Monuments In India

Gateway Of India

Location	Waterfront in the Apollo Bunder area in South Mumbai
Built in	1924
Built by	George Wittet
Main Attraction	Taj Mahal hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue, Elephanta Caves, Harbour
Architecture	Indo-Saracenic Style
Nearest Metro Station	No Metro Services
Open	All Days
Entry Fee	None
Days Closed	None

The monument Gateway of India was constructed during British rule in Mumbai previously called as Bombay, India. Facing towards the Arabian sea, this monument is situated in front of the sea in the area of Apollo Bunder in South Mumbai. This Gateway of India is about height of 26 meters as a basalt arch. This monument was lied at the edge of water in Bombay’s harbor just at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Marg’s end. In the older times, this placed was a landing stage that is very crude for the fishing locality, but later on after the renovation of this place, it was used for the British governors and various other important people. The first ever seen at Mumbai is the monument Gateway of India that was visited by the people in boat in the older times. This monument is the most popular attraction for the visitors and also commonly called as the Taj Mahal of Mumbai city.

In the year 1911, after the King George V and Queen Mary came to India, this Gateway of India was raised to remember their visiting at the Apollo Bunder. The establishment of the Gateway of India was done on March 31st in 1911, this built has been designed in the Indo-Saracenic style. The final drawing of Gateway was given by George Wittet and the same was approved in 1914 and finally in 1924 the construction of Gateway of India got completed. Previously the Gateway of India was utilized as the traditional doorway for the Viceroys as well as the Governors of Bombay. This gate acted as the door way that leads to entry of India.

This monument remained the objective of 3 major attacks since the starting of the 21st century and got attacked 2 times in 2003. This monument was also been the disembarkation spot in 2008 when one of the seven wonders the Taj Mahal was attacked by 4 gunmen.

History

According to the prehistoric records this Gateway of India was constructed in the honor of the visiting Bombay by the king George V along with his Queen Mary in December month of 1911 and that was before the Delhi Durbar. However only the cardboard model was seen by them as the construction of the Gate way of India was not started till 1915. In March 31st of 1911 foundation stone of this monument was laid down by Sir George Sydenham Clarke who was the governor of Bombay. He sanctioned the design that was given by George Wittet in March 31st of 1913. The material used to construct this monument was concrete and the yellow basalt. The work for this monument was started between 1915 to 1919 on reclamations over the port Apollo Bundar for the purpose of the land over which the new wall of sea as well as the Gate Way of India would have to be built. In year 1920 the foundation of this monument got completed and the final construction was completed in 1924. Finally on 4th December of 1924 the gateway was inaugurated by Earl of Reading, the Viceroy.

After the independence Somerset Light Infantry that was the first Battalion and the last troop of the British passed out through this gate by way of ceremony on February 28th 1948 showing the British rule end in India.

Architecture

For the purpose of designing this monument the architects amalgamated the parts of Roman triumphal curve as well as the architecture of the 16th century of Gujarat. The design of this monument is the amalgamation of the architecture of both Muslims as well as Hindus. The arc of this monument has been made in the Muslim style and the decorations have been done in the Hindu styles. The material use to build this monument was the reinforced concrete and the yellow basalt. The stones use to construct were obtained locally and was locally obtained and they bought pierced screens from Gwalior. The facing of the Gateway is towards the Mumbai Harbor.

The middle dome of gateway has the diameter of about 48 feet that is about 15 metres having the total height of about 83 feet that is about 25 metres above ground level. The alignment of the complete harbour was done again so that it can come in straight line with a planned walkway that would flounce down toward the middle of town. Near by each side of the curves of geteway there are very large halls having the capacity of holding about 600 people. The total construction cost of this monument was about Rs.21 lakhs that were borne by the Indian Government. The road to approach gateway remained inbuilt due to lacking of funds and hence gateway is standing at angle towards the road that leading to it. The construction of the first pre-cast unbreakable job of concrete was done by Gammon India by laying down the foundation of Gateway of India. The engineers of the province of Bombay supervised the construction of this monument and finished the construction in the targeted time under the supervision of Late Deewan Bahadur Kikkeri Ramaswamy. He has the honorary mention on the monument.

How to Reach

The way for reaching the Gateway of India is simple. The Gateway of India is the important landmark of Mumbai and hence it is easily accessible by hiring taxis, autos, buses etc from almost all the parts of Mumbai.

By Air

There are two airports that are available nearest to it first is the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport and second one is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Domestic Airport. Both of these airports are very well in connection with the other major cities of India and to rest of the world.

By Rail/Train

The nearest railway stations available to this monument are the Mumbai Central and the second one is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. There is the availiblity of many local trains for traveling intra city.

By Road

The buses of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) provides the buses for the tourists that takes them to various tourist destination of Mumbai including Gate way of India. The other means of transportation for intra city are the local taxis as well as auto rickshaws.

