Mazagaon, Maritime neighborhood and former island in Mumbai, India
Mazagaon sits on the eastern edge of Mumbai's harbor, blending colonial architecture with modern residences along the waterfront. The neighborhood spreads across what was once separated water, now connected to the city through landfill and urban development.
Portuguese Jesuits settled the area in the 16th century, constructing a church and port facilities that made it a key maritime hub. This early foundation shaped its growth as a harbor center that drew traders and residents for generations.
The area is home to Roman Catholic communities, Hindu residents, and families descended from Portuguese settlers, whose traditions shape local celebrations and daily customs. These different groups live side by side, creating a diverse social fabric visible in the neighborhood's character.
The neighborhood is served by trains at Dockyard Road station and frequent bus routes linking it to central Mumbai. The flat terrain makes walking easy, particularly during cooler parts of the day when the sun is less intense.
The area once featured mango trees that bore fruit twice yearly, a botanical oddity that continued into the 20th century. This unusual trait made the neighborhood distinctive for its fruit production among those who lived nearby.
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