MM: A space-starved city has lots to offer for the padyatri: May 26, 2009

Know the legend of the ancient Banganga Tank? Ever wondered who built all those magnificent structures at Fort? Interested in shopping for curios at Colaba Causeway? Sign up for the Heritage Walk immediately to get a peek into Mumbai’s resplendent past. This 90-minute walk, organised by the Bombay Heritage Walks Group, takes you on a historic journey. So you can amble on Dockyard Road, visit the fabulous University campus, learn to appreciate the architecture of century-old buildings, soak in the ambience of Kotachiwadi, and lots more. For more details contact: info@bombayheritagewalks.com

Agreed, the Marine Drive promenade is as stereotypical an image of Mumbai as it can get. But not mentioning Marine Drive would be akin to discussing Indian cricket without Sachin Tendulkar. You can never get bored of the sights and sounds on offer along this three-km boulevard that stretches all the way from NCPA to the foot of Malabar Hill. Art deco buildings, posh hotels, warm pubs and the sound of waves crashing against the rocks — it cannot get headier than this. On an odd evening you may even pass by an Adi Godrej striding purposefully, his baseball cap pulled tightly over his face. No one stops to stare, but that’s Mumbai’s famed anonymity for you.

Go to Priyadarshini Park for a glimpse of SoBo chic. For it’s here that the elite of Malabar Hill and surrounding areas come for a jog. The synthetic turf track, tennis courts, gym and health club make this place a sportsperson’s paradise. It is also South Mumbai’s favourite de-stress zone. Yoga drills at one corner, laughter club members guffawing to good health at another, and acres of greenery add to the hip quotient.

Here’s a nugget from history. The Dadar Parsi Colony was built by the British under the Dadar-Matunga-Wadala-Sion scheme of 1899-1900, the first planned suburban scheme in Mumbai. And the old world charm has been maintained to this day. Life seems to unfold at its own pace here, as you saunter about admiring the beauty of two-three storied buildings with wooden staircases, stain glass windows and traditional Parsi architecture. If only our urban planners took a leaf from the Brits’ book while planning new townships!

Aarey Milk Colony saves the blushes for western suburbs. Amidst never-ending construction work, narrow congested roads and packed buildings, this green patch comes as a breath of fresh air, literally and figuratively. The long winding road, with its cluster of trees and lots of greenery on either side has a cooling effect on the senses. Gardens, a nursery, lakes, an observation pavilion, picnic facilities and milk plants — this 4,000 sq ft area is the perfect antidote for the travelweary Mumbaikar looking for some green respite.

Queen of suburbs Bandra suffers from a strange identity struggle. Apart from uber chic designer stores and super expensive, swank buildings, you can discover the idyllic villages — Bandra Bazaar Road Village, Ranwar Village, Chimbai Village, Sherly Rajan Village and Pali Village — most of which are struggling to survive today. In these ancient hamlets amidst the hustle and bustle, you find 19th century tiled, white-washed homes, with spiral staircases and quaint patios. Take a detour from the busy Linking Road and Hill Road and come away charmed after a walk through the Bandra Village, (also one of the walks covered by the Heritage Walks trail).

The Malabar Hill-Breach Candy trail quite reflects the unity in diversity maxim. Walking straight from Banganga you reach the nearly century-old Jain temple on Ridge Road, further down is the All Saints Church on Little Gibbs Road. The greenery and quiet surroundings have a charm of their own. A little ahead, adjacent to the lovely Hanging Gardens is the Parsi Towers of Silence. Keep going north and you reach the very posh Breach Candy. Your trail should end at Mahalaxmi and Haji Ali.

The Carter Road-Pali Hill stretch is the most glamourous in Mumbai. Begin at Otters Club and reach CCD at Carter Road. From here you take a walk along the poshest addresses in the vicinity — Pali Hill and ogle at your favourite
film stars’ quarters. Aamir Khan, Imran Khan, Ranbir, Dilip Kumar and a host of biggies stay in their ivory terraces in this area. Clean streets, lots of trees, hip nightclubs and hangout joints — what more do you need?
Then there is the most famous landmark, the Bandstand. Salman’s Galaxy welcomes your walk and Shah Rukh’s Mannat ends it, while John, Farhan and Rekha’s abodes dot the long stretch making the filmi quota complete. Walking never felt this good.