Discover Indian Culture in Mumbai
During a visit to the thriving metropolis of Mumbai, travelers will get a chance to explore one of India's most diverse and exciting cities. Whether it's engaging museums, inspiring monuments or impressive natural attractions, you will experience all that this destination has to offer when you visit Mumbai as part of an Indian cruise.
One of Mumbai's most iconic attractions is the Gateway of India, a soaring archway located at the entrance to the city's port. Originally built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary of Great Britain, the monument was designed to be the first thing visitors saw upon arrival in the seaside city. When you make a trip to the Gateway, you will be wowed by its towering turrets, intricate latticework and colorful yellow basalt stone.
Another iconic structure aimed at welcoming visitors to Mumbai is Victoria Terminus, the city's vast railway station. Also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, this hub is the headquarters for the Central Railways and is considered to be one of India's largest and busiest train stations.
If you want to learn more about Indian culture, you may want to visit two of Mumbai's most popular museums. At the Prince of Wales Museum, you will encounter a primer in the history and traditions of the Indian people, as the facility is home to a collection of temple art as well as Hindu, Buddhist and Nepalese sculptures. Meanwhile, the National Gandhi Museum will give you a glimpse into the life of India's most famous figure thanks to an array of his letters, books, manuscripts, photographs and more.
To experience Mumbai's lively side, you can head to the Dobi Ghat. This attraction is said to be the world's largest outdoor laundry facility, and countless washers gather here to clean linens in endless rows of concrete bins. Another hub of activity is the Jain Temple, an important religious center for those of the Jain faith. Thousands of worshippers gather here to pray, giving you a chance to learn more about the central pacifist tenets of the religion.
In Mumbai Harbour, you will be able to visit the Elephanta Island Caves, which earned designation as a World Heritage Site thanks to its amazing carved sculptures of Hindu and Buddhist images. To see another World Heritage Site, head to the city of Agra, where you can head to the world-famous Taj Mahal, a soaring mausoleum that is considered to be one of India's most iconic attractions. View Asia cruises.