Rainy Season Magic: Top Places to Visit Near Mumbai in Monsoon

“Into each life, some rain shall fall,” said Shakespeare, a famous English writer. This is especially true for Mumbaikars, as every year, in the rainy season; they get more than their fair share of rain falling down on them from the sky. Every year, this is seen as a huge problem but this year, lets welcome the rain a little differently.

Instead of looking upon the monsoon season only as an inconvenience and interruption to our precious daily lives, and then cursing the civic authorities, lets try to look upon this time as a vital, necessary and integral part of the 4 seasons that make up the year and our lives.

Whatever we do, whatever contraptions we build, we will never be able to keep out the rain permanently. Therefore, lets accept it and welcome it with joy. Lets revel in this natural and cleansing annual ritual of nature that diverts us every year but also gives us a glimpse of the raw glistening beauty that is always around us, even if we don’t notice it.

The Rains in Mumbai

Mumbai is famous for its torrential rains and flash floods. Due to its Geography and the heat produced by the city, hot air expands and rises, leaving a vacuum that quickly sucks in the dark clouds coming over the Arabian Sea. As these clouds explode over Mumbai, they unleash an unbelievable waterfall that drenches everything in sight and washes away the many delicate systems and gears that make Mumbai tick.

Roads are shut due to water logging, public transport breaks down, important markets are submerged and even airplanes are grounded due to heavy rainstorms. With a large and diverse population, this causes all manner of problems and inconveniences but in response, every year, the city rises to the challenge and does the impossible: Like the rain, it refuses to stop.

This year, don’t just cope with the rainy season but also welcome and celebrate it. A large part of accepting the rain is expecting it. If we are mindful of seasons and know from before that they are approaching, we are more likely to be mentally and logistically prepared. We will not be shocked and instead be geared up to enjoy this special treat.

What to do this year

This year, lets keep an eye on the monsoons. Well before time, lets buy an umbrella, waterproof our houses, store up rations and download recipes for Pakoras and different types of tea. Lets also stock up on things to do indoors when the rain makes the streets unserviceable.

If news of a big storm comes in, it may make sense to plan a trip outside Mumbai, in the lap of nature where one can enjoy the downpour with friends and without the logistical nightmare that Mumbai can sometimes become engulfed in. Luckily, there are a number of interesting and inviting weekend getaways near Mumbai that might provide the perfect vantage point to witness the splendor of the monsoons.

Where to go

One of the best places to head to before a thunderstorm or rain shower is the Karnala Bird Sanctuary. This is a protected bird watching sanctuary that is home to some fascinating and beautiful birds and other creatures. In the rain, the burrows and nests of many of these creatures become inhabitable and therefore, they are forced to come out in the open.

This provides ample opportunities to observe nature’s wonders amid freshly washed trees, grassland and open fields. The dense forests and trees also provide a temporary cover in case the downpour becomes unbearable. If you are not scared of getting wet, a walk through this area can be quite fun in the monsoons.

Near to the Karnala Bird Sanctuary, on the Mumbai-Goa Highway, is the Visava Amusement Park and Resort. This is an interesting resort that has an in-house water park that is not just fully functional but also very popular in the rainy season. The waterpark has several swimming pools, water slides and even a rain dance area to enhance the experience for guests and visitors.

With an amazing restaurant called Garam Masala and rolling lawns, this is one of the  places to visit near Mumbai in the Monsoon. In case you decide to spend the night at the Visava Resort in Panvel, they also offer different types of accommodations for overnight guests. So the next time things get too wet in the city, you can come here for the weekend with friends and enjoy the rain.