About Mumbai, India

The Capital of Maharashtra, is the fastest moving city of India. Mumbai, being the commercial capital of the country, it is a land for finance, trade and entertainment of the country. This city is full of excitement energy and enthusiasm. The city displays a cosmopolitan character which reflects in its cuisine, culture, inhabitants and language. The bustling city, is the most busy ports of India and handles about 40 percent of India's Martine trade. The city which is a part of India's splendid coast, has a natural harbour developed by the British. 

This fascinating city which houses people of all cultures and creeds, is throbbing with life and absorbing the ever increasing needs of the people there.

The city which was earlier the land of Kolis, came under the Portuguese rule in 1534. Mumbai derives its name from Mumba Devi whose temple still exists here. The Portuguese however named it 'Bom Baim" meaning good bay. Mumbai earlier was made of seven islands which are today called Colaba, Mahim, Mazgaon, Parel, Worli, Girgaum and Dongri. The profit hungry Britishers transformed it into an excellent port and the large expanses of the open sea were filled in to further the land area. Nariman Point and Churchgate.

Best way to reach Mumbai

• By air: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, with flights from across India and the world, and the new Navi Mumbai International Airport.
• By rail: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mumbai Central, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Bandra Terminus and Dadar, with trains from all over India.
• By road: The Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the highway to Gujarat (NH 48) and the Samruddhi Expressway to Nagpur.

Check flights at the Airports Authority of India and trains at IRCTC; distances are approximate.

Known for: Vada pav

The vada pav, a spiced potato fritter in a soft bun with chutneys, began as cheap food for Mumbai's mill workers in the 1960s and is now the city's best-loved snack.