Leisure

Leisure in Mumbai …. Made exciting

We at Hotel Samraj have created separate sight seeing packages to aid our customers have a more enjoyable and satisfying holiday in this the ‘City of Dreams’ – Mumbai.
Family Mumbai Holiday -

Day 1: Visit the Sanjay Gandhi National Park & Kanheri Caves 


Sanjay Gandhi National Park(SGNP), previously Borivali National Park, is a large protected area in the northern part of suburban Mumbai city in Maharashtra State in India. It encompasses an area of 104 km2 (40 sq mi) and is surrounded on three sides by India’s most populous city. It is notable as one of the major national parks existing within a metropolis limit and is one of the most visited parks in the world.
The rich flora and fauna of Sanjay Gandhi National Park attracts more than 2 million visitors every year. Children can enjoy , Vanrani a “toy train” that runs on a narrow gauge railway., Lion and tiger Safari along with ample trekking and boating within the park precincts.  Tourists also enjoy visiting the 2400 years old Kanheri caves sculpted out of the rocky cliffs which lie within the park.


Kanheri Caves :

The Kanheri Caves in the centre of the SGNP park were an important Buddhist learning centre and pilgrimage site sculpted by Buddhist monks between 9th and the 1st centuries BCE.[8] They were chiselled out of a massive basaltic rock outcropping.
The Kanheri Caves are a protected archaeological site. The caves were sculpted by Buddhist residents starting in the 1st century BCE. The area was actually a settlement and once served as inns for travellers. The word Kanheri comes from the Sanskrit word Krishnagiriwhich means Black Mountain.
One hundred and nine caves have been carved from the basalt.

Day 2: Visit Essel World, Water kingdom, the Pristine Gorai beaches, Global Buddhist Pagoda


EsselWorld is an amusement park located in Gorai, Mumbai and established in 1986.
EsselWorld along with its counterparts, Water Kingdom are stretched over 64 acres of land. Together, they are recognized as India’s Largest Amusement And Water Park as well as Asia’s Largest Theme Water Park. Essel World is the largest amusement park in the country. It draws in an estimated 1.8 million visitors annually, of which approximately 300,000 are students.
in 2010, EsselWorld launched a horror ride entitled “Monsters In The Mist”, inaugurated by popular host, actor and first-ever winner of reality TV series “Roadies”, Ranvijay, It was titled India’s Scariest Ride.
The ride is a 6,000 square feet indoor dark ride, with a track and car system. It runs for a total of four minutes through a dark den filled with mist and fog amidst numerous thrills and adventures. The ride comprises more than 20 scenes, which are supported by state-of-the-art animatronics and hi-end audio. The ride was designed by renowned international dark attractions manufacturer “The Attraction Factory” established in Missouri, USA
The Global Vipassana Pagoda is a Meditation Hall near Gorai, North-west of Mumbai, India. The pagoda is to serve as a monument of peace and harmony. The Global Vipassana Pagoda has been built out of gratitude to the Buddha, his teaching and the community of monks practicing his teaching. Its traditional Burmese design is an expression of gratitude towards the country of Myanmar for preserving the practice of Vipassana. The shape of the pagoda is a copy of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar. It was built combining ancient Indian and modern technology to enable it to last for a thousand years.

Day 3: Visit the famed Goregoan Film City and later spend the day at one the most popular malls in the city – Oberoi Mall


Filmcity in Goregaon at Mumbai, established in 1977 is one of the largest studio complex in India. It offers infrastructure such as AC studios. It has virtually every facility that a film-maker needs, which makes it the ultimate destination for every discerning producer. it is the favourite venue for Bollywood film shootings.  The main highlight of the Film City are real-like sets, which include fake lakes, fountains, mountains, gardens houses, picnic spots, cities and villages which are essential for shooting. As visitors are concerned, the main attraction is the prospect of seeing the film shooting with its famous star cast.
Oberoi Mall: For the brand-conscious Indian consumer, the Oberoi Mall is a choice destination giving them a superior shopping and leisure experience. Four sprawling levels of designer fashion apparel, hi-end accessories, fine jewellery, watches, perfumes, optical, home-ware, electronics and so much more.
It offers tremendous variety in Asian and International cuisines with popular F&B outlets dishing out delicious meals and snacks, to be enjoyed in the cheery ambience here.
Infinity Mall :  The mall with Infinite experiences 
Enjoy an infinite shopping experience with stores like Westside, Reliance Trends, and Pantaloons & even international brands like Zara, OVS Industry, Tommy Hilfiger, Vero Moda & Only and many other brands were operational. The mall also boasts off food court serving wide range of cuisines for food lovers. The food court includes McDonalds’, Café Coffee Day, Dominos, Subway, Falafels and many more. California Pizza Kitchen, Manchester United Café Bar, Zaffran are the restaurants where one can binge and indulge themselves with different international cuisines. Planet Infiniti is also an integral part of the mall. It consists of various jaw dropping, exciting rides and games for one and all. Planet Infiniti also hosts an adventurous roller coaster ride called ‘Astro Express’. Recently it opened the bowling alley- ‘Space Jam’.
The Religious trail: 
Mumbai is a secular city where everyone is entitled to his or her own religious practices. The city abounds in pristine temples, venerable mosques along with Ancient synagogues and churches.
A full day trip across temples and mosques offers the family traveler as well as the spiritual seeker a satisfying experience.

