Gateway of India – Mumbai is the dream home of several ambitious aspirants, boots of vicious minds, and a vivid lifestyle.
It is not just about beaches, pubs, cafes, caves, and clubs. This island has a history so interesting that you would never see Mumbai as a crowded city but as a historical marvel.
Let us explore one of the historical wonders of Mumbai which has attracted millions of tourists worldwide.
The Grand Monument has also been known as the Taj Mahal of Mumbai and is the most visited tourist attraction in Mumbai.
The location around Gateway of India in Mumbai
The Gateway is located at an angle, in the opposite direction to the famous Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel which was constructed in 1903.
The grounds surrounding the gateway, in the opposite direction of the monument, is a statue of Shivaji Maharaj who was the Maratha warrior-hero who fought the Mughal Empire to establish the Maratha Empire in the 17th century.
The statue was inaugurated on the 26th of January 1961, on the occasion of the Indian Republic Day. It replaced an earlier bronze statue of King George V which stood in the same place.
In the year 2016, Mid-Day reported that the George V statue is kept inside a tin storage shed of the Public Works Department, behind Elphinstone College, in Fort, Mumbai.
Another statue located near the gateway is of Swami Vivekananda, an Indian monk who is believed to have been an influential player in the spread of Indian philosophical concepts such as Vedanta or Yoga in the West and also for the introduction of Hinduism to the level as a major religion in the 19th century.
Jetties and Boats near the Monument
There are five jetties close to the monument.
The first one is only available for the Bhabha Atomic Research Center
The second and third are used to operate commercial ferry services where the start point is for tourists who want to visit The Elephanta Caves, which are 50 minutes away via boats from the monument. Other routes connecting to the gateway include ferry trips for Rewas, Mandwa, and Alibaug and cruises that depart from the gateway. These ferry boats are said to carry an influx of everyday passengers.
The fourth is shut and the fifth is reserved for the Royal Bombay Yacht Club.
Facts :
- The Gateway of India is India’s most unique landmark, situated in Mumbai, and is located at Apollo Bunder in South Mumbai, on the shore of the Arabian Sea.
- This architectural marvel scores over any other monument in Mumbai. The foundation stone of the structure was laid on March 31st, 1913, but it took more than 13 years to complete.
- A Scottish architect built this symbol by the name of George Wittet to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary.
- During British rule, it was used as the entry gate for visitors who came from the west.
- This is the monument from where the last British troops left India for England in 1947.
- The monument faces Mumbai Harbor and the Arabian Sea.
- The arch of the gateway has a height of 26 meters, i.e., 85 feet, and its central dome of 15 meters, i.e., 49 feet in diameter.
- The monument was built with yellow basalt and reinforced with concrete. The stones used for the monument were obtained locally, but the perforated screens were sourced from Gwalior.
- The monument stands very close to the famous Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, which was built in 1903
- In collaboration with Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), Philips Lighting India took up the project of illuminating the gateway by installing LED lights which have 16 million shades. This was done in 2014 with a cost of 2 crore rupees.
- Undoubtedly the pride of Mumbai, this structure will always stay close to the heart of Mumbai. This monument stands right opposite the famous Taj Mahal Hotel.
Why it is called Gateway of India?
The Apollo Bunder was earlier used as a jetty but was later renovated to serve as the ‘Gateway to India’. It has got its name since the monument was used as the entrance gate for the British Viceroys.
What is written on Gateway of India?
The gateway monument has an inscription that reads “Erected to commemorate the landing in India of their Imperial Majesties King George V and Queen Mary on the Second of December MCMXI “.
Here is a video showing the Sky view as seen by Drone:
Nearby Tourist Attractions
- The Famous Elephant Caves is located close to the Gateway of India. Boat service is available from here to Elephant Islands, which is also known as Elephanta Caves.
- Famous leaders Shivaji Maharaj and Swami Vivekananda are seen at the entrance of the Indian monument.
- The most famous and Prestigious luxurious Taj Mahal Hotel is situated opposite the structure.
- It is very close to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station, which was formerly known as Victoria Terminus. It is a historic terminal train station and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Distance around 3 km.
- You can take a boat from here which will take you to Alibaug, another famous tourist attraction near Mumbai. The ride is around 1 hour.
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya at walking distance.
- Jehangir Art Gallery at walking distance.
- Colaba Causeway Market is within walking distance.
- Marine Drive is around 4 km.
- Flora Foutain in Fort. At walking distance.
When to Visit:
The gateway of India can be visited any time all year round. I would suggest visiting during the early morning and evenings. The heavy crowd is seen during weekends and public holidays; you should try to visit during weekdays. There are no entry fees for visiting the Monument.
How to Reach Here:
2.5 km from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal (CSTM) and 2.4 km from Churchgate railway station. From here you can take a taxi to reach the monument.
This famous monument is easily accessible by road from any part of Mumbai. It is not very far from Mumbai International Airport.
Ferry Rides :
You can magnify your experience at this monument by taking the Ferry ride, which starts at the foot of the Monument.
From here, private Jetties and a government-run (MTDC) ferry service take you to Elephanta Caves which is declared a World Heritage by UNESCO. Recently even Uber speed boat service has commenced. Also, the M2M boat service has started to take passengers to Alibaug, it can even carry bikes and cars. READ MORE..
- Ferry Charges: ₹ 150 for adults and ₹ 125 for kids
- Cruise Charges: ₹ 5000
A grand statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was inaugurated on 26th Jan 1961 and is installed opposite the monument. It signified Maratha’s pride and glory.
Another statue of Swami Vivekananda is installed opposite the monument, which marks the journey from Mumbai to Chicago to attend the Parliament for World Religions event.
Map For Gateway of India
Also, Read the 7 architectural wonders of Mumbai.
For more information on this grand monument of Mumbai and of India, can read on: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gateway_of_India
