Mumbai (Bombay)

Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra and the economic powerhouse of India. It is the fastest moving and most affluent city in India. A popular sight is the 8th century shrine on Elephanta Island, which is reached by boat. Among the sculptures is the magnificent Maheshmurti, or Hindu Trinity, representing the three aspects of Shiva – the creator, the preserver and the destroyer.

Other key sights include the Gateway of India, erected to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911, the collection of Indian paintings and sculptures at the Prince of Wales Museum, Jehangir Art Gallery, Marine Drive, Chowpatty Beach, the Hanging Gardens of Malabar Hill and the Crawford Market. Mumbai is also home to India's fashion industry and Bollywood, the famous Hindi language film industry.