Mumbaikars have a love-hate relation with rains. They love to dance, sing, get drenched in rains, but are wary of traffic jams and waterlogging.
During rains some of the places worth visiting in monsoon are-
Marine Drive
Fondly known as the Queen’s Necklace, as we find glittering street lights formed in the shape of a necklace, is a hot spot during rains. With windswept and wet promenade, flanked by the Arabian sea, and in the midst of concrete jungle of Nariman point and classy uptown Malabar Hill, the young, old, the couples, children love to walk around during the rains and enjoy the snacks at the various stalls located here.
Gateway of India
This is a monument built during the British Raj. It is located on the waterfront in Apollo Bunder overlooking the Arabian Sea. It is a Base salt arch, 26 meters (85 feet) high structure. During the monsoons the crowds throng the gateway and take pictures, feed the pigeons, or take a short ferry ride. It is visual delight during monsoons here. For the upper elite the rooftop bar in Taj Mahal Hotel is a great place to enjoy monsoons. Visitors from the western country mix with the locals and have a great time during the monsoons.
Haji Ali Dargah
This is a religious place and a fun place to be in during the monsoon season. Haji Ali Dargah is 500 yards from Mumbai shoreline in the midst of the Arabian Sea. It is a mosque and a tomb of the great saint- Haji Ali Shah and is visited by thousands of people every day. During monsoons the tides are ferocious and people just stroll around the promenade or just sit in the parked cars and enjoy the beauty of rains and have snacks and juices from the famous Haji Ali Juice Centre, an eatery famous since last 50 years.
Worli Sea Face
This is located in a village Worli, and the sea face is visited by people during the monsoons due to its clean and pristine surroundings, and provides a promenade to sit and walk. One can enjoy the view of the Bandra Worli Sea Link from this place.
Juhu Beach
This world renown wonder beach is located in north Bombay, Juhu beach is a very popular tourist destination all over the year but during monsoons people come here to enjoy the winds, the wild waves, and the environment is full of fun and gaiety. The stalls at the Juhu beach are famous for the snacks like bhel puri, Pani Puri, bhaji, pav bhaji and the famous Mumbai special vada pav, and in monsoons these hot snacks are a great hit with people who come to applaud rains and have fun. Not to mention the corn cobs (Bhutta) which are a delight during the monsoon.
A Mumbaikar seldom gets any time for himself. So in this rat race, he has to make the most of his time and his surroundings. It is during the monsoon that he gets to enjoy the small pleasures of life such as getting drenched in the raindrops. But this also comes with a price. But I don’t think the Mumbaikar minds this.