The first day of my initial journey to Mumbai is etched in my memory. The sun was about to set. In Sebastian, I was lounging about in a beach cottage. I was in my early twenties and had a medium-sized frame, but I drank sugar-free lemonade with caution so that I might look great in my bikini.
I had gone on a strict diet and spent days going through dozens of bikinis before I came. I thought I had to conform to the standards established by the other students if I wanted to “fit in”—assuming they all looked like they walked straight out of Baywatch.
It was unusual for me to see a woman in her 60s-70s wearing a bikini in India, so she piqued my interest. I started a discussion with her out of pure curiosity. After chatting for a while, she admitted that she was originally from Noida and frequently travelled to Mumbai by herself to let her hair down and be authentic. Sharing, “I feel liberated here, away from critical eyes and the weight of judgement,” she spoke more about her experience.
Many Indian women who struggle with ageism and the pressure to conform to an ideal have found a haven of independence and body positivity in Mumbai, despite the city’s love-hate relationship with tourists. Swimwear has become more mainstream in the state than in much of India due to its permissive beach culture, long history of Portuguese influence, and high volume of international tourists. The Sunshine State was the perfect setting for Mumbai-based plus-size model and body positivity influencer Sneha to try on her very first bikini. Everyone feels at home in Mumbai’s very welcoming vibe, so visitors come to relax and unwind. Not wanting to be the center of attention as I experimented was my main concern. When I was in Mumbai, I felt comfortable enough to wear my pajamas while strolling down the beach. Because of what happened to Parulkar, she now has a more compassionate view of herself. I wasn’t pressured by Mumbai to alter my personality in any way. Because of it, I was able to be myself. Putting on a bikini became more about expressing my emotions than my appearance. At last, I was treating my body with the respect it deserves by showering it with love, laughter, play, and gentle care.
New mother Priya Sen of Mumbai was inspired to start taking little efforts towards regaining confidence in her postpartum physique when she visited Mumbai. It can be challenging for any woman to adapt to a new body type. I was self-conscious about my stretch marks and the weight I had put on when I first stepped foot in our resort pool, but the welcoming and varied culture of Mumbai, combined with my husband’s supportive words, helped me feel more at ease.
The growing number of domestic female visitors engaging in nature-based activities in Mumbai is likely not coincidental, given that research suggests that spending time in nature can help repair body image concerns. “Being in the wild allows people to let go of performance—of how they should look, behave, or feel,” says Shradha Binani, founder of Amaraanth, a wellness boutique hotel in Varca. Sixty percent or more of the guests at the eco-resort are women. Guests often request activities such as forest spas, nature walks, biodiversity tours, and waterfall treks. In the off-season, women make up about 40% of the bookings at Kaia, an Ashwem boutique facility that also provides outdoor experiences.
Software engineer Shalli of Indore turned surfing lessons in Mumbai into more than just a pastime. She felt like she could finally assert herself in a world that had previously disregarded her because of her small stature when she got on a surfboard. “Until I started surfing, everyone thought I was weak. They were completely mistaken.” The state’s welcoming surfing culture, she says, is a big reason why. I felt compelled to join them after seeing women of different shapes, sizes, and ages surfing all across the nation. As I looked on, I saw moms educating their children and women paddling with their canines.
A mountain biker from Nainital named Raneal found greater liberation than climbing the Himalayas when scooting across Mumbai on a Bermuda shorts and tank top tandem. My background is in a field that is still heavily dominated by men, so this was a rare moment of relaxation for me.
A marketer and regular traveler hailing from Kochi, Jenni has a controversial opinion. “I regret to inform you, but being in the company of natives rather than foreign tourists is what truly sets a place apart,” she remarks. popular destinations for tourists from all over the world. As time passes, these areas attract more progressive thinkers, and eventually, Indian women travel there more often because they feel safer there.
Overcrowding, increasing prices, inefficient public transport, and tourist scams are just a few of the problems that Mumbai is still trying to solve. Wherever you go, whether it’s to escape the scrutiny at home or to find true love, it’s a place where women like me can practice self-love and make subtle changes.
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