Sharing a slice of the Monsoons from Mumbai

Mumbai is known for its rains / monsoons, when it just keeps raining, or rather pouring for around 3 – 4 months. After the long stifling hot and humid summers, come June and the skies just seem to open up and have rain descend upon us. And then it just keeps raining continously in various stages – from mild drizzling / occassional showers to heavy downpours all day and sometimes for as long as a week. Initially everyone loves it for the respite it brings from the heat but slowly it starts getting on everyone’s nerves due to the inconveniences that it causes.

Hills all misty and green

I however love the rains and this season. It could be that I have an additional affinity for it as, per my Mom, I was born on a day when the skies were pouring and literally bent upon drowning the city. Well, whatever may be the reason, for me there is just something magical about the Mumbai monsoons. The showers come and transform the island and the adjacent western ghats into a completely new sight. Everything gets covered with a protective plastic coating in multiple shades, people pull out their colorful umbrellas & raincoats, the sea gets wild and splashes with all its might all along the promenades, every tree turns lush green, numerous flowers bloom in all their finery, etc etc

But I love what the monsoon does for the landscape outside of Mumbai even more. Just short drive out of Mumbai and you hit the hills which turn into all shades of lush magnificent green with countless waterfalls interspersed in between. The rain laden clouds seem to descend towards the ground from the sky and surround the hills in a kind of crowning glory. The rains that descend cover everything around and give an impression of “misty” mystique and a sense of adventure with numerous colorful cars in front of you disappearing right in it. The green landscape is abundantly dotted with people in colorful raincoats working in the fields and numerous lakes appear out of nowhere. But the best part is, it gives my imagination a chance to run wild and think that I am touching the sky (and the clouds).

In July this year I had to travel to Pune for a friend’s wedding. Since it had been raining nonstop for more than a month by then, it had already transformed everything in its wake. During the entire road trip I took quite a few pictures on my phone and posting a few of them below to share this beautiful piece of scenery with you.

One of the many waterfalls

And another one 🙂

Rocks all go green 🙂

The Road disappearing into the clouds

More on the road and the clouds

Rain covered mountains, hills and the green countryside

More clouds, hills and a small town below

Seems like mist but its rain

Clouds surrounding the hills

Clouds, hills and a few waterfalls

Tips for the trip –

1. If you are planning to be in Mumbai during monsoons, then do keep some time and visit some of the surrounding countryside in the western ghtas. There are numerous travel groups who organize day / weekend trips for such trips / activities around.
2. The hills around Mumbai provide a good opportunity for hiking in the rains and you must try that. However please take an experienced guide with you on the journey.
3. Caution – please do avoid the weekend for any such plans, as entire Mumbai descends to these places for a short get-away 🙂

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