The “City of Dreams” – this large bustling mega-metropolis on the shores of the Arabian Sea, has been a magnet for streams of dreamers and entrepreneurs, seekers of work and peddlers of cons and icons. What stands out about its magnetism is that all of them imbibe of its amazing ability to rise above everything and plunge afresh into its creed of the business of living. And presiding over all this is Mumbai Devi, its patron goddess.
They, in turn, have left an indelible stamp on the culture of this great city which defines its distinctive appeal to all those who follow in their footsteps. The chance to uncover some aspects of the mercurial character of the city presents itself best at dawn when the great city bestirs itself for the new day.
Mumbai by Dawn is a cultural odyssey that pays homage to the spirit of Mumbai and salutes the people who have embraced it for having not only enriched their lives but also given them the purpose of making a better life for themselves and their loved ones.
The tour kicks off amidst the clamorous atmospherics of the docks, deeply imbued with the culture of the Koli fisher-folk, Mumbai’s original inhabitants. While witnessing a one-of-its-kind fish auction, you’ll find yourself surrounded by thousands of illiterate vendors sorting out newspapers of seven different languages that need to be reached to thousands of homes in the city.
You will unravel to the logistics of the food distribution in the city as 100 tonnes of meat, fruits and vegetables enter the various markets. At the flower market, the riot of colour and fragrances vies for attention with the line-up of glistening fresh offerings of the mandi’ on a popular bridge, from thousands of vendors. Walking by a few hours later you will find no sight or sound of this amazing phenomenon.
We end the tour with a walk across a cricket ground and learn all about the game that has captured the hearts of a billion people.
All this comes at a price – Waking up at 5.15 am for one.