Mumbai Weekend Destinations - 1

Apart from being the business center of India, Mumbai is also know for its tourist attractions and travel destinations. This city is full of excitement energy and enthusiasm. Mumbai displays a cosmopolitan character, which reflects in its cuisine, culture, inhabitants, and language. Beaches, hill stations, caves, water sports, world class hotels etc... make Mumbai one of the popular travel destinations and a favourite weekend location.

Elephanta Caves

The Elephanta Caves are great tourist attraction in the vicinity of the large Mumbai metropolis. About ten kilometers north east of Apollo Bunder lies the island of Elephanta, the glorious abode of Lord Shiva. An epitome of Hindu cave culture, Elephanta consists of seven caves of which the most notable is the Mahesa-murti cave. The pillars and reliefs in the cave are gigantic in scale. Set in various niches are a number of large reliefs depicting different aspects of Shaivaite iconography. The Elephanta Caves are characterised by rock temples carved out of two hills that emerge from the center of the island. It is said that the Portuguese named this island after the stone elephant they found there. At Elephanta you can see the cave shrine of Lord Shiva, which belongs to the sixth century, and a massive three-headed sculpture representing Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. You can also find the other interesting sculptures which foretell the marriage of Shiva and Parvati. At Elephanta caves you can see one of the most perfect expressions of Indian art. You can avail a boat from the Gateway of India to reach Elephanta caves.

Lonavla

Lonavala is a Hill station in Maharashtra which is also known as the jewel of the Sahyadri Mountains. This is such a place where nature is present in all its splendor. A popular health resort in the western ranges on the sahyadri, this hill station is situated on a height of 625 mtrs above sea level and is a popular gateway from Mumbai and Pune. It also serves as a starting point for tourists interested in visiting the famous, ancient Buddhist rock cut caves of Bhaja and Karla, which are located near this hill station. Lonavala is located at a distance of 120 kilometers from Mumbai. Quite close to Mumbai and Khandala, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Maharashtra. Ideal for a day or weekend trip, Lonavla is beautiful and cool hill station decorated with gurgling streams and quiet glided walks. The waterfalls of Tungarly or trek up to the Duke's Nose, a gigantic hillock, will also give you the complete feeling of being close to mother nature.

Juhu Beach

Juhu beach is one of the attractive beaches of Mumbai. Juhu is a beautiful beach, which gets strokes of turquoise waves day and night. Located in the central suburb of Mumbai, this coastline acts as a coolant to your worries and tensions. One can access this unruffled beach from Vile Parle, Santa Cruz and Andheri as well. It's the pre-eminent place to view spectacular sunsets, when the ceaseless horizon appears splendidly tinted in shades of red and orange. This lovely sight of the sun descending into the vast Arabian Sea, presents an amazing vista that is hard to forget. It is a popular place to spend time in the evenings and enjoy the appetizing local snacks of Mumbai. On weekends, it become an extravaganza in presence of vendors, toy sellers, horse and donkey rides, dancing monkeys, acrobats and cricket matches. Juhu Beach is frequently visited by score of people round the year. Located 18-km north of the city center, it is a major beach site on the shores of Arabian Sea and is one of the posh localities of Mumbai.