The Dhobi Ghat is a huge outdoor "laundromat" located in the Mahalaxmi area of Mumbai. It was Established by the British Gorvernment back in the day. It's almost 120years old. Each day it is estimated that a half a million pieces of clothing are sent here from various places - hospitals, hotels, private homes - even "new" clothes from stores - to be beaten clean, hung to dry, and pressed to crisp perfection. The Dhobi Ghat is most often viewed from the flyover bridge of Mahalaxmi (railway) station.There are a couple of hundred dhobis (and their families) that work and live at the Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat. It is an occupation that is passed down from generation to generation.
Dhobi ghat is not only a place where clothes are being washed! it is also a home, a shelter to all the dhobis who work here. Every dhobi here has a place of their own, it may be on the narrow side walks that surround this place or a small room, where they sleep peacefully.
Everyday, early morning they get up to take a bath, to clean themselves before washing clothes. As they say, “if we don’t clean and wash ourselves daily, how will we wash the clothes of others… who trust us for clean clothes!"
After they are done taking a bath and cleaning themselves, they change into fresh pair of clothes everyday before they start washing others clothes. They’ll pray to their God for being there for them and for giving them the energy to wash.
Every Dhobi has his own stone cubicle. There are approximately 723 stone cubicles in the vicinity of Dhobi Ghat.
While washing clothes, they have their small tea-breaks too. Well...who doesn’t ?
The Dhobi Ghat is more than 120years old. Established by the British Government, it is very well organised.
Once the clothes are washed, they dry them up according to the order they came in.
After drying the clothes, they divide them in groups. these groups are based on who sent them here for washing. They press them neatly with precision!
At the end of the day, they deliver them back to their respectful owners and a fresh batch arrives the next morning! This cycle has been going on here since it's origin.
The dhobi ghat is a very big community which includes people from different religion, different parts of india staying together in harmony and as a family.
Votes and talks involving the residents are underway and companies such as Lokhandwala are eager to begin redevelopment projects that would displace these workers and residents. Many of the residents, however, are fearful of the plans supervised by the slum rehabilitation authority (SRA).
The People here are so welcoming towards Tourists and Photographers. It was a very Different Experience over all.
