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People often say that Mumbai is a city of dreams and hopes. The financial and commercial capital of the country, Mumbai is well known for being the hometown of individuals with significant stature. Dilwaalon ki Dilli is the place of culture and legend, the grandstand for political battles and the seat of power of our country. The city has an enthralling history of its own to which all of its affairs and intrigues are connected.

For an awfully long period of time, people have waged wars on this issue, friends and lovers parted ways on ideological grounds and families have been divided. Now no more, a decision must be reached, a verdict needs to be passed. And so we come to the greatest battle of our day. The crore-rupee question. Which is better?

Which is better?

MUMBAI or DELHI?

The CDBlog takes on both sides of the argument.

1. Weather & Season

In Delhi, no matter how unpleasant the summers are (you may sweat buckets and collapse in a puddle), one at least gets to enjoy different seasons. None of this mild weather nonsense. Delhiites would any day choose the oven to the pressure cooker that is the Mumbai humidity.

Then there is always a delightful winter to look forward to. The day’s start getting shorter, the nights really chilly and wonderfully snug with the bringing out of warm blankets and hot chocolate. Skies become clear and beautiful.

Till it gets reaaallly cold. And then you die. Horribly. After freezing to death.

Apart from that, it’s really cool 🙂

Summer? You mean humid with a chance of warm? Winter? You mean humid with a chance of chill?

Let’s not write off Mumbai’s weather as of yet.

Mumbaikars may bleat and crib about the weather but in their hearts they know that it is as good as it can get. You don’t need to change your schedule or waste closet space trying to store massive sweaters every year. And the only way Mumbaikers know that the seasons are changing is with the sudden gust of End of the Season sales signboards all over town!

SCORE:

Delhi – 1

Mumbai – 1

2. Food



Discover some mouth-watering delicacies in the streets of old Dilli, taste the distinct wares of the Paranthe Wali Gali and savor the eye-watering chaat and golgappe at Ashok Chaat Bhandar. Order delectable biryanis or walk out to any street corner for kulfi-falooda. Make your way through Khan Market, eating everything from Thai to Chinese to Italian food.

Delhi, at its core, is a meaty paradise, a potpourri of various cultures and cuisines, all perfected for different appetites, budgets and the insatiable Indian palette. And while Mumbai has its own appeal when it comes to food, from pav bhaji, vada pav to keema pav, our hearts are set on dilli ka khana.

Also, it’s aloo and pyaaz NOT batata and kandha.

SCORE:

Delhi – 1

Mumbai – 0

3. The Sea & Rains

There is an immensely good justification to why the most prominent representation of Mumbai is its spectacular Queen’s necklace, the pearl-d Marine Drive. And let’s not even get started on the Rains!

Monsoons is to Mumbai what printed, sparkly upper body-wear is to Gujarati men, i. e., they are mutually responsible for shaping and found in close association with the other. The rains reveal a whole new side of the city; while business goes on as usual, there is a hint of magic, a raw clarity to life that is thrilling, edgy and magnificent, all at the same time.

We’re sorry but there is nothing that Delhi can offer which can compare to the sight of the Arabian sea stretching into the horizon, or feel like the breeze as you stroll along Juhu beach or produce the kind of life-affirming situations that Bombay rains can put you in.

SCORE:

Delhi – 0

Mumbai – 1

4. Cleanliness, Space & Standard of Living



In contrast to any other major city in India, *cough* Bambaii *cough*, Delhi is one of the cleanest places. The roads are wide and expansive, and many locations of the old city have been modernized, especially with the launch of the metro services. There is more breathing space, lesser crowds, better infrastructure and more money is being pumped in both their health and sanitation budget, Delhi is far better than Mumbai in terms of living.

It’s significantly cheaper too. Like…a lot cheaper. Mumbai was hit by inflation about 50% more than Delhi, especially in terms of food. And let’s not even get started on real estate in Mumbai; it is cheaper to buy a castle in Jaipur.

