Worli (

ISO The International Organization for Standardization (ISO ; ; ) is an independent, non-governmental, international standard development organization composed of representatives from the national standards organizations of member countries. Me ...

: ''Varaḷī'', �əɾ(ə)ɭiː is a locality in central

Mumbai Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial capital and the most populous city proper of India with an estimated population of 12 ...

Maharashtra Maharashtra () is a state in the western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. It is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, the Indian states of Karnataka and Goa to the south, Telangana to th ...

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

. It is one of the four peninsulas of Mumbai with the others being

Colaba Colaba (; or ISO 15919, ISO: Kolābā) is a part of the city of Mumbai, India. It is one of the four peninsulas of Mumbai while the other three are Worli, Bandra and Malabar Hill. During the Portuguese rule in the 16th century, the island was ...

Bandra Bandra ( æːɳɖɾa is a coastal suburb located in Mumbai, the largest city of the Konkan division in Maharashtra, India. The area is located to the immediate north of the River Mithi, which separates Bandra from the Mumbai City district. It ...

and

Malabar Hill Malabar Hill is amongst the most affluent residential areas in Mumbai. It is home to several business tycoons and film personalities. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, had built and lived in a bungalow, called South Court, in Malab ...

. The sea connects it with Vandre via the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. Historic spellings include Warli, Worlee, Varli, and Varel. Originally Worli was a separate island, one of the

Seven Islands of Bombay The Seven Islands of Bombay ( Portuguese: ''Ilhas de Bom Baim'') were 16th-century Portuguese colonial possessions lying off the Konkan region by the mid-west coast of India. History They were partly handed over to England under this tit ...

which were ceded by the

Portuguese Portuguese may refer to: * anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal ** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods ** Portuguese language, a Romance language *** Portuguese dialects, variants of the Portuguese language ** Portu ...

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

in 1661; it was linked up with the other islands in the 19th century. In the 1990s, a group of terrorists attacked a building in Worli as well as major buildings in the city.

Geography and Location

Worli is located along the western coastline of Mumbai, bordered by the

Arabian Sea The Arabian Sea () is a region of sea in the northern Indian Ocean, bounded on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, Gulf of Aden and Guardafui Channel, on the northwest by Gulf of Oman and Iran, on the north by Pakistan, on the east by India, and ...

to the west,

Lower Parel Lower Parel (Pronunciation: Help:IPA/Marathi, əɾəɭ Help:IPA/Hindi and Urdu, əɾeːl station code: PL) railway station is a railway station on the Western Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway, India. The next station south is Mahal ...

to the east,

Prabhadevi Prabhadevi (Pronunciation: ɾəbʱaːd̪eʋiː is a prominent residential and religious neighborhood in South Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It is known for its mix of high-end residential buildings, cultural landmarks, and historical significan ...

to the north, and

Haji Ali The Haji Ali Dargah is a Sufi shrine, and the monument of Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, that is located on an islet off the coast of Worli in southern Mumbai, in the state of Maharashtra, India. An exquisite example of Indo-Islamic architecture, ...

to the south. The neighborhood enjoys a prime location and excellent connectivity via major roads and railway lines.

History

Worli has a rich history that dates back to the time of the seven islands of Bombay. It was originally a fishing village inhabited by the

Koli Koli may refer to: People * Koli people, Indian caste group * Koli Christians, a Christian subgroup * Muslim Kolis, Muslim community * Koli (surname), Indian surname * Koli Sewabu (born 1975), Fijian rugby union footballer Places * Koli, Fin ...

community. During

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. * British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture ...

rule, Worli underwent significant urbanization and became an important part of Mumbai’s development. The construction of major infrastructure projects, including the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, further boosted its importance in the city's landscape. The mumbai police and BPT set up their quarters near Worli seaface in the 1970s.

Culture and Heritage

Worli is known for its cultural and historical significance. Key highlights include: *

Worli Fort The Worli Fort is a fort in Worli, Mumbai, India. Though often incorrectly assumed to have been built by the Portuguese, the fort was built by the British around 1675 on Worli Hill. Worli Fort overlooked Mahim Bay at a time when the city co ...

: A 17th-century fort built by the British to guard against invasions. * Worli Koliwada: A traditional fishing village that still preserves the lifestyle and customs of Mumbai’s indigenous

community. * Religious Sites: The neighborhood houses several temples, churches, and mosques, reflecting Mumbai’s diverse cultural fabric.

Notable Landmarks

Bandra-Worli Sea Link

A landmark cable-stayed bridge that connects Worli to Bandra, reducing travel time and enhancing connectivity between South Mumbai and the western suburbs.

Worli Fort The Worli Fort is a fort in Worli, Mumbai, India. Though often incorrectly assumed to have been built by the Portuguese, the fort was built by the British around 1675 on Worli Hill. Worli Fort overlooked Mahim Bay at a time when the city co ...

Built by the British in the 17th century,

is an important historical monument that overlooks the Arabian Sea.

Worli Sea Face

A popular promenade offering stunning views of the Arabian Sea, making it a favored spot for morning joggers and evening strolls.

Economy and Commercial Importance

Worli has evolved into a major commercial hub, with numerous multinational corporations, financial institutions, and high-end retail establishments. Several prominent business centers and luxury residential projects, such as the Lodha World Towers, have further transformed the skyline of the area.

Transportation

Worli is well-connected by various modes of transportation:

Roadways

The area is accessible via key roads such as: * Vandre Worli Sealink * Mumbai Coastal Road * Annie Besant Road * E. Moses Road * Senapati Bapat Rd. It will soon be connected by the Trans harbor -Coastal road connector.

