Mumbai began as seven islands during the pre-British era. The islands were named, Colaba, Little Colaba, Mazgaon, Parel, Worli, Mahim and Bombay. All these islands sat pretty away from the mainland. Slowly the reclaiming of the islands began and they began taking form. After 500 years of slow progress, the city of Bombay, and now Mumbai was born. As I type this post, I remember quite vaguely of how lively this city has come to be. I was born in Mumbai but moved to Ahemdabad due to my father's job. However compared to Ahemdabad, this city was a lot more noisier, crowded and at a lot of times suffocating.
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| The Gateway of India sitting so exquisitely as the world passes it by. |
Colaba, one of the islands 500 years ago still stands nicely in the South of Mumbai. One of the most prominent places in Colaba is the the Gateway of India. This monument is as symbolic to us as the Statue of Liberty to the United States of America. The Gateway of India was erected to welcome British royalty, King George V and Queen Mary during their visit to India in 1911. It was then primarily kept as a ceremonial welcome for the Viceroys and Governors of Bombay by the British.
Through the centuries this monument became a symbol for the city of Mumbai. Every day thousands throng this majestic structure and pose beside it as their better halves or members of family snap the memory in a camera. Gateway of India sits pretty opposite to the new Taj Mahal Hotel and the old Taj Hotel. One of the flagship hotels this city has to offer. The old hotel gives us a glimpse of the colonial architectural marvels while the new is a mix of the old and new, adding a dash of modernity to the Gateway and the old hotel.
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| The old Taj Mahal Hotel, yet functional is the epitome of luxury in Mumbai. |
Should you walk behind the hotel, you shall enter a world of flash articfacts, jewelry, accessories, clothes and even musical instruments! It's like walking through a parallel universe where you witness the 50s, 60s, 70s and the present together. You have just walked onto one of Mumbai's greatest shopping grounds, Colaba Causeway. Little junk jewelry shops, old artsy clocks and compasses, bracelets, bangles, earrings, traditional Indian footwear, clothes and what not?! It's a fascination among those who come here for the first time. A magical street, the sidewalks are covered with colors of pink, blue, gold and turquoise. Tunneling through the pavements you could come across people selling gold plated binoculars, globes, telescopes, show pieces, name plates and even dholaks (Indian drums). People from around the world make it a point to visit Colaba. Even fellow Mumbaikars frequent this every street fair to shop or just hang out!
Colaba has a lot of notable places to check out. Starting with Regal cinema, one of the oldest movie theaters in the city. Till today, the cinema hall still gives stiff competition to the many multiplexes in the city. Everyone comes down to Regal to catch the latest Hollywood flick or even the fanciest Bollywood movies.
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Regal, a landmark known to every Mumbaikar.
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The little bubble of time is also well known for the restaurant called Leopold. This eating joint gained huge fame thanks to Shantaram (the award winning book) and also during the 26/11/08 terrorist attacks that literally shook the city to its foundation.
Leopold or Leo's as many who visit this restaurant call it, is known for its great food, ambiance, conversation and even the waiters. Things to try out in Leopold; Definitely the Beef Chilly Fry, a mix of Indian condiments and spices along with thin cut slices of green chillies, fried with their special sauce. This could make you breathe fire, so beware! Or even the Polowala Grilla Chicken with Mushroom Sauce can leave you licking your lips! For those who prefer vegan dishes, there is Fried Pepper Paneer, where cottage cheese is nicely fried mildly with a dose of pepper. Even the veg Thai curry with rice is a great dish to try out. Also if you want to go all out Indian, you should try the Veg. Makhanwala, and mix of diced cauliflower, potatoes, cottage cheese, drowned in fresh cream and sauteed with tumeric, garlic and cumin seeds. This goes bread with Naan (Indian Bread). Give it a try if you ever come down to Leopold in the future. Guaranteed to make it a meal to remember.
After a lovely meal at Leopold, nothing is perfect than a walk around colonial Colaba. Walking past buildings with high arched windows, sculpted designs right above the doorways and high ceilings add to the architecture. There are so many places to see in Colaba, which could take anyone a week! But all in all, Colaba is a place where you could find the most unbelievable things and meet the most amazing people. From the Zoroastrian colony of Khusrubaug to the fishing port of Sasson dock. This place has everything.
Colaba home to the Gateway of India, home to the gateway to maximum.
