominent landmark in South Mumbai, Flora Fountain is easily accessible from across the city. You may reach the spot by air, train and road. Once in the city you can get in local train, Buses, or taxis to reach the fountain area.

By Air
The Sahar International Airport is 30km north of the city's center. The domestic terminal at Santa Cruz is at the distance of 25km from downtown Mumbai. These terminals are well connected with a taxis and shuttle services.

By Rail/Train
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal is the main railway station along with Bombay Central, Churchgate, Dadar and Kurla, which are the other prominent railway stations.

By Road
Most of the long distance buses leave from the State Transport Terminal situated opposite Mumbai's Central Railway Station. The city is easily connected with all the major parts of Maharashtra.

Elephanta Caves

Earlier called Gharapuri is today's Elephanta Island, which is known for embracing the remarkable Elephanta Caves. To be found about 10 kms off the eastern coast of Mumbai, Elephanta Caves has been given the position of a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The exquisite architecture of these caves makes them a popular attraction for the tourists coming to Mumbai. The caves are believed to have been carved during the 9th to 13th century, in the ruling period of Silhara kings. The Portuguese vandalized majority of their sculptures in the 17th century. Take a flight of over 100 steps and reach the hill, where you will get the heavenly glimpse of the entire island and nearby caves.

There are seven caves in total and the significant amongst them is the Mahesha-Murti Cave. On its very entrance, you will be welcomed by huge figures of doorkeepers which would really impress you at the moment. Within the temple, there is a huge hall with rows of pillars which appear to clutch the cave's roof. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Elephanta Cave Temples boast of excellent sculptural content, which also symbolize Lord Shiva in his both forms - 'lingam' as well as His life-sized statue. In the main chamber, you can see the mysterious image of Trimurthi Sadasiva that is about 20 feet tall.

It represents the three-headed Lord Shiva, and renders Him as the Creator, the Preserver, and the Destroyer of the universe. The incredible sense of creativity of the architects and sculptors is noticeable in the serried of sculpted panels, set like tableaux on the walls. Each panel depicts Lord Shiva's unpredictable nature, and miraculous interplay of light and shade, adds to the overall effect. Another colossal idol stands forPanchamukha Shiva and here the Lord is represented as the savior and bestower of blessings. This image is estimated to have been stood at the same place for possibly a thousand years and is regarded as the masterwork of Indian art.

Spread over an area of 60,000 sq ft, the cave temple comprises a main chamber, two lateral ones, courtyards and additional shrines. Hewn from solid rock, Elephanta caves are adorned from inch to inch with beautiful reliefs and sculptures. The carved walls of the temple portray the scenes from the Indian mythology. Infact, the entire temple is said to have been erected by removing a rock itself. Majority of the rock surfaces have been over and done with, yet many are left untreated. Every year in February, this heritage site makes the venue for the much-awaited musical event called Elephanta Festival. To put succinctly, Elephanta Caves is a lovely place to get an insight of religious and cultural aspects of India.

Chowpatty Beach

Chowpatty

The famous beach of Chowpatty is the only beach that adorns central part of Mumbai. Situated at the end of Marine drive, at the foot of Malabar, this vast expanse of sand and sea is the hub of human activity. The beach is sought after by political, religious and other social groups to perform functions. The beach is equally popular with youth and those who are seeking fun and relaxation irrespective of their age.

During the day, the place gives a deserted look. There is not much action to catch during daytime. During daytime it is flocked by idle groups who come to have a sleep under its stunted trees. But as the sun starts backward journey, the place starts getting filled with people from all walks of life. It virtually turns into a fair ground in the evening.

In the evening one can see kids screaming on Ferris wheels or taking pony rides, wayside astrologers making a quick buck, monkey shows, self -styled gymnast demonstrating amazing yogic postures etc. The place gets lined with kiosks selling ice-cream and Bhelpuri-signature dish of Mumbai. The sight of selling meals on wheels makes one remember scenes from Hindi movies, which have depicted these scenes beautifully.