23 Amazing Mumbai Facts

By Karin Lehnardt, Senior Writer

Published November 25, 2024

Mumbai is not only the most populated city in India but also one of the largest and most densely populated areas in the world._[11]
Mumbai is named after the goddess Mumba, one of the forms of Parvati and a consort to Shiva._[11]
During British colonial rule, Mumbai was known as Bombay. Historians believe that the name "Bombay" is from the Portuguese bom baim, which means "good little bay." The name "Mumbai" is derived from the local deity Mumba Devi._[11]

Someone from Mumbai is called a "Mumbaiker"

Around 3 million people commute to Mumbai for work daily._[11]
Mumbai is a sister city to Los Angeles. The two cities are about 8,710 miles apart._[9]
Mumbai's population is approximately 20 million people, making it India's biggest city and the fourth largest in the world._[9]
Mumbai was named an alpha world city in 2008, meaning it is a city that helps change and form the world._[9]
Mumbai consists of seven islands: Mazagaon, Old Woman's Island, Mahim, Colaba, Isle of Bombay, Worli, and Parel._[2]
Mumbai is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Elephanta Caves, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, and its Victorian and Art Deco buildings._[2]
Mumbai is India's wealthiest city and has the country's highest number of billionaires and millionaires._[2]
Mumbai is the center of Bollywood, the Indian equivalent to Hollywood. The term "Bollywood" is a portmanteau of Bombay and Hollywood._[7]

Bollywood produces 1,000 films each year

Mumbai was under Portuguese rule from 1535–1661. From 1661–1947, it was under British rule, and then gained its independence._[2]
The Mumbai Metro's suburban rail system is one of the most crowded public transport systems on Earth. It carries over 7.5 million people every day on its 248-mile (400 km) network._[1]
Antilia, located in Mumbai, is the largest and most expensive private house in the world. Estimated at $1 billion, the house has a snow room that helps its residents stay cool._[14]
In 1661, Mumbai was presented as a dowry gift from France to England when King Charles II married France's Catherine of Braganza. The Portuguese had ruled Mumbai from 1534–1661._[7]
Mumbai has the second worst traffic in the world, after Manila, Philippines. Sao Paulo, Istanbul, and Jakarta round out the top 5._[12]
Dharavi, Mumbai, is one of the largest slums in the world, with over 1 million residents. It is also the infamous slum in the 2008 movie Slumdog Millionaire. Recently, the Adani Group won a bid to develop the area to create one of the world's largest urban developments._[6]

While Dharvi is an infamous slum, its residents are known for their strong sense of community and resilience

Mumbai's exploding pigeon population is causing a spike in a severe lung inflammation called hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Mumbai has millions of buildings with flat surfaces where pigeons love to roost. Additionally, citizens believe that feeding pigeons will help bring blessings, which increases the pigeon population even more._[13]
Every November, thousands of flamingos migrate to Mumbai's wetland. In 2024, an Emirates plane struck and killed 39 flamingos in flight over Mumbai. Enraged environmentalists blamed increased construction and traffic for the massacre._[8]
Mumbai is home to the Bombay Stock Exchange, which is one of the oldest and largest stock exchanges in Asia._[3]

A quintessential Mumbai food is vada pav, or "humble burger"

Mumbai is home to the world-famous dabbawalas, a lunchbox delivery service. For over 100 years, they have picked up home-cooked lunches from people's houses and delivered them to workplaces. Dabbawalas make fewer than 3.4 mistakes per million transactions._[5]
After India won a World Cup cricket game, thousands of fans left almost 20,000 pounds (9,000 kg) of trash along Mumbai's famous Marine Drive._[10]
Built in 1924 to commemorate the visit of Queen Mary and King George V, the Gateway of India has become an iconic symbol of Mumbai. Often referred to as the Taj Mahal of Mumbai, the Gateway is the city's top tourist attraction._[4]