Sasoon dock in Mumbai
Location:It is in Colaba, Mumbai.
Fishes ready to sell
Significance:
Fishy area Sasoon Dock is the Mecca of local connoisseur and restaurateurs who hunt for quality seafood.
Main Attraction:
Mumbai is famous for the variety of seafood it offers and Sasoon Dock is one major suppliers. This dock is open to public and one can see the fishermen and their catch of lobsters, pamphlet, shrimps, prawns and the famous Bombil Patiya (Bombay Duck). It also acts as a wholesale market where one can buy from the fresh booty. A major fishing hub though crowded, chaotic and smelly, Sasoon Dock is surely worth a visit. Fishes are sold here at wholesale rates by loud fishwives who sit on the quayside right next to the colorful boats. There are also cold storage places where one can buy the cleaned and filleted ranges that are consigned for export.
What one can see in the place: women with fish-baskets on their heads come alive here at the beach. And for sure one would not resist taking out the camera and clicking some great pictures of the fishermen engaged in their livelihood. One can also check the market where fishes are sold and delicacies made of fishes are served in indigenous manner. Visiting this place would give you the experience of the original smack of Mumbai. Despite the pervasive smell and the chaos, Sasoon dock is an experience worth undertaking. Famous Cafe Mondegar or Cafe Leopold here are always worth mentioning.
Main Fishing Communities in Sasoon dock in Mumbai are:
In Maharashtra, Kolis are the main fishing communities that are concerned exclusively with fish business. They mainly speak Marathi language, though some Koli communities speak a variant dialect of Marathi. Kolis of Mumbai are dispersed all over the city, especially along the western coast of the city. Kolis of Vasai are Hindus and Christians, though both belong to the Marathi ethnic group. The community has several sub-castes and the prominent ones are: Mangela Kolis, Vaity kolis, Christian Kolis, Mahadeo kolis and Suryawanshi kolis. In Marathi, Koli means the originally heterogeneous marginal tribe-castes that took agriculture in the late history. The same word also means spider and fisherman, presumably because the fisherman makes and uses a net to catch his prey as a spider does with his web.
Market in Sasoon dock
Tourism Destination near Sasoon Dock and around Mumbai:
Simply, Mumbai has a lot to offer to each and every one. There is also no major difficulty in finding one's way around. The foreign language English is commonly used and even an average man on the street can speak and understand it well enough to guide any outsider. Major spots that are must to be experienced include -
- Marine Drive
Famous as the Queen's Necklace, Marine Drive touches the seashore from Nariman Point to the foot of the Malabar Hill. One of the busiest roads in Mumbai, it is also one of the breeziest due to its proximity to the sea.
- Chowpatty Beach
It is one of the very famous spots in Mumbai. Chowpatty Beach comes alive as the devout Hindu population of Mumbai comes thronging to its sands to immerse the idols of Ganesha and lay oneself open to his blessings. Bhelpuri, a savory snack made from puffed rice with loads of onions, coriander, a medley of spices topped with sweet and sour tamarind sauce, chuski ice balls dipped in syrup, pao bhaji buttered buns served with a spicy potato side dish or pungent chutney sandwiches are some of the very famous eatables in Chowpatty beach that should not be missed.
- Hanging Gardens
Also known as the Ferozeshah Mehta Gardens, they are built over 3 reservoirs which store billions of gallons of water for cleaning before they are pumped to the thirsty city of Mumbai.
- Colaba
The hub of tourists activity in Mumbai, Colaba is known for its street stalls, cafes. Colaba is also home to the most pocket friendly guesthouses and economy hotels.
- Fort
The Fort area in Mumbai is choc-a-bloc with old Victorian, Gothic buildings. As an important financial and commercial center, this area is always full of activity. The BSE or the Bombay Stock Exchange on Dalal Street is also located in this area.
- Crawford Market
Crawford Market is the place to shop for a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and meats. Named after Arthur Crawford, the first Municipal Commissioner of Bombay, the building which was completed in 1869 was donated by Cowasji Jehangir to the city. It is famous for the frieze just above its main entry point that has been designed by Lockyard Kipling father of the famous author Rudyard Kipling. It portrays the rural Indian farmer amidst the wheat fields. The building is a blend of Flemish and Norman architecture. How to reach Sasoon Dock:
It is easily accessible by all means of vehicles like taxi, buses etc from any where in Mumbai. Mumbai is the heart of India; it is connected by all the airlines as well as railways from almost all the cities that have an airport.