Mumbai, a city that never sleeps but the one that never stops dreaming. Also, known as the Maximum City, Mumbai has been my home for as long as I can remember. Over the years, many things have changed in the city including its skyline. Every June, when the Southwest monsoon winds hit the western coast of India, it affects the entire economy of the country. However, it also affects the people of Mumbai and at times can bring the entire city to a grinding halt. While most Mumbaikars know what to do when it pours, but if you are looking for some options here are 7 ideas for how to enjoy a rainy day in Mumbai.
A Cutting Chai and Pakodas
Enjoy a cutting chai in Mumbai
Nothing can beat a classic combination of a hot tea with some wada pav, samosa and pakodas on a gloomy rainy day. If you prefer not to step out of the comfort of your home you can enjoy some pakodas at home and enjoy the rain from your window or balcony. Or else you can you can step out in the rain and head to the nearest tapri (tea stall) and enjoy some hot tea with some wada and samosas. This is certainly a classic idea on how to enjoy a rainy day in Mumbai.
Add Music to Your Rainy Day
Listen to some soothing tracks
It’s time to make a playlist for the rainy day, so be ready. Enjoying music on a rainy day can allow you to get rid of all the stress and frustration. If it’s raining heavily outside and you’ve taken a day off at work you can listen to your favourite songs and music. There are plenty of rain songs in various Indian languages to keep you hooked for the day. If you are in the comfort of your home you can tune up the radio for some songs and rain and traffic updates.
Go for a Walk or Bicycling
Take a walk in the rain
This is certainly an option for those who love to step out and turn a gloomy day into a memorable one. After two months of scorching summer heat, a rainy day is more than welcome. Hence, you can always decide to go for a walk in your area and enjoy the cool breeze and some rain. You can also head to Marine Drive in South Mumbai where you can get some great rainy day experience. Similarly, if you’re looking for how to enjoy a rainy day in Mumbai how about cycling in the rain.
Play Board Games and Cards
Experience how life was before the Internet
All our lives we are stuck to this little dumb thing called a smartphone. A gloomy rainy day is when you can give a break to your smartphone. Bring out those old board games and cards that have been lying around in the dust. Board games are fun and it would be a good experience to enjoy it with your family and friends. If you don’t have board games how about a card game. This would provide you with a perfect break from your boring routine.
Test Your Camera Skills
Bring out the photographer in you.
These days you don’t need a professional camera to become a photographer. If you don’t have anything to do you can take some random shots of the world around you with your smartphone. Try your photography skills and take some great images of the moments you want to remember. Don’t think about how good or bad you are at photography because eventually, all professional photographers were once amateurs. Go capture the rain in your camera.
Read that Incomplete Book
Finish that incomplete book
We all have an incomplete book that lies somewhere in the corner of the house. A rainy day is a good day to wrap that up. Reading books is one of the best ways of how to enjoy a rainy day in Mumbai. If you are in the comfort of your home you can have a hot soup, coffee or tea while reading. If you don’t have any book to read, you can get a newspaper to help you stay updated with the news happening in India and globally.
Do Nothing Just Introspect
Do Nothing. Just Be.
If you live in Mumbai you already know how hectic life can get. So, this is your excuse to do nothing, use it. Doing nothing is also a good way to enjoy the day. Just be yourself, turn off your smartphone for the day and enjoy your life at that moment. Slowing down allows you to see your life in a new perspective. Enjoy those tiny moments of happiness that will stay with you forever.
Conclusion
We all know Mumbai is prone to floods almost every year for various reasons. However, that doesn’t dampen the spirit of Mumbaikars. There are many ways to enjoy the gloomy, dark rainy days rather than cribbing about the situation that is beyond our control. I hope you liked few ideas that I mentioned in here and the monsoon days ahead. Also, do share with me your stories and experiences and ideas on how to enjoy a rainy day in Mumbai or wherever you’re located.
6 comments
Another interesting article, and some great alternatives to all the usual and listedl Mumbai tourist attractions. It’s easy to assume it costs a small fortune to travel to such places from Europe but oddly enough I was looking into this the other night – return ticket LHR – Mumbai a tad over £300 or so 😊
Well, these days many attractions in South Mumbai (downtown) are under renovations. Hence, I’m not focusing much on Mumbai attractions. So, as per you 300 pounds is a higher or affordable price? I mean I have no clue about flight ticket affordability. I’m a train guy, Paul.
My rainy day activities are always indoors, but I guess in your climate, a day in the rain has some appeal. Still, I’d go for the board game.
I had a hunch that board game idea will appeal to you. Well, after blistering heat and humidity the rain is a welcome thing here. Like many others, I and Sarah are going to take a walk in the rain, come home and then have a hot soup.
Since it rains nearly every day in Singapore, it is work as usual for me–I know it rains most afternoons, so I just take an umbrella along if I step out.
Mumbai is a different city than Singapore. It takes few hours of rain to flood most parts of the city. Getting stuck in the office or on the way is the last thing you would wish for.