1. Babulnath temple : Located in the very heart of Mumbai City, at nearly 1000 feet above sea level, over looking the Arabian Sea lies the majestic temple of Lord Babulnath [Lord Shiva]. This is one of more ancient temples of Mumbai built in 1780.  The residing deity in the Babul Nath temple is Lord Shiva, who is in the form of a Babul tree. . A visit to the Babulnath Temple is on the cards of all religious devotees who come to Mumbai. The place gives one the feel of peace and tranquil. The grandeur and magnificence of the temple is guaranteed to make you forget where you are giving an illusion of Mount Kailash the eternal abode of Lord Shiva .
2. Swami Prabhupada, founder of ISKCON, inspired the construction of one of India’s most beautiful temple of Lord Krishna in Mumbai. The presiding Deities at the temple are Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai, Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari and Sri Sri Sita Rama Laxman Hanuman.The Deities were personally installed by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. In early 70’s when Juhu was considered a remote and obscure part of the city, to envision a temple rising here was beyond anyone’s imagination. However, fighting against many odds Srila Prabhupada acquired the Juhu property (which is presently Hare Krishna Land) and promised Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari Deities who were then housed in small shack “My dear Sir, please remain here, and I shall build a beautiful temple for You”. Srila Prabhupada requested his disciples to construct a silver and teakwook simhasana for Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari on a marble altar and Their temple shoud have marble domes more than a hundred feet high.
3. The Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shri Ganesh. It is located in Prabhadevi, Mumbai,Maharashtra. It was originally built by Laxman Vithu and Deubai Patil on November 19, 1801. The Siddhivinayak Mandir evolved from a small, tiny place of worship to the Grand Temple that stands today in the later half of the twentieth century. Temple glory was bought not only by the politicians who frequented the temple but also Bollywood film stars who continuously visit to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha. This temple is said to have divine power of granting devotees their wishes.
4. Mahalaxmi Temple is one of the most famous temples of Mumbai situated on Bhulabhai Desai Road in Mahalaxmi area. the Mahalakshmi Temple which consist of three Deities Shri Mahalakshmi, Shree Mahakali and Shree Mahasaraswati. Thousands of devotees visit the temple every day which goes to hundreds of thousand of devotees during Navaratra, Diwali and in the month of Margashirsha, as they believe that Mahalakshmi Temple’s Mahalakshmi Deity is ‘Jagrut’ or alive deity. This great power of all powers is conceived of by the devout worshipper in different forms in her three Avatars namely Shree Mahakali or Durga, Shree Mahalakshmi and Shree MahaSarswati.

1. Haji Ali Dargah  : Haji Ali Dargah is one of the most popular religious places in Mumbai, visited by people of all religions alike. Haji Ali Dargah is one of India’s most famous and prestigious landmarks situated about 500 yards from the Mumbai shoreline in the middle of the Arabian Sea off Lala Lajpatrai Marg. Haji Ali Dargah houses the tomb of the Muslim Saint Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari (R.A.). Along with the tomb, there is also a Masjid at Haji Ali. This monument has been sentinel to the shores of Mumbai since a long time. The structure was erected on a set of high rising rocks and was given its present day shape in the early 19th century in 1916.
2. Mount Mary church : For over a hundred years situated atop a hillock near Lands End Bandra, overlooking the Arabian Sea is Mount Mary’s Basilica a beautiful edifice in stone that simply stands out in its grandeur, an abode of tranquility, peace, reassurance and hope! This ancient church, built in 1640 and then rebuilt in 1761, is also known as ‘The Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount’ Mount Mary’s, affectionately beckons one and all. No invitations are required to spend time with our Blessed Mother. Once inside this beautiful church even a single glance at Mary with the child Jesus is a feast for the eye, both natural and that of faith. It is believed that the church has unbelievable healing powers and for this reason, the church is herded by devotees every day. Some also say that those who sincerely pray at the Mount Mary Church often get their wishes fulfilled. The ‘Bandra Fair’ or the ‘Feast of Mount Mary’ is a week-long celebration held every September at the Mount Mary Church. Tourists from all over the world who visit Mumbai always make sure to visit this popular church while in the city.
3. Walkeshwar Temple, also known as the Baan Ganga Temple, is a temple dedicated to the Hindu god, Shiva located in Walkeshwar, near Malabar Hill neighborhood, in South Mumbai precinct of the city of Mumbai, India. It is situated at the highest point of the city,[1] and close to the temple, lies theBanganga Tank. Legend has it that Hindu god, Ram paused at that spot on his way from Ayodhya to Lanka in pursuit of the demon king, Ravana who had kidnapped his wife, Sita. Then Lord Rama was advised to worship Shiv linga and he is said to have constructed the original linga of sand, after getting tired of waiting for his brother, Lakshman to bring an idol. The name is etymologically derived from the Sanskrit word for an idol made of sand – Valuka Iswar, an Avatar of Shiva. As the story progresses, later when Ram was thirsty, as there was no fresh water readily available (only sea water), he shot an arrow and brought Ganges over here. Hence Bana (arrow in Sanskrit) Ganges. The water that feeds the tank stems from an underground spring at that spot, despite its proximity to the sea.
4. The Knesset Eliyahoo, also Knesset Eliyahu, is an 1885 Orthodox Jewish synagogue in Fort (area) in downtown Mumbai. The building contains unique features that draw on the various cultural forces in Mumbai in the nineteenth century, combining Jewish traditions with Indian and English colonial influences. The Bene Israel are the oldest Jewish community in India. Their ancestors were shipwrecked and washed ashore the Konkan coast, south of bombay. The survivors – seven men and seven women – buried their dead in a site near the village Nawgaon, which later became the Bene Israel cemetery.
   The survivors were offered shelter by the local inhabitants and decided to settle permanently in the Konkan villages. They adopted Hindu names similar to their Biblical first names, but became known by their “-kar” surnames, which indicated the village in which they lived in, or sometimes, their occupation. So for me, the most fascinating thing about the synagogue were the name boards! The synagogue itself is very quaint. The old mezuzah that is affixed to the doorway, and the beautifully carved door that houses the Torah evokes simplicity. The furniture is all old wood, and the benches are solid, with no nails.

