Mumbai is a beautiful city to explore at all times of the year as there’s something different to try out every season. While monsoons are a time for enjoying chai, pakoras, and cozy corners, you should head out and explore the beauty of Mumbai during the rains at least once. With nature painting the city in hues of green, there are multiple things to do in Mumbai during monsoon. And no, these aren’t just limited to taking strolls in a garden or going on long drives. Here are some other interesting things that you can enjoy in Mumbai during monsoons.
One of the most popular attractions that is frequented by locals and tourists alike is the Gateway of India. While this is a location that you can visit all year round, there’s a special charm in witnessing the beauty of this place during monsoons. This heritage monument has a history of over 100 years and is well-maintained to date. The 26-meter tall monument is built in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture and can serve as the perfect backdrop for capturing some of your Gram-worthy photos.
You can witness the waves of the Arabian Sea gleefully gushing over the boundaries of the monument when it’s raining. While the ferry services at the Gateway of India might not be accessible during heavy spells of rainfall, you could check it out if the weather is comparatively pleasant or it’s just drizzling. The drops of rainfall splashing on the waves, as you ferry around the monument, will be an experience that shall make you fall in love with Mumbai all over again.
You may spot some local artists sketching outside the Gateway of India and also a few photographers ready to help you capture a moment that you could cherish forever. If you feel like it, don’t shy away from getting yourself clicked outside one of the most beautiful structures in Mumbai!
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Craving a bite and good vibes when the skies are pouring? Then an Irani cafè can very well be the place to be, and one of the most famous ones in Mumbai is B Merwan & Co. It’s located very close to Grant Road railway station and should definitely be visited once during the monsoons.
Founded over a hundred years ago, B Merwan & Co is among the best Irani cafès in Mumbai. The special Irani bun maska and chai accompanied by the old and rustic vintage vibes of this place are sure to make you feel at home. You should also try their egg bhurji and pudding which are sure to satisfy all of your hunger pangs. Now, you cannot talk about B Merwan & Co and not mention the amazing mawa cakes. These are super popular among everyone visiting the bakery and literally sell like hotcakes! If you wish to try some then make sure that you visit the cafè right when it opens.
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The Basilica, popularly known as Mount Mary Church, is located in Bandra. The church is more than 100 years old and is a popular pilgrimage site. But why visit Mount Mary Church specifically during monsoon? It’s because the Feast Day of Mother Mary is celebrated in the month of September. Popular among locals as the Bandra Fair, this time of the year is when loads of people, whether devout or not, come to visit for a peaceful time.
This Gothic revival architecture makes for a splendid view. The structure of the church is huge and the interiors have drawings of Jesus' life on the walls. During the Bandra Fair, you’ll see the church is crowded with people from all backgrounds. You can also attend masses in languages like English, Marathi, Hindi, and Tamil.
One of the main things to do at Mount Mary Church is shopping for handmade things like rosaries and wax candles. There are also a number of stalls set up for selling different kinds of items. Even though it’s the rainy season, the funfair is filled with rides for the children to enjoy, and there are multiple stalls selling mouth-watering snacks and sweets like halwa. When here during the monsoons, you can click pictures for the Gram or just enjoy the drizzling weather with a breathtaking view. If you’re traveling by the Mumbai local trains, you can get down at Bandra Junction and from there, you’ll easily get rickshaws or buses taking you directly to the Basilica.
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As the name suggests, this sea link connects the two major areas of Bandra and Worli together. The commute time between these two locations has drastically reduced after the construction of this bridge. Also known as the Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link, you get to witness some amazing views of the sea and the city at a distance as you drive through it.
There is a different charm in enjoying a long drive on this sea link during monsoon. Driving with the sound of the howling sea and the patter of rain on your windows can make for an amazing experience. You can choose to enjoy a drive with your friends or family, or even have a good time in your own company. Do keep in mind that two-wheelers and three-wheelers aren’t allowed on the sea link, so choose your transportation accordingly.
While driving on the Bandra-Worli Sea Link is fun, try doing it in the early mornings or late nights; the traffic in Mumbai is something you don’t want to trifle with! To all the photographers out there, you’re not allowed to stop and walk on the Sea Link. But if you want to take pictures of it, consider doing it from Narli Baug in Dadar, which again is an amazing place to visit in Mumbai during monsoon.
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Whether you’re visiting the City of Dreams especially during this season or you’re just looking for things to do in Mumbai during monsoon, you can definitely choose to visit Lalbaug. One of the main reasons for doing so is to enjoy the festive vibe of the city during Ganesh Chaturthi. This festival is usually celebrated during the months of August or September when the city is either experiencing the peak of the monsoon season or is in its receding stages.
Millions of devotees are seen coming to Lalbaug to seek Lord Ganesha's blessings in the span of 11 days of Ganesh Chaturthi. The Ganesha idol here, which is around 18-20 feet tall, is among the biggest idols in Mumbai. For a glimpse of Lord Ganesha and to seek blessings from him, there are people waiting in huge numbers in the queue.
