OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
1. Bhiwandi
Thane
Bhiwandi is known for its carpets, handlooms and silk fabric. Surrounded by lush green hills, it is a popular place in Maharashtra. Tourists come here to see the Varala Devi Lake, its famous temples and hot water springs. Many believe that the water from the springs has healing properties.
2. Unexplored Beaches
Most of Mumbai juts out into the Arabian Sea, with small bays and a diverse range of beaches as part of its topography. Although Juhu Chowpatty and Girgaum Chowpatty are two of the more popular ones, owing to their easily accessible location, the city’s fringes boast the more serene beaches. Uran Beach in Navi Mumbai is clean and quiet, while Gorai Beach in the north west has scenic views of the sea.
3. Belapur Fort
Sector 32, Seawoods, Navi Mumbai
Located near the town of Belapur, this fort was built by the Siddis of Janjira. It has only one rampart remaining from the many that once existed. The carvings on its walls are a major attraction. The fort also has an underground tunnel that connects it with Gharapuri Island, which has the famous Elephanta Caves.
4. Pandavkada Falls
Kharghar, Navi Mumbai
One of the oldest falls in Mumbai, this is a popular picnic spot. It is believed that the great Pandavas stayed in the caves near these falls during their exile. The falls appear most beautiful during sunset.
5. Midnight Cycling
In a city infamous for traffic, visitors can access a surprising number of picturesque cycling routes. Mumbai truly comes alive after dark and a variety of cycling tours allow visitors to access an entirely new aspect of it. Many groups organize these trips, with two routes being the most popular: a heritage tour from Colaba to Horniman Circle, and a coastal route starting at Nariman Point and ending at Bandstand in Bandra.
6. Vineyards
Fratelli Vineyards: 99588 80577; www.fratelliwines.in • Sula Vineyards: 0253 220 2424; www.sulawines.com
A great option for a weekend getaway is to take a trip to a vineyard near the city. Enjoy grape stomping, wine master class, tastings and a variety of other activies at a vineyard nestled among the lush greenery of the valleys around. Both Fratelli Vineyards in Akluj and Sula Vineyards in Nashik offer guesthouses for visitors. Bookings must be made in advance.
The expansive vineyard at Sula
7. Kwan Kung Temple
12, Dockyard Rd, Wadi Bandar, Mazgaon
Mumbai’s only Chinese temple, the Kwan Kung temple serves as a reminder that the Mazgaon of the early 1900s was home to a thriving immigrant population, primarily from what is now Guangzhou in southern China. While only a hand-ful of families remain, the temple, hidden among the bylanes and marked only by a simple red gate, is oft-frequented by devotees and decorated in an array of colourful lanterns, figurines, murals, as well as other religious wall art.
8. Uttan Village
A coastal area north of Gorai, in Thane district, Uttan is an erstwhile Portuguese fishing village known for its pristine beach, lighthouse, church and mosque. Its primary inhabitants are East Indian Catholics and the Koli and Muslim communities. Visitors can go on a hike, eat scrumptious seafood or camp under the clear sky in this picturesque area.
9. Sudhagad Fort
Ghera Sudhagad • Open daily
A famous hill fort east of Pali in Raigad district, this is a popular trekking destination for residents of Mumbai. At the top of the hill are two temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. One can also find serene lakes, an old palace, as well as several medicinal plants and trees in the vicinity. Enjoy clear and breathtaking views of Saragad Fort, Korigad Fort and Dhangad Fort from this green tourist attraction.
Sudhagad Fort in Pali village
10. Ghodbunder Fort
Ghodbunder Village, Mira Bhayandar • Open daily
Originally called Cacabe de Tanna, the historic Ghodbunder Fort was built by the Portuguese. It is constituted by stone blocks and has a church, a corridor of arches and a huge courtyard. This is a must-visit for history lovers.
