Day Trips Around Mumbai, Mumbai – Off the Beaten Path

Off the Beaten Path in Mumbai, Day Trips Around Mumbai

Mumbai is located in the Indian state of Maharashtra and is also the state’s capital. As the most populous city in the country, there are many places in the region where you can take day trips and go off the beaten path.

Temples

Temples are some of the most well recognized structures in the city of Mumbai and a testament to the local religion. No trip to Mumbai is complete without paying a visit to Mumbadevi Temple. Although the temple is not as striking as others in the city, its resident deity, Mumbadevi, is the city’s patron Goddess. The structure is about six centuries old and believed to be the handiwork of Mumbaraka, a giant who frequently plundered the city in legendary times. There are multiple other temples that you can visit as well. These places include Siddhivinayak Temple and Walkeshwar Temple.

Churches

There are some churches available to visit in the area in addition to the better-known temples. The Church of St. John the Evangelist, better known as the Afghan Church, is a Presbyterian church built by the British to commemorate the dead soldiers of the first Afghan War. You can also visit the Basilica of Mount Mary. It is perched upon a hill that sits along the Mount Mary road. It is recognized as the most popular church in the area.

Elephanta Island

Elephanta Island is located northeast of the Gateway of India and is reached by taking a ferry from the Gateway. The island is home to some marvelous cave temples, which are thought to have been created between the 5th and 8th centuries. This island is today recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island, originally known as Gharapuri (Place of Caves), derives its name from a massive stone statue of an elephant that is now displayed in the Victoria Gardens in Mumbai. If you’re travelling to the island, it will take about an hour to reach it by boat.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about day trips around Mumbai.