Nindia 2013

Nindia is short for Nepal and India, a 20 week trip we did in the first half of 2013.

We started and finished in Mumbai, travelling via Karnataka, Hampi and Hyderabad to the shores of Orissa before heading North to Nepal where we stayed 2 months, with a long trek in the Everest region.

From Kathmandu, we toured Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh before catching our plane back home.

A vibrant and tiring trip, full of impressions and memories.

Full map of all Nindia 2013 pages

Other Things

Thinking of our next destination: Italy and Portugal come to mind, or maybe the time has finally come for a US road trip…

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Highlights of Mumbai

(vero;2019-Feb-28)

The Portuguese ceded the islands of “Bom Bahia” to the British Crown in 1661, as part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza when she married king Charles II. The islands were then leased for a pitance to the East India Company in 1664, marking the start of Mumbai's development as an important trading post and establishing the city as headquarters of the Bombay Presidency some 20 years later. So it is no wonder that the British have left their mark on the architecture of the city with their imposing Victorian buildings and institutions. The city has kept growing over the years, attracting people from all over India, and transformed itself into a vibrant sprawling metropolis. This photo gallery concentrates mostly on the touristy and highly photogenic Colaba and Fort areas (the old British quarters) which are splendid examples of British Victorian architecture in India, but strolling through the city's other quarters is also very rewarding.

We have also a photo gallery dedicated to the Mahalaxmi dhobi ghats, where a lot of Mumbai's washing is still being done and which we visited in 2015.

Although only inaugurated in 1924, the Gateway of India was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911. The monument has been used as a landing place for British governors and other prominent people and at the time of sea travel, it was the first structure that visitors would see when arriving in Mumbai. The last British troops to leave India following independence passed through the Gateway on February 28, 1948, a strong symbol of the end of British rule.

The Taj Mahal Hotel facing the sea and the Gateway of India was built in 1903 by the Parsi industrialist Jamshedji Tata after he had been barred from entering the “Whites Only” Watsons Hotel.

A glimpse of the Taj Mahal Hotel through one of the side arches of the Gateway to India.

Panorama picture of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station, formerly called Victoria Terminus. This imposing building, completed in 1888 and named to commemorate Queen's Victoria Golden Jubilee, has been built like many others in Mumbai in Gothic style. You can visit this website for some details on history and architecture. Click on the square next to the right arrow of the gallery to expand the panorama picture to its real size and view it in full detail.

Victoria Terminus by night. The monument has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004.

The Municipal Corporation Building is located next to Victoria Terminus. Completed in 1893 it is still the seat of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai.

Oriental Buildings, designed for the Oriental Life Assurance company and built from 1893 to 1896.

The David Sassoon Library was completed in 1870 to house the Mechanics' Institution (founded in 1847) whose aim was to promote education and training of the European employees working in the Government Mint and the Dockyard.

Churchgate Terminus. Designed by Frederick William Stevens (1847-1900), the architect who also designed the Municipal Corporation Building, it was inaugurated in 1899 and was the terminus of the Western Railway. A new modern station has been built across the road and the building houses now the headquarters of Western Railway.

The University of Mumbai, an interesting mix of Italian, French and Gothic architecture.

All Mumbai's Gothic styled buildings are adorned with intricate and playful motives such as this one spotted on the facade of Victoria Terminus.

Assorted gargoyles and carvings. Top right and bottom left: the University. Top left and bottom right: Victoria Terminus.

Left: Justice crowning the High Court. Right: a beast from Victoria Terminus.

View from the Maidan: left the High Court, the second largest building in the city and right the Rajabai Clock Tower (78 m) towering above the University building, with the white building of Mumbai Stock Exchange behind it.

Cricket players on Mumbai's Oval Maidan.

The Prince of Wales Museum. Founded in 1904, it was completed in 1914 but only opened as a museum in 1922, as it was put to other uses during and after WWI.

The old townhall, finished in 1833 in neo-classical style, houses today the Asiatic Society of Mumbai.

Flora Fountain by night (completed 1869).

Now for something completely different… The New India Insurance Building in Art-Déco style (1936).

There are many Art-Déco buildings in the south western part of the Churchgate area. This picture shows the facade of the Eros cinema (opened 1938).

One of the many Victorian buildings lining the streets of Mumbai.

Many, such as this one, are in bad need of repair. Others have fallen into dereliction, are occupied by squatters or simply boarded up.

Detail of the intricately carved balconies of a house on the streets of Mumbai.

Fancy stepping out on your balcony and finding yourself in the howdah of an elephant?

Crawford Market completed in 1869 is still used as a daily food market.

Detail of a carving over the entrance to Crawford Market.

The Haji Ali Mosque was erected over the tomb of a 15th century saint who gave up his wealth before a pilgrimage to Mecca. Approached by a causeway submerged at high tide, the mosque is an attractive sight and highly atmospheric as many pilgrims come here to pay their respects and pray.

Haji Ali Mosque with the high-rise buildings of Mumbai in the background.

Heading North from Crawford Market, one comes across busy streets lined with shops, stalls and carts laden with goods and will eventually emerge in front of the Jama Masjid.

The area around the Jama Masjid is busy and pleasant, definitely worth a stroll.

The colourful interior of Babu Amichand Panalal Adishwarji Jain Temple. It is located in Walkeshwar, a pleasant residential area of Malabar Hill, not far from the Hanging Gardens and Kamala Nehru Park, a peaceful and relaxed area, a world apart from the bustle of downtown Mumbai.

Back to Churchgate with the bright blue Knesseth Eliyahoo Synagogue. It was built in 1884 by the Sassoon family and is still used by the dwindling Jewish community.

St Thomas' Cathedral, one of the oldest buildings in Mumbai. The first stone was laid in 1676 but the church was not consecrated until 1718. It gave the area the name of Churchgate as the entrance to St Thomas functioned as entry gate to the fort which the East India Company had built to protect their settlement.

Inside St Thomas Cathedral. We loved going there for a bit of respite from the heat and humidity, pausing a while under the big fans and soaking up the stillness of the place.

The cathedral is like an history book of British colonisation. Tombstones and plaques commemorate former visitors and citizens, some of them telling stories of war and glory while many others remember tragic destinies and early deaths.

Panorama picture of modern Mumbai seen from the sea on the way back from Elephanta Island. Click on the square next to the right arrow of the gallery to expand the panorama picture to its real size and view it in full detail.

Go back to Residency Hyderabad or go on to Nepal's lost railway line or go up to Photos