Explore Mumbai
The Usual and the Unusual
USUAL
- Khotachiwadi
Description: This charming heritage village in Girgaon is a cluster of old Portuguese-style homes. The narrow lanes, colorful facades, and vibrant atmosphere make it a fantastic location for photography.
What to Capture: The architecture, street scenes, and local life.
2. Sewri Mudflats
Description: A unique ecosystem along the coast, known for its mudflats that attract migratory birds, particularly flamingos during the winter months.
What to Capture: Birdwatching, stunning sunsets, and the contrast between urban and natural landscapes.
3. Dhobi Ghat, Mahalaxmi
Description: The world’s largest outdoor laundry, where hundreds of dhobis wash clothes daily. The colorful and chaotic environment is captivating.
What to Capture: The vibrant colors of the clothes, the busy workers, and the traditional washing techniques.
4. Kopar Khairane’s Tabela (Dairy Farm)
Description: Explore a local dairy farm to see how milk is produced. These places often have a rustic charm with cows and quaint surroundings.
What to Capture: The animals, farm life, and agricultural landscapes.
5. Worli Village
Description: A small fishing village steeped in history and culture, offering a glimpse into traditional coastal life.
What to Capture: Fishing boats, local fishermen, and the unique juxtaposition of village life against the backdrop of the city.
6. The Bandra Fort and Bandra-Worli Sea Link
Description: A historic fort with beautiful views of the sea link and the coastline. It’s less crowded than other tourist spots.
What to Capture: Sunset views, historical architecture, and dynamic landscapes.
7. Kumbharwada (Potter’s Colony)
Description: Located in the Dharavi area, this is where traditional pottery is made. You can witness the entire pottery-making process.
What to Capture: The artisans at work, intricate designs, and the vibrant colors of the clay products.
8. Banganga Tank
Description: An ancient water tank in the heart of the city, surrounded by temples and old houses. It’s a serene place amidst the hustle of Mumbai.
What to Capture: Reflections in the water, local rituals, and the architectural details of surrounding temples.
9. Chor Bazaar
Description: Known as the “Thieves Market,” it’s a treasure trove for antiques and vintage items. Exploring the lanes can be an adventure.
What to Capture: Unique finds, street vendors, and the eclectic atmosphere.
10. Rani Baug (Byculla Zoo)
Description: While primarily a zoo, the surrounding gardens are beautiful and less visited. It offers lush greenery and vintage architecture.
What to Capture: Flora and fauna, old colonial structures, and serene landscapes.
11. Dadar Flower Market (Dadar Phool Gully)
Description: A bustling market overflowing with flowers, particularly vibrant marigolds and roses. The market is a feast for the senses and perfect for capturing the essence of local life.
What to Capture: The explosion of colors, the flower vendors, and the dynamic atmosphere.
12. Kandivali National Park (Kandivali East)
Description: This lesser-known national park offers a natural escape within the city. It’s a great spot for birdwatching and exploring the local flora and fauna.
What to Capture: Wildlife, scenic trails, and lush greenery.
13. Dharavi
Description: One of Asia’s largest slums, Dharavi is a hub of entrepreneurship and a fascinating blend of cultures. Guided tours are available that provide insight into daily life here.
What to Capture: Street art, local businesses, and vibrant community life.
14. Aarey Milk Colony
Description: A vast green expanse in Goregaon, Aarey is home to a dairy farm and lush landscapes. It offers a refreshing contrast to the urban sprawl.
What to Capture: Cows, the picturesque surroundings, and rural life within the city.
15. Kumar’s Tabela
Description: A local dairy farm where you can see the milking process and the animals. It’s a great place to learn about the local dairy industry.
What to Capture: Daily routines on the farm, cows, and the natural environment.
16. Nehru Science Centre
Description: While this is more well-known, it features several interactive exhibits and outdoor displays that are often overlooked.
What to Capture: The exhibits, visitors interacting with the installations, and the surrounding gardens.
17. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST)
Description: While it’s a well-known landmark, exploring the lesser-seen corners and the bustling life around the terminus can be rewarding.
What to Capture: The architectural details, daily commuters, and the surrounding streets.
18. Sewri Fort
Description: A historic fort overlooking the Mumbai Harbour, it’s less visited and provides beautiful views, especially at sunset.
What to Capture: The fort’s architecture, coastal views, and the flamingos in the distance during migratory season.
19. The Bombay High Court and Flora Fountain
Description: The architecture of the Bombay High Court is stunning, and nearby Flora Fountain is a bustling area with historical significance.
What to Capture: The architectural details, surrounding street life, and historical elements.
20. Sion Koliwada
Description: A coastal fishing village where the Koli community lives, it offers a glimpse into traditional fishing life.
What to Capture: Traditional fishing boats, vibrant Koli culture, and scenic coastal views.
21. Mumbai’s Art Deco District (Marine Lines)
Description: This area features some of the best examples of Art Deco architecture in the world, yet it remains relatively unexplored.
What to Capture: The unique building facades, street life, and the interplay of light and shadow.
22. Mahim Nature Park
Description: A serene green space that is home to diverse flora and fauna, it’s perfect for nature photography and birdwatching.
What to Capture: Local wildlife, lush greenery, and the peaceful atmosphere.
23. Lal Baug Market
Description: A bustling local market filled with fresh produce, spices, and everyday goods. It’s a sensory overload and great for street photography.
What to Capture: Vibrant colors, lively vendors, and candid shots of daily life.
24. Mahim Fort
Description: A lesser-known fort that offers views of the sea and surrounding area. It’s a quiet spot for history buffs.
What to Capture: The fort’s structure, coastal views, and surrounding greenery.
UNUSUAL
Maharashtra Rubber Factory, Thane
Description: This factory specializes in rubber products, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the rubber manufacturing process.
What to Capture: Machinery, the production process, and workers engaged in making rubber goods.
Navi Mumbai’s Dronagiri Industrial Area
Description: Home to various small-scale industries, including manufacturing and logistics. This area showcases the industrial side of Navi Mumbai.
What to Capture: Warehouses, loading docks, and industrial landscapes.
Wadala’s Truck Terminals
Description: Wadala has several truck terminals where you can see the logistics and transportation industry in action. It’s bustling with activity and life.
What to Capture: Trucks loading and unloading, street vendors, and the daily hustle.
Tarapur’s Industrial Area
Description: Located a bit outside of Mumbai, this area is known for various factories and manufacturing units, including chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
What to Capture: Factory facades, industrial equipment, and workers at various stages of production.
Mahim’s Fish Market
Description: A bustling fish market that provides insight into the seafood trade. The vibrant environment is full of activity and colors.
What to Capture: Fresh catches, local fishermen, and the vibrant marketplace.
Worli Koliwada
Description: A fishing village that offers a unique look into the Koli community and their fishing practices amidst the urban landscape.
What to Capture: Traditional fishing boats, daily life of fishermen, and cultural aspects of the Koli community.
Ghatkopar’s Industrial Area
Description: Known for small-scale manufacturing and various workshops, this area has a gritty charm with a lot of action happening in the lanes.
What to Capture: Workshops, tools, raw materials, and the manufacturing process.
Kandivali’s Machhi Bazar (Fish Market)
Description: A local fish market that is less frequented by tourists, providing a glimpse into the daily life of local fish vendors.
What to Capture: Fresh fish displays, vendors interacting with customers, and the lively atmosphere.
Malad’s Industrial Units
Description: Malad has various industrial units that specialize in textiles, manufacturing, and more. The area can be bustling with activity.
What to Capture: Textiles, manufacturing processes, and workers engaged in their craft.
Dharavi’s Recycling Hub
Description: Dharavi is known for its recycling industries where plastic and other materials are processed. Tours provide a fascinating look at this sector.
What to Capture: Recycling processes, colorful materials, and local entrepreneurs.
Kalyan’s Clay Pottery Workshops
Description: In Kalyan, you can find local potters still practicing traditional pottery-making techniques.
What to Capture: The potters at work, clay items, and the vibrant colors of the pottery.
Andheri’s Shantivan Industrial Area
Description: A hub for various small-scale industries and workshops that cater to diverse manufacturing needs.
What to Capture: Workshop activities, machinery, and the industrious spirit of the area.
Mumbai’s Textile Mills
Description: Explore the remnants of Mumbai’s textile heritage, with many mills now repurposed but still showcasing their industrial charm.
What to Capture: Mill architecture, machinery, and glimpses of the textile manufacturing process.
Lower Parel’s Factories and Warehouses
Description: This area is transitioning but still retains its industrial roots. Many old factories have become trendy offices, but the industrial vibe persists.
What to Capture: Old factory buildings, street art, and the juxtaposition of new and old.
Vasai’s Glass Factory
Description: Located on the outskirts, this glass factory offers insights into glass production, from blowing to molding.
What to Capture: Glassblowing process, colorful glass items, and the artistry involved in glass making.
Mankhurd’s Scrap Yard
Description: This area is known for scrap dealers and recycling units where various materials are processed.
What to Capture: Scrap metal, recycling processes, and the hustle of scrap dealing.
Mumbai’s Potters’ Workshops in Worli
Description: These workshops allow you to witness the traditional art of pottery being crafted right in the heart of the city.
What to Capture: Clay being shaped, finished pottery, and artisans at work.
Malad’s Oil Refineries
Description: While access might be restricted, the area around oil refineries provides a gritty industrial landscape that is unique to Mumbai.
What to Capture: Industrial structures, pipelines, and the overall environment of the refinery area.
Ghatkopar’s Electronics Manufacturing Units
Description: This area is known for small-scale electronics manufacturing, showcasing the technical side of Mumbai’s industry.
What to Capture: Assembly lines, electronic components, and the manufacturing process.
Navi Mumbai’s Shipbreaking Yards
Description: Located near Alang, these yards (though primarily in Gujarat) showcase the dismantling of ships. If accessible, it’s a sight to behold.
What to Capture: Ship dismantling process, large vessels, and the workers involved.
Bandra’s Industrial Estates
Description: A mix of old factories and modern offices, these industrial estates are often overlooked but provide a gritty yet artistic backdrop.
What to Capture: Factory architecture, street art, and the juxtaposition of industry and urban life.
Kurla’s Fabric Markets
Description: Kurla has several wholesale fabric markets where you can explore vibrant textiles and the hustle of local merchants.
What to Capture: Rolls of fabric, vendors in action, and the colorful displays of textiles.
Dahisar’s Scrap Metal Yard
Description: This area is filled with scrap dealers and recycling units where various metals are processed.
What to Capture: Piles of scrap metal, the recycling process, and the gritty charm of the yard.
Wadala’s Sugar Factory
Description: An old sugar factory that showcases the sugar manufacturing process and its historical significance.
What to Capture: Sugar processing machinery, the factory layout, and the raw materials used.
Andheri East’s Printing Presses
Description: Home to various printing units, this area provides insights into the printing industry and its vibrant processes.
What to Capture: Printing machines, colorful prints in progress, and the hustle of the printing environment.
Akurli’s Tile Manufacturing Units
Description: Explore small-scale tile manufacturing units that create beautiful ceramic tiles with traditional methods.
What to Capture: Tile designs, the production process, and the artisans at work.
Sewri’s Oil Refinery Area
Description: An industrial area with oil refineries, offering a glimpse into the energy sector’s functioning.
What to Capture: Industrial structures, pipelines, and workers engaged in various tasks.
Thane’s Vasai Fort
Description: A historical fort that also served as a vantage point for the surrounding industrial areas, offering a unique perspective on urban development.
What to Capture: The fort’s architecture, views of the industrial landscape, and local flora.
Dadar’s Electronic Waste Recycling
Description: Visit local workshops where electronic waste is recycled and repurposed. This area provides a unique look at sustainability practices.
What to Capture: E-waste processes, colorful components, and the workers involved in recycling.
Kandivali’s Plastic Factory
Description: A factory that focuses on manufacturing various plastic products, showcasing the industrial side of plastic production.
What to Capture: Production lines, plastic items in various stages, and the workers.
Malad’s Fadnavis Bangle Market
Description: A bustling market dedicated to traditional bangles, showcasing local craftsmanship and vibrant designs.
What to Capture: Colorful bangles, vendors, and the lively market atmosphere.
Dharavi’s Leather Tanning Units
Description: Dharavi is known for its leather industry. Visit the small-scale tanneries to see the entire process of leather making.
What to Capture: Leather production processes, artisans at work, and finished products.
Kalyan’s Small-Scale Factories
Description: Various small factories produce goods ranging from textiles to metal products. Each has its own unique charm and character.
What to Capture: Factory interiors, products being made, and the industrial atmosphere.
Lower Parel’s New Industrial Spaces
Description: The transformation of old mills into trendy offices and creative spaces while retaining industrial aesthetics.
What to Capture: Mill architecture, contemporary adaptations, and artistic installations.
Goregaon’s Printing and Packaging Units
Description: This area is known for various printing and packaging companies, showcasing the production of goods.
What to Capture: Packaging lines, printing processes, and vibrant colors.
Vasai’s Pottery Workshops
Description: Explore traditional pottery-making workshops that still practice ancient techniques in a modern context.
What to Capture: Potters shaping clay, finished pottery, and the crafting process.
Kandivali’s Old Brick Kilns
Description: These traditional brick kilns still operate in some areas, providing a unique glimpse into brick-making processes.
What to Capture: Kilns in action, stacks of bricks, and the workers involved.
Malad’s Garment Factories
Description: This area is home to various garment factories that produce clothing for local and international markets.
What to Capture: Sewing machines, fabric rolls, and the bustling environment of garment production.
Mankhurd’s Iron and Steel Shops
Description: A neighborhood with small iron and steel shops where you can see raw materials and the various products being manufactured.
What to Capture: Steel products, welding processes, and the workshop environment.
Mahim’s Fish Processing Units
Description: Explore local fish processing units that handle fresh catches, providing insight into the seafood supply chain.
What to Capture: Fish processing activities, vibrant displays of seafood, and the workers engaged in the industry.
Mumbai’s Urban Farms
Description: Some urban farms operate in unexpected places, showcasing the blend of agriculture within the city.
What to Capture: Farm activities, crops being grown, and community interactions.
Ghatkopar’s Tea and Coffee Processing Units
Description: Small processing units where tea and coffee are prepared, offering a look at local beverage production.
What to Capture: Tea leaves, coffee beans, and the processing methods.
Wadala’s Spice Markets
Description: Wadala has vibrant spice markets where you can explore the trade of spices and dried herbs.
What to Capture: Colorful spice displays, vendors, and the bustling atmosphere of the market.
Dadar’s Chemical Factories
Description: Explore small-scale chemical manufacturing units where various chemicals are produced.
What to Capture: Production processes, chemical containers, and the industrial environment.
Mumbai’s Auto Parts Shops in Ghatkopar
Description: This area features numerous auto parts shops where you can find everything from engine parts to accessories.
What to Capture: Auto parts, mechanics at work, and the lively market scene.
Shivaji Park’s Local Workshops
Description: Small workshops around the Shivaji Park area that offer a variety of services and crafts.
What to Capture: Artisan work, tools of the trade, and the local culture.
Bandra’s Glass and Mirror Shops
Description: Explore local glass and mirror manufacturing shops where you can see the crafting process.
What to Capture: Glass products, the reflection of the bustling street life, and artisans working.
Versova’s Fishing Community
Description: Visit the fishing community in Versova, which offers a glimpse into traditional fishing methods and lifestyle.
What to Capture: Fishing nets, boats, and the daily lives of fishermen.
Sewri’s Salt Pans
Description: While not strictly industrial, the mudflats and salt pans offer a unique view of the ecosystem and local industry.
What to Capture: Flamingos during migration, salt harvesting, and the landscape.
Mumbai’s Old Jute Mills
Description: Explore the remnants of old jute mills that once thrived in Mumbai, showcasing the city’s industrial history.
What to Capture: Mill structures, machinery, and industrial landscapes.
