North Mumbai
North Mumbai consists of the suburbs of Manori, Borivali, Gorai, Goregaon, Malad, Kandivali and Mira Bhayandar. They lie on the Western train line and are usually considered part of the Western Suburbs. The area has some nice beaches, especially near Malad. Jogeshwari has hot springs which are reputed to have medicinal properties. The area is home to East Indian Christians and has several churches. The area also covers Sanjay Gandhi National Park and the historical Kanheri Caves. It also houses the Essel World an amusement park.
Understand
The beaches of north Mumbai serve as an ideal gateway for weekend tourists from Mumbai. It's easy train and road connectivity makes it a favourite weekend destination for Mumbaikaras. The place is also home to East Indian Christians. They are an ethno-religious Catholic Christian group and one of the early settlers of the present-day Mumbai region. The area has a number of churches, some dating back over centuries. The place has also has a share of history and nature complete with cave temples and national parks.
Get in
By train
The Western Line has stops at Goregaon, Malad, Kandivali, Borivali, Dahisar, Mira Road and Bhayandar.
By road
- Bus: There are regular bus services from central Mumbai to places like Borivali and Bhayandar.
- Car or Bike: The roads are good and personal vehicles provide the opportunity of exploring the places at your will
- Cycle: The adventurous can cycle to the different beaches of north Mumbai
Getting around
- Own vehicle: As public transport is not widely available, this is the best option for exploring the different beaches
- Autos: Autos can be booked to explore the beaches. There are no fixed rates, so fix a price before you start the tour. Do bargain also
- Rented Cars: The hotels or resorts can arrange for rented cars to explore the surroundings
See
Map of North Mumbai
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- 1 Film City (Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari) (suburban: Goregaon Western : metro: Aarey 2 ). The film studio complex that serves as the venue for many shootings for Bollywood. Since 2014, it has started guided tours taking you to historical and live shooting sets.
- 2 Mandapeshwar Caves, Laxman Mhatre Rd, Mandapeshwar, Dahisar W (suburban: Dahisar Western 0.8 km; metro: Mandapeshwar 2 ).
Forts
- 3 Dongri Fort (Irmitri Fort), Dongri. A fort in a dilapidated condition and is declared 'endangered'.
- 4 Ghodbunder Fort, Ghodbunder, Mira Bhayandar. Medieval fort built by the Portuguese between the 16th and 18th centuries. It was later occupied by the Maratha Empire and then served as the district headquarters of the East India Company. The word Ghodbunder literally means 'horse port' and the place was used for horse-trading between the Portuguese and Arabs. The fort is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Places of worship
- 5 Global Vipassana Pagoda (विश्व विपस्सना पॅगोडा, Viśva Vipassanā Pêgoḍā), Gorai, Borivali W. Opened in 2008, it is the largest mediation hall in the world. Built out of gratitude to the Vipassana teacher Sayagyi U Ba Khin, the pagoda is said to be a monument of peace and harmony.
Temples
- 6 Temple of Sai-Dham (Sai Baba Mandir), Mahatma Gandhi Rd, Sukarwadi, Borivali East (on NH8 highway - Borivali Railway Station 1.1 km west). There are many Hindu deities worshipped under one roof.
- 7 Vazira Naka (Swayambhu Ganesh Temple), —Lokmanya Tilak Rd, Borivali West (Borivali Railway Station 1.4 km east). This is very well known for Siddhivinayak Temple of Lord Ganesh (Swayambhu).
Churches
- 8 Our Lady of Bethlehem Church (Dongri Church), Uttan Rd, Dongri, Uttan, Mira Bhayandar. Built in 1613 this is one of the oldest churches of Mumbai.
- 9 Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church. Built in 1544, ten years after the Bombay-Bassein coastal tracts were ceded by the Sultan of Cambay, Bahadur Shah, to Portugal by the Treaty of Bassein.
- 10 Velankanni Church. Built-in 1544, ten years after the Bombay-Bassein coastal tracts were ceded by the Sultan of Cambay, Bahadur Shah, to Portugal by the Treaty of Bassein. The present structure is not old.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park
- 11 Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGMP, संजय गांधी राष्ट्रीय उद्यान Sanjay Gāndhī Rāṣṭrīya Udyān, Borivali National Park), Borivali E (local: Borivali Western 3 km (1.9 mi) E; metro: Rashtriya Udyan 7 ), ☏ +91 22 2842 1174. Main gates daily 7:30AM-5:30PM. Check out this relatively unknown national park in Borivali, serving as the lungs of Mumbai. It's quite famous for its leopards and the caves inside the park. Personal vehicles are allowed up to the Kanheri Caves by paying a nominal amount at the main gate.
