My visit to the Dhobi Ghat was unexpected and exhilarating. It was the last thing I did on my 3-month visit to India. My original plan was not to travel to Mumbai. However when I decided after a week that one month, in India, wasn’t long enough and changed my plane ticket home – I decided to make it to Mumbai on my way out.

As a solo female traveler, most of my time in Mumbai is a story to tell. I don’t necessarily encourage all women to travel the way I did. My visit to the Dhobi Ghat could be an example, but I don’t regret a thing.

Typically I don’t like to plan too much when I travel. This way I have fewer expectations and enjoy the experiences that unfold. So I didn’t know much about Mumbai when I arrived.

After I visited suggested places by other travelers and locations of importance to authors of books I read, I still had enough time to see one last thing before I left India.

I did a few quick searches on what to see in Mumbai. Tours to visit the Dhobi Ghat were among the top.

So I went.

Still not certain where the confidence came from I skipped the guide and headed there solo. I even traveled like a local, taking an all-female box on a train. After the train station a tuk-tuk, or auto rickshaw, took me the rest of the way. When I stepped out I immediately thought ‘What was I thinking?’.

Did I plan to just walk through the Dhobi Ghat as if I knew where to go or what to look at?

In that exact same moment, the sweetest man appeared, ‘Come, Come, I’ll show you around!”.

He noticed my hesitation and said, “To see the Dhobi Ghat, That’s why you are here.”.

I said, “Yes”.

And so he gave me a tour himself of the entire Dhobi Ghat.

Located in Mahalaxmi, Mumbai, the Dhobi Ghat is the largest outdoor laundry in the world. Laundering over 220,000 lbs (100,000 kilograms) of laundry a day, they have contracts with individuals, families and businesses including hotels and hospitals.

Above: This washerman has spun this laundry and is now pounding it against a stone. This is apparently an effective way to remove dirt, stains, and bacteria without electricity, but is obviously hard work.

Below: The washerman is hanging whites to dry and brighten by the sun.

Above: Rows of Dhobi Thalis, large concrete open-air washing areas used by washermen to clean different types of clothing.

The people and children that I met during my visit to the Dhobi Ghat were friendly and happy; each overjoyed to have their picture taken.

My tour guide claims no laundry has ever been lost. I find this hard to believe because I’m certain I misplace a sock with each load of laundry I wash.

Nonetheless, my visit to the Dhobi Ghat was quite amazing and eye-opening.

I never could imagine how lovely my visit to the Dhobi Ghat would be. From a personalized tour to being welcomed and greeted with many smiles, my visit to the Dhobi Ghat was warm and one of the best memories I have of my time in India.

If you enjoyed this recount of my visit to the Dhobi Ghat check out my other Travel posts.

Also, a little mini shout out to toonsarah-travels.blog for transporting me back to India and inspiring me to write about a part of my own experience. If you like travel blogs, be sure to check her out!

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