You could also join in the procession during the Lalbaugcha Raja’s visarjan (idol immersion) ceremony on the last day of Ganesh Chaturthi, which happens at Girgaum Chowpatty. The air of fervor and celebration is one to be witnessed and experienced in person!
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There’s hardly anything that a stroll at Marine Drive cannot fix. After a stressful day of travel or a boring day at work, some peaceful time spent at Marine Drive will surely rejuvenate your mood. Just like some other parts of the city, Marine Drive or Queen’s Necklace (as it’s fondly called), has a different beauty to it during monsoons. Soak in the vibes as you take a walk alongside the promenade with the waves hitting the rocks.
To complete your experience of visiting Marine Drive during monsoon, don’t forget to sip on some hot cutting chai. You'll usually find sellers roaming alongside the promenade selling tea to visitors who are catching up on conversations. You might also find a bhutta or a chaat stall close by, and you wouldn't want to miss a chance of enjoying a cob of corn while the raindrops splatter around you. The views of Marine Drive during and after sunset are truly breathtaking, so do try and plan your visit around that time.
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Also known as Mumbai’s green lung, Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) is around 104 sq km of protected forest area. It’s located in Borivali and is a major tourist hotspot, especially among nature lovers and photographers. Being a green spot that truly blossoms, visiting SGNP is definitely among the things to do in Mumbai during monsoon.
There are tons of activities that you can enjoy at SGNP including hiking, cycling, boating, star gazing, etc. You can go on nature trails inside the park and spot different species of butterflies and some other animals like deer and leopards. Visiting the park during monsoons will definitely be worth it as you get to spot small streams, waterfalls, and a few other water bodies during your hike. SGNP is also a great picnic spot if you wish to laze around while the raindrops drizzle around you.
When visiting SGNP, don’t forget to trek to Kanheri Caves. These caves were a place for meditation for the Buddhist monks between the 2nd and the 9th century CE. You can see alluring carvings and sculptures on the walls and roofs of the caves that give you a glimpse into the rich Buddhist culture. For those who want an adrenaline rush, don’t forget to go trekking on the upper Kanheri trail that will let you explore the best of nature.
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When you talk about things to do in Mumbai during monsoon, the adventure-thirsty soul in you would also want to explore nature away from the chaos of this big city. That’s exactly when making this plan would make sense to you. Malshej Ghat is a perfect getaway in the monsoons with your friends and family. The ghat has breathtaking views to die for; the valleys, forests, and mountains are a great escape from the chaos of the city. For a rejuvenating experience, you ought to go exploring the beautiful ghat with nature so pleasant around you.
While the ghat has not a lot of things to do per se, the drive would be totally worth it and it also doubles as a scenic picnic spot. You’ll be mesmerized by the waterfalls and would want to soak in the views of the surrounding hills. The best way of getting here is to plan a road trip, but you can also choose to travel to Kalyan railway station and from there arrange for a private taxi.
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Summing Up
While our list is complete, there’s no dearth of other fun things to do in Mumbai during monsoon. Perhaps you’d want to curl up in bed with a good book, and we totally get that! But don’t just miss out on the adventures you could have. Carry your umbrellas and raincoats for your exploration, but do experience soaking in the rain if you get the chance to, as it will definitely make the season a memorable one for you!
What Are The Best Things To Do During Monsoon?
Going on hikes, treks, and long drives are among the best things to do during monsoon. In addition, you can enjoy a cup of hot chocolate in cafès or sip on some hot chai at a roadside tapri.
What Is Famous About The Rainy Season In Mumbai?
The famous things about Mumbai monsoons are taking a stroll on Marine Drive, visiting the Gateway of India, having tempting hot pakoras and vada pav, etc.
Is It Good To Visit Mumbai In Monsoon?
The Monsoon season is not really good for visiting Mumbai. But from August to October you will see Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri and Diwali celebrated with enthusiasm.
What Is The Speciality Of Mount Mary Church?
The Basilica Of Our Lady of Mount is a famous location in Mumbai that is frequented by thousands of devotees every year in the month of September. Apart from the devotees coming to seek blessings, Mount Mary is known for the Bandra Fair which has tourists coming from all over the world.
Which Ganpati Is Famous In Mumbai?
Lalbaugcha Raja is among the most famous Ganpati in the whole of Mumbai. The crowd goes all out during these 11 days for the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations and there are devotees who come in large numbers seeking blessings from Lord Ganesha.
What Was Unique About Gateway Of India?
The unique thing about the Gateway of India is that it is a monument built during the 20th century, making it over 100 years old, but it is still well-maintained. It’s one of the most famous tourist attractions in Mumbai that is visited all year round.
How Long Does Monsoon Last In Mumbai?
Monsoon in Mumbai usually lasts for 4 months from June to September. While some spells of showers hit the city during the month of June, it’s from the month of July that Mumbai experiences proper monsoons. By the end of September, the rains in the city start to recede marking the end of the monsoon season in Mumbai.
What Is Interesting About The Bandra-Worli Sea Link?
One of the first eight-lane bridges in Mumbai, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link is a 5.6 km long bridge. Interestingly, the weight of the bridge is similar to 50,000 African elephants. More than 40,000 vehicles pass by this route on a daily basis.
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