Nearby Places to Visit

Elephanta Caves

The Govt of Mumbai has made the provision of ferry boats that takes the tourists to the Elephanta caves. The total time taken by these ferries is about 2 hours for the visit of whole of the caves as well as the port of Gateway of India.

Taj Mahal Hotel

The famous Taj Mahal Hotel stands just opposite to the Gateway of India. This is the hotel that was attacked on 26th of November by the terrorists. This hotel is even than present today and is the strength of Mumbai. This hotel is being considered as a wonder.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue is standing just opposite to the Gateway of India. There is the provision of sitting nearby the statue for the people. The tourists can see the awesome view of the Gateway of India by sitting nearby this statue. This place is really nice place to move around.

Marine Drive - The necklace

The Marine drive of Mumbai is generally known as the necklace having the distance of about 1.5 km from Gateway of India. The view of Mumbai from this marine drive is really awesome and magnificent. One visits the Gateway of India must also visit the marine drive road.

Harbour

There are some steps that are present behind the curve that leads down in to water. The tourists generally hire the small motor boats here that take them for a short cruise throughout the splendid harbour of Mumbai. The tickets for these small cruises are available on the harbor.

Things to Do

The tourists can also hire the small motor boats from the Gateway of India and can enjoy a lot. These boats take the tourists around the most active parts of Mumbai that are visible while traveling on the cruise. The views that are available from these small cruises are really awesome, stunning and wonderful that develops unforgettable memories in the mind of tourists that lasts for a long time.

While visiting the Gateway of India one must also visit the Taj Mahal hotel that is just opposite to it. This hotel is being considered as the strength of Mumbai and is really wonderful and one of the luxurious hotels of India.

Statues of Swami Vivekananda as well as of the great Maratha Chhattrapati Shivaji are also present at this location and enhancing the view of the Gateway of India. During the end of the British rule the first ceremony that was done on this spot was the passing parade by the Somerset Light Infantry’s first battalion. This ceremony was done to show the exit of British from India and this troop was the last one that left the independent India. This ceremony was performed on February 28th 1948 and since than the gateway of India remained the great point of attraction for all.

The view of the large Arabian Sea from the Gateway of India is really the overwhelming and stunning . These types of some awesome and wonderful views have made the Gateway of India the most important and most visited point of Mumbai. On the back side of this monument there are some steps that are present behind the curve that leads down in to water. There is the provision of ferry boats that takes the tourists to the Elephanta caves or Elephanta Islands. The short cruise over the natural harbor is being enjoyed by the tourists to a large extent.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

The climate of Mumbai is of tropical type that is somehow tropical wet and dry type of climate specifically and comes under the classification of Köppen climate that have about 7 dry months and heavy rains in the month of July. The winter season remains from the months of December – February and the summer season starts from March and ends till June. The monsoon season of this area starts from June and remains till September having influence of South-West monsoons. The post monsoon season covers the months of October and November.

The time for the tourists to visit Mumbai is between the months of September to April as the rainy season comes to and end this time and the level of Humidity is also at its lowest point.

Accomodation

Strand Hotel

The Strand hotel is situated in Colaba area of Mumbai that is very near to the Gateway of India, Rajabai Tower as well as the Museum of Prince of Wales. The National Gallery of Modern Art as well as Flora Fountain is also near to this hotel. Other than the restaurant facility this hotel also has the provision of gatekeeper desk. This hotel also provides the wirelesss internet facility to its customers and superb room service for 24 hrs. Besides all the above said facilities this hotel has the facility of refrigerators, bathrooms having showers and tubs, shaving and make up mirrors etc.

Address

Apollo Bunder,
Nr Gateway of India,
Mumbai, Maharashtra,
400 001 India

The Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai

One of the most famous and awesome place for the tourists to stay is the Taj Mahal Hotel that is one of the most luxurious and beautiful hotel of Mumbai and is one of the leading hotel of the world. It is situated just opposite to the Gateway of India overlooking it. Since the beginning of this century this hotel has provided its immense hostage to the royal and the eminent personalities through out the world. The rooms of this hotel have been designed on the bases of beautiful old -world charm and latest means of convenience. There is the awesome view from the rooms of this hotel of Gateway of India as well as the commercial hub of Mumbai.

Address

Apollo Bunder,
Mumbai, Maharashtra,
400 001 India

Diplomat Hotel

The Diplomat hotel is situated in the Colaba area of Mumbai and is very close to the Gateway of India, Rajabai Tower and the Prince of Wales Museum. The modern art National Gallery and the Flora Fountain are also near to it. Other than the restaurant facility this hotel also has the facility of Bar/Lounge. The room service is for 24 hrs and the tour/ticket facility is also available. Besides all the above said facilities this hotel has the facility of refrigerators, Televisions by satellite channels, Air conditions etc.

Address

24-26, B.K. Boman Behram Marg,
Apollo Bunder,
Mumbai, Maharashtra,
400001 India

Timings and Tickets

Timings: Anytime is a good time to see the Gateway of India.

Tickets: No Ticket System

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