Worli Koliwada is the oldest surviving fishing village in Mumbai — home to the Koli community, the indigenous fisherfolk who have lived on these islands since before the Portuguese arrived in 1534 and whose culture, cuisine, and settlements predate the city by centuries. The village sits on a peninsula beside the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, and the contrast between the modern bridge and the traditional wooden fishing boats drawn up on the beach below is one of Mumbai's most striking juxtapositions.
The Koli community is Mumbai's cultural root — the city's name allegedly derives from Mumba Devi, the Koli mother goddess — and the annual Koli festival with its dance, drum music, and seafood feasts is one of the best chances to experience the pre-colonial heritage of the city. The 17th-century Worli Fort at the tip of the peninsula provides a small-scale reminder of the colonial wars fought for control of these islands.
Verified Facts
The Koli are Mumbai's indigenous fishing community, predating Portuguese arrival in 1534
Mumbai's name derives from the Koli goddess Mumba Devi
Worli Fort at the peninsula tip dates to the 17th century
Worli Koliwada is the oldest surviving fishing village in Mumbai
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Worli, Mumbai, 400030, India
