A day at Kala Ghodha

Date: 26th January 2025
Location: South Mumbai - Kala Ghoda, Churchgate & Cuffe Parade

Every year in January, Mumbai comes alive with the vibrant and much-awaited Kala Ghoda Arts Festival – a beautiful celebration of art, culture, music, food, and heritage right in the heart of South Bombay.

This time, our Republic Day was far from the usual flag hoisting and breakfast at home. It turned into something special – a perfect mix of patriotic vibes, art, and vintage charm.

We had been waiting for this event for quite a while. In fact, a few of us from the office had already made plans at the start of the month. Kala Ghoda happens every January, and we try to visit at least once.

Since it was 26th January, my society had a small Republic Day function in the morning. I joined in, spent some time, had snacks, and enjoyed the flag hoisting. The early morning chai and samosas at the event were a good start to the day.

One of my favorite parts was visiting the book stalls near Jehangir Art Gallery. As someone who absolutely loves books, this was a treat. I spent a lot of time browsing and ended up buying two books.

First Stop: Cross Maidan – A New Art Corner

Since I live on the Western Line, I reached the venue on time and had a bit of time to spare before my friends arrived. So I headed to Cross Maidan Garden, where the festival had a new extension this year. This spot featured handmade art inspired by the essence of Kala Ghoda. Though smaller in scale compared to the main venue, the vibes were calm, earthy, and unique.

The Classic Kala Ghoda Vibe

Once my friends arrived, we moved toward the main street near Jehangir Art Gallery, where the heart of the Kala Ghoda Festival lives.

Each year, this road is closed to traffic and converted into a vibrant cultural stretch. This year’s art installations did not disappoint - especially the ghodhas (horses), each made from unusual materials that truly stole the show. Some highlights:

• A ghodha made entirely of unused plastic toys

• A metal horse with an IoT-techy aesthetic

• A wooden ghodha with intricate carvings

• One made from hundreds of bottle caps - easily my favorite

• A cardboard-only horse

• One created using scraps of old clothes (katran)

• And a stunning one made from automobile parts like screws, springs, and gears

There were also themed installations showcasing Mumbai’s transport system - including models of local trains, BEST buses, taxis, and autos. A nostalgic and creative representation of the city we love.

Shopping & Souvenirs

The street was lined with stalls selling handmade goods - from shawls and clothes to home decor items, perfumes (itr), and quirky accessories. Add to that the soft background of live folk music, and the vibe was complete.

Lunch Break at Mool Café

After hours of walking and soaking up culture, we headed to Mool Café nearby for lunch. The place had a relaxed vibe, the menu was fresh and creative, and the food lived up to the buzz. Just what we needed to recharge before the next leg of the day.

Vintage Car Fiesta 2025 – A Glimpse of Automotive Elegance

Post lunch, we took a cab to the World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade for the Annual Vintage Car Fiesta 2025. Being a two-day event, it had drawn a massive crowd.

Unfortunately, we couldn't make it inside due to the overwhelming turnout, but we caught a few glimpses of the vintage beauties from outside. Classic cars with gleaming chrome, bold grills, and smooth curves - even those brief moments were enough to spark awe. Truly a time machine on wheels!

Wrapping Up

As the evening approached, we returned to Kala Ghoda for one last stroll. A few more pictures, some quick souvenir shopping, and a final round of people-watching before heading home.

We wrapped up the day tired but fulfilled - with phones full of pictures and hearts full of memories.

Final Thoughts

The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival remains one of Mumbai’s most iconic events - a celebration of creativity, tradition, and urban energy. Paired with a touch of vintage nostalgia from the Car Fiesta, this weekend was a wholesome experience.

If you haven’t visited Kala Ghoda yet, do yourself a favor and go next year. It’s a festival that brings Mumbai alive in the most artistic way possible.