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Mumbai (Bombay) Events

Navratri

The nine-day Hindu 'Festival of Nine Nights' celebrates the goddess Durga with dances, song and worship.

Date: 22 March 2023 - 31 March 2023
Venue: Throughout the city.
Cost:

Free.


Independence Day

National holiday to celebrate India's independence from British rule.

Date: 15 August 2023 - 15 August 2023
Venue: Throughout the city.
Cost:

Free.


Ganesh Chaturthi

Mumbai's biggest festival held in celebration of Ganesh, the elephant-headed deity and god of wisdom and prosperity. The festival's colourful climax involves thousands of people converging on the seashore to submerge their Ganesh statues in the sea.

Date: 19 September 2023 - 19 September 2023
Venue: Climaxes on Chowpatty Beach.
Cost:

Free.


Diwali (Festival of Light)

The five-day 'Festival of Lights' is the most pan-Indian of Hindu festivals and is celebrated by giving gifts, lighting fireworks, and burning butter and oil lamps to lead Lord Rama home after his 14-year exile.

Date: 12 November 2023 - 12 November 2023
Venue: Throughout the city.
Cost:

Free.


Banganga Music Festival

Banganga Festival is celebrated for two days in the picturesque Malabar Hills and takes its name from a sacred water tank in Walkeshwar Temple, linking to the legends of Lord Ram. This is celebrated with a cultural extravaganza with the focus on live classical music concerts.

Date: 01 January 2024 - 31 January 2024
(Date to be confirmed)
Venue: Malabar Hills.
Website: http://www.mumbai.org.uk/banganga-festival.html

Kala Ghoda Festival

Held in the Kala Ghoda area of south Mumbai, this nine-day arts festival is becoming increasingly popular and offers dance, music, theatre, cinema, workshops, heritage walks, food and more.

Date: 01 February 2024 - 29 February 2024
(Date to be confirmed)
Venue: Venues in Kala Ghoda.
Website: https://kalaghodaassociation.com/

McDowell Indian Derby

First staged in 1943, this is one of the premier sporting events in the city and one of the biggest events on Mumbai's social calendar.

Date: 01 February 2024 - 29 February 2024
(Date to be confirmed)

Holi

Hindu festival of harvest and fertility when the streets are overrun with people bombarding each other (and stray tourists) with brightly coloured powder and water.

Date: 25 March 2024 - 25 March 2024
Venue: Throughout the city.
Cost:

Free.


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Each floor has its own theme at this boutique hotel located just behind Apollo Bunder. Decorated in Mediterranean, Scandinavian or country cottage styles, the rooms are charming without being twee, with plenty of modern gadgets and positively 5-star bathrooms. There's also a bar and the popular Poly Esther's nightclub onsite. Light sleepers should avoid rooms adjoining the club.

Taj Mahal Palace & Tower

A Mumbai institution since 1903 the Taj has played host to Maharajas and monarchs movie stars and media moguls. Built in striking Indo-Saracenic style this grand hotel was extensively damaged during the 2008 terrorist attacks but an artful renovation has removed all traces of the disaster. For more than a century this has been the epitome of luxury in Mumbai with graceful vaulted ceilings tall archways fine carpets and crystal chandeliers. The Taj also houses some of Mumbai's best restaurants plus luxury shops a nightclub and outdoor pool gym and even its very own fortune teller.

Traveller's Inn

Set on a leafy road in Fort, Traveller's Inn has just 21 rooms, which are small but clean and excellent value. There are inexpensive dorms and better private rooms, and the staff are friendly and accommodating. There's also free wireless internet access in the lobby. Located close to many good value restaurants.

Hotel Oasis

Rooms are compact but tastefully decorated at this inexpensive 30-room hotel in a handy location in Fort, just a short hop from Victoria Terminus and Horniman Circle. For a reasonable price, you'll get a TV, air-conditioning and an en suite bathroom. There are numerous dining options on the neighbouring streets.

Residency Hotel

The atmosphere in Fort is a bit less frantic and a bit more business-like than in Colaba, and the Residency makes a perfect base from which to explore. Rooms are modern and comfortable and decorated in calming colours, with pictures of historic Mumbai on the walls. There's also a cute little café, where breakfast is served.

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A comfortable resort-style hotel along lively Juhu beach, the Bawa Continental offers neat rooms, some with grandstand views over the beach and Arabian Sea. Although a hike from the historic centre, Juhu is much calmer than Fort or Colaba, with plenty of upscale restaurants and bars within walking distance. Rooms have TVs, air-con and Wi-Fi (for a charge), and there's a Starbucks on site.