Railways

The closest railway stations are

and

Mahalaxmi Lakshmi (; , , sometimes spelled Laxmi, ), also known as Shri (, , ), is one of the principal goddesses in Hinduism, revered as the Devi, goddess of wealth, fortune, prosperity, beauty, fertility, sovereignty, and abundance. She along with ...

on the Western Line.

Metro

* The

Worli Worli (ISO 15919, ISO: ''Varaḷī'', Help:IPA/Marathi, �əɾ(ə)ɭiː is a locality in central Mumbai in Maharashtra, India. It is one of the four peninsulas of Mumbai with the others being Colaba, Bandra and Malabar Hill. The sea connect ...

and Acharya Atre Chowk Metro stations on the Aqua Line.

Bus

It is well connected by the

BEST Best or The Best may refer to: People * Best (surname), people with the surname Best * Best (footballer, born 1968), retired Portuguese footballer Companies and organizations * Best & Co., an 1879–1971 clothing chain * Best Lock Corporatio ...

bus service and a depot near Worli Naka, called Worli Agar.

Education and Institutions

Worli is home to several reputed educational institutions, including: *

Podar International School Podar International School is a group of schools that is a part of the Podar Education Network that was established in 1927 by Sheth Anandilal Podar, with Mahatma Gandhi as the first President of the trust. The group is headquartered in Mumba ...

* DY Patil International School *

National Sports Club of India The National Sports Club of India (NSCI) is a twin-city based sports club with branches in Mumbai and Delhi, India. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Indoor Stadium is an indoor sports arena that seats 5,000 people. The stadium was established in 1957 ...

(NSCI), which also serves as a sporting and cultural venue. * Brihanmumbai Mahanagarpalika Worli Seaface Shala (school)

Demographics

Worli has a diverse population, comprising business professionals, expatriates, and local communities. The area has seen rapid urbanization, with luxury apartments replacing old settlements, though some traditional communities such as the Kolis still reside in the Worli Koliwada.

Challenges and Redevelopment

Like many parts of Mumbai, Worli faces challenges such as traffic congestion and infrastructure strain due to rapid urban development. Several redevelopment projects are underway to modernize the neighborhood while preserving its cultural heritage.

Politics

In October 2019,

Aaditya Thackeray Aaditya Uddhav Thackeray (born 13 June 1990) is an Indian politician who served as a Cabinet Minister of Higher Education, Cabinet Minister of Tourism and Environment for the Government of Maharashtra. He is also an MLA of the Maharashtra L ...

contested the

2019 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly election The 2019 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly election was held on 21 October 2019 to elect all 288 members of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, state's Legislative Assembly. After a 61.4% turnout in the election, the ruling National Democrati ...

from the

constituency and he is currently the MLA of

Celebrities who Reside in Worli

Famous Indian celebrities as well as celebrity couples reside in the Worli area of Mumbai: *

Shahid Kapoor Shahid Kapoor (; born 25 February 1981) is an Indian actor who appears in Hindi films. Initially recognised for portraying romantic roles, he has since taken on parts in action films and thrillers, and is the recipient of List of awards and n ...

Rohit Sharma Rohit Sharma (born 30 April 1987) is an Indian Cricket, international cricketer and the Captain (cricket), captain of the India national cricket team, national team in One Day International, ODIs. He is also a former captain in Tests and T20 ...

Yuvraj Singh Yuvraj Singh (born 12 December 1981) is a former Indian international cricketer who played in all formats of the game. An all-rounder who batted left-handed in the middle order and bowled slow left-arm orthodox, he has won 7 Player of the Se ...

Virat Kohli Virat Kohli (born 5 November 1988) is an Indian Cricket, international cricketer who plays One Day International, ODI cricket for the India national cricket team, national team and is a former Captain (cricket), captain in all formats. He is a ...

and

Anushka Sharma Anushka Sharma (; born 1 May 1988) is an Indian actress who works in Hindi films. She has won many awards including Filmfare Awards and IIFA Awards. Sharma has appeared in ''Forbes India''s Celebrity 100 in the 2010s and was featured by ''F ...

Riteish Deshmukh Riteish Deshmukh (born 17 December 1978) is an Indian actor, filmmaker and television presenter who predominantly works in Hindi cinema, Hindi and Marathi cinema, Marathi films. Known for his comic portrayals, Deshmukh is a recipient of several ...

and

Genelia D'Souza Genelia Deshmukh (née D'Souza; born 5 August 1987), also credited professionally as Genelia, is an Indian actress who predominantly appears in Telugu cinema, Telugu, Hindi, and Tamil language, Tamil films. Described in the media as one of the ...

Madhuri Dixit Madhuri Dixit Nene (Maiden and married names, née Dixit, ; born 15 May 1967) is an Indian actress and television personality. She has appeared in Madhuri Dixit filmography, over 70 Hindi films. Praised by critics for her performances and danc ...

References

{{Mumbai metropolitan area Neighbourhoods in Mumbai Islands of India Populated places in India

Geography and Location

History

Culture and Heritage

Notable Landmarks

Bandra-Worli Sea Link

Worli Fort The Worli Fort is a fort in Worli, Mumbai, India. Though often incorrectly assumed to have been built by the Portuguese, the fort was built by the British around 1675 on Worli Hill. Worli Fort overlooked Mahim Bay at a time when the city co ...

Worli Sea Face

Economy and Commercial Importance

Transportation

Roadways

Railways

Metro

Bus

Education and Institutions

Demographics

Challenges and Redevelopment

Politics

Celebrities who Reside in Worli

See also

References