Mumbai, the financial capital of India which also happens to be the heart of film city is one of the wealthiest city of India. Although the wealth distribution is obviously not nearly even but the sights it has to offer are even for everyone. Below are some of the sights which I was able to capture on my visit to Mumbai. Each sight was special in it's own ways and made me realize that this city has a lot more to offer than the crazy pubs or the crowded market places.
Although now just a tourist attraction, this gateway has more historical significance than anyone can imagine. The foundation stone of this famous monument was laid in 1911 to welcome King George V on his visit to India. However in the later years all the British governors were welcomed from this gateway.
The funding for the construction of this monument came from The Imperial Government of India. Due to lack of funds the road leading to the gateway was left under construction leading to a somewhat curved approach to the gateway.
This monument is now the Taj Mahal of Mumbai as it is one of the proudest things the city has to offer. After the British rule ended, the British forces were led out of the gateway to their ships as a symbol of the British rule ending in India. In 1961 a Chattrapati Shivaji statue was unveiled right opposite to the Gateway which displayed the maratha significance in the region.
The marine drive also known as the Queen's necklace is one of the finest things this city has to offer. The original name of the road is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose road. This road is not a government of India construction and was constructed by Bhagojisheth Keer & Pallonji Mistry. The 3.6 km long road when viewed from a little elevation looks like a Queen's necklace and hence the name.
You can see people around the coast sitting here 24x7 and enjoying the views. While it turns a little hot in the summers but the water splashing on the rocks make it equally cool in the night. I myself spent one whole night just on the marine drive walking to and fro the whole road and enjoying the calm and serene surroundings on one side with a contrasting theme on the opposite. At the end of this road lies the Chowpatty beach which is famous for the local snack Bhel Puri. There are a lot of small stalls near the beach where you can have a taste of the amazing snack and tickle your senses.
The sunsets
Being a coastal area this place has the best of sunsets which any place can offer. Never before have I seen such beautiful sunsets in any of the metro cities. Even while in office you can witness this marvel on a daily basis and admire the beauty of the setting sun.
This place combines the beauty of a coastal place and a metropolitan city to give the perfect blend of technology and nature. Although recently the nature part is under sever threat but measures are being taken by the locals as well as the government to rectify this.
If you want to witness an architectural marvel, this is a place which you can't afford to miss when you are visiting Mumbai. When this was built it was named as Victoria Terminus by the British but after in the later part of 1996 it was renamed as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.
This station serves as the central station for all Railway activities. The station building hs been designed in the High Victorian Gothic style.