Mumbai-The Journey Begins

Mumbai is a kaleidoscope, projecting vivid colors of life, culture, heritage, and business. I felt great that I was starting my journey from here.

The city has its own flavors of sorrow and happiness. It sometimes amazes you with its wealth and then takes you across slums and poverty. It welcomes everyone and discriminates not on the basis of caste or color, rather on efficiency and determination.

I wonder how fortunate was  Charles II of England because this city was a part of the dowry when he married Catherine of Braganza (Portuguese). All this happened in 1661 and when was dowry prohibited in India? well, it was in 1961. So he gets a clean chit.

 

A variety of street food can be explored here, but the most interesting are- vada paw, misal paw, bhajia paw, egg paw, keema paw & the list is endless.

 

Equipped with an inbuilt Indian stomach, I have a special inclination towards 'thalis'. I draw my sustenance from them while traveling. After having a sumptuous Maharashtrian Thali, I wandered around the Fort area and took the opportunity to click some pictures near Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus & Churchgate station.

CST (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

A view from Haji Ali

Decoding 'Churchgate Station' :
 

I had heard a lot about Churchgate station. When I reached this place, to my surprise, there was no Church & no gate either. The air of curiosity started choking me and I had no option left than to enquire about this conundrum. So the story goes this way-there was a fort named Fort St. George. It had a gate that opened towards Thomas Church. In the 18th century, this fort was demolished for improving sanitation facilities in Bombay. The station is situated near this place and that is how it gets its name-Churchgate. The area where the gate was situated, now  there stands a beautiful heritage structure called Flora Fountain.'

                        

            Flora Fountain

                       

                               CST (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
                                
          Queen's Necklace(Marine Drive)

The day in Mumbai was great. I rambled around Gateway Of India and Leo Pold Cafe. I had dinner at an Iranian restaurant and met people from different communities-Bohra, Parsi, Jews & Catholics.

Later, I boarded the train for Goa, my next destination. The view on Konkan Railway-passing through the Western Ghats is too beautiful to miss. I would suggest to renunciate the luxury of the AC compartment if you really wish to enjoy the beauty. Trust me you won't regret in a sleeper class too.