The majority of countries are reopening to tourists after nearly two years of being confined to their homes and unable to leave the country or travel at all. People have been wanting to go ahead with their travel plans and get to their favorite places safely and stress-free.

In India, one of the most ideal places to visit is the city of Mumbai, which is considered to be India’s commercial capital. This city of Mumbai offers a lot more than art, history, architecture, theater, food, culture, and nightlife.

Six airlines operate between Dubai and Mumbai. In that case, there are approximately 59 flights per week between the two cities. DXB to BOM flights cost around 380-550 AED depending on the season you’ll be traveling.

SANJAY GANDHI NATIONAL PARK

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SANJAY GANDHI NATIONAL PARK ~ PHOTO BY ARIJIT PATRA FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Sanjay Gandhi National Park, also known as SGNP, was established in 1969. It is around one hundred four square kilometers which are well protected and maintained by authorities.

You can enter the park by paying a fee worth Rs 15, although there is an extra amount that will be charged if you want to visit the Kanheri caves there. You can buy the ticket right inside the park where their office is located. The Kanheri caves, which are about 2400 years old, were sculpted by monks and lie within the park out of basaltic rocky cliffs. It is one of the world’s most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries.

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SEWRI MANGROVE PARK

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SEWRI MANGROVE PARK ~ PHOTO BY BENDALE KAUSTUBH FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Sewri Mangrove Park is just one of the favorite places of the locals in Mumbai. It is around one kilometer away from the Sewri Railway Station or 20-minute walking distance. There are nearby restaurants where you can try authentic Indian cuisines such as Kebabs and Curries; this restaurant also offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options and is just 1.56 miles in distance from the park.

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ELEPHANTA CAVES

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ELEPHANTA CAVES ~ PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN HAUGEN FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

One particular Island in Mumbai offers a group of cave temples which are in majority, dedicated to the Hindu God and Shiva. This island is called Elephanta Caves, which is located on Elephanta Island or Gharapuri in Mumbai. It is also found that they display several rock-cut stone sculptures, most of which are in high relief, found in the Elephanta Caves which demonstrate a syncretism between Hindu and Buddhist concepts and iconography. It is said that the solid basalt rock is used to construct the caves. Although cave explorations pose a great threat, solo exploration of the caves in Elephanta is known to be risk-free.

MARINE DRIVE

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MUMBAI MARINE DRIVE ~ PHOTO BY UDAYKUMAR PR FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Marine Drive which is known for its iconic curve or C-shaped boulevard is a popular tourist attraction in Mumbai. It is lined with glowing street lights, which is why it is also referred to as the Queen’s necklace. This well-known seaside offers a welcoming atmosphere and a place to relax from the concrete jungle that covers most of the city. The palm trees line the promenade. Chowpatty Beach can be found at Marine Drive's northern end. The preferred route for connecting Nariman Point's central business district with the rest of the city is Marine Drive.

TAJ MAHAL

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TAJ MAHAL ~ PHOTO BY VISHNUDEEP DIXIT FROM PEXEL

One of the seven wonders of the world, visiting Mumbai would be incomplete without taking in the Taj Mahal. Although technically in Agra, this creation not only qualifies as one of the seven wonders of the world but also displays a very extensive architectural and building history. It was built in 1631 by the fifth emperor Shah Jahan to commemorate the honor of his third and favorite wife. But that is not what it is famous for but because of its distinctive architecture, as it is regarded as a symbol and embodies India's rich history.

You have the option of purchasing two distinct tickets. Access to the gardens surrounding the Taj Mahal costs 1100 rupees. A separate ticket for 200 rupees is required if you want to enter the mausoleum. This amounts to 1300 rupees or approximately 58 AED.

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There are so many more reasons to visit Mumbai and so many other places there to go and see. The ideal time to schedule a flight from DXB to BOM is from October to February when they have winter in the city of Mumbai as it is the perfect temperature for traveling and sightseeing, plus the tickets are affordable.

~ WORDS CONTRIBUTED BY KARLA R, COVER PHOTO BY VEDANG FROM PIXAHIVE