ART AND MUSEUMS, Mumbai

Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum is arguably one of Mumbai's top 2 museums, if not its best. It was originally known as the Victoria and Albert Museum and having opened in 1872, is Mumbai's oldest museum.

The museum is open and airy. Spread over two floors, there are over 6,000 artifacts in the museum - including crafts of India - paintings, pottery, intricate ivory carvings, wood carvings, marble statues, sculptures, bronze statues of deities, etc. My favorite section - on the second floor - clay models of different Indian communities - wonderful detail and fascinating insight into life in India!

The museum also houses a rare collection of items relating to the history of Mumbai including photographs, maps, paintings, and models. I loved the old photos.

The museum was recently restored. I have visited twice - once before its recent renovation and once after - and found this to be a treasure of a museum. I loved it the first time, but the renovation is splendid. A special aritsan family did the 18 karat gold gilding and stenciling - be sure to take a look at the beautiful pillars and gilded staircase. Notice the Minton tiles which were acquired from a Parsi company, the only one that produces these ornate tiles today. Be sure to admire the ceiling.

Its slightly out of the way location may be the reason there aren't more visitors. It's located in the Byculla area of Mumbai and although you can reach by bus or train, you may want to take a taxi instead. It's located next to the zoo, but I would definitely give the zoo a miss!

Hours:

Open Mon-Tue,Thu-Sun 10am-5:30pm

Admission:

Foreigners: Rs 100, Indian Nationals: Rs 10

No Photos Allowed

Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, which used to be called Prince of Wales Museum, is the biggest museum in Mumbai with excellent exhibitions of sculptures, Indian miniature paintings, some European paintings, artefacts from Nepal and Tibet, porcelain and ivory from Japan and China, weapons and much more. There is also a section with stuffed animals. All together the museum has got about 50 000 artefacts in its possession. It is also worth to take a closer look at the building itself. It is constructed in Indo-Saracenic style by the architect George Wittet. The building was completed in 1914, but it was not until 1922 it was opened up to the public as a museum. Surrounding the museum there is a nice garden.

Admission for foreigners is Rs 300 (June 2010), but then an audio guide is included in the price. You also get a brochure with a map of the museum. I was allowed to carry my handbag around the museum, but the water bottle had to be left at the security check (I later picked it up on my way out ).

The museum is open between 10.15 - 18.00 on Tuesday - Sunday.

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Mount Mary Church is considered to be the oldest in Mumbai city of India. It is situated in the West Bandra, past Hill Road, and was built initially around 1640. There are many beliefs connected with the destruction of the church, which was finally rebuilt in 1761. Mt Mary's Church is very popular amongst the natives of the city and has been visited by everyone some time or the other. Apart from the main statue, there is another statue of Mother Mary installed outside the church, in front of which people light candles and pray for the welfare of their near and dear ones.
Located on a hillock, at a height of about 80 m above sea level, Mother Mary Church overlooks the splashing waters of the Arabian Sea. It is thronged by millions of devotees every year and even boasts of miraculous powers which have further strengthened the faith of the pilgrims. The Church is a venerated spot for the people of all religions. Apart from its spiritual fervor, it is also a picturesque location to enjoy the scenic beauty around. The view of serene sunsets and calm waters of the sea from the hillock are awe inspiring.

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Planetarium, Discovery of India, Art Gallery, Antique Exhibits ,
Inside the planetarium, there are several cubicles that can guesstimate your weight on each of the nine planets of the Solar System.
Adjoining it is the Nehru Centre, which has facets like art gallery, restaurant, library, cultural center and a 14-gallery exhibit known as Discovery of India. Thus, Nehru Planetarium provides an insight into the cosmic world and serves as a platform for budding astronomers.

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Located on leafy Laburnum Road, a quiet lane named after its shady trees, Mani Bhavan is the old Mumbai residence of Mahatma Gandhi. It's a pretty, two-storied structure that now houses a reference library with over 2000 books, a photo exhibition of the Mahatma's life, and well preserved memorabilia, including an old charkha or spinning wheel that Gandhiji used to use.
Today, its only a symbolic exhibit that lies unused, but many old Gandhians still visit the place to pay homage to their hero and demonstrate the noble art of spinning your own yarn !!!!

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Bombay's main art gallery, just next to the Prince of Wales Museum, displays changing exhibits by well-known Indian artists. There's plenty of art to be seen outside as well, as the plaza in front of the building is full of artists offering their works for sale and their talents for commission assignments.

Jehangir Art Gallery is the biggest and most famous Indian art gallery. It was built in 1952 by Sir Cowasji Jehnagir.

There are four exhibit halls with works by some very well-known artists. One hall has works that change frequently so there is always something new to see. Both times we have been there the artist has been available for discussion or questions, which is really nice.

There is an antique shop inside the art gallery, along with its famous cafe, Samovar.

The sidewalks outside the gallery are full of artists selling their art. Support a local artist and take home a nice souvenir!

There are several art galleries in the area.

Each year in February just outside the gallery is the Kala Ghoda Art Festival. The next one is Feb. 6-10, 2010. It's always alot of fun with some very interesting art.

Entry is free

Hours: Monday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

The National Gallery of Modern Art is currently home to an exhibition called "SOAK". The theme of this exhibition is the severe Monsoon floods (the rains of July 26, 2005, more than 940mm in one day), and has the subtitle Mumbai in an Estuary
It is very informative, but often more technical information than ''art''. One also get very good history of how Bombay developed into the city it is now.

The website listed below gives very good info about SOAK.

Entrance: Rs150
Open Tue - Sun, 11h00 - 18h00