With its fascinating buildings, eclectic culture and, surprise surprise, even some pockets of natural wonders, Mumbai turns up sightseeing treats at every turn. Many of these remained undiscovered. Verve finds these less-frequented delights, tucked away in the heart of the megalopolis, which deserve to be on your to-see list.

Haji Ali
Mumbai's shoreline is unimaginable without this white minaret which seems to rise from the Arabian Sea. The Haji Ali dargah was built in the memory of the eponymous Muslim saint. Haji Ali was a wealthy businessman who renounced his worldly possessions and meditated on a nearby headland following a pilgrimage to Mecca. His devotees built the mosque and the tomb in 1431. Legend has it that he died while on his way to Mecca but his casket floated back to Mumbai.
The dargah is linked to the mainland by a causeway. Behind the huge marble doorway lies the tomb, enclosed in a silver frame and covered with rich brocade. Kaleidoscopic patterns of coloured glass and Arabic designs that spell the names of Allah in 99 forms adorn the dome's interiors. Every day thousands of pilgrims throng the dargah at low tide. During high tide the walkway is submerged, giving the appearance of a floating mosque.
Where: Haji Ali, Cumballa Hill

Veermata Jijabai Udyan
Popularly known as the Byculla Zoo, this sprawling botanical garden spans over 48 acres of land and houses some of the oldest trees in the city, some dating back 200 years.
The Renaissance-style entrance sets the mood. The newly-renovated Bhau Daji Museum on the left, not yet open to the public, is a veritable treasure trove of artifacts with its collection of sculptures, metal ware, fossils and model ships. Learn about Mumbai's rich cultural heritage from maps dating back to the 17th century, photographs and biographies of the city's leading historic figures. Inside the zoo's gateway rests a bronze statue of King Edward VII astride a black horse.
Where: Veer Jijamata Bhosale Udyan, B. A. Road, Byculla

Asiatic Society
The colonnaded Town hall of the Asiatic Society, resting atop a flight of stone steps, has provided the perfect background for many Bollywood creations. Marble statues of long-forgotten city founders adorn the interiors of this heritage structure. Located here is the Asiatic library which has a rare collection of over 8,00,000 antique volumes, including an original manuscript of Dante's Divine Comedy in Italian. There is also a numismatic collection of over 1,000 ancient coins and a rare gold mohur belonging to the Mughal Emperor Akbar. You need permission to gaze at these treasures, but the public library is open to all.
Where: Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Horniman Circle, Fort.

St Thomas Cathedral
St Thomas Cathedral near Horniman Circle is a rich repository of Gothic architecture. Visit this ancient church to learn more about British visionaries of the colonial era. Built by Gerald Augier, a former Bombay governor in 1718, this beautiful cathedral is named after St Thomas, who established India's first Christian community along the Malabar Coast. It houses tombstones of members of the Bombay Volunteer Force, British officers and civil servants who lost their lives in World War I. Carved marble monuments, Victorian iron-works, choir stands and stained glass enhance the cathedral's Gothic interiors.
Where: Town Hall, Horniman Circle, Opposite Asiatic Library, near Flora Fountain