India is well known for
many of its its popular beaches like Goa’s Calangute or Kerala’s Kovalam
beaches. But, just like any Asli
Mumbai-chi Mulgi, my favourite beach is Juhu Chowpatty.
Juhu Beach is an
ultimate weekend attraction for families, couples, friends, tourists, all the
same. The Arabian Sea overlooks an assembly of plush hotels on one end and
make-shift, crowded food stalls on the other end.
This beach meets with a
wide variety of visitors every day, starting with morning walkers, joggers,
runners and yoga practitioners at dawn, to groups of friends, stuntmen and
privacy-seeking couples in the afternoon, to families with children and
tourists in the evening.
Apart from all the
‘legal’ stores at the rear end of the beach, there are many stray vendors
selling local delicacies like Chana
Chaat, Bhel and Kulfi. What’s
more, one gets greeted by many ‘photographers’ and ‘mehandi designers’ in a
single beach visit. The evenings also see a surge in balloon and toys vendors.
My personal favourites are the monkey shaped balloons and the parachute toys.
A random stroll on this
beach will easily bring you close to a couple of sand castles and some
inscriptions in the sand. If luck favours you, you can also spot an exhibit of
sand art! Sometimes, when the tide is low, one can scavenge for and find sea
shells and small pieces of marble too.
Additionally, having
proximity to both Mumbai’s airport and helipad, one spots airplanes and helicopters
from the beach all too often. Children oversee the sky in awe as these large
metallic structures slowly vanish out of their sight.
Now, all this typically
constitutes the ‘guilty pleasures’ of any Mumbai resident hanging out at the
city’s favourite beach. However, there is another aspect of Juhu beach which is
very exotic, a 5 star hotel experience.
‘Sun N Sand’, an appropriate
name for a beachfront hotel, is a serene location overlooking the Arabian Sea. An
extension to the sea is in the form of an outdoor saltwater swimming pool on
the hotel’s premises. Resting on one of the recliners around the pool, one can
sip on a cold fresh-fruit juice and enjoy the sun descend into the horizon of
the vast sea.
Also, if you’re in
luck, you can spot Bollywood celebrities or models engaged in professional
photo-shoots around the pool. Incidentally, on my visit, I witnessed both!
However, Juhu Beach, to
me, is an extra-ordinary place for every ordinary citizen and that’s what makes
it so special to the local Mumbai resident.
The assortment of foods
available, the potpourri of visitors from across the country and the constant calling
from the vendors are typical of Juhu Beach. Running or sitting or getting dirty
in the sand make up for a great leisurely get-away from the honking and
sweating that Mumbaiites are accustomed to.
I rate Juhu Beach as
India’s best beach escape, not because it’s the most beautiful coast, but
because it has something to offer to everyone. In many ways, the beach mirrors
the ying-yang mood of this city- its madness and chaos on one hand and its calm
and beauty on the other.
*This piece was written as part of a writing contest.
*This piece was written as part of a writing contest.
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