GIRGAUM CHOWPATTY

Girgaon Chowpatty is one of the most popular places to visit in Mumbai. It is a sandy beach outlining Marine Drive in South Mumbai. Brimming with colourful lights, the aroma of street food, calming sound of the sea waves, and attractive local markets, Girgaon Chowpatty never disappoints.

No matter what time of day it is, you will always find a swarm of people indulged in various activities by the sea. If you want to spend some time in solitude, then a gentle walk by the shore will imbibe you with new energy. The cool sea breeze reminds you of its existence from time-to-time as you sit in a quiet corner and just watch the world busy in its glory.

Girgaon Chowpatty also serves as a great picnic spot for a family outing. Just make sure to keep your little ones within your sight since the beach is usually crowded and it becomes a task to find people amidst an ocean of people. 

During the morning hours, people are seen exercising, running or simply breathing in the sea breeze. The evenings are vibrant with people who are busy soaking in the vibe of the place. On moonlit nights, romance and friendship are profound.

The place is enchanted with merry-go-rounds, Ferris Wheel, gun shooting galleries, fortune tellers, and vendors that try to sell you things like balloons, mats, sunglasses, cosmetics, and peanuts.  It is a sight to behold during the Ganesh Visarjan celebrations when thousands of people visit the beach to immerse Lord Ganesha’s idols in the Arabian Sea.

History of the Girgaum Chowpatty

The history of Girgaum Chowpatty goes back to the 19th century, when Khetwadi, an area that originally lived off of agriculture, was developed further to invite migration. The development of Breach Candy Road (now known as Girgaum Road) and Grant Road was completed, which attracted diamond traders, craftsmen and businessmen to start their trade in the area.

The construction of Charni road and its railway station was exactly what was needed to transform the area. Once the population started growing in the area, Girgaum Chowpatty emerged and rest, as they, was history.

Girgaon, also known as Girgaum, derives its name from Sanskrit terms Giri and Gram, which means hills and village, respectively. Girgaon is a village nestled on the twin hills of Malabar and Cumbala. The hills stretch into the plains of Girgaum Chowpatty Bandstand and Khareghat Colony.

The place has been home to different religions—Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Jains, Christians, and Buddhists since time immemorial.  Diverse communities, like Gujarati, Marathi, Konkani, East Indians, Tamils, etc, are also a part of this area. For its rich culture and religious fragments, Girgaon Chowpatty is one of the most ancient parts of Mumbai. Many social, religious, political and historical movements also started from this Chowpatty, making it one of the most prestigious places in the city.

How To Reach

From Airport- 

Girgaum Chowpatty is easily accessible from the airport. It is located at a distance of about 22 km from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. It takes about 30 minutes to reach Chowpatty from the airport by car. It will charge somewhere between INR 500 to INR 800 to drop you at the Chowpatty.  However, a cheaper way to travel to Chowpatty is via local train. The nearest station to Chowpatty is Charni road. You can also get down at Churchgate. Board the train from Vile Parle and it will take you around 20 minutes to reach your destination.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Girgaon Chowpatty is between October and March. The weather is quite pleasant at this time of the year. Avoid visiting the beach during monsoon because there is a possibility of high tide in the sea. Also, the roads are usually water clogged in Mumbai during the monsoon. This might ruin your experience of visiting the beach between July and September.  

Other Essential Information

Location: Marine Drive, Girgaon, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400007, India

Time: The Chowpatty is open for the public every day. One can visit the beach at any time as it is open 24/7.

Must-Try Food Items in Girgaum Chowpatty:

Some of the must-try foods at Girgaon Chowpatty include bhelpuri, local chaat, Pani puri, chana masala, barf gola, masala peanuts, milk kulfi, etc. One of the reasons why the crowd flocks to the Chowpatty is because of the lip-smacking Bhelpuri, which is puffed rice served with tangy chutneys of tamarind, chilli, and mint.

There is no prize for guessing that the local chaat of Chowpatty is simply scrumptious. Baraf gola is one way to tingle your taste buds with coloured balls of ice which are a mix of sweet and tangy. If you aren’t into street food, then the best way is to chomp on some delicious masala peanuts, which is sold by the vendor strolling on the beach.