Kala Ghoda Annual Festival, Mumbai

 Venue - Kala Ghoda district, South Mumbai

Dates / Days - First Saturday of February to the Second Sunday of February

Duration - 9 days 

Time - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Entry - Free

Kala Ghoda is a happening, hip, trendy, creative district in South Mumbai. It is home to the top exclusive.designer cafes, Indie Art galleries, sidewalks full of innovative art installations, several heritage buildings like the Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Bajaj Art Gallery, Educational institutions like Mumbai University, Elphinstone College, Jehangir Art Gallery, Rhythm House, Max Mueller Bhavan, David Sassoon Library to name a few of Mumbai's iconic landmarks.

Established in 1999, the Kala Ghoda Association holds its multicultural annual street festival that celebrates various fields like Films and movies, Theatre, Literature, World and Modern Art, Comedy, Food, Urban design and Architecture, that are divided into 12 sections.

Each section is handled by its respective team.

The purpose of starting this festival was to maintain and help grow Mumbai's rich Art and cultural heritage.

The twelve sections are - 

1. Dance - Shows are held for Indian cultural, contemporary and International dance forms. 

2. Food - Food Walks are arranged, Hundreds of food stalls serving authentic local fares, using local ingredients are put up, Demos and workshops by master chefs are also set up for public participation.

3. Music - A bunch of music concerts and shows involving Eclectic genres,, tributes to great music personalities, Interviews with musicians are arranged.

4. Heritage Walks - Heritage walks involve walking events as well as bus rides to various parts of Mumbai rich in culture, history, Arts etc.

5. Stalls - Hundreds of stalls are set up by the streets showcasing local artisans' works like paintings, ceramics, portraits, sculptures, clothes, shoes,crafts and home decor, traditional bags erc for the shopper to browse and buy to their heart's content.

6. Visual Arts - Innovative art installations are put up at various venues. 

7. Literature - Includes book launches, interviews and discussions with the authors, poetry reading.

8. Movies and Films - Off beat movies celebrating LGBT community, regional fare, documentaries, workshops on acting and various aspects of film making, discussions with industry greats are arranged.

9. Kids - Many interactive shows and workshops, movies, plays for kids is a special attraction.

10. Theatre - Plays in English, Hindi, Gujarati and Parsi languages 

11. Stand Up Comedy shows - An opportunity is provided to the upcoming as well as established Stand up comedians to showcase their talent.

12. Urban design and Architecture - Industry giants in the field of design and architecture participate in interviews, presentations, talks, discussions.

Here is a list of Venues of the festival -

1. Cross Maidan

2. Rampart Row 

3. Westside Cafeteria

4. Max Mueller Bhavan

5. The garden at the David Sasoon library

6. National gallery of modern art auditorium

7. Horniman Circle Garden

8. Tata store at Army and Navy building

9. The M C Ghia hall

10. The lawns and auditoriums at the Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya

Goes without saying that the festival attracts thousands of visitors daily and most events, shows need pre-booking to avoid disappointment.

The Who's Who of the Mumbai Art scene, theatre, prominent writers, designers, film makers, musicians, singers, top chefs etc participate in some form or the other in the festival giving an opportunity to the public to enjoy their work and interact with them.

Entry being free, audiences and participants across all class ranges and social strata come together to celebrate the Spirit of Mumbai.

The festival cost is funded and sponsored by various corporations.

Vehicular traffic is not allowed for the duration of the festival.

Pictures - wikipedia

Khotachiwadi, Girgaum, Mumbai

Khotachiwadi ( कोथाचीवाड़ी ) was previously a coastal fishing locality of the Koli and the Pathare community in the 18th Century Girgaum, Bombay. Majority of the land was owned by Waman Hari Khot, who sold it to the members of the East Indian Community who settled here by building their houses in their traditional Portuguese style of architecture, blue coloured verandas, arched doorways,a backyard, an open staircase leading to the upper floor of bedrooms, rustic wooden furniture, knick knacks showcasing their culture, a chapel with a mural of the Mother Mary and Son. 

East Indians Catholics are an ethnic group belonging to the Christian Community based in Bombay for centuries. They are much similar to the Portuguese of Goa in their cuisine, culture and architecture. Hence Khotachiwadi is also referred to as Mini Goa. The alleys of Khotachiwadi are narrow, colourful due to the murals and the colour scheme of the bungalows giving off a feeling of a close knight village. All the families settled here since generations are inter - related via families and marriages. Today it is a part of the rich cultural heritage of the city of Mumbai ( Bombay ) and transports one back in time to the good old days of a simple, slow-paced yet fulfilling life where everyone knew everyone, kids would play together for hours on end in each other's houses, ladies would gossip and the men folk would hang around talking of both important and mundane matters. Unfortunately the Wadi is on a steady decline due to the growing commercialization of Mumbai where land is at a premium and quite a few residents have given in to the lure of money by selling off their places. The dwindled population still retains its roots and clings faithfully to its culture and traditions. Christmas carols are sung, Christmas celebrated with pomp and prayers, guitars humming old time konkani / Portuguese tunes. Yet there is a feeling of melancholy among the residents of all that is being lost to the expanding city all around it. There is an urgent need to get it declared as a Heritage Site that can add to the tourist attractions of Mumbai and the revenue generated can help to retain and restore its past glory. 

Established By - Waman Hari Khot, belonging to the Pathare Prabhu community who were the original settlers in the then Mumbai. Hence the name Khot - achiwadi. Wadi in Marathi refers to a gated huge residence. 

Founded In - The early 18th Century 

*Original Number Of Bungalows - 65

Present Number of Bungalows - 26

Location and Address -

47/G Khotachiwadi Trail, 

1st Ln,

 Khotachi Wadi, 

Ambewadi, 

Girgaon, Mumbai,

Maharashtra 400004

*Originally there were 65 bungalows which have dwindled down to 26 due to rapid growth of the city with quite a few families having immigrated out of India. 

Rising population in Mumbai has contributed to land grabbing by developers at huge amounts  due to which individual houses often end up selling to them. This has led to such severe decline in the number of bungalows in this quaint corner of the bustling metropolis. 

Images - Youtube 

Mumbai , Street Food

 

                 Pav Bhaji

Street Food of Mumbai

Mumbai is the financial,administrative and commercial capital of the state of Maharashtra.

Major business houses, industrial offices , administrative offices, Courts of Law, financial institutions,banks, share market,  private sector, corporate offices, schools, colleges, sports clubs, shopping markets, malls, fashion houses, film and TV industry etc  employ lakhs of people from the suburban places and even far-off towns like Karjat, Khopoli, Kasara, Navi - Mumbai, Dahanu, Lonavala, Pune  etc.the many suburban railway stations, parks,  gardens, museums , tourist spots  means a multi million rupees business of street food vendors , ranging from small to mid eateries that flourish all over Mumbai. 

                                     Dal pakwan

According to statistics, around 75 lakh commuters travel through the Mumbai Suburban Railways. 

No wonder Mumbai Street food has flourished and grown to iconic stature.

It helps tremendously that it is easily accessible to all classes of people due to its affordable prices and hence satisfies a varied range of customers.  

Ranging from the traditional marathi cuisine like Zhunka-Bhakar to the fusion foods like tandoori momos and the likes of Chinese Bhel puri, the streets of Mumbai cater to everyone's palette and purse. 

Teens in schools and colleges, hassled office workers ,the forever-in-a-rush Mumbaikar is truly spoilt for choice to satiate his hunger, be it small,quickie snack or a full-fledged meal.

Picture - wikipedia

Here is a list of a few of the Unparalleled Mumbai Street foods : -

1. Zhunkha Bhakar

2. Kande Pohe

3. Vada pav

4. Misal pav

5. Usal pav

6. Pav bhaji

7. Upma.

8. Veg frankies

9. Kachori 

10. Bombay Salad Sandwich and toasters

11. Anda pav

12. Keema pav

13. Momos ( veg & non veg )

14. Idlis

15. Medu Vada

16. Dosas

17. Uttapams

18. Pani puri

19. Sev puri

20. Bhel puri

21. Dahi puri

22. Butter / Button papdi

23. Samosa

24. Kebabs ( veg and non veg )

25. Veg hakka noodles

26. Spring rolls 

27. Noodles fry

28. Chinese Bhel

29. Chinese fried rice

30. Manchurian ( veg and non veg )

31. Ragda pattice

32. Kothimbir vadi

33. Kanda bhajiya

34. Bread pakode

35. Dabeli

36. Pizzas

37. Hot dogs

38. Masala Corn

39. Sindhi dal pakwan

40. Sabudana vada

41. Paneer chilli 

42. Tawa pulao

43. Thali peeth

44. Moong dal pakode

45. Sabudana khichdi

46. Masala pav

47. Chole Bature

48. Puri Bhaji

49. Dhokla

50. Akuri

51. Veg and cheese burgers

52. Chicken shawarma

53. Chicken lollipop

54. Chicken roll

55. Maska Bun

56. Baida roti

57. Mutton roll 

58. Fried prawns 

59. Bombay duck

60. Prawns koliwada

Suffice to say that Mumbai is a haven for all foodies who are superbly spoiled for choice. Her Khau-gullies are pure bliss to visit.

A truly gastronomical adventure awaits each and every day. 

 

Ragda pattice

 ( Pictures by - Anju Bhagnari )

Mumbai, Meri Jaan

Zara HatkeZ

ara Bachke

Yeh hai Bombay meri jaan

Mumbai, Bombay, Bambai...The financial , entertainment , cultural and commercial capital of the state of Maharashtra, is the stuff dreams are made of, so no wonder It's aptly called the City of Dreams.

Officially renamed Mumbai from Bombay in 1995, the name is believed to originate from Goddess Mumba Devi ( KulDevi ) and Ayi meaning mother in Marathi, who protects and blesses this city originally  consisting of 7 islands in the Arabian Sea.

These 7 islands were given in dowry by the Portuguese to the English King Charles II on his marriage to Catherine of Braganza.

Lying on the western coast of India , Mumbai became the Capital of the state of Maharashtra on its formation in 1960.

With a GDP of  6.16 % it is rightly considered to be the hub of business and commerce.

It is also home to innumerable MultiNational Companies having their headquarters here as also being a centre  of  scientific and nuclear institutions.

It has thousands of commercial establishments employing lakhs of people.

It is the second most populated city in India and the 7th in the whole world. 

Population of Mumbai as per 2011 census was 1.25 crores and consequently it is one of the most expensive cities in the world. 

Languages spoken here are Marathi ( The State language ) , Hindi, English ( language of Commerce )  and Gujarati .

It would be totally correct to say that Mumbai ( along with its suburbs ) is a very popular tourist attraction due to its varied history, culture, architecture, commercial and cosmopolitan vibe. It has scores and scores of tourist places that cater to thousands of tourists every year.

Following is a comprehensive list of the tourist spots and cultural activities  that are a must-see.( Absolutely not to be missed ) 

1. The Gateway of India

               

            Source - planetware.com

2. The Taj Mahal Palace hotel

3. Flora Fountain

4. Asiatic Society of India

5. Haji Ali Dargah

6. Shree  Siddhivinayak Temple

7. Mount Mary Church and Fair 

8. Shri Mahalakshmi Temple 

           

          Source- mumbaicity.gov.in 

9. Esselworld Theme park 

10. Water World 

11. National Gallery of Modern Art

12. Jijamata Udyan

13. CST

14. Sanjay Gandhi National Park

15. Bandra Fair

16. Kala Ghoda Arts Festival

17. The Elephanta Caves and Festival

18. Marine Drive ( Queen's necklace )

           

            Source - dna.india

19. Bandra Worli Sealink

   Source - wikipedia

          

20. ISKCON temple

21. Taraporewala Aquarium

22. Veermata Jijabai Bhonsle Zoo

23. Colaba Causeway Market

24. Worli Seaface

25. Bandra Bandstand

26. Hanging Gardens 

27. Shivaji Park

28. Goregaon Film City

29. Chota Kashmir

           

       Source - mumbaisuburban.gov.in

30. Nehru Science Center

31. Chowpatty

32. Aksa Beach 

33. Versova Beach 

34. Madh Island 

35. Powai Lake 

36. Prithvi Theatre

37. Global Vipassana Pagoda

38. Snow World

39. Kanheri Caves 

40. Mahakali Caves 

41. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya

42. Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya

43. Mumba Devi Temple

44. Fire Temple 

45. Lalbagcha Raja

46. Chor Bazaar

47. Zaveri Bazaar

48. Fashion Street 

49. Red Carpet Wax Museum

50. Victoria and Albert Museum

51. Kamla Nehru Park

52. Cafe Leopold

53.  Dhobi Ghat 

54.  Dharavi Slums 

55.  MahaLakshmi Racecourse

56. Hakone Entertainment center

57. Janjira Fort 

58. Worli Fort 

59. Boot House 

60. Walkeshwar Temple 

61. Mantralaya

62. BKC

63. Juhu Beach

Apart from these, there are numerous Malls, Shopping complexes ,Theatres, Iconic cinema halls , Museums , Film and TV studios,

Art galleries, Temples, Mosques, Vihars, Churches, Gurudwaras, Roadside eateries , 5 - 7 star Hotels, Restaurants, Resorts, Night clubs, Gardens, Parks, Colleges , Lakes, Dams , Beaches , Spas, Celebrity houses, Yoga Ashrams to add to your itinerary. 

In a nutshell, Fulfill your dream of visiting Mumbai at least once in a lifetime. It will stay in your heart forever.