Mumbai – A Picture Story

Mumbai is one of my favourite places in India. Even though I have never really lived there, the city charms me like none other. Maybe because it is the land of dreams and so many inspiring stories, SRK’s being one of them. Mumbai means different things to different people, and through this post, trying to bring out the connection I have with it.

To me, Mumbai means the sea before anything else. Salty water, sandy beaches and a cold breeze. People argue that the beaches are dirty and crowded, but that doesn’t take away how wonderful it all is.  So, that’s why I visited Juhu before heading to the hotel from the airport. The sea, at its charming best at Juhu Beach. Love the way lights are flickering on water. 

The next day began with a visit to the Mount Mary Church. It was like a quiet and peaceful corner of the city that is always bursting with energy, day and night. Faith and peace emerging from those centuries old walls.

And here is my very own temple of faith, but that of a different kind. My heart skipped a beat or two, my mind couldn’t really believe it and my soul was the happiest it has ever been. It was the same kind of rush I had felt when I was in his arms, at Madam Tussads. Sigh.

And  another one. Even talking to the security guards at Mannat was a heartwarming experience. I just didn’t want to go anywhere else but spend the entire day here. But, that could not happen because there were people with me. Non believers, mostly. Next time, I am going all by myself.

I could sit and stare at the sea whole day. At Bandra Worli Sea Link, there was this pleasure of watching chaos and calm at the same time, without being a part of either.

Because sometimes, one picture is just not enough.

And then, I managed to capture the contrast that Mumbai, or for that matter, India is. A skyline that is beautiful but is emerging from the slums of what others call the real India. It’s a wonder how both these worlds survive together.

A closer look at a day at Dhobi Ghat. With all the water evaporating from thousands of clothes being washed and set for drying here, the atmosphere was really humid. The air was different, pregnant with moisture. There could have been so many stories in this place, every nook and corner seemed like an opportunity for a new one to emerge. No wonder the place fascinated Amir Khan enough to dedicate a movie to it.

A lot of life packed into those pictures and not everything we see was pleasant. So, here is something that made me happy again. The feeling was ecstatic. The show had already begun when I reached, so it’s on my bucket list for the next time I visit Mumbai. I ain’t coming back without watching DDLJ at Maratha Mandir.

Talking of dreams, insides of CST Terminal were like one. I just couldn’t believe how a station could be so pretty. It was like being a part of history, those pretty walls and glass paintings staring at me from all sides.

No wonder CST is a World Heritage Site. The British sure have given us a few gems. 

The David Sassoon Library from the British Era. Many a histories have been written and repeated here.

A pretty roundabout again displaying the glory of Victorian architecture and the way it has become a distinguishing factor of South Bombay.

And just like that, there was Shivaji, reminding me of the fact that no matter how much the English eroded our history, they didn’t stand a chance. 

How could anything about Mumbai be complete without the iconic Taj? It is just so mesmerizing to witness. I was awestruck, and a building seldom does that to me. I then headed to the coffee-shop to savour some moments.

Taj at Twilight. Isn’t it just plain beautiful?

And across the street from Taj, the biggest landmark of them all!  I really love how this picture came out. Even though there were not as many pigeons as I would have liked, it is still so surreal. 

And I just couldn’t stop clicking! The Gateway of India is a really photogenic monument and the water adds a little more charm. And those Ferry boats bring back memories of the time I came here with my grandfather.

The Gateway of India embracing the tricolor was a sight to remember.

Mumbai is as fascinating during the night, as it is during the day. Maybe, the nights even add some more character to it. The Queen’s Necklace at Marine Drive is one of my most favourite parts of Mumbai. Label me a tourist, but I won’t shy away from the fact that this is the place I would have loved to spend the night at, looking at the sea, it’s waves singing a lullaby to me.

And back to Juhu Beach, before heading to the airport. Some kind of a religious procession was on and faith, mixing with water, produced a rather amusing atmosphere.

I realised it was Durga Visarjan day. Words are not enough for the sentiment of the sand artist who created the Goddess out of sand, so she could embrace water by her own. Isn’t this a real amazing way to do it? 

How could I catch a flight before savouring the flavours of the most famous Chaupati in India?

The pretty Mumbai skyline, as I bid goodbye to the city of dreams, only to visit again. And again.