Saturday 1st December 2007

Inaugural Function  

Prayer to Lord Ganesh and Goddess Saraswati

Inauguration by Lighting of Lamp

Cultural programme: Folk Dances of India and Bollywood Dances

Buffet Dinner

Sunday 2nd December 2007

Mumbai City Tour

Dinner at the famous Khyber Restaurant
http://www.khyberrestaurant.com/

Monday 3rd December 2007 & Tuesday 4th December 2007

Delegates can choose visits to some libraries on one day and a walk on the other day or libraries on both days.

Option 1: Heritage Walks

Bombay Fort Area Heritage Walking Tour:

You will see the Fort’s amazing collection of historic landmarks and architectural gems, built in a vast array of materials and styles. A veritable parade of archetypal Neo-Gothic public buildings built in the 1860s & 70s such as the glorious Bombay University Library with its high campanile and the grand imposing High Court are South Mumbai’s main architectural attraction. Fronting this line of historic Gothic edifices across the open space of Oval Maidan is a row of superb 1930s Art Deco apartment buildings making this a marvellously unique setting – both visually and architecturally. Other highlights on this heritage route are the culturally vibrant Kala Ghoda node with newly restored Elphinstone College, the ‘miniature Gothic’, the Neo-Classic Army & Navy building and much more.

For more details: http://www.bombayheritagewalks.com/

Option 2:  Library Visits

University of Mumbai - Fort Campus Library

Asiatic Society Library State Central Library

David Sassoon Library

K.R. Cama Oriental Institute Library

Evening at leisure. Delegates may arrange to attend one of the cultural programmes at NCPA.

Tuesday, 4th December 2007 – Evening

IALL Annual Dinner at the Restaurant of Sachin Tendulkar (India’s most famous cricketer)

Wednesday, 5th December 2007

09.00  Boat trip from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island. Elephanta Island is situated about 10 Kms east from Mumbai. The complex is now  a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are rock cut cave temples dating to 4th - 9th Century dedicated to Lord Shiva the Hindu God. They are also called the Gharapuri Caves. They contain masterpieces of Indian Sculpture. Most  impressive is a  six-metre high carving of Shiva represented in the three incarnations of creation, destruction and preservation. There is a broad staircase leading up to the caves lined with stalls selling a great variety of mementos. Watch out for the monkeys who will steal food from you!          

14.00  Return to Gateway of India by boat, with light refreshment on board, arriving about 15.00. There will then be an opportunity to shop for Indian handicrafts at a Government authorised fixed-price handicraft showroom. The shop sells good quality handicrafts in a calm environment with no pressure to buy.

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