Life is full of contrasts in Mumbai. Five star hotels line the roads along the waterfront and european style restaurants attract wealthy locals whilst a few streets away, some of the poorest people in the country live in slums and struggle for a living.
On a tour of  the city, I was fascinated by the dhobi ghats of Mumbai, one of the city’s main tourist attractions.
These are the open air laundries of Mumbai where the dhobis or washerman spend their days washing the city’s hotel and hospital laundry. You will more than likely be taken to the Dhobi ghat near the Mahalaxmi train station where, standing on the bridge that goes over the rail lines, you have a good view of what’s happening.
This vast outdoor laundry, a rabbit warren of concrete washing pens and corrugated iron sheds, provides work for approximately two hundred families whose jobs are passed down from father to son.
After soaking the laundry in the soapy water in the pens, it is bashed against stones, put into vats of bleach or starch and finally hung out to dry.
You may also like:
Art in the Laneways
Ballaro Market in Palermo
A Rewarding Lunch
Milan’s Magnificent Duomo
Wow! What an incredible sight that must’ve been. I always love the look of laundry blowing in the wind. 🙂
It was amazing to see, Krista. Laundry everywhere! I still can’t understand how it found it’s way back to the rightful owners
Great photos! Imagine doing that job for your whole life.
Thanks Debra. You couldn’t imagine doing that job, could you but they would be very happy just to have the job. I won’t complain next time the washing mounts up!
The first thing I thought of was, “how does it all get back to the correct owner”. Just amazing.
You wonder don’t you. Even with the tags they put on the washing, it’s still amazing that it is returned to the rightful owner.
Incredible sight! I like the close up shots. Imaging doing this job!
Thanks Corinne. You can’t really imagine what it would be like doing this forever can you but for these workers, it’s great to have a job
Wow, awesome photos! I didn’t get along to see this…..and maybe that’s a good thing, cos I don’t know if I would have looked at a hotel bath towel in the same way again! Ha!
What a shame you missed it Tash…This and the dhobiwallahs are fascinating sights to see in Mumbai. What about the sheets??