SCORE:

Delhi – 1

Mumbai – 0

5. Freedom & Outlook

Political centers (like Delhi) may have its benefits but the unrestrained freedom and the casual air of abandon, that’s been brought about by commercial hubs like Mumbai, are missing. Mumbai has a truly bohemian, cosmopolitan outlook. Different ways of life are accepted wholeheartedly without stringent censure and there is a kind of ‘Live and Let Live’ ideology followed by its inhabitants.

Delhi might not readily accept differences, absorbed as they might be, more with outward appearances in terms of dressing up, behavior and lifestyle.

SCORE:

Delhi – 0

Mumbai – 1

6. History & Culture

When it comes to having a native culture and a historically significant scene, there is no doubt that Delhi takes the lead. There is a strange narrative found within the historical monuments and the age-old buildings and gallis of purani Dilli. Mughal and Hindu culture is abundantly found and art thrives in this city with many scholars, poets and critics making it a hub of activity. Mumbai, on the contrary, can be quite a cultural wasteland sometimes, being able to boast of only a few art galleries and museums, grossly inadequate for a city with such calibre and cultural potential.

SCORE:

Delhi – 1

Mumbai – 0

7. Security

Delhi is a place that requires you to constantly be on guard whilst you enjoy its gardens, museums and theatres; against the aggressiveness of its people, against the unpleasant cab driver, grumpy service staff, and against the sheer philistinism of its social life.

Mumbai on the other hand, with its happening nightlife, edgy urban energy and uncompromising safety measures as well as the mentality of people, allows you to have more fun as and when you want it. And while Delhi continues to have a comparably riveting night life, we wouldn’t put our money on the safety measures.

SCORE:

Delhi – 0

Mumbai – 1

8. Getaways

Coming to weekend gateway locations and spots, Delhi can deliver. There are countless farmhouses and holiday spots on the outskirts of Delhi you can go to in a few hours’ drive and escape the monotony of city life. Some locations that see the most foot fall over the weekends are Rishikesh, Jim Corbett National Park, long drive on Yamuna Expressway to Agra or Shimla. The city doesn’t hold you back or disappoint you..

But don’t make the mistake of underestimating Mumbai. There are number of places to chill out around in this city, from Daman to Mahabaleshwar to Matheran. Drive to Lonavala or Khandala or take a ferry to Alibaug or go sightseeing to Elephanta Caves.

SCORE:

Delhi – 1

Mumbai – 1

9. Opportunities

An upstanding thing about Mumbai is its conscientious working culture. It is popularly and correctly known that if you want to make something of yourself, Mumbai is the city to be. This city can prove to be an exertion at times but it provides ample opportunities for everyone.

SCORE:

Delhi – 0

Mumbai – 1

10. Transportation

Delhi is well known for one of India’s best Metro Railway system; clean, easily accessible, and is considerably better in every way than the jam-packed locals of Bombay. While the city dwellers of Delhi do suffer because of their dishonest rickshahwallahs, the rest of their public transport is much better than squeezing yourself in a Virar Fast or getting stuck in Andheri East at rush hour.

SCORE:

Delhi – 1



Mumbai – 0

11. Civilization & Civic Sense

Ok, this has got to be the deciding factor.

Despite Delhi getting ahead on infrastructure, food and culture, nothing beats the spirit of Mumbaikers. Warm, friendly and energetic, the people of Mumbai are tireless and what’s interesting is that the busiest people will stop in their tracks, take a moment out of their busy schedules and deign to help out a lost soul.

Not only are the people of Mumbai pragmatic and accepting of outsiders, they have the rare Indian quality of being helpful towards a fellow human being, caring for public property and abiding by laws.

SCORE:

Delhi – 0



Mumbai – 1



So the final count is in!

Delhi – 6

Mumbai – 7

Ultimately, the two cities have their own charming traits and come with their own difficulties. The idea is to look at what you want in life and the compromises you are willing to make.

We love both in their own ways 🙂