Mazgaon- A Hidden Gem in Mumbai

Mazgaon- A Hidden Gem in Mumbai

What does the average Mumbaikar know about Mumbai? Marine Drive, Queen's Necklace, Juhu Beach, Malabar Hills, Powai Lake......But does he know about Mazgaon? Does he know that Mazgaon houses much more than the docks? Does he know that you can `visit` China in Mumbai? My blog takes you through the lanes and bylanes of Mazgaon, where dwells history and lots of nostalgia. 

Sundays are generally to laze around. But on this Sunday, I decided to do something productive and went for a heritage walk organized by The Indo French Hub, Mumbai. I was convinced that I wanted to be a part of this once I read about it. The walk was going to take us through the unexplored parts of Mazgaon, Mumbai. Mazgaon is generally known for it’s docks. So, what else could be explored there? But as it turned out, there was more than what we expected. 

A perfect place to chill with friends!

At Joseph Baptista Garden.

Finally got to visit the Eiffel Tower :P 

Our meeting point was Café Coffee Day, Mazgaon. The first stop was Joseph Baptista Garden. We wondered why we were being taken to a garden. But we found out to our surprise that the garden is actually located on a historic fort. The garden is located on a fort on Bhandarwada Hill. It covers an area of about 1.5 acres and is 105 feet (approx) above ground level. 

The garden is amazing with its vast flora and beautiful landscapes. It has replicas of the seven wonders of the world, and we thought it was there only in distant Kota, Rajasthan? Be it early morning jogs, spending some relaxed moments or just strolling around with your friends, the garden is perfect for all.

The highlight of the garden is that it overlooks the sparkling harbour, mazgaon docks, busy dockyard station and the bustling roads. We surely did not expect the garden to be so appealing and beautiful. 

The British chose Bhandarwada Hill to build a fort for trading purposes of The East India Company. The fort was later destroyed by Siddhi ruler Yakut Khan. The 150 years old fort also homes the lesser known Gaon Devi Temple. The path to the temple is steep. But once we reached the temple, we felt serene. This small, calm, powerful and ancient temple was built by Shimaji Appa, younger brother of King Bajirao. 

View from the garden

Way to the temple

The temple’s priest told us that initially the idol only had the face of the Devi. He, who is a sixth generation priest, also told us that the fort back then was surrounded by water on all sides and was used for trading purposes. 

We then headed towards an even lesser-known temple - The Chinese Temple. We walked through the streets and lanes of Mazgaon and discovered a completely new part of Mumbai. Kwan Tai Shek Temple, situated on Nawab Tank Road, is a small secluded temple, surrounded by 400 Chinese families. 

Parsee temple on our way to the Chinese temple.

Entrance to the Chinese Temple

Chinese decor buildings

The Chinese Temple

The Cantonese Chinese have been living in the area for decades. They, besides working in the docks, have been in professions like dentistry, shoemaking and hairstyling. A lot of families migrated post the 1962 India-China war. When we entered this two-storeyed temple, it felt as if a little part of China dwells in Mumbai. There were Chinese decorations and idols in the temple, which gave a true essence of the country's culture.

The wooden beans

The wooden beans in the temple are said to predict if your wishes will come true. It is believed that if you roll and drop the beans and they fall facing the same direction, your wishes will come true. There are also sticks that predict your future. It was a very interesting and new concept for us. The whole area took us into a completely different world, and is a Must Visit.

Portuguese style house of Matharpacady

Our next stop was the heritage village of Matharpacady. The quintessential village is known for its characteristic Portuguese-styled houses. In its calm lanes live East Indians, Bohri Muslims, Roman Catholics and Maharashtrians. 

Once you step into the village, you leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and enter into a world of it’s own. The village is in the fishing neighbourhood of Mazgaon, and it houses some of the city's oldest homes. The houses here are splattered with color, with the locals sipping cups of tea in their balconies and cats snooping around in the lanes. There is also a small chapel, where the locals come to pray. 

The Association of Paroda

The village has a dormitory too - The Association of Paroda - which charges Rs 100 per month, but is available only for the locals of Paroda. Another historic spot is the Lion’s Den built by Leao’s grandfather Daniel in 1829. It is modeled after its biblical namesake from the book of Daniel. The village is truly a hidden gem in Mumbai City and it needs to be saved from builders trying to make skyscrapers out of these pretty homes. 

Matharpacady village

Chapel in the village

Our final stop was The Taj Mahal of Mazgaon. Yes, you read it right - The Mausoleum of Agha Khan Hassan Ali Shah is also called Mazgaon’s Taj Mahal because of its three white domes, intricately crafted minarets, and the architecture. The monument takes your breath away. It is amazing to find this serene structure in between shops and the hustle and bustle of people.

To make our day even better, we indulged in some amazing authentic breakfast at the iconic Byculla Bakery. 

Breakfast at Byculla Bakery

Hot from the oven!

I would like to thank The Indo French Hub for giving us the opportunity to discover this beautiful, hidden part of the city and learn about the incredible history of Mumbai. 

It was a Sunday well spent, and I look forward to discovering more such parts of Mumbai.