Dharavi

One of the Largest slums in Asia, Dharavi is a 2.1 sqkm wide home ground to about 1 million people. This multi-ethnic, multi-religious and diverse neighbourhood of Dharavi is filled with amazing stories of people and their fight for life.

Dharavi was formed in the by the relocation of the Tanneries into the old swamp village of the Koli community in the 1880s. This was followed by the wave of labourers who settled in Dharavi with hopes of a better life in their eyes. People from rural parts all over the country swarmed towards the megacity of Mumbai and as the city of Mumbai grew in unimaginable proportions, so did the population of Dharavi.

Dharavi has undergone a series of epidemics and disasters and the communities have found their way of survival. Everyday chaos and buzz is the attraction of Dharavi. When entering the neighbourhood from the main road, Dharavi might look like a disaster of lifestyle, but after tunnelling through the narrow alleys, you will find the place as normal as an urban village can be, unlike what it has been depicted otherwise. The communities have come together to work in unison for the betterment of the neighbourhood.

The most famous places in Dharavi are the Badi Masjid which is the oldest Mosque, Ganesh Mandir, the oldest temple in Dharavi,Maharashtra Nature Park and Dharavi fort. There are some guided tours hosted by some local operators to give an insight to the tourists in a normal day of Dharavi. A collective called the SlumGods is a group of local youths who host tours of Dharavi, Mumbai, and Mumbai shore excursions and also collaborate with international Hip-Hop crews while helping the children of Dharavi in their development. Dharavi is home to an Art Exhibition called the Dharavi Biennale or the Alley Galli Biennale which gathers the community to create art along with well known contemporary artists.

Dharavi is a complete extravaganza of a chaotic rhythm to be felt.