Experiential tours in Mumbai
Having a free day in your hand and wondering what to do in the city of dreams ? Below mentioned are a few places that I explored on my own while walking around the city. They aren’t mentioned in any guide book nor does any travel agent recommend you but if you are an avid explorer like me, i suggest you to wear your walking shoes and start wandering around the streets of Mumbai.
Visit Dhobi Ghat from Inside: If you are visiting Mumbai then I must recommend you to visit Dhobi Ghat. A different aspect for the people of Mumbai, the dhobi is a conventional laundryman, who comes at your doorstep to collect your dirty clothes, wash them, and return it back to your doorstep. The “place of laundry” is called “Ghats”.
The Dhobi washes the clothes in the soapy water, makes them clean and hangs them out to dry. Next the clothes are ironed and stacked into neat bundles. Walk through narrow lanes of the Dhobi Ghat to gain experience and explore like the local people and let me share a little secret with you ‘ They next to never mix the clothes or lose a piece of clothing ’. Yes it is true that the laundrymen never lose clothes or mix up clothes or mix the pile. I do not know how they manage to do that but it is true and that is why people from all over Mumbai avail this laundry facility.
Spice Market Tour: The Lalbaug area is the main area for the textile mill industry. This area extended in Mumbai from the middle of 1800’s to the late 1900’s.
Apart from a colorful spice market, there is a busy vegetable market which you can explore, a busy fish market and a farsan market called Chivda Galli.
All days of the week, except Mondays and Wednesdays
Heritage Walking Tour: Gateway of India tracing the story of its creation, pointing out the imposing Gothic structure of the Royal Yacht Club founded in 1846, the Royal Bombay Yacht Club is one of the oldest and most elite clubs in Mumbai.
Enroute visitors get a chance to glimpse at Dhanraj Mahal – an Art Deco building. This building was constructed in some architecture which is based in Paris in the 20th century.
Crossing over from the Police Headquarters, we take a look at the National Gallery of Modern Art. Also pointing out on the opposite side of the road, the Prices of Wales Museum or the Chhatrapati Shivaji Vastu Sangrahalaya as it is now called.
Walk towards the Oval Maidan, where a very important landmark that one sees at the corner – The Watson Hotel.
Continuing walking further to the University of Mumbai, that was set up in 1857. This incredible historic building was one of the first three universities in India. Also look at the Rajabai Towers, which was made by Sir George Gilbert Scott.
Further on towards Flora Fountain – built by the Agri-Horticultural Society of Western India (ASHWI).
Walk a bit further down to gape at the Mumbai Samachar (News) Building, housing Asia’s oldest newspaper first printed in July 1822.
We finished the walk at Asiatic Library, an iconic library which was established in 1830.
