Witness the fast-paced lifestyle of a Mumbai residential neighborhood on a visit to Dadar. Once part of the Portuguese-ruled Seven Islands of Bombay, Dadar became the city’s first planned district in 1900. Today this vibrant area is an important center for Marathi culture. Tour the shopping streets, sample mouthwatering cuisine, visit religious landmarks and relax in parks.
Wake up early to see the boisterous auctions and barrage of colors on display at the Dadar Flower Market. Fresh produce traders also hawk fruits and vegetables here. Browse the stalls of Manish Market for fabrics, saris, achkan jackets and wedding accessories.
See pilgrims worshipping the Hindu elephant god Ganesha at the richly ornamented Siddhivinayak Mandir Temple. Visit the Portuguese Church, which stands on the site of a 16th-century church erected by Franciscan monks. Religious harmony flourishes at Kabutarkhana Circle, a roundabout framed by a church, Hanuman shrine, Jain temple and mosque. You won’t miss the hundreds of pigeons that gather in the center of the roundabout.
Typical Maharashtrian food features on the menu’s of Dadar’s restaurants and street food stands. Try vada pav, a potato sandwich topped with spicy chutneys, which was invented in the area. Other popular dishes include Maharashtrian thali (platter) and batata vada, a deep-fired mashed potato ball coated in chick pea flour. Pair it with with milkshake-like drinks such as piyush and lassi.
Experience India’s love for cricket by watching matches at Shivaji Park, where national cricket hero Sachin Tendulkar once trained. The city’s largest park also has children’s playgrounds and a statue of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji. Stroll between the serene Five Gardens in the Dadar Parsi Colony, one of the world’s biggest Zoroastrian enclaves.
Round out the day by enjoying beautiful sunsets at Dadar Beach. This is a superb vantage point for observing the impressive Bandra-Worli Sea Link cable-stayed bridge.
Dadar sits to the north of popular Mumbai tourist districts such as Fort and Malabar Hill. Get here by catching trains from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Mumbai Central, among other stations.