The attractions within the park include:
- 12 Kanheri Caves (कान्हेरी लेणी Kānherī Leṇī). A complex of 109 Buddhist temples cut out of rock. It is a nice place to visit for history enthusiasts.
- Trimurti Temple (त्रिमूर्ति मंदिर Trimūrti Mandir). Widely visited by the Digambar sect of the Jain community. It has three huge idols of Lord Adinath and his two sons, Lord Bahubali and Lord Bharata.
There are three activities within the park. Tickets for each activity are sold on-site.
- Toy train — There's a narrow-gauge railway service named Van Rani (वन राणी Van Rāṇī, literally 'jungle queen'), which offers a 15-minute ride along the foothills of the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial at 190 m (620 ft) Pavilion Hill traverses a couple of bridges and tunnels and passes over the Deer Park.
- Boating — Boating services are available near the Van Rani starting point with 2- and 4-seater pedalos for sailing in the small lake, which has a view bridge where you can stand and watch the boats in the water.
- Jungle safari — The jungle safari is a 20-minute ride through a 12-hectare fenced forest area in one of the park's green buses. During visiting hours, some of the resident lions are let out into the enclosure and can be viewed from the safety of the bus. There are 4 tigers that are kept semi-confined in a fenced area that is toured by the buses. Here the visitors are caged in the bus so the big cats can roam like in the wild.
Besides, there are a number of public walking trails in the national park. The popular Ashok Van trail winds through thick forests to a dense cluster of Ashoka trees that are a welcome halfway resting spot. The return journey is usually via the Gaumukh trail that leads to an open volcanic rock face and ends at the Kanheri Caves. A more challenging route is called the "View Point" trail and leads to the highest point in Mumbai. It affords a panoramic view of the city and its three lakes – Tulsi Lake, Vihar Lake and Powai Lake. The Nagla Forest Block Trail is a famous 3 km (1.9 mi) trail which ends in the mangroves of the Vasai Creek and is home to many bird species.
Do
- 1 Essel World, Global Pagoda Road, Gorai Creek, western coast of Borivali (take a ferry from Borivali or from Marve Ferry Point), ☏ +91 22 2845 2222, customercare@ew.esselgroup.com. It is an amusement park. There are 34 major rides not to include the coin operated games & a mini club. There are over 30,000 specimens in their botanical gardens and 79 rides and slides & Essel World attracts almost 1.8 million visitors each year. +phone=+91 22 6528 0305 Essel World ₹800, Water Kingdom ₹900, combined ticket ₹1200. discounted tickets also.
- 2 Prabodhankar Thackrey Auditorium, Sodawala Ln, Borivali (Borivali Railway Station 400 m south). Where a variety of dramas, plays are scheduled (in Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi & also in some south Indian languages).
- 3 Veer Savarkar Udayan Garden, Borivali (entrances from T.P.S. road, Factory lane, and Babha - Borivali Railway Station 400 m east). an ideal place for all which have facilities like jogging track, boating area, kids play garden, skating, etc.
Beaches
- 4 Manori Beach (from Malad Western , take an auto for ₹60 or the BEST bus and reach Marve, from where you can board a government-operated ferry). This is a small beautiful island with nice beaches, but dangerous for swimming. The beach on the northern side is cleaner. This is a nice place to spend the weekend though. Apart from beachside shacks, there are two resorts in Manori designed like Spanish villas. It has a couple of hotels (see under Sleep) Make sure to try the seafood here. Also be sure to book in advance, as the rooms get filled up, especially over the weekend. ₹2.50 per person for the ferry, additional charges for vehicles.
- 5 Marvé Beach (ferry services to Manori are available at its north end, which is provided by BEST. You can also carry your two-wheelers onto the ferry to Manori. Marvé Beach may be reached from Malad Western by BEST bus no 272. Auto-rickshaws and taxis are available round the clock). Movement on Marvé Beach is restricted due to its narrow width as well as the presence of the Indian Naval base, INS Hamla. The beach is not safe for swimming due to the presence of very swift currents and sinking sand. This is also a good spot for fishing. You will find local boys with strings in hand. They use bait like shells, shrimp and earthworms to lure fish into their hooks. It is a good pass time and hobby.
- 6 Gorai Beach, Western end of Borivali (take at the Gorai Creek a ferry. This takes 15 minutes. Rickshaw is available on the other side of the ferry and they charge around ₹160.). On holidays the beach is full of visitors and locals. Plenty of accommodation options are also available at Gorai Beach.
- 7 Uttan Beach. Mainly known for its fishing activities. It is not very clean. A n early morning visit can provide an insight into the life of the local fishing community.
Buy
It is a growing area of shopping malls. One of the best malls in Mumbai is located in this belt due to the rising affluence of the locality. One that stands out is InOrbit, Malad. Other than that places to shop are concentrated near railway stations.
- 1 Growels 101, Akurli Rd, off Western Express Hwy, Kandivali East (Kandivali Stn. 0.8 km west). Four-level shopping centre.
- 2 Infiniti Mall, Link Road, Malad West (metro: Lower Oshiwara 2 , from suburban: Malad Western 1 km E), ☏ +91 22 6195 5555. There are various areas for shopping, multiplex theatre complex, entertainment & games, food court, recreational area, multipurpose hall/ unit, offices, storage, parking, services, etc.
- 3 Inorbit Mall (metro: Lower Malad 2 , suburban: Goregaon Western . Auto-rickshaws would cost ₹25-30 from Goregaon.). The largest mall in Mumbai. There are movie theatres in the mall and various international brand stores. You can also use the mall property for your morning walks at no cost. Avoid going on weekends and holidays, especially in the evening.
- 4 Oberoi Mall, Dindoshi, Goregaon East, Oberoi Garden City (Malad Station NW 0.5 km), ☏ +91 22 4099 0824, fax: +91 22 40990889, info@oberoimall.com. Mall hours: daily 11AM-9:30PM, food court 11AM-11:30PM. It offers the upmarket shopper over 500 brands under one roof.
Eat
- Banjara Dhaba, Borivli West, Rushi Complex, close to IC Colony. Good variety of Punjabi and Chinese food. Reasonably priced and decent Dhaba-style ambience. Drinks served.
- 'Good Ambience, Kids love the place due to the Jungle theme inside the restaurant. Priced reasonably.
- Machaan Restaurant in Malad West, Above Croma, on link road is a good family restaurant and serves some excellent veg & non-veg Indian food. Drinks are also served.
- Rajdhani, in Orbit mall, Malad. Great Gujarati Thali.
- Salute, Borivli West, Kastur Park. Good variety of Punjabi food. Moderately priced.
- Silver Coin, IC colony, Borivli. Good variety of Moghlai, and Punjabi food along with a few continental dishes. The average meal per person is around ₹350.
- Urban Tadka, Kandivali, Off West Express Highway. Good variety of Punjabi. Moderately priced. Drinks served.
Drink
This is not a great place to drink. It has only a few good pubs. Drinks are served in a few good restaurants. A large number of men drink in smaller and cheaper bars, but women are not generally seen in such places.
Sleep
- 1 Tourist Resort, Vairala Talao, Gorai Beach, Uttan Road, Borivali West, ☏ +91 93 24 257346. Working hours: M-Sa 7AM-11PM ₹1,500-2,000.
Mid-range
- 2 Blue Balerina, Erangal Beach, Madh Marve Road, Malad West, Malad West, Marve Rd, Chikuwadi, Malad West, ☏ +91 22 2882 2139. ₹1,900-₹3,800.
Splurge
- 3 The Resort, 11, Madh-Marve Rd, Aksa Beach, Malad W, ☏ +91 22 2880 8888, +91 22 2844 5538, +91 22 2844 5260, +91 22 2844 5318, fax: +91-22-2880 4444, +91-22-2881 8641, resv@theresortmumbai.com. Check-in: 10AM, check-out: 10AM. One of the most popular resorts in the city. The rooms are warmly decorated with Wi-Fi access, flat-screen TVs, views of the sea, plush bathrooms, a restaurant, a coffee shop and a lagoon-style outdoor swimming pool. ₹5,800-16,000, includes complimentary breakfast, excludes taxes.
- 4 The Retreat, Erangal Beach, Madh-Marve Road, Malad (W), ☏ +91 22 2881-3500, fax: +91 22 2881-1919, retres@krahejahospitality.com. A five-star beach facing hotel. ₹4,500-15,000.
- 5 Dinu Beach Resort.