Experience Mumbai’s busy street life first hand while walking through the streets and lanes of Kalbadevi. Avoid wearing loud or provocative clothes, otherwise you might get nudged or jostled more than you can tolerate. To reach the famous Mangaldas Cloth Market (the non-air-conditioned market) from Crawford Market, head north to Sheikh Memon Street. From homespun cotton, silks and saris, all the cloth you would like to buy is available here.

If diamonds cannot satiate, the Khau Galli (Food Street) can satisfy the embarrassing rumblings in your stomach. Every cuisine is available on the street side stalls at reasonable prices.

After diamonds, it is copper and brass for you at Brass Bazaar at the junction of Kalbadevi Road.

Getting there: Take the train going to Churchgate, get down at Bombay Central Station and take a taxi to Kalbadevi.

Cultural Adventure

Armed with a tourist guide explore the Banaganga Tank, which is at the southern end of Malabar Hill, in close proximity to the Arabian sea. If you are there just to take in the tranquility of the place and watch the soothing movement of the geese in the water, you can do without a guide.

This heritage area binds together history and myth. Bathing pilgrims, old Dharamshalas (rest house for pilgrims), devotees, children playing in the steps surrounding the tank, lovers and vagabonds frequent the place. Modern apartment blocks and towers in the background are the only reminder of the business hub of Mumbai.

Religious activity is most visible here during Mahashivrathri (a festival of Lord Shiva) in February / March and during the Hindu Month of Shravan (July / August). Come Diwali, and hundreds of mud lamps can be found floating on the lake. The Banaganga Festival hosted by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation is rich in cultural activities with dance and music performances from the doyens of the industry. If you are interested in culture and Hindu mythology, there are lots more the area can offer than what meets the eye. North-west of the tank is a wood-fired crematorium where Mumbai’s elite are cremated. Make your own investigations; talk to locals about stories and tales that abound in the area. You won’t be disappointed.