A Day to enjoy the ‘Old city of mumbai


The Gateway of India is one of India’s most unique landmarks situated in the city of Mumbai. The colossal structure was constructed in 1924. Located at the tip of Apollo Bunder, the gateway overlooks the Mumbai harbor, bordered by the Arabian Sea in the Colaba district. The Gateway of India is a monument that marks India’s chief ports and is a major tourist attraction for visitors who arrive in India for the first time. At one point of time, this monument represented the grandeur of the British Raj in India. The total construction cost of this monument was approximately 21 lakhs and the whole expense was borne by the Indian government. A favourite spot for tourists, nowadays, this monument attracts vendors, food stalls and photographers.
Elephanta caves :  The Elephanta are a network of sculpted caves located on Elephanta Island, orGharapuri (literally “the city of caves”) in Mumbai Harbour, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) to the east of the city of Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The island, located on an arm of the Arabian Sea, consists of two groups of caves—the first is a large group of five Hindu caves, the second, a smaller group of two Buddhist caves. The Hindu caves contain rock cut stone sculptures, representing the Shaiva Hindu sect, dedicated to the god Shiva.The rock cut architecture of the caves has been dated to between the 5th and 8th centuries, although the identity of the original builders is still a subject of debate. The caves are hewn from solid basalt rock. All the caves were also originally painted in the past, but now only traces remain.The main cave (Cave 1, or the Great Cave) was a Hindu place of worship until Portuguese rule began in 1534, after which the caves suffered severe damage. This cave was renovated in the 1970s after years of neglect, and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 to preserve the artwork. It is currently maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
Hanging Gardens: Hanging Gardens is a popular tourist destination situated in Mumbai. This terraced garden was built in 1880 and later renovated in 1921. The Hanging Gardens is dedicated to its barrister Pherozeshah Mehta, which is why these gardens are also known as Pherozeshah Mehta Garden. This renowned garden located on the Malabar Hills is known for its splendid green vegetation and animal shaped hedges, which is an interesting sight for anyone who visits this spot. Adding to the garden’s beauty is the comforting view of the vast Arabian Sea. Watching the sunset from the Hanging Gardens would provide you with an experience worth remembering a lifetime. One interesting fact about Hanging Gardens is that it is built on a water reservoir, which provides fresh drinking water to the locals who live nearby. Varieties of plants and flowers can be seen within these beautiful gardens. A large number of tourists to Mumbai never forget to visit the beautiful Hanging Gardens.Built on a water reservoir, the Hanging Gardens covers a vast area, which is chockfull with green bushes, trees and animal-shaped topiaries. The striking flower, clock situated in the center of the garden, serves as the main attraction for all tourists. The garden is maintained perfectly. The ‘Old woman’s shoe’ or the ‘Boot House’ is completely made from stone, which is also a very interesting feature and a favourite among children.
Girgaun Chowpatty : Chowpatty Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Mumbai. Located in the heart of the city, this beach is most popular for its local delicacies which most people enjoy whenever they visit Chowpatty Beach. Watching the glorious sunsets from this beach is a sight worth seeing! This beach is a retreat from a tedious routine for many. Most people visit this beach to relax after a long, tiring day. People of all age-groups come here to enjoy the scenic beauty offered by the beach. The sea, adorned by its long stretch of white sand in addition to the magnificent sky above, is like a heavenly dream for anyone who visits this beach. One can find beach vendors selling balloons, toys and local dishes such as spicy raw mango, roasted peanuts and Mumbai fast-food (or chaats). Tourists who visit Mumbai make it a point to visit this beach to experience the peaceful and serene atmosphere. People come here with their friends and families to spend several hours on this relaxing spot. A stroll on Mumbai’s Chowpatty Beach will guarantee you an experience of a lifetime.