Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
cows. It was founded in the 18th century in response to the British approach to controlling
the city's many stray dogs and pigs, which was, according to the Panjrapole, to shoot
them. Cows were brought in to provide milk and eventually outnumbered the strays.
Today, 1500 cows are cared for in seven centres across Gujarat and Maharashtra. You can
wander around and pet the cows and calves and, for a small donation, feed them fresh
greens.
Mahalaxmi Temple
MAP
HINDU TEMPLE
GOOGLE MAP
It's only fitting that in money-mad Mumbai one of the busiest and most colourful temples
is dedicated to Mahalaxmi, the goddess of wealth. Perched on a headland, it is the focus
for Mumbai's Navratri (Festival of Nine Nights) celebrations in September/October.
Babu Amichand Panalal Adishwarji Jain Temple
(Walkeshwar, Malabar Hill; 5am-9pm)
This temple is renowned among Jains for its beauty; giv-
en how beautiful Jain temples are, that's saying a lot. Check out the paintings and espe-
cially the ecstatically colourful zodiac dome ceiling - you've never seen anything like it.
As this is a small temple, with usually a lot of prayer going on, tread lightly; you may
wish to refer to the helpful 'Dear Tourist' sign at the entrance for guidelines (which in-
clude modest dress).
JAIN TEMPLE
Nehru Centre
( 24964676-80;
www.nehru-centre.org
;
Dr Annie Besant Rd, Worli; Discovery of India admission free, planetarium
adult/child ?50/25; Tue-Sun, Discovery of India 11am-5pm, planetarium English show 3pm)
This cultural
complex includes a planetarium, theatre, gallery and an interesting history exhibition
Dis-
covery of India
. The architecture is striking: the tower looks like a giant cylindrical pine-
apple, the planetarium a UFO.
CULTURAL COMPLEX
Malabar Hill
(around BG Kher Marg)
Mumbai's most exclusive neighbourhood of sky-scratchers and private
palaces, Malabar Hill is at the northern promontory of Back Bay. Surprisingly, one of
Mumbai's most sacred and tranquil oases lies concealed amongst apartment blocks at its
southern tip:
Banganga Tank
is a precinct of serene temples, bathing pilgrims, meandering,
traffic-free streets and picturesque old dharamsalas (pilgrims' rest houses). The wooden
pole in the centre of the tank is the centre of the earth: according to legend, Lord Ram cre-
AREA
