12 Days in India

Mumbai, India's financial and entertainment capital, is a bustling coastal metropolis known as the "City of Dreams," famous for Bollywood, its vibrant markets, historic colonial architecture (UNESCO sites like CSMT & Elephanta Caves), diverse street food, dense population, and stark contrasts between extreme wealth and poverty, all set around a deep natural harbor on the Arabian Sea. 

Key Aspects:

Economy: India's commercial hub, responsible for significant maritime trade, finance, and the Bollywood film industry.

History: Originally seven islands, once called Bombay (from Portuguese "Boa Baía" - good bay), renamed Mumbai after the Koli goddess Mumbadevi.

Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, is India's "Cultural Capital," known as the "City of Joy," located on the Hooghly River, a hub for commerce, arts, and history with stunning British-era architecture, vibrant festivals (like Durga Puja), rich literature, famous street food, and the significant Port of Kolkata, while also managing modern challenges like pollution and poverty. 

Key Aspects:

Name & History: Formerly Calcutta, it was the British capital of India until 1911 and grew from three villages (Sutanuti, Kalikata, Gobindapur) established by the East India Company.

Geography: Situated on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, part of the Ganges Delta, with its location ideal for trade.