Did you know, that the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Colaba is even older than the Gateway of India? Have you ever wondered, why is the Elephanta Caves called so? This World Heritage Day 2024, get ready to explore Mumbai’s heritage like never before. The Colaba area of Mumbai holds a treasure of history with remarkable monuments and structures that narrate the tale of Mumbai’s glorious past. Among them, Mumbai’s Gateway of India and the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel stand as majestic landmarks bridging Mumbai’s modern present to its hair-raising history. In this series of Mid-day Xplore, Mid-day`s journalist Katyayani Kapoor explores Gateway of India and Taj Mahal Palace Hotel with the founder of Mumbai Heritage Tours - Pranav Damle who gives a peek into the untold and rare history of South Mumbai`s remarkable heritage honouring the heritage of Mumbai this World Heritage Day.

Raksha Bandhan 2024 is here to seal the bond of love between brothers and sisters. But do you know which Indian community helps shape this festival like no other? India’s Patwa community is known for their intricate thread work and it is the same art that has resulted in Rakhi making for generations. For the rakhi makers of the Patwa community, Rakhi making is their identity. While for others the festival of Raksha Bandhan is a one-day festive affair, for these artisans from the Patwa community, Rakhi making is their bread and butter which keeps them engaged 365 days a year. Mid-day’s Katyayani Kapoor met a few rakhi makers from the Patwa community at Mumbai’s Bhuleshwar. Take a look.