NCL Cruise from Dubai UAE to Singapore
Day 11 Mumbai India Highlights of Bombay November 27-28, 2016
Mumbai is the fastest growing, most affluent and industrialized city in India, We spent time at the Prince of Wales Museum. The museum opened in 1923, to commemorate King George V's royal visit to India. The museum has an impressive collection of artifacts from Elephanta Island and the Jogeshwari Caves, ivory carvings, terracotta figurines from the Indus valley, and a large collection of miniature paintings.
We witnessed the elements and sights that have shared a long association and characterized the city with a spiritual experience at Radha Gopinath Temple, ISKCON; the temple of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. We were able to witness the prayer chanting offered for the welfare of humanity.
We paid a visit to Mani Bavan, the Gandhi Memorial, containing a reference library with over 2,000 books, memorabilia and a photo feature on the Mahatma's life. Drive up to posh Malabar hill making a stop at the Kamla Nehru Park Garden to experience the city's most exclusive neighborhood. Sought after since the 18th century for its forested slopes, fresh sea breeze and panoramic views.
Our final stop was for photos at the colorful Dhobi Ghat for a once in a lifetime sight where thousands of pieces of clothing are sent each day to be laundered, dried and ironed by Mumbais’ laundry men and women, the dhobi wallahs. g
3
Day 12 Mumbai India Jewish Chronicles of India November 27-28, 2016
India's history of Jewish settlement dates back over 2,200 years. During religious persecutions in the time of King Antiochus, a group of Jews escaped to India and were shipwrecked off the coast of Bombay. The few survivors came ashore, kept the faith, and were unknown to the Jewish world until they were discovered in the 1700s. Today, India's 6,000 Jews are as diverse a population as that of India itself. The first stop at the Shaar Ha-Rahamim (Gate of Mercy) synagogue, built in 1796 by Samuel Ezekiel Divekar. The oldest synagogue in Bombay, the Gate of Mercy belongs to the Bene Israel community and is housed in a tiny, unadorned building situated in the midst of crowded narrow lanes.
Next stop is the largest synagogue in Asia, the Magen David Synagogue built by David Sassoon in 1861. The synagogue was constructed in the spacious style of Victorian architecture, fronted by pillars and a clock tower, and an interior in the style of the Baghdad synagogue. The Baghdadi Jews first arrived from Iraq, Syria, and Iran around 1796, fleeing persecution in their native lands and settling mainly in Bombay, Calcutta and Yangon. They retained their language, Arabic, and maintained a separate cultural identity. Mostly traders and financiers, their contribution to the industrial growth of Bombay is well documented. The most prominent Baghdadi Jew was Sir David Sassoon who established the Indian House of Sassoon in 1832 and paved the way for many other Iraqi Jews in India.
En route back to the downtown district, we made a visit at the Tifereth Synagogue. Started as the Jacob Circle Prayer Hall in 1886, the Synagogue was constructed to accommodate the increase in Jewish population in the area. Then it was on to the Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue, built by David Sassoon's grandson Jacob Sassoon, in 1884. Considered by many to be the most beautiful synagogue in Mumbai, the structure is outstanding, with stonework on the bottom portion and brick above. The interior is marvelous as well, with decorated pillars, carved marble and a magnificent stained glass arch rising to the high ceiling.
Days 9-10 November 25-26, 2016 Days to Relax at Sea