WEST

India's western gateway is Bombay better know as Mumbai now. Mumbai's Gothic artecture is embodied in the Gateway of India, Mumbai High Court, Old secretariat, University Buildings and Victoria Terminus. Open Spaces in this glamorous city include Chowpatty Beach, Juhu Beach, and Sanjay Gandhi National Park, the latter a fine wildlife part at Borivili. Mumbai is dynamic and exciting. There are marvelous shopping arcades, fine restaurants and art galleries. The Gateway of India , built in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to the Delhi Darbar, is a major landmark as also the imposing Taj Mahal Hotel Close by. The Prince of Wales Museum, the Jehangir Art Gallery, the various Churches, temples and shrines including the one of Haji Ali out on an island linked by a causeway, are worth a glimpse. Take a boat ride out to the Elephanta Island to see the marvelous rock cut caves noted for their huge sculpted panels. Other interesting destinations close by include - the Kanheri Caves, the beach resorts at Madh Island and Manori and the charming little hill station of Matheran , all within easy reach.

Aurangabad, 400 km from Mumbai. Spectacular rock cut caves and cave paintings exist at two nearby places, Ajanta and Ellora. The most notable feature of these Cave temples is that entire hillsides were cut away with the artisan's chisel to produce some of the world's most exquisite sculpture.

Not far from Mumbai is the lovely hill resort of Mahabaleshwar, picturesque during the monsoons with its lakes, waterfalls and wild flowers strewn landscapes. Pune is another exciting town located on the Deccan Plateau, once the capital of Shivaji, the great Maratha ruler. Within easy reach are splendid forts up on the fastness of hill tops - well worth seeing.

Goa: The most comprehensive beach resort in the country. Goa is approachable from Mumbai. Goa's coastline provides endless sun drenched crescents of sand. Vagator, Arjuna, Baga, Calangute, Candolum and Majorda stretch out in an unbroken palm fringed line. Other beaches are at Miramar and Colva. Parasailing, yachting, windsurfing and deep sea diving are some of the more popular water sports, facilities for which are available. Inland, 451 years of Portuguese rule has imbued Goa's towns and villages with a unique culture. Whitewashed chapels and churches that dot the landscape are surrounded by sleepy villages and rice fields.

The most convenient entry point into Gujarat is through the metropolis of Ahmedabad. The city contains some very fine museums, the Calico Museum of Textiles being considered among the world's finest, Vadodara, a center for the arts and once the royal capital of Gujarat; Palitana - an entire hill top encrusted in finely carved temples; Somnath with its old temple and the picturesque little island retreat of Diu close to the beach resort of Ahmedpur Mandvi. Ahmedabad's walled city is a living testimony to its heritage of crafts as women walk by in dazzling embroidered garments and flashing ethnic silver jewellery.