Gateway of India: A Monumental Symbol of Mumbai’s History and Culture

The Gateway of India in Mumbai is a majestic arch that stands on the waterfront of the Arabian Sea, overlooking the Mumbai Harbour. The architecture of the Gateway of India is a blend of Hindu and Muslim architectural styles, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of India.

It was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India in 1911, and it also witnessed the departure of the last British troops from India in 1948. A symbol of colonial history, the Gateway of India is one of India's most popular tourist sites, drawing visitors from around the world.

Architecture Of Gateway of India

- The Gateway of India is 26 meters tall and 15 meters wide, made of yellow basalt and concrete in an Indo-Saracenic style that blends elements of Hindu, Islamic and European architecture.

- It has four turrets, a 48-meter central dome with intricate decorations, and four elephant-carved pillars. It is decorated with intricate latticework and floral motifs.

- Two halls with capacities of 600 and 400 people are located on its sides.

- The Gateway of India was designed by George Wittet, a Scottish architect who also designed other prominent buildings in Mumbai such as the Prince of Wales Museum and the General Post Office.

- The foundation stone was laid on March 31, 1911, and it was opened on December 4, 1924.

History & Significance Of Gateway Of India

- The Gateway of India was originally planned as a welcome monument for King George V and Queen Mary's visit to India in 1911. However, it was completed in 1924 after their departure, and they were greeted by a cardboard replica.

- The gateway witnessed the departure of the last British troops from India on February 28, 1948, marking the end of British rule and the beginning of Indian independence.

- The Somerset Light Infantry received a salute from Indian soldiers as they left from the gateway.

- A statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Maratha warrior king, was unveiled at the gateway by Jawaharlal Nehru on January 26, 1961. The bronze statue depicts Shivaji riding a horse and holding a sword, standing on a pedestal with inscriptions in Marathi and English.

Must Read: Gateway of India to Elephanta- Must Visit Tour if you are in Mumbai

Things to Do Near Gateway of India

Relaxing by the Sea: The promenade near the Gateway of India offers a peaceful escape from the city's hustle and bustle, with benches and seating areas where visitors can relax and enjoy views of the Arabian Sea.

Food tours of India: Food tours of India is a walking tour that takes you to different eateries and stalls near the Gateway of India. Some of the items that you can try are vada pav, pav bhaji, bhel puri, kebabs, biryanis, kulfi and more.

The tour lasts for about three hours and costs around INR 2000 per person.

Ferry rides: Ferry rides are a great way to enjoy the scenic views of the Mumbai Harbour and the Arabian Sea from the Gateway of India. You can choose from different types of boats, such as motorboats, speedboats, yachts and sailboats.

The ferry rides cost around INR 100 to INR 500 per person, depending on the type and duration of the boat. These are the best

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Dining options near the Gateway of India

Café Mondegar: Known for its retro ambiance and vibrant murals, Café Mondegar is a popular hangout spot for locals and tourists alike.

Approximate cost for two: INR 800-1000. Must-haves: Their burgers and fish and chips are popular choices.

Leopold Café: Leopold Café is a historic landmark in Mumbai, known for its lively atmosphere and its mention in the novel "Shantaram."

Approximate cost for two: INR 1000-1200. Must-haves: Their chicken tikka and beer are highly recommended.

Bademiya: Bademiya is famous for its delicious kebabs and grilled specialties, served in a casual street-side setting.

Approximate cost for two: INR 800-1000. Must-haves: Their seekh kebabs and chicken tikka are must-tries.

Taj Mahal Palace Hotel: The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is a historic luxury hotel known for its exquisite dining experiences and impeccable service.

Approximate cost for two: INR 3000-4000. Must-haves: High tea at the Sea Lounge is a popular choice, offering stunning views of the Arabian Sea.

Gokul Restaurant: Gokul Restaurant is known for its affordable yet delicious Indian and Chinese dishes, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious diners.

Approximate cost for two: INR 500-700. Must-haves: Their butter chicken and dal makhani are crowd favorites.

Places to Visit Near Gateway of India

The Gateway of India is surrounded by many other attractions that can be visited along with it. Some of them are

Alibaug: Alibaug is a coastal town located about 100 km south of Mumbai. Known for its serene beaches, lush greenery and historical forts. Some of the popular beaches in Alibaug are Nagaon Beach, Kihim Beach, Mandwa Beach and historical forts are Kolaba Fort, Murud-Janjira Fort, Korlai Fort and Revdanda Fort.

Statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