Mumbai - The city that never sleeps!

Welcome to the city that never sleeps! Pulsating, Alive, On the Move, Vibrant and Fun -- this is Mumbai or as it is still frequently referred to -- Bombay. The most modern city in India, it captures the spirit of the changing pace set by liberalization and modernization.

Mumbai is famous for its chaotic streets. For bargains and people-watching, outdoor bazaars top the list of attractions. Popular waterfront destinations are Marine Drive, where visitors go to watch the sun set over the Arabian Sea, and the carnival-like Juhu Beach. More sightseeing options are the Gandhi Museum, in the leader's former home, and the cave temples of Elephanta Island. For tranquility, Mumbai has many religious sites, lakes and parks. Mumbai is a city that never sleeps; if you want to feel fresh young and rejuvenated then Mumbai is for you. Flooded with discotheques, Restaurants and night clubs Mumbai in actual is the Las Vegas of India. Mumbai is a city where every night seems like a festival night. So, with heartiest happiness we welcome you to the city of wonders, Mumbai.

Once a cluster of seven islands, Mumbai was presented to King Charles II in 1661 as part of the dowry when he married Princess Catherine de Braganza of Portugal.

Over the years, as colonialism gave way to independence, Mumbai has transformed itself into an entity with thriving markets, business houses and many different communities reflecting a cosmopolitan and trendy atmosphere rarely seen elsewhere. On the surface, it represents the ever-changing face of today's India -- the old coupled with the dynamic new, and yet at its very core, the heart of the city is steeped in Indian customs and values.

It is the capital of Maharashtra state, and its official language is Marathi although English and Hindi are widely spoken and understood. The fast-paced life has given rise to hordes of "fast-food outlets" on almost every road, offering lip-smacking choices of Mumbai's very own pau bhaji, bhel puri and kebabs. There is no dearth, though, of multi-culinary delicacies dished out in posh restaurants by expert chefs. Mumbai is a shopper's delight with bargain buys, exclusive boutiques, ethnic markets and mini bazaars. This busy city is also the hub of a thriving cultural life, with a constant stream of performances in music, dance and drama. The seat of the Hindi film industry, known locally as Bollywood, it produces the largest number of films in the world. Mumbai caters to the adventurous and the romantic through its sporting activities, nightclubs, pubs, theatres, beaches and restaurants. Old and new, rich and poor, classical and modern -- it’s all here for you to savor and enjoy!

Mumbai Culture
The culture of any place is always determined from its people, religion, language, cuisine and festivals. Mumbai has an assortment of people from various communities and subsequently they follow different religions. Since the metropolitan is observing modern trends, here people enjoy participating in all festivals irrespective of caste, creed and color. Another reason could be the influence of the Bollywood, where a potpourri of multi-ethnic culture is observed. The cultural heritage of Bombay presents a combination of old and new. The people of the 'Film City of India' seek to follow the hip-hop lifestyle of the celebrities residing here. The 'bindaas' or carefree approach of the Mumbaikars comes alive in their dialect of Mumbaiya Hindi too. Read on to know more about the culture of the Mumbai city of India

People
Mumbaikar or Bombayite is the term used for the inhabitants of Mumbai. Similar to the people in other parts of India, Mumbaikars are lively people, who live life to its fullest. Mumbai has a transfusion of various communities, following different religions and customs.

Religions
Mumbaikars tend to get busy in their demanding schedules of life, but when it comes to religion, people appear to be highly devout. Religion plays an important role in the lives of people in Mumbai. Like any other part of India, Hinduism is the major religion observed by most of the residents of Bombay.

Languages
Marathi is recognized as the official language of the Mumbai city of India. It is the most widely spoken language in the city. Apart from Marathi, there are many other languages that are spoken and understood in Bombay. Mumbaiya or Bambaiya Hindi is the slang language of Mumbaikars.

Cuisine
Food simply means scrumptious dishes in Mumbai. The Chaupati Beach always reminds one of the lip-smacking 'Bhel Puri', a fast-food made of puffed rice, with lots of chillies, sauces and chopped onions. A typical Bombay platter consists of curries, rice, curd, chapattis, vegetable, salad, sweets etc.