Lesser Known Facts about the City of Dreams: Mumbai

The city that is home to more than 12 million people, Mumbai, earlier known as Bombay, is regarded as one of the nerve centers of India. It is the commercial and entertainment capital of the country. Popularly known as the city that never sleeps, Mumbai is home to the Bollywood film industry. This city also generates about 25% of India’s industrial output. 

Every year a huge number of travelers come to this city, where Parses, Hindus, Christians, Muslims and Jews co-exist peacefully. The city’s extensively planned road and rail network, along with the International airport, further make it the most accessible part of India.

Amazing Offers 

 

If you decide to fly to Mumbai or anywhere else in the country, don’t forget to check out Vistara’s Affordable Luxury suite of products. Leisure travel has become more affordable now, with attractive Business Class and Premium Economy fares from Vistara. All you have to do is to plan and book in advance or travel on weekends. If you book 30 days or more in advance, the Affordable Luxury program offers you up to 60% discount for Business Class and up to 40% discount for Premium Economy relative to last minute fares.

Amazing Facts about Mumbai

• Mumbai is named after a Goddess: The city has been named after Goddess Mumba Devi.
• The city has the largest theme park, Imagica: Situated on the Mumbai-Pune highway, Imagica is the only theme park in India built on international standards.
• Badra-Worli sea link is an architectural wonder: The 5,600 metre cable based bridge that connects the western suburbs of Mumbai with the southern suburbs is indeed an architectural marvel.
• Home to India’s first bus network: Mumbai is the first Indian city to get the well-established bus service system, known as BEST, in 1905, which is in service till date.
• City’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) is India’s first railway station: CST was the first ever railway station constructed in India. It opened in 1888 and is today a UNESCO world historic site.
• The first Indian to own a car was a Mumbaikar: City’s Jamshedji Tata was the first Indian to own a car.
• The city has the longest coastline: The city has the longest coastline of 129 kms.
• Khargar’s central park is largest in Asia: An urban park in the city covering 119 hectares, this central park is the largest in Asia and third largest in the world.
• The city comprises of seven islands: The current city of Mumbai consists of Worli, Bombay, Mazagaon, Parel, Little Colaba and Colaba, which were seven distinct islands before their merger to form one city. It took more than 60 years to merge the seven islands.
• Mumbai is home to the largest and most expensive slums: Dharavi in Mumbai is not only the largest slum area of Asia but also the most expensive one. Aa house here can cost you a few lakhs!
• Bollywood’s initials were taken from the city’s name itself: The city is home to the Bollywood film industry, a name that was taken from the name Bombay.

Having learned all this about this city, aren’t you excited to explore it? If yes, book domestic flight ticket early and take advantage of Vistara’s Affordable Luxury offers.

Mind Blowing Facts about Lucknow for First Time Visitors

Lucknow is an ancient Indian city that is a cultural potboiler, offering unique food, music, art, and handicrafts. The Nawabs, who ruled Lucknow for centuries and gave it the much talked about Nawabi style, were great patrons of the fine arts. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was very fond of the classical dance form of Kathak, which traces its roots to Lucknow. Lachhu Maharaj, Achhchan Maharaj, Shambhu Maharaj and Birju Maharaj are some reputed names who have kept the tradition of Kathak alive. Akhtari Bai Faizabadi, who later came to be known as the renowned Begum Akhtar, also made Lucknow her home. Her ghazals and thumris never fail to move the listener.

Kathak enthusiasts in Delhi should travel to Lucknow with domestic flights on offer, to enjoy the dance performances of their favorite artists. 

The Nawabi Style

 

It is said that it is the music, culture and monuments that speak of the Nawabi style of Lucknow. The city has been synonymous with Nazakat and Nafasat. Lucknow was ruled by the Delhi Sultanate, taken over by the Mughals and later looked after by the Nawabs. Little wonder then that it offers a real royal feel.

Gourmet Delights, Especially for Non-Vegetarians

Awadhi cuisine is native to the city of Lucknow, where the dum style of cooking or the art of cooking over a slow fire was given birth to. In Lucknow, you get to choose from a wide variety of kebabs, 18-layered parathas, succulent naans, mouth-watering kachoris, creamy kulfis and more. The famous Galoti kebab was created right here. These are made of tenderized meat whipped to a creamy consistency, and simply melt in the mouth. Once they are placed before the person, the aroma is enough to get your mouth watering!

 

Shopper's Delight

Lucknow is known for embroidery works like chikankari, zari, zardozi, kamdani, gota making, etc. Authentic Chikankari, a 400 year old embroidery style unique to this city, has myriad delicate stitches, to be precise, ten different kinds, which are traditionally embroidered with white cotton thread on thin cotton or muslin fabric to suit the hot weather. It has now evolved to suit the modern tastes but nothing beats the age old workmanship or kaarigari of the artisans here. Zardozi embroidery was done during the times of the Nawabs to create magic on cloth with golden zari thread work. Even today, when you wear garments with this work, you feel like royalty.

Lucknow is a cultural delight. If you too want to be a part of it, book yourself in one of the Delhi to Lucknow flights and experience a royal holiday.