Chowpatty Beach (Marine Drive)

Location: Located at Central Mumbai, Maharashtra in India.
Touring Seasons : Through out the year.
State : Maharashtra

The Beach
Chowpatty beach in Maharashtra is full of action and events. Chowpatty beach Maharashtra is one of the most important hangouts, apart from Juhu in the suburbs. In fact, the day here is calm and quiet , but in the evening Chowpatty develops a magical atmosphere and is a favourite meeting place for courting couples, political rallies and families keen to enjoy the fresh air. The expanse of sand and sea at Chowpatty beach Maharashtra captivates the pleasure seekers, who come here to relax after dusk in the cool sea breeze.

Beach Accessibility
Airlines : Mumbai has both national and international airports and regular flights connect it with all major countries and states in India.

Rail Lines : The nearest railway station is at Charni Road (Western Railway).

Bus Lines : Mumbai being the capital city of Maharashtra State is well connected by road with all parts of the state. City bus services are available from all-important points in the city.

Lodging at Chowpatty Beach
As a major metropolis in India and the capital city of the Maharashtra state, Mumabi is well equipped with excellent Hotel accommodation, which vary from luxurious to reasonable budget hotels. Locals also let rooms for accommodation, if you are planning to stay back for a long period.

The Speciality of the Beach
Chowpatty beach in Mumbai is the carnival point with huge line of stalls on the beach, selling 'Bhelpuri', 'Kulfi' and 'Paan'. There are also shooting galleries, snake charmers, monkey trainers, balloon sellers and even masseurs. One can even witness many Hindu religious ceremonies taking place at Chowpatty beach like the annual thread-tying ceremony, 'Nariel Purnima' towards the end of the monsoons and 'Ganesh Chaturthi' immersions. The atmosphere doesn't get much better than this.

Charming Spots near Chowpatty Beach
Marine Drive
This is also known as Netaji Subhash Road, a modern pathway by the sea. At night, the lights on the Marine drive look like jewels and has aptly been named as `the Queen's necklace'.

The Hanging Gardens
From Sir Pherozshah Mehta Gardens and the Kamala Nehru Park(the Hanging Gardens), one gets a panoramic view of the bay, the high-rise buildings, Chaupati Beach and the distant hills.

Hajji Ali's Tomb
On the Hornby Vellard road near the Mahalakshmi temple is the 500-year old Hajji Ali's Tomb. The path leading to it gets submerged in water at high tide. People from all walks of life come to pay their respects here.

Gateway of India
This the landmark structure of Mumbai. Situated near the Sea at Apollo Bundergah, the Gateway of India was erected to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911.

Mumbadevi Temple
The temple was built in honour of Mumbadevi, the patron goddess of the Koli fishermen believed to be the original inhabitants of Mumbai. The original temple was built in 1737 was demolished and a new temple erected in its place at Bhuleshwar.

Siddhivinayak Temple
Close to the Dadar Station the historic Shri Siddhivinayak Temple is situated at Prabhadevi in Central Mumbai. The temple is almost 200 years old and an idol of Lord Ganesh is carved out of a black stone. The trunk of the elephant-god Ganesh is turned to the right. The idol is visible from any point in the mandap.

St. Thomas Cathedral
The cathedral was constructed in 1672 and was opened to public in 1718.