The monsoon is here, with the climate getting lazy and romantic on one side, while we can hear our mommies and grannies yelling at us to stay indoors on the other side. After months of torturous heat and humidity of the summer, as the water from the heavenly skies kisses the ground, the fragrance of the mud refreshes us.
I like to spend my monsoon sipping on to steaming hot tea or at times hot chocolate shakes, sitting in my balcony, while my computer plays my favorite tracks. ‘DIVINE’ I say. My granny is of the typical strict type who would never allow me to drench out in the rains. But, somehow my gang comes over and convinces her to let me out with them.
Monsoon in Mumbai is a complete different scenario. You need to fight your way off the water logged roads to reach your destination, worrying not to step in to the open manholes. This indeed is a city of wonders, where the BMC usually fails to clean the sewage system prior monsoon, leading to flooding in the city.
To let the water seep back in to the gutters, the manholes are usually kept open at some places, which often go unrecognized due to the floods, pulling people in to them, whose bodies are found on the other coast of the city, waiting to be rescued by the BMC officials. Apart from this dark side, the rains also bring in a magical effect in to the city. I have come up with five destinations in this city, which are familiar to you all, to visit during these monsoon showers.
1. Marine Drive-
Popularly known as the ‘Queens Necklace’ due to its row of shimmering lights, this three kilometer circumference of Marine Drive is the most visited place in South Bombay. You can join the rest of the Mumbaikars and enjoy the thrills of the heavy rains under the dark sky. If you visit this place during the high tides, be prepared to be sprayed with the waves that hit the cement coated rocks hard.
 2. Gateway of India-
What could be more pleasing than a fascinating boat ride during the monsoon. While in the midst of the Arabian Sea, you can hear the loud roaring waves dancing to the tunes of the rains.
3. Worli Seaface-
If you cannot manage to reach the Marine Drive, head for the Worli Seaface, which is the next big thing during the monsoon. With a clean path constructed for the pedestrians, you can either have a quiet long walk along the path or sit there enjoying the high tides lashing the rocks.
4. Juhu Beach-
Nothing can beat the fun at Juhu Beach during the monsoons. You can enjoy all sorts of snacks here, ranging from a chaat to pav bhaji. But having a hot steaming bhutta while straddling along the shoreline is a pleasure in its own. People here are a huge fans of the bhutta wala, thronging him for this economical monsoon snack.
5. Bandra Bandstand-
Usually there are a number of couples who flock the Bandstand. But the aura of the monsoon showers attracts them here in large numbers. You will still find a place for yourself amidst the lovebirds. While you are here, do check out the ‘Walk of Stars’, featuring the hand prints of the famous Bollywood actors and actresses.
After this long tiring day, a plate of hot onion pakodas with a steaming hot cup of tea toh banta hai boss… The Indian monsoon is incomplete with this over rated traditional monsoon bite.
– Urvashi Shah
3 Comments