Bandra, Mumbai's western suburb on the coast of the Arabian Sea, was once an independent territory and even received city status in 1876. However, in the mid-20th century, Bandra was absorbed by the rapidly growing Bombay. Today, the district is known as a hub of restaurants, bars, cafes, and an excellent place for shopping. Pali Hill is also located here – home to the city's wealthiest and most prominent residents.
The district earned the title of "Mumbai's Restaurant Suburb" thanks to its western part – its proximity to the seacoast played a role, which in turn always attracted affluent developers. It was here that the “Mehboob” film studio was founded in the 1950s, turning Bandra into a center of the Indian film industry, and later of sound recording.
The eastern half of Bandra is a business and commercial center. Here you can see the Bandra-Kurla complex, established in the 70s during India's economic rise. An incredible number of offices and institutions are concentrated in this area, employing about 400 thousand people, which is slightly more than the district's total population.
Bandra has the largest Catholic population in Mumbai, and accordingly there are Christian churches here. The most famous of them is Mount Mary Church, a magnificent building dating from the early 20th century.
Bandra also has plenty of well-kept promenades where you can stroll while enjoying the sea waves or the city lights in the evenings. Particularly active guests of Mumbai should go for a run in the jogging park, which is located next to the Otters Club and Carter Road.
