Overview
Most visitors to Mumbai are familiar with the landmark Mazgaon Docks, but not everyone is aware that the name of the docks was either derived from Maza Gaon which means ‘my village’ in Marathi or from Maccha Grama, meaning a ‘fishing village’. Sequestered in the laid back pockets of the docks, Matharpacady village’s self-contained houses were once housed amidst lavish mango orchards. The ‘Mangoes of Mazagong’ were even celebrated in the epic poem Lallah Rookh by Thomas Moore in 1817. Originally an East Indian Village, Matharpacady became home to Goans and Mangaloreans looking for opportunities in Mumbai. Time seems to have forgotten the gentle charms of this tranquil enclave scattered with some of the city’s oldest and quaintest houses. This grade III heritage neighbourhood is one of the quietest in the city. It’s important to experience this world before it is completely inundated by the flood of ugly structures that are taking over the skyline here.
Why you will love it
An inspirational insight into one of Mumbai’s lesser-known world of cultural delights Discovering a new aspect of Mumbai’s architectural landscapeEnjoying a slice of slow-paced life in bustling MumbaiWhat you will experience
This quaint, over four centuries-old, the village is filled with vintage homes of the lesser-known East Indian community; these houses showcase the delightfully ornamental features of Portuguese architecture, with their colourful facades, wooden staircases and open balconies. Landmarks of the village include the nearby Gunpowder Lane, created as a result of the armoury, the Megaton Court, and the Sales Tax office. The Holy Cross Oratory, dedicated to the saint of epidemics and infectious diseases, was built in 1875 and stands at one of the loveliest spots in the hamlet. Lions’ Den, built-in 1892, is modelled after its biblical namesake from the Book of Daniel. This ancestral house may be a prominent landmark in Mazgaon, but it’s becoming a struggle for the family to preserve it.
The tour ends with tea at an old East Indian home.
Add on:If you want to try some East Indian speciality –a special homemade East Indian lunch can be arranged at a traditional Portuguese home. Inspired by Portuguese and local cuisine, the East Indians use bottle masalas and palm vinegar which distinguishes their food