1. Basilica Of Our Lady Of The Mount Church:
This 100-year-old Roman Catholic basilica located on a hillock in Bandra overlooks the Arabian Sea.
It attracts devotees from all faiths who come to pray and seek blessings from Mother Mary.
The church has been built in the Neo-Gothic style of architecture.
A week-long festival takes place here in September to celebrate Mother Mary’s birthday. Known as the Bandra Fair, thousands of devotees come here during that time to partake in the festive activities that take place in and around the beautifully decorated church. Many stalls selling religious artefacts, curios, candles and baked goodness are also set up.
2. Bhandardara:
A beautiful village nestled amongst the vast and green hilly ranges of the Western Ghats, Bhandardara is a trekker’s paradise.
With its bright blue skies, green paddy fields, cascading waterfalls and surrounding blue-green hills, this quaint hamlet acts as a perfect retreat for families seeking to escape the bustle of the city for a long weekend.
Located at a distance of about 185 km from Mumbai, Bhandardara lies to the north of Ahmednagar district.
The Wilson Dam in Bhandardara and its adjoining Arthur Lake, add to the scenic beauty of the village and provide some good camping opportunities for adventure-seekers and astronomy enthusiasts.
3. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminal :
A monument of significant historical importance that houses one of the finest railway stations in the world, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus sees a footfall of over 3 million daily.
The railway terminus was named Victoria Terminus in honour of the British Queen, Victoria, on Golden Jubilee Day (1887) to mark fifty years of her reign.
It was subsequently renamed as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in 1996 to honour the founder of the Maratha empire and is currently known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (as of 2017).
The majestic and awe-inspiring Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus is the first structure that they usually see and many have written of the overwhelming effect this massive heritage site has on them.
4. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya :
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, formerly known as Prince of Wales Museum, is a prominent art and history museum in India.
Back in the 1900s, artists and general public started discussing the need to build a good cultural institution in Mumbai (then Bombay).
An open competition was held in 1909 to choose the architect who would eventually design and build the museum. British architect George Wittet, responsible for designing many Mumbai landmarks, including the Gateway of India and Ballard Estate, won this competition.
5. Global Vipassana Pagoda :
This Buddhist meditation center, an architectural wonder that rises majestically against the Arabian Sea, seeks to promote peace and harmony. Built with the purpose of bringing each visitor closer to the philosophies and teachings of Lord Buddha, this monument houses genuine bone relics of Buddha.
The monument is a three-storeyed huge hollow stone structure painted in a shining Thai golden paint.
It is said to be the world’s largest pillar-less dome, especially designed for meditation.
The complex also has an audio-visual center and a gallery of wall mounts and photographs adjacent to a book and souvenir shop.
