The term Dhobi Ghat is used all over India to refer to any place where many washers are present. Inspired by the Mumbai Dhobi Ghat (then Bombay), the British built Dhobi Ghat in Kolkata (then Calcutta) in 1902. Similarly, there are other dhobi ghats all over southern Asia.
The Dhobi Ghat in Mumbai is situated in the middle of an area that is rapidly growing and home to hundreds of high-rise structures. Many washers, some from other regions of Mumbai, reside there with their families. The Mumbai Municipal Corporation allocates every washer a time slot to wash the garments. The ghat is officially open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
