Kamathipura, Historical neighborhood in Mumbai, India
Kamathipura is a residential neighborhood in south Mumbai with narrow lanes and densely packed multistory buildings. The area consists of fourteen parallel streets running between two main roads, divided by the geographic origins of their inhabitants.
The area emerged around the late 18th century when the British East India Company drained swampy land near the expanding port of Bombay for settlements. In the early 20th century, the neighborhood evolved into a center for workers and migrants from different parts of India.
Different communities from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Bengal maintain their customs within specific sections of the area. Religious festivals and rituals are celebrated in the streets and small temples with practices passed down through generations.
The neighborhood is within walking distance of several railway stations and accessible through public transport from central Mumbai. Visitors should be aware that the streets are narrow and the area remains a working residential neighborhood where discretion and respect for local residents are important.
Around two hundred women in the neighborhood work in small workshops rolling beedi by hand, a traditional Indian cigarette made from tendu leaves. This cottage industry has been part of the local economy for decades and is often passed down within families.
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