Political capital of Maharashtra, and commercial capital of India, Mumbai is many cities in one. As the world's largest textiles market, a major industrialcentre and the country's busiest port handling over 40 percent of India's maritime trade, it contributes around 50 percent of the national exchequer. The city hums with activity, and its more than eight million residents and three million commuters seem to be constantly on the move.

Natural increase and steady rural migration have quadrupled Bombay's population over the last 40 years. Theoriginal island of Bombay consolidating a number of earlier islands-is only 24 kilometres (15 miles) long and some four kilometres (2.5 miles) wide at its broadest point, and has a population density of over 43,000 persons per square kilometre (100,000 per square mile), amongst the highest in the world. Pavement dwellers and slums coexist with modem skyscrapers and gracious colonial buildings, obsolete textile mills with impressive modem factories, Christian churches with Hindu temples in a medley of contradictions that makes Mumbai a product of the Indian past that holds the key to the present and the future.

Gateway of India
This graceful ceremonial archway was built to commemorate the arrival of King George V and Queen Mary for the Delhi Durbar of 1911. Is has historical significance for India because after the country gained Independence, the last British troops left Indian soil, marching to their ships under this imperial archway.

Elephanta Island
Situated 9 kilometers out to sea, from the Gateway of India, this island has a beautiful rock-cut Shiva Temple on top of a hill. The island can be reached by a short enjoyable ferry ride.

Flora Fountain
Situated at a busy 5-point intersection in the heart of Mumbai's commercial area, this popular public landmark was built to commemorate the Governor, Henry Bartle Edward Frere.

Mahalaxmi Temple
This temple is situated very close to the sea off Mahalaxmi. This temple has three beautiful images of Hindu goddesses, Mahalaksmi, Mahasaraswati and Mahakali which are made of gold.

Hanging Gardens
Also known as Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens, the Hanging Gardens were built in 1880 and renovated in 1921. These gardens are popularly known as Hanging Gardens, because of their location on the slope of a hill.

Kamala Nehru Park
The Malabar hill offers superb views of Mumbai. On top of the Malabar hills are the Hanging Gardens and Kamala Nehru Park. Built in 1952 and named after the wife of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.