“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.”
Out of all the modes of traveling, walking is the most underrated. It is almost forgotten that walking is the most fundamental and effective way to travel, but is always ignored the most.
Long walks are also often claimed to be a unique form of meditation. Considering this, I decided to try this meditation – a pretty long walk. I left the door of my place, to discover on foot, half the Western belt of Mumbai (from Andheri to the Marine Drive), and this is, in a brief account, what came along as I walked across the city of dreams.
I experienced how effective a meditation walking is, and it cannot be described in any verbal or non-verbal form. It was a rare feeling of painful satisfaction, achievement and of course, the "rich" feeling that traveling always gives. A simple walk can give you time to think about all that you can never think while driving a car, riding a bike, or being in a mode of public transport. Try it once, no matter how long, and I am sure it will be worth it.
It was undoubtedly one of the best experiences anyone who loves traveling can ever have. No matter how little or insignificant, I can say this with utter surety, that the person who walked out of the door, was not the same person that walked back in....
6:45am - Gulmohar road, Vile Parle: After leaving my place in Andheri, I'm walking along the spacious Gulmohar road, among the lamp posts whose lights are losing the brightness as the sun rises. It's a Sunday, but the lazy Sunday mornings just aren't made for everyone.
7:00am - S.V. Road, Vile Parle: I've now entered the long S.V. Road, which won't leave me for another 30-35 km. The air is refreshing, and this is one those rare times when you can see the road devoid of its hustling traffic. I've climbed a sky-walk which gives a view of this road that seems to stretch (and it does!) without any dead ends soon.
7:25am - New Bikaner, Santacruz: Walking along the S.V. Road, I have now stepped in Santacruz and there's something which I just can't simply pass through. I'm stopping at New Bikaner, a Rajasthani sweets and snacks corner to devour its piping hot samosas topped with spicy chutneys.
8:00am - Sacred Heart Church, Santacruz: I'm about to leave Santacruz, and I see a people returning from the Sunday Mass. I've entered the Church Avenue, adjacent to the unending S.V.Road, to visit this beautiful Church, the entrance of which houses this cave, where in front of the Virgin Mary, desires are lit in the form of wax candles.
8:20am - A Mosque near Bhabha Manzil, Khar: I've left Santacruz and entered Khar, while I see this monumental mosque. With its marvelous sandstone and marble build, coupled with the carved jhaali in the balcony, it doesn't fail to mesmerize any eye, belonging to any religion.
8:45am - Bandra crossroads, Bandra: I have left Khar, and just stepped in Bandra, the most beautiful suburb. There are 6 lanes, each of which leads to the heart of this Christian hub of Mumbai. However, I stick to S.V. Road in order to cross the suburb.
9:00am - St. Martin road, Bandra: Bandra is famous for its Goan architecture, and St. Martin road (an extension of S.V. Road) is the home of plenty such cute little houses, which make every eye falling on them rethink the notion of luxury being confined to the posh penthouses.
9:20am - S.V Road, Bandra: As I get back on the road, I see a narrow extension beside me, leading to an idol-making shop. The shop is yet to open, outside which there are 'unfinished' Gods - the only reason why there is no crowd hustling for blessings.
9:30am - Bandra Talao, Bandra: As I walk down the road, I see this marvel on my left. There is this beautiful sun-kissed lake, with immaculate reflections of the buildings around it. As I move ahead and look up to the sky, I see flocks of birds soaring aimlessly in the clear blue sky.
9:50am - S.V Road, way to Mahim: I'm now leaving the beautiful Bandra and walking towards Mahim, under the Western Express Highway.
10:15am - Slums, Mahim: Mahim is known for housing Asia's largest slum, Dharavi. As I'm walking along the road after entering Mahim, I can see a glimpse of it. There is a strange silence. The narrow lanes are quiet, but the houses have a lot to say.
10:25am - A Sky-walk, Mahim: As I walk along the road, I see a vast ground on my right with boys enthusiastically playing cricket. I climb over a sky-walk to get the full-view, along with a faint view of
10:45am - St. Michael's Church, Mahim: I'm seeing one of the rarest sites. I'm crossing St. Michael's church, and right at the gate, there is a young Muslim boy giving out pamphlets to everyone going into the church. I have no idea what the pamphlet is all about, but though the sun is starting to grow hotter, I feel positively fresh after passing through this site.
11am - Lady Jamshedji Road, Mahim: The long S.V Road has finally ended, and I'm about to leave Mahim in a while. I'm currently in a local market area, where a street vendor is selling cheap household articles, while he himself doesn't seem to have a shelter.
11:20am - Fish Market, Mahim: There is a narrow lane by the side of the road, which leads to a giant fish market. There are ladies yelling the fish prices and varieties, and the customers are yelling back their orders. I can't bear the stench and wonder how these people can survive in the same for the whole day. However, routine instils habits.
11:40am - Gokhale Road, Dadar: I have left Mahim and just entered Dadar, the busiest area of Mumbai. Dadar has probably the only local railway station which is jam-packed since the first local (4am) right till the last one (1:30am). So I have entered the last suburb, with Shivsenahead office right at the entrance with open arms!
12 noon - Our Lady of Salvation Church, Dadar: It is noon and the sun is right up my head. The day is getting hotter and there are still some 25 km to walk. I start to get a little weary, and I land up at the perfect place to rest. I have entered the church for taking shelter for a while. There is a choir performance by high school students. The church walls are reverberating with sweet hymns and carols, and it is, indeed, a salvation.
12:30pm - Shankar Ghanekar Road, Worli: After the brief satisfying rest, I walked for 30 more minutes along the Gokhale Road, finally left the suburbs, and entered the town by stepping into the very scintillating Worli. There is a line of skyscrapers, expensive factory outlets, head offices, high-end residencies and showrooms in front of me. This place smells of sheer luxury.
12:50pm - A Buddhist Temple, Worli: As I take Dr. Annie Besant Road, I see a Buddhist temple on the other side of this pretty broad lane. It seems a pretty old temple, along with its name painted in Japanese next to the entrance. It seems to me a place of immense peace, ironically on the side of one of the busiest roads in the city.
1:05pm - Dr. E. Moses Road, Worli: I am slowly getting closer towards the end. I have now taken Dr. E. Moses road, which will lead me straight to the pious Haji Ali.
1:20 pm - Sea-shore, Haji Ali: Another 15 minutes of walking has finally led me to Haji Ali. My legs are getting weary and the weather continues to remain harsh, but the cool moist breeze of this sacred air is one strong encouragement.
1:30pm - Sea-shore, Haji Ali: I am walking along the coast, and suddenly, a little kid emerges from among the rocks below, playing and skipping rocks randomly. I would think twice before skipping these rocks. Seeing him, though temporarily, all of my weariness vanishes in a giffy.
1:40pm - Haji Ali Mosque: I can now finally see the magnanimous Haji Ali mosque. There are flocks of people walking all the way to the middle of this sea, carrying all the burdens and pains, with a hope to come back lighter.
1:55pm - Pedder Road: From Haji Ali, with aching legs, I turn towards Pedder Road, which brings the end nearer. I have 6 more km left before I can reach the end of my journey.
2:10pm - Hughes Flyover: I have finally reached the second last destination of this journey. The Hughes flyover will lead me straight to Marine Drive. Legs are giving way, but I feel like running all the way to the end.
1:20pm - Hughes Road: BIG sigh of relief! Hughes road has finally ended, and I can see the sea at a pretty close distance. The smell of moist sea breeze keeps making me happy.
2:30pm - Marine Drive (Chowpatty): THERE! I sit down by the edge and take several deep breaths. I've finally reached the planned final destination and I can't feel more blissful. I've finally walked for almost 65 km through the city, and finished what I had started 7 hours 45 minutes earlier.
