PROMENADES, Mumbai

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Located northwest of South Bombay, Bandra is one of the wealthiest suburbs/ neighbourhoods in greater Mumbai. It was once a completely separate port town from Bombay, but rapid urban growth swallowed it into the agglomeration. Bandra has become the neighbourhood of choice for many rising upper-middle class locals as well as Bollywood's flashiest stars, making the town a place with numerous restaurants and a vibrant nightlife. In addition, the promenade along the water is quite beautiful and scenic. However, not all is new at Bandra. The area was inhabited long before the Portuguese captured it in 1543, along with the rest of the shore, but when the Brits took over Bombay to the south, Bandra remained a Portuguese colony until they were driven out in the 18th century. As a result, Bandra has historically been a mostly Catholic neighbourhood, with the highest concentration of Catholic churches in greater Bombay and some of the oldest. Today's Bandra is known for religious tolerance and has attracted Moslems, Hindus and other communities. From south Bombay, with traffic, a taxi ride will take about 45 minutes, but is well worth the day trip.