Nestling in Mumbai’s heartland, Dhobi Ghat is an integral part of the city’s economy. It is also a locality which has made me curious for half a decade.
In August this year, I got in touch with Raconteur Walks in the hope to explore this neighbourhood. My 30-minute walk was short and precise, satiating a long-drawn curiosity.
This open air space predates as early as 1850, perhaps initiated by the British for their laundry and since then it has been a thriving business, which has passed on from generation to generation. Today, there are approximately 1700 families living and working here.
Clothes from homes, hotels, hospitals, garment factories and textile industries are brought here from across the city. While the ones from residential families can be sent directly, a large number of them come through the local dhobis (or washers). Factories send in their pile for a pre-wash after they have been manufactured and are ready for the market. They are washed, dried, ironed and prepared in bulk. They tag each piece accordingly (either by the name of the company or industry) to identify what comes from where.
The garments go through a typical process of being washed by drinking water (some are pre-boiled in hot water), either machine or air-dried, and finally ironed. For large sets of clothes, the entire process is completed primarily by machines.
Sometimes, apparels come with special stains or require individual attention like dry cleaning after a first dye. All these solutions are available here. One of the experienced dhobis tells me that it has been a process of trial and error to understand which combination of acids work best for what kind of stains. I queried if it ever damaged his skin. He quickly clarifies that in the initial years it did, because of the diverse mix of acids. But now he knows what works effectively without any injury.
Read: Photo story: Tulshibaug, Pune
Good to
How long did I walk: 30 minutes
What did it cost me: 500 INR
Will I go back: I did, the following day!
Read: Photo Story: Chor Bazaar, Mumbai
Have you walked through the famous Dhobi Ghat yet?
To see more photos from my journey Like my Facebook Page and follow me on Instagram.
Amrita Das
I have been a travel and culture independent journalist. My bylines have appeared in many publications worldwide including National Geographic Traveller India, Lonely Planet Magazine India, The Indian Express and World Travel Magazine. A fellow of Media Ambassadors India-Germany 2019 program by Robert Bosch Stiftung and Centre for Media Competence, University of Tübingen. Currently, I am the photo editor for RoundGlass Sustain, a wildlife and conservation e-publication. I live in India.
Follow:
I only saw it from outside, on top of a bridge (I think), for a few minutes only. Have always wondered, how is it like to be inside the dhobi ghat. Thanks for sharing, love the photo essay!
It is a very short walk inside. Next time, walk down the stairs and explore quickly ;)