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Gateway of India
Gateway of India is the principal landmark of Mumbai which was the principal port when the visitors came to India by ship. The Gateway of India is situated at Apollo Bunder was designed by George Wikket in 1911. It was built as a triumphal arch to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary, complete with four turrets and intricate latticework carved into the yellow basalt stone. Ironically, when the Raj ended in 1947, this colonial symbol also became a sort of epitaph: the last of the British ships that set sail for England left from the Gateway. The foundation stone of gateway of India was laid on March 31, 1913 and George Wittet’s final design sanctioned in August 1914. Between 1915 and 1919 work proceeded on reclamations at Apollo Pier for the land on which the gateway and the new sea wall would be built. The foundations were completed in 1920. The Gateway is built from yellow Kharodi basalt and reinforced concrete.
When the British rule ended in 1947, this colonial symbol also became a sort of a memorial. The last British troop that left India was the First Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, passed through the Gateway of India on 28 February 1948. A massive archway of yellow basalt, it has designs resembling those of the 16th century Muslim monuments in Gujarat. The Marine Drive, which sweeps in a crescent along the city’s long foam-flecked beach, shines brilliantly with the coming of. Although Mumbai can be visited any time of the year, but I avoided the hot and humid months of June, July and August.
Marine Drive
Marine Drive is Built on a land which reclaimed from Back Bay in 1920, It runs along the shoreline of the Arabian Sea from Nariman Point past Chowpatty Beach to the foot of Malabar Hill. Marine Drive is possibly the best way to discover Mumbai. This is a windswept promenade, flanked by the sea and a row of art deco buildings. Looped between the concrete jungle of Nariman Point, Mumbai’s Manhattan, and the leafy green slopes of Malabar hill, Marine Drive was once called the queen’s Necklace, strung with glittering street lights like an enormous strand of imperious jewels. Like other seafronts, this is where most of south Mumbai comes to breathe in some fresh air. This winding stretch of road with tall buildings on one side and sea on the other extends from Nariman Point to Malabar Hills. Due to its curved shape and many street lights, it was once called the Queen’s Necklace. The road has seen the changing of it’s lights about a decade back as new technologies have come in, thus earlier the ‘Queen’s necklace’ was made out of ‘diamonds’ (white light) and now it consists of ‘Gold’.
Chowpatty beach
Chowpatty beach is Mumbai’s most famous beach. It is inextricably linked to adjoining areas of Malabar Hill, Girgaum, Gamdevi and Khetwadi. On this beach the most famous are the Kiosks. These stalls sell all kinds of Chatt & Tikki and who can forget the famous Bhelpuri of Chowpatty. On the beach itself is a small colony of the original inhabitants of Mumbai, The Koli fishermen who can be seen drying their catch or mending their nets. Statues of Lokmanya Tilak and Sardar Patel, two of the most outstanding Maharashtrian freedom fighters, stand on the beach. Chowpatty is a great place to witness the annual Ganesh Chaturthi Festival in August/September when large images of the elephant-headed god are immersed in the murky sea. The beaches at Madh and Marve have their dangerous spots which are marked by signboards. The spots further ahead, Gorai and Manori, two fishing villages, are accessible by ferry. his beach does not mean sunbathing and surfing. Chowpatty is a place where meetings were organized during the freedom struggle. At one end is a row of bhelpuri shops hawking Mumbai’s most popular snack: crisp puffed rice and semolina doused in pungent chutneys, all scooped up with a flat, fried puri. You might even catch a film shoot or a street play. In short, for most tourists Chowpatty is where the action is.
Malabar Hill
Malabar Hill is the long, steep-sided promontory enfolding Chowpatty Beach at the north end of Back Bay, is Mumbai’s ritziest neighborhood. Since the eighteenth century its lush forests, fresh sea breezes and panoramic views have made the hill an attractive location for the grand mansions and bungalows of the city’s merchants and governors .Malabar Hill which comprises the most fashionable residential area. There are many large houses with lovely gardens. The specialty of this garden is that the edges have been cut into animal shapes. Also there is a flower clock. From here you also get a good view of the city.
Juhu Beach
Juhu Beach is just like the Chowpatty beach filled with screaming children, courting couples and rowdy adolescents. On the southern end of the beach, there are many five star hotels in the area. People retreat behind these hotels, for a steaming cup of coffee and a splendid view of the coast. The Juhu Beach area of Mumbai is quite a cool area .The Beach is a bourgeois paradise, filled to the gills with screaming children, courting couples and rowdy adolescents. If you want a fancier excursion, however, retreat behind Juhu’s many five star hotels, for a steaming cup of coffee and a splendid view of the coast. Juhu beach is one of the largest and frequently visited beaches in India. It is an indispensable part of the city of Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra. The city represents the ever-changing face of today’s India, which is Located on the shores of the Arabian sea 20-25km from the north of the city centre the crowded beach with its numerous vendors, food stalls, entertainment outlets represents the pulse of the city. The Beach entertainment is also endless on the beach sides neighboring Mumbai. The nightlife of Mumbai comprises of numerous hangout zones, shopping complexes and nightclubs, but the one thing that still stands out over here are the beaches. The most common beach hangouts of Mumbai are Juhu and Chowpatty beaches.
Colaba
Southern most peninsula is known as Colaba. Colaba is the gateway of Mumbai where a majority of the tourists stay. It is where most travelers gravitate to as it has a good range of hotels and restaurants and two of the city’s best landmarks, the Gateway of India and the Taj Mahal Hotel. The archway is built from honey-colored basalt in a style derived from Gujarati architecture of the sixteenth century. In the days of the steam liner, the Gateway was for many visitors their first and last sight of India but today it acts purely as a colorful tourist stop, and attracts hawkers, snake charmers, and beggars. The neighboring Taj Mahal Hotel was built in 1902 by JN Tata, after he was allegedly refused entry to one of the city’s European hotels on account of being ‘a native’. Colaba Causeway is at the heart of tourist activity. The street is lined with shops selling bolts of material, ready made garments, provisions and hardware.
Kanheri Caves
Situated in the heart of Mumbai’s National Park, the complex contains more than a hundred tiny cells cut into the flank of a hill, each fitted with a stone plinth that evidently served as a bed. There is also a congregation hall supported by huge stone pillars that contains the dagoba, a kind of Buddhist shrine. Kanheri originates from the Sanskrit word Krishnagiri. Krishna generally stands for black color. The other name in vogue was “Khaneri” which means Black Mountain. These caves are dated from 1st Century B.C. to 9th Century A.D. There is also a huge congregation hall supported by mammoth pillars that contain the dagoba - a Buddhist shrine. The caves are located on a hilltop and provide an exquisite view of the surrounding hills. An unusual feature at Kanheri is the number of open benches cut out of rocks. Almost all the caves have benches in their verandahs or front courts. Sit down on one of these. And with the evening breeze that comes from the sea refreshing you, you realize their purpose at once.
There are over 1000 caves in all - all Buddhist - believed to have been built between the 2nd and 9th centuries AD. The situation of the caves on an eminence make them a very charming spot. Only four or five of the caves have designs and carvings which render them remarkable. One of the highlights of Sanjay Gandhi National Park was the Kanheri Caves. This network of more than a hundred ancient Buddhist Temples, dating as far back as the 1st century B.C. is carved directly into volcanic rock faces. There is also a congregation hall supported by huge stone pillars that contains the dagoba, a kind of Buddhist shrine. And if you pick your way up the hill you will find channels and cisterns that are remnants of an ancient water system that channeled rainwater into huge urns. In fact, Kanheri is probably the only clue to the rise and fall of Buddhism in Western India.
Essel World
Located away from the busy city life, Essel World is a refreshing getaway from boredom to excitement. An unmatched leisure destination, it offers enthralling attractions to the entire family. A simply superb place to recharge your spirits with over thirty-four thrilling and scintillating rides, games and amusements. It is Mumbai’s only international-style theme park and amusement centre situated close to Gorai Beach. Special ferries get you across to the park and the entrance fee normally takes care of a fixed number of rides. These include the standard roller coaster and adventure themes, plus a water world section where kids can literally run amok. It can be reached by ferry from Gorai creek or Marve beach. Alternately you can drive down by Western Express Highway, take the Bhayender turn and reach Gorai Island. It offers more than 45 thrilling and scintillating rides and games.
Haji Ali
Haji Ali Tomb is located in the cause way that protrudes into the Arabian Sea. It is dedicated to the Muslim Saint who was drowned here. This shrine can only be crossed at low tide. The rocks behind the mosque are a good place to catch sea breeze. The tomb of a Muslim saint, has a dramatic offshore location, opposite the Mahalaxmi Racecourse. During high tide, the connecting causeway is submerged in water giving the impression that the mosque and tomb are floating out at sea in splendid isolation. It can be visited only at low tide. Haji Ali Dargah, the tomb of a wealthy Muslim merchant, who renounced all his worldly belongings before embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca. The tomb itself is over eight hundred years old and linked to the mainland by a path that is annually submerged in the high monsoon tide. Inside the central shrine, throngs of worshippers stoop to press their heads against the richly brocaded red and green chaddor covering the tomb, which lies in an exquisite silver frame engraved with all the ninety-nine names of Allah. The faithful then tie little red ribbons on wooden lattices to honor the soul of Haji Ali. The white mosque is the tomb of Saint Haji Ali. Haji Ali was a wealthy Muslim who renounced the world and proceeded to Mecca. It is said that he died in Mecca and the casket miraculously drifted and came to the spot where the mosque is built toady.
Matheran
Matheran is Located at the distance of 104 km from Mumbai, It is a very attractive hill station near Mumbai. Matheran is situated at an altitude of 800 mtrs. Route from Mumbai to Matheran is also very fun filled. This magical paradise is blessed with natural beauty, surrounding mountains and plains below, making it one of the favorite weekend getaways. This infuses you with a sense of happiness, with the eager anticipation of school children chatting and laughing on their way to school, the abandon of monkeys hitching a ride on the toy train, or the buoyancy of urchins running behind your rickshaw and chanting rhymes. The cool climate sloping mountains, enchanting woods, clear blue sky and crisp refreshing air throughout the year makes it an ideal get away from the strained city life. Matheran is reachable both by road and train. One can reach Matheran by local railways from Mumbai and Pune upto Neral. The most beautiful part of Matheran is the Monsoons, and its Chiki which is available in different flavors. The monsoon is always meant for romance and out here in Matheran you will never forget the most beautiful monsoons ever seen by you. The silence of the woods is broken by the pranks of the mischievous monkey’s who are found in abundance and they try to attract the attention of the visitor’s for small tit-bits to fill their bellies, sometimes to the point of greediness. It cliffs, with incredibly steep drops to the plains below, create stunning viewing points. These panoramic vistas, by day or by night, leave you feeling light. On a clear night, you can even see the lights of Mumbai from Hart Point. Point seeing in Matheran is quiet easy due to the presence of sign boards and map. Maps are also easily available in Matheran and can be used to plan your point seeing. Given below are few points which shouldn’t miss. The Hart Point offers a view of the lights of Mumbai at night! All of Matheran is a series of such quixotically named points that are popular, if isolated, sites for picnics and fireside revelry at night. Charlotte Lake, the Panthers Caves and the Paymaster Park are other attractions, especially for children. The old world charm of the British and Parsi homes is an irresistible draw.
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