Mumbai Part IV: Sunrise to Sunset

Perhaps this should be "Sunset to Sunrise"; it's Mumbai after all! Mumbai is built on a series of islands which descend southward from the mainland, which means it can only grow in density, northward, or by reclaiming land from the sea. It also means that you can watch the sun rise and set over the water. One morning I decided to see the Gateway to India at sunrise. Boats and ships of all sizes had returned to the harbour since the 26/11 memorial, and the sailors were at work even before the sun rose.

Opposite to the Gateway of India stands the Taj Mahal Hotel. Much too expensive for me, but I did catch the moon setting beside one of the towers.

Mumbai isn't just the Bollywood capital, the financial centre and the tourist hub of Maharashtra. During the day important work goes on at the High Court, although I understand it happens very very slowly. One case can take a lifetime. Justice stands on one of the steeples. Security has changed in Mumbai in the past few years, and it's difficult to get a closer look at many of the monuments in the city.

Right next door another type of important work happens, filling brains with knowledge at the University of Mumbai. Reminds me a little of the clock tower and gargoyles in Ottawa! Apparently Gothic architecture was popular. Like many of the other names the Shiv Sena changed, locals also still refer to it as Bombay University. Earlier this year an actor was chastised by the Shiv Sena political party (no longer in power) for referring to Mumbai as "Bombay" and was pressured to apologise publicly. While I was there I also heard a radio announcer correct himself. I guess changing the name of a major city takes a lot of time and effort!

Less prominent but no less important, the dhobis, or washermen, work all day. The Mahalaxmi dhobi ghats take up about a city block, and the washing is all done by hand. Many of the city's uniforms are laundered here, and I guess that is a lot, since I see far more uniforms here than in Canada.

One of my favourite photos is the sunset at Chowpatty beach. I sat and took photo after photo to try to capture the best view of the city skyline between the sunset and the beach. Just when I couldn't decide whether the water was reflecting the sun or the sun was reflecting the water, these two women came down to the water to pray.

Finally, as night falls Marine Drive lights up and residents and tourists walk the promenade to court, to exercise, to spend time with their families and friends, and to enjoy the relative peacefulness of the sea. This part of Mumbai used to be part of the sea, and is called the Queen's Necklace because of the lights. Of course, like most big cities, it never sleeps!