Lower Parel - A Thriving Commercial Center in Mumbai

Sejal Dange

Mumbai is one of Maharashtra's most populous and largest cities and it is well known. It is known as the "city of dreams" and is the biggest metropolis in India. Those that strive arduously day and night to realise their aspirations can be found here. Mumbai is home to a diverse population, including gangsters, Bollywood stars, and struggling performers. There is a great deal to discuss and write about.

Lower Parel is famous for its Textile Mills from the 90’s and today, for being one of the most promising commercial hubs. The redevelopment of Mumbai's cotton mills began in 1992, when efforts began to demolish to make way for new residential and commercial buildings, as part of the wider modernization of Mumbai. The two famous mills of Lower Parel are Phoenix Mills (High Street Phoenix) and Kamala mills (Kamla Mill Compound). The former happens to be one of the rare lands where the essential structure of the mill has been retained and rehabilitated into a luxurious shopping mall while the latter is one of the first mill areas that is being redeveloped for commercial use in the city. Now it has become a commercial complex which houses 34 restaurants and bars with several corporate offices.

At Lower Parel, there are various attractions to see. To start, in the railway market, there is a store named "Dhaga Ghar" that has been operating for ten years and has expanded, throughout that time. Along with selling a variety of cloth materials, they also produce a large range of embroidery lace that is used in sarees and lehengas and offer it for a fair price. Their distinctive creation is the reason why people travel great distances to visit them during the wedding and festival season. Besides this, you can visit Palladium mall, game centers such as Zero Latency, where you can get the best VR gaming experience, and The Amazing Escape.

If you are a people person and you love to meet people from different communities, The Integral Space is the place for you. It is a co- creative community center and an ecosystem of well being. They have created a safe space for fitness, healing, therapies, creative expression, and personal transformation. Their mission is to provide people with the opportunity to experience, share, and learn to live happy, healthy, inspired, creative, and integrated lives.

If you are an visitor in Mumbai and want to take something back with you as a memory then you must visit Baaya Design, an art gallery and a gift shop. They provide authentic arts & crafts from across India along with gifts, furniture, lights, and lamps using master artisan skills. Baaya has over 20 forms of cultural art right from Pichwai paintings, Gond art to Kalamkari and Dokra art. Baaya is where design meets tradition in the most meaningful way.

The most anticipated aspect is the food since it is the one thing that truly connects you to the city. If the food is amazing it will remind you about the city and the people you met. When it comes to street food one should try Kathi rolls, Kathi Kebabs, Junos, and Chai Wadi. Restaurants which are worth visiting are The Bombay Cartel, Zaffran, and The Bombay Canteen.

Although these are just a handful of the numerous attractions in this bustling city, there is much to explore and experience. The individual town-like areas within this metropolis possess their own unique identity, history, and vibrancy. Thus, when in Mumbai, it is highly recommended to visit these places of interest to gain a deeper understanding of the city's culture and way of living.