This district covers Byculla, Parel, Worli, Prabhadevi, and Dadar areas of Bombay.

It started its modern history as a sort of backyard to South Bombay. In the late 19th century, many industries, especially textile mills, relocated here. The industries naturally attracted migrant labour from all parts of the country, but mostly from Maharashtra and its Konkan region. The influence of this migration is still seen today and the district is considered the home of Marathi culture in the city.

In the 70s and 80s, high labour costs, industrial unrest, and the exorbitant price of land caused the closure of many industries and the district consequently went into a decline. Over the past two decades, the old mill area has regenerated into office complexes. You will find many BPO operations, advertising agencies, film production houses, and banks here. Many old textile mills have given way to malls like High Street Phoenix.

Get in

If you're in Mumbai city, you can get here just about anyway. There is excellent road connectivity and most bus routes pass through here. Although word of caution, at night this place can be a traffic nightmare.

See

  • '''Worli Seaface''' ? A promenade in 2 parts.
  • '''Siddhivinayak Temple''', Prabhadevi, Mumbai 400 028 ''+91 022'' 2437 3626 (Fax ''+91 22'' 2422 1558) [http://www.siddhivinayak.org/]. One of the most famous temples in Mumbai is a shrine to the Lord Ganesha (the elephant headed god who is said to be the destroyer of obstacles). Many devout Hindus walk from their homes to this temple barefoot, especially on Tuesdays, which is considered a special day. The queue to enter the temple stretches to eternity on Tuesdays, so visit some other day if you can.
  • '''Haji Ali''' ? A shrine to a Muslim saint on Worli Seaface, accessible only at low tide since at high tide the pathway to the shrine is submerged.
  • '''Veermata Jijabai Udyan''' (''Local Stn. Byculla'') ? A zoo in Byculla, it was established during British times and named "Victoria Gardens". After independence, naturally, it had to be renamed, so it is now named after Shivaji's mother Jijabai, though it is popularly known as '''Rani Bag''' (queen's garden ? it is not clear whether the queen in question is Victoria or Jijabai). The place is not really worth visiting as it has been called more of a prison for animals than a zoo in the modern sense. Go there for the garden, not to look at the animals.
  • '''Shivaji Mandir''' ? Marathi plays are running in this theatre.
  • '''Nehru Science Centre''' (''Local Stn. Mahalaxmi'') Dr. Edwin Moses Road, Worli, Mumbai 400 018 ''+91 22'' 2493 2667, ''+91 22'' 2493 4520, ''+91 22'' 24926042(''fax: ''91 22'' 2493 2668 [mailto:nscm@vsnl.com nscm@vsnl.com], [mailto:nscm@giasbm01.vsnl.net.in nscm@giasbm01.vsnl.net.in], Additional Contact[http://www.nehrucentremumbai.com/contact_us.htm]'' ) [http://www.nehrusciencecentre.org/]. A science museum, also contains the "Discovery of India", a show on India's History named for Jawaharlal Nehru's book. It is spread over a relatively large area and surrounded by greenery. Check the website for prices and timings of different shows.
  • '''Nehru Planetarium''' (''Local Stn. Mahalaxmi'') Dr. Edwin Moses Road, Worli, Mumbai 400 018, ''+91 22'' 2492 0510. This is located next door to the Nehru Science Centre and has some interesting shows. Adult Rs. 35. Children Rs. 20, Tu-F 11AM-5PM.
  • '''Magen David Synagogue''', located at Veer Jijamata Udyan, Byculla by the Sassoon family.
  • Do

    Buy

  • '''Sarees''' ? The best place to buy them is Dadar. The place is buzzing 12 months a year. Good shops to buy Sarees are Dadar Emporium, Lazaree, and RoopSangam. You can buy almost everything a woman needs in eastern Dadar at the Benaras Silk House on N C Kelkar Road and Ranade Road.
  • '''Shirts''' ? Reasonable priced shirts at ''Adacks'' near Sena Bhavan.
  • Eat

  • '''Gajalee''', High Street Phoenix. An Indian seafood restaurant.
  • '''Pritam da dhaba''', a traditional Punjabi restaurant near Dadar TT Circle. A very warm interior ideal for a quite drink.
  • '''Byculla Restaurant And Bakery''' ? A typical Irani restaurant that has been in business for just under a century, not far from Gloria Church.
  • Drink

  • '''The Sports Bar''', at High Street Phoenix.
  • '''The Brew Bar''', at High Street Phoenix.
  • '''Lush the Lounge Bar''', at High Street Phoenix.
  • '''The Noodle Bar''', at High Street Phoenix.
  • Sleep

  • Hotel Midtown Pritam. pp Punjab National Bank, Near Dadar Station (Central Railway) SG Road, Dadar(E) Mumbai ? 400 014. +91-22-24042501. idtown@nivalink.com. 91-22-24042792. s. 4,500-5,500. ttp://www.nivalink.com/pritam/index.html. This is a decently good hotel and is very close to Dadar station.
  • ITC Grand Central Sheraton & Towers. 87, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road, Parel, Mumbai ? 400 012. 91-22-24101010. 91-22-2410 1111. s. 15,000-22,000, $400-525 for foreigners. . This extremely posh hotel is also suitably expensive

    Contact