FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Mumbai

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Mumbai each year. The main ones are listed below.

Each year, the founding of the Republic of India on this day in 1950 is marked with pomp and pageantry. Celebrations include official ceremonies, colourful military parades and general merry-making, including street theatre and fireworks.

This one-day Hindu festival celebrates the arrival of spring. In and around Mumbai, the day is celebrated with kite flying, singing, dancing and feasting.

The anniversary of India's independence from British rule in 1947 is celebrated each year with flag raising and other patriotic ceremonies, military parades and cultural events.

Mumbai's most famous festival lasts for 10 or 11 days and honours Ganesh, the elephant-headed Hindu god of good fortune, who is the city's patron. Celebrations are particularly ecstatic on the last day, when huge processions, including many dancers and musicians, make their way to Chowpatty Beach carrying clay images and giant statues of the god, which they submerge in the sea.

Commemorated throughout the country, this holiday celebrates the anniversary of Gandhi's birth on this day in 1869. All schools and stores are closed. Numerous religious ceremonies are held to remember independent India's founding father.

Oil lamps, lanterns and candles illuminate Mumbai and all of India during this five-day festival of lights. According to tradition, Diwali celebrates the god Rama's return from 14 years of exile in the forest, when citizens lit his way with oil lamps, after his victory over the demon Ravana, as told in the Hindu epic Ramayana. Festivities also include firecrackers and fireworks, feasting with loved ones, and exchanges of sweets and gifts.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Mumbai

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	19/66	30/86	0/0.0	Not the best period to go
February	20/68	30/86	0/0.0	Not the best period to go
March	23/73	31/88	0/0.0	Not the best period to go
April	25/77	32/81	2/0.1	Good period to go
May	27/81	33/91	12/0.5	Good period to go
June	26/79	32/90	592/23.3	Not the best period to go
July	25/77	30/86	682/26.9	Not the best period to go
August	24/75	32/90	487/19.2	Not the best period to go
September	25/77	30/86	307/12.1	Not the best period to go
October	25/77	32/90	61/2.4	Good period to go
November	23/73	33/91	23/0.9	Good period to go
December	21/70	31/88	2/0.1	Good period to go

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport

The Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is located about 30 kilometres (19 miles) north of the city centre.

• Two terminals:
  • Terminal 1
  • Terminal 2 (Air France)

• By car
  • Accessible via the Western Express Highway (NH-8).
  • Parking facilities are available in both terminals, with rates ranging from INR 140 for up to 30 minutes to INR 1,000 for 24 hours.
  • Several car rental companies have counters in the domestic terminal (halls 1A and 1B) and in the international terminal. An international driver's licence is required to rent a vehicle.
• By taxi
  • Taxis are available at the ranks outside the arrivals halls at terminal 2 (halls A and C). Apart from rental cars, taxis are the only direct means of transport connecting the airport with central Mumbai. The trip takes from 45 minutes to 2 hours and costs around INR 400. It is strongly recommended to use prepaid taxis.
• By bus
  • Express buses 308, 312 and 321 connect the domestic terminal with Vile Parle East and Andheri East stations, located respectively in Santacruz and Sahar (both linked to the city-centre). The travel time to either station is about 30 minutes and the fare is INR 140 each way.

• Services: shops, bars and restaurants, free Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
• Telephone: +91 (0)22 66 85 10 10
• Website: www.mumbaiairport.com

GETTING AROUND Mumbai

Mumbai is a bustling and massive metropolis. Getting around the city can be incredibly difficult. However, as the main sights are concentrated in the central area, it is always possible, and in fact highly recommended, to visit the city on foot!

By rail

There is only one metro line operated in Mumbai for now, connecting the east and west neighbourhoods. Trains are often overcrowded, especially during rush hours. Single tickets cost between INR 10 and INR 40.

By bus

Mumbai has many bus routes, using both single- and double-decker vehicles. But as the buses are very often crammed with passengers, this can be a rather uncomfortable means of transport in the hot climate of Mumbai. Fares start at about INR 50.

By chauffeured car

Chauffeured vehicles are certainly the most convenient option for getting around Mumbai, but also the most expensive. Hiring a chauffeur for a week costs about INR 18,000. Added to this is the rental cost for the car and fuel. Daily car rental fees are generally in the range of INR 1,000 to INR 2,000.

By taxi

Metered taxis are plentiful in Mumbai. There are two types of cabs, easily identified by their colour: blue taxis are air-conditioned, and most trips within the centre of the city cost about INR 20 per kilometre. Black taxis are not air-conditioned and the fare is approximately 40 percent lower than those for blue taxis.

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Mumbai, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organize your stay.

Offers practical information and many useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).

• Address: 123, Maharsi Karve Road – Opp. Church Gate Station, Churchgate, Mumbai 400020
• Telephone: +91 (0)22 22 03 31 44

The official travel website maintained by India's Ministry of Tourism provides a wealth of information on Mumbai.

• Website: www.incredibleindia.org

Currency and Exchange Rates

The currency used in is the Indian Rupee (INR).

1 € = 88,02 ₹

1 ₹ = 0,01 €

The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.

Medical information

See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. Mumbai counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.

There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to India. However, booster doses of the following vaccines are strongly recommended for anyone travelling to the Indian subcontinent: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, typhoid, hepatitis A and B, anti-meningococcal, Japanese encephalitis in case you travel to rural areas.

For longer stays, a rabies vaccination is also recommended.

For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:

• Address: 38, Quai de Jemmapes 75010 Paris
• Website: (http://www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr)
• Phone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment:
  • online (click here)
  • call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

It is recommended to keep food safety measures (cook food, carefully wash produce before eating…).

It is recommended to drink water in sealed bottles.

Administrative formalities

Entry requirements for India

As a French citizen, you must apply for a visa before travelling to India. Visa extensions are not possible once you have arrived in the country, whether for tourism, studies or business. You should also note that, depending on the type of visa you require, the expiration date of your passport will need to be at least three to six months later than that of your visa.

Since Mai 2015, the e-Tourist Visa allowing for visa on arrival issuance has been available in 16 airports including in Mumbai. It may be redeemed online for short-stays (less than 30 days).

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Mumbai and India, be sure to check with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your home country for the latest travel information and recommendations. Comprehensive information that may be helpful for international visitors is also provided on the India page of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/india/

Useful Addresses

Indian Embassy in France

• Address: 15, rue Alfred Dehodencq, 75016 Paris
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 40 50 70 70
• Website: www.eoiparis.gov.in

French Embassy in India

• Address: 2/50-E Shantipath - Chanakyapuri New Delhi
• Telephone: +91 (0)11 43 19 61 00
• Website: https://in.ambafrance.org/-French-Embassy-in-New-Delhi-

Indian Consulate General in France

• Address: 20, rue Albéric Magnard, 75016 Paris
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 40 50 71 71

French Consulate General in Mumbai

• Address: Wockhardt Towers, East Wing - Bandra - Kurla Complex - 400051 Mumbai
• Telephone: +91 (0)22 66 69 40 99
• Website: https://in.ambafrance.org/-Consulate-in-Bombay-

Essential phrases

Good to know

+91

+ phone number (without the 0)

4 : 30
of time difference with
Paris

There is no Daylight Savings Time in India

BANKS
Usually open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 or 4 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 12 or 1 p.m. on Saturday

GOVERNMENT OFFICES
Usually open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

230 V / 50 Hz

Tipping
There are no hard-and-fast rules on tipping in India. Nevertheless, with the influx of tourists it has become increasingly common, especially in large cities like Mumbai. The expected tip is usually about 10% of the bill. Some Mumbai restaurants add a service charge to the bill. When this is the case, no additional tip is necessary.