Maharashtra

1. Panoramic Tour of Mumbai:

Panoramic photography is a technique of photography, using specialized equipment or software, that captures images with elongated fields of view. It is sometimes known as wide format photography. Panorama photos are normally shot by stitching series of photos with sightly overlapping fields to create a panoramic image. This post contains photos from Colaba Region (covering Gateway of India, Afghan Church, Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Kala Ghoda and Flora Fountain)and Elephanta Caves of Mumbai. Read more…

2. Synagogues of downtown Mumbai:

The history of the Jews in India dates back to the ancient times. Judaism was the probably the first foreign religion to reach India. Jews always have been a extreme minority and they have lived in peace with the local population for centuries. Mumbai (formerly Bombay) always had the large Jewish population and during the 1940s it reached its peak with a figure of almost 30,000. Today the Mumbai Jews number about 3,500 and the houses a total of 9 synagogues. Out of the nine, six are in the down town Mumbai area while the remaining three are in the outskirts of the city. The four out of the six synagogues of downtown Mumbai belongs to the Bene Israel community while the remaining two belongs to the Bagdadi Jews. Most the downtown Mumbai Synagogues are basic places of worship. Read more…

3. Round the Oval, heritage buildings around Oval Maidan, Mumbai:

Oval Maidan is a large urban open space in the heart of Mumbai. It covers an area of 22 acres (8.9 ha) and is oval in shape and hence the name Oval Maidan. The Oval along with Cooperage Maidan, Cross Maidan and Azad Maidan once from the Esplanade, an open area that lay beyond the ramparts of the fort. After the demolition of the fort, several streets were constructed across the Esplanade, fragmenting it into several separate patches of green. An array of two building styles (Victorian Gothic and Art Deco) flank both sides of the elongated open space. Read more…

4. A morning in Gorai Beach, north west Mumbai:

Gorai Beach located in the north western suburbs of Mumbai is favourite weekend destination for Mumbaikars. I visited the beach during a Wikipedia workshop held in Mumbai. It was three day residential workshop and in spite of the hectic schedule I made an excursion to the nearby beaches every morning. Among the beaches I visited Gorai was definitely the best and the most touristic. I was accompanied by fellow participant and Wikipedian Adithya and since it was morning we had the beach all to ourselves. Read more…

5. Gateway of India, icon of Mumbai:

Gateway of India is Mumbai‘s most iconic landmark. It is located at the tip of the Apollo Bunder, the gateway overlooks the Mumbai harbour, bordered by the Arabian Sea in the Colaba district. The arched gateway was erected to commemorate the landing of King – Emperor George V and Queen – Empress Mary in December 1911. This was the first ever India visit by the British Monarch. Gateway of India is a prime tourist attraction of Mumbai. Today the Gateway of India is surrounded with a beautiful landscaped complex with a huge open space. Entry is free but visitors have to go through a security check.. Read more…

6. Magen David Synagogue, Byculla, Mumbai:

Magen David Synagogue, Byculla, Mumbai is the third synagogue of Mumbai and first Bagdhadi Jew Synagogue of the city. It was funded by David Sassoon, considered as the father of Baghdadi Jew community of Mumbai. Literally meaning the shield of David,  Magen David was built in European style. Magen David had a steeple housing a clock, something unusual for a synagogue. Magen David Synagogue stands out with its bright blue facade, enormous frontal columns and towering clock tower. The synagogue was built in neo-classical style with freely conceived local elements. Read more…

7. St. Thomas’ Cathedral, zero point of Mumbai:

The Churchgate station in Mumbai derives its name from the St. Thomas’ Church, presently a Cathedral and the seat of the Bishop of Mumbai. It served as the zero point of Mumbai. Distance along all major roads were measured from this point. Today the church stand in the heart of Mumbai and is located just west of the Horniman Circle Garden. Today the St. Thomas’ Cathedral stands in one of the busiest areas of Mumbai. The interiors serves as an oasis of peace surrounded by the most chaotic regions of the city.. Read more…

8. Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue, Mumbai:

The Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue is the grandest of Mumbai Synagogues. Located at the cultural hub of Mumbai the iconic blue synagogue is surrounded by art galleries, a museum, warmly-lit cafes and street art. The synagogue is no longer blue today it is painted with a sparkling shade of white with bright indigo boarders. Today the Keneseth Synagogue is open to public. Non Jews can not only visit the Synagogue but also participate in prayer service.. Read more…

9. Ferry ride to Elephanta Island:

The Elephant Island houses the Elephanta Caves, a series of rock cut caves with amazing sculptures. The island is located about 11 km north west of Apollo Bunder Jetty located next to Gateway of India. The Elephant Caves are an UNESCO Heritage Site and attracts large number of tourists. Regular ferry service connects Mumbai to the Elephant Island at frequent intervals. Reaching the cave is an experience by itself and is half the fun.Read more…

10. Elephanta Caves, rock-cut caves with amazing sculptures:

The Elephanta Caves, an UNESCO Heritage Site is located on the Elephanta Island about 11 km north-west of Apollo Bunder Jetty located next to Gateway of India. Today the site consists of a total of 7 caves out of which Cave 1 is the largest and grandest. Caves 2 – 5 are adjoining to Cave 1 but are nothing spectacular. Caves 6 and 7 are located far from the other caves and is seldom visited. Apart from the caves the Elephanta Island houses two giant cannons mounted on rotating platforms situated high up on the hill. Read more…

11. East Indians of West Cost of India:

East Indian Christians, or simply East Indians are an ethno-religious Indian Christian community. They trace their roots to those who converted to Christianity in the 16th century when Portugal took over Bombay. They are considered as the original inhabitants of the Mumbai, Thane and Raigad area. So in spite of living on the western coast of India, they call themselves East Indians and speak a dialect of Marathi that has words borrowed from Portuguese. Read more…

12. David Sassoon Library, Mumbai:

Bang opposite the Kala Ghoda (Black Horse) stands an elegant building, complete with pointed arches and crowned with a clock. It is the David Sassoon Library. The library building along with several Victorian Gothic and Art Deco buildings of the region are part of a UNESCO Heritage Site known as The Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai. The present building dates back to 1870 and is built with yellow Malad stone and followed the Venetian Gothic style of architecture. Read more…

13. Shinde Chhatri, memorial of Mahadji Shinde:

Shinde Chhatri at Wanawadi in Pune is a memorial or cenotaph dedicated to the 18th century Maratha military leader Mahadji Shinde who served as the commander-in-chief of the Maratha army under the Peshwas from 1760 to 1780. Today the Shinde Chhatri is located in a large complex in south Pune. Apart from the two-storied flat-roofed chhatri the complex also contains a Shiva Temple, which predates the chhatri, along with a couple of other structures. The Shiva temple dates back to 1794 while the chhatri dates back to 1910. Read more…

14. R K Laxman Museum, Pune:

R K Laxman is India’s most well-known cartoonist and illustrator, best known for his famous creation The Common Man. The R K Laxman Museum in Pune houses about 35,000 cartoons and sketches of Laxman. The museum cum art gallery is a project of Pune Municipal Corporation. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2022. A statue of the Common man welcomes visitors to the mission consisting of several galleries and two audio-visual rooms.  Read more…

15. World War Memorials and Cemeteries, Pune:

Over a million Indian soldiers served the British Army during the First World War out of which about 70,000 died fighting in different war theaters across the world. Today numerous memorials and plaques dot the entire landscape of the sub-continent in memory of the fallen Indian soldiers who died fighting for the King of another country in far-off lands. Pune, the cantonment town in Maharashtra, houses two such memorials along with a cemetery housing several WWI & II graves. Read more…