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Mumbai Sightseeing
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Nehru Planetarium
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Eight km from the center of the city is located a center which tells about the universe. the Nehru planetarium is engaged in recreating image of the sky as seen from any where on the Earth any time. It unfolds the mysteries of the cosmos. They also screening regular film shows on the outer space which are of particular interest for children. Close by is the Nehru Science center which is a science park and permanent exhibits on intricacies of life. The antique models of Railway engines, aero planes, tramcar and steam lorry are very exciting to see.
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Kamala Nehru Park |
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 The modest Kamala Nehru Park (located on Bal Gangadhar Kher Rd) has several vantage points with panoramic views of Chowpatty Beach, Back Bay and the city. Named after the wife of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The park covers an area of 4000 sq. yards and from here one enjoys a magnificent view of Marine Drive 'Queen's Necklace'. A constant source of enjoyment is the gigantic 'Old Lady's Shoe' meant for children to play in. From the top of the shoe you can survey the entire garden. Another feature here is the lovely pavilion, which is surrounded by beautiful flowers and huge lawns. There is also a map of the city engraved in copper. |
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Hanging Gardens |
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The Hanging Gardens or Ferozshah Mehta Gardens were laid in 1881 on top of a reservoir on the Malabar Hills. This place has become a heaven for dating couples nevertheless the place provides a good view of the city. Nearby is the Kamla Nehru park. From the park one can have the best possible views of the Marine drive and the Chowpatty beach. |
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Taraporewala Aquarium |
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The uninspiring Taraporewala Aquarium has a motley collection of freshwater and ocean fish, a tacky shell collection, a Christ crab with a crucifix on its shell, and a Qurban fish that supposedly has verses from the holy book inscribed on its tail. |
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Nehru Centre |
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The Nehru Centre looks like something out of a 1970's James Bond movie,but was actually designed by IM Kadri to reflect Nehru's vision of Indian modernism.It's a beautiful cyinder-shaped building that achieves unity despite depicting multiple forces pulling in different directions. It opened in 1986 and now houses the Discovery of India exhibition, an art gallery, theatre and resturant. The Discovery of India expo is a lowtech, carefully labelled maze of worthwhile exhibits that's almost gauranteed to give a first-time visitor a majore headache. Inspired by Nehru's book of the same namw, it seeks to wxplore 5000 years of history by investigating the the geographical, social, culture and political forces at play in the subcontinent. It's highly informative in a school trip kind of way, but it's best to concentrate on just a couple of the major themes, such as the detailed exhibits depicting Nehru's life and times.Other interesting topics include the Mauryan empirem, the impact of the west and the struggle for
independece. |
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Prince of Wales Museum |
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The Prince of Wales Museum was built to commemorate King George V's first visit to Indian in 1905 , while he was still the Prince of Wales.Designed by George Wettet in grand Inso-Saracenic style, it stans in an ornamental garden and boasts a galleried central hall topped by a huge dome, said to have been inspired by the Gokgumbaz in Bijapur.It was opened to the public in 1923. In the ground floor gallery are impressive local sculptures from Elephanta Island,Parel, Thane and Jogeshwari. The Elephanta sculptures include a composed four-headed Demon being killed by Devi, and a fragment of Shiva and Parvati accompanied by a splendid dwarf. Much of the sculpture collection consists of works from 11th and 12th century Gujarate and Karnataka. There's also a sizeable collection of classical Gandhara Buddhas, including a series of well-labelled miniature panels showing scenes from the enlightened one's life. Other notabble sculptures include foru beautiful red sandstone 6th and 7th century ceiling reliefs from Huchachappayya-Gudi in Aihole (Karnataka) - especially the reposed Vishnu on Shesha - and a lovable 9th century dancing Ganesh from Madhaya Pradesh. Huge land grant inscription tables occupy the veranda, several depicting sexually garaphic bestial acts as a warning to those who violated the terms of agreement. |
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Breach Candy (Mahalaxmi Temple) |
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This popular Hindu temple, dedicated to the goddess of wealth, is situated on a headland at the northern edge of Malabar Hill, off Bhulabhai Desai Marg. It's the focus of the city's intense Navratri (Dussehra) celebrations section in September/October. According to legend, a temple dedicated to Mahalaxmi on Malabar Hill was ransacked by Muslims prior to European settlement. The goddess is said to have leapt into the sea to avoid desecration. When the British were constructing a sea wall nearby at the end of the 18th century,the local Hindu contractor claimed the goddess appeared to him in a dream. Several previous attempts to build a dyke had failed , nut Mahalaxmi told the contractor that he'd be successful if he promised to rebuild the temple. Amazingly, a statue of the goddess was unearthed during construction of the dyke. The narrow street leading to the temple is lined by stalls selling oferings of marigold, lotus flowers and coconuts .The rocks behind the temple are a favourite spot to catch sea breezes and relax among the drying laudry and snoozing dogs. |
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