MMRDA launches set of new guidebooks celebrating Mumbai’s heritage

Each volume features curated lists of heritage sites, easy-to-read maps, walking trails, and in-depth contextual write-ups. Pic/MMRDA

In a step to bring Mumbai's rich history closer to the public, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has launched a four-part Heritage Handbook Series. The books were officially unveiled by Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, Metropolitan Commissioner of MMRDA, in the presence of the authors.

Each volume features curated lists of heritage sites, easy-to-read maps, walking trails, and in-depth contextual write-ups, making them a practical and insightful companion for heritage enthusiasts, students, and visitors alike, the MMRDA said in a statement.

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The event marked MMRDA's Golden Jubilee Year and is supported by the MMR Heritage Conservation Society (MMR-HCS).

An official statement from the MMRDA said that the newly released handbooks include: A Walk Through Kalyan-Thane - by Het Shah and Shwetal Patil, A Walk Through Vasai-Sopara-Virar - by Pascal Roque Lopes, A Walk Through Mumbadevi-Dongri - by Manasi Chokshi and Esa Shaikh, A Walk Through Mumbai Suburbs: Bandra and Coastal Trails - by Minaz Ansari.

The books follow the earlier success of A Walk Through Mumbai Fort (2020), the officials said.

With Mumbai's rapid industrial growth and urban expansion across 400+ sq. km. during the 20th century, many historically significant sites receded from public view. This handbook series conceived through early deliberations of the MMR Heritage Committee aims to revive awareness of these cultural assets and reshape public perception of the city's shared legacy, the MMRDA officials said.

Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, said, "Our effort is to develop the Mumbai Metropolitan Region in a way that also brings its rich heritage into public view. Through these handbooks, we hope that the new generation can witness the legacy of MMR understanding where these historic sites are, what they once represented, and how the region has transformed over time."

These handbooks will soon be available in local bookstores across Mumbai and nearby regions.

The handbooks help people explore hidden historical spots -- from the sacred Mumbadevi Temple to the old trade routes of Vasai and Sopara.

The aim is to revive public memory and help people appreciate Mumbai's deep-rooted culture, especially in fast-growing urban areas, the official statement said.

The project continues the legacy of MMRDA's earlier publication, "Multiplicity: Urban Cultures of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region", which highlighted cultural diversity across areas like South Mumbai, Vasai-Virar, and Kalyan-Dombivli.