AIR

Domestic
IA, Jet and Sahara. The international terminal at Sahar is connected to flights coming in from all over the world. (Icon for Air)

Airport
The international terminal Sahar and the domestic terminal, Santa Cruz are 30 and 27 km respectively from Nariman Point (downtown Mumbai). There are regular shuttle buses between the two terminals (4 km). At Santa Cruz, terminal 1A caters only to Indian Airlines and 1B caters to all private domestic airlines.

RAIL
Fast and superfast trains connect Mumbai to the rest of the country.

Railway station: Central Railways operates from the VT Railway Station (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal) located in the Fort area. Local trains from this station run to the east and south, along with a few trains to the north. Western Railways has local services to the north from Churchgate and Mumbai Central stations.

ROAD
Mumbai is connected by national highways to the rest of India.

Bus terminus
The Maharashtra State Transport Bus Terminal, J B Behran Marg, is directly opposite the Central Train Station (next to the Maratha Mandir cinema hall). Private buses are available near the Mumbai Central Station on Dr Anandrao Nair Road. Some buses to south India leave from MRA Marg between Crawford Market and VT Station. 

CLIMATE
The climate is sultry and humid through the year. Temperatures range between 27° C and 33° C in the summer months. The winter temperatures range between 12° C and 29° C.

STD CODE
022

Population (July 1999 est.)
1,000,848,550

Languages
The national language is Hindi, spoken by 30% of population. English is also widely spoken and largely used in business. Other offical languages: Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi, Sanskrit, Hindustani (a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India).
Plus there are more than 700 dialects, largely unintelligible to each other.

AREA
600 Sq. Km

Gateway of India
Built in the year 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary, this is one of the major landmarks of Mumbai. Ironically, it was through this very same gateway that the British departed from India. A facelift is planned by conservationists who are trying their best to restore the monument.

Taj Mahal Hotel
One of India?s great industrialists Sir J N Tata built this landmark in 1899 after he was refused entry to one of the city s European hotels on account of being ?a native?. It overlooks the Arabian Sea from Apollo Bunder and is one of the premium hotels in India. For a view of Mumbai, go up to the Sea Lounge and ask for a table by the window.

Prince of Wales Museum
The Prince of Wales has been counted among the 20 best museums in the world. Opposite the Regal Cinema building in Kala Ghoda, this museum houses miniature paintings from the 16^th to 18^th centuries. The remains of the Harappan civilisation and Mohenjodaro are also exhibited here. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm.

Jehangir Art Gallery
This is the most popular art gallery in Mumbai, hosting contemporary Indian paintings by various artists. Open daily, 11 am to 7 pm (Tel: 284 3989). For affordable art, stroll down ?Artist?s Plaza? outside the gallery.

FORT AREA

St Thomas Cathedral
This cathedral is near the Horniman Circle. Construction began as early as 1672 (by The East India Company) but the building was completed only in 1718, making it the oldest British building in Mumbai. It houses various memorials from the Raj.

Victoria Terminus
The Victoria Terminus was designed by F W Stevens and was originally meant to be the headquarters for the Great Indian Peninsular Railway Company. The construction was completed in 1887. Today, VT is listed among the 200 best heritage monuments in the world.

Marine Drive
Running along the shoreline of the Arabian Sea from Nariman Point to the foot of Malabar Hill, Marine Drive was built on land reclaimed from Back Bay in 1920. Captured a countless number of times on celluloid, this is one of Mumbai s most popular sunset walks.

Chowpatty Beach
One of the most popular of all the beaches in Mumbai. People flock there for walks and to watch the waves. Bhelpuri, a spicy, crunchy and savoury snack and coconut water are the perfect accompaniment to dramatic sunsets.

MALABAR HILL AREA

Hanging Gardens
Also called the Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens, they are located on top of Malabar Hill and are a favourite rendezvous point for young couples in love.

Kamala Nehru Park
Across the road offers a great view of the city.

Walkeshwar Temple
The origins of the idol eishwar made from sand (walu) has been worshipped as Walukeshwar. The nearby Banganga Tank is said to have been created when Rama shot an arrow into the ground and quenched his thirst with the water that sprang from the earth.

MAHALAXMI AREA

Mahalaxmi Temple
This temple is located in an alley, off Bhulabhai Desai Road. The original structure was a thousand years old and a new temple was built when the great breach between the islands of Mumbai was joined.

Haji Ali Shrine
This 18^th century shrine, dedicated to Sufi Saint Haji Ali, is connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway, which is often submerged during high tide. The walk to the shrine is a special experience that builds bridges between cultures, while evoking the most universal elements, the wind and the waves.

At the head of the causeway, the Haji Ali Juice Centre sells jumbo juices and Bombay style three-tiered vegetable sandwiches.

Elephanta Caves
About 10 km off the Mumbai coast are these caves, originally known as Gharapuri which date back to 450 to 750 AD. The main cave has sculpted walls depicting the life and glory of Lord Shiva. There is a 6 m (20 ft) high triple-headed Trimurti (Shiva in the role of the creator, preserver and destroyer). Boats run daily from Apollo Bunder every half-hour from 9 am to 2.30 pm. Though located close to Mumbai, the islands still do not have electricity and basic amenities?which has prompted enterprising islanders to stand close to the jetty, in traditional attire balancing brass pots on their heads, to say? "Photo", and a few seconds after the flash goes? "money".

Sanjay Gandhi National Park
This forested park is 40 km from the city centre. There are 109 caves (Kanheri) lining the side of a rocky ravine in the centre of the park (5 km from the entrance). Dating back to the 2^nd and 9^th centuries, these Buddhist caves are open for the public between 9 am and 5.30 pm daily. There is also a Lion Safari Park here, open everyday except Mondays from 9 am to 5 pm.

Mumbai has some of the most fascinating shopping areas in the country.

For casual clothing, one can either visit ?Fashion Street? at M G Road for good bargains on ?genuine fakes?! Or, visit the various showrooms for branded stuff. Dhabu Street for leather goods, and souvenirs from the state emporia at the World Trade Centre. The newest malls on the block are Pyramids at Haji Ali and K B N at Bandra.

Departmental stores such as Shoppers? Stop in Andheri are great for clothes and shoes. The Oberoi Shopping Arcade (Oberoi ? Nariman Point) is worth a visit. Other popular departmental stores on Bhulabhai Desai Road: Adornica (63, Bhulabhai Desai Road, 1st floor, Breach Candy), Amarsons Collections (Bhulabhai Desai Road, Breach Candy), Roopam (218/ 222 L T Road), Benzer (49, Bhulabhai Desai Road), and Nallis (Bhulabhai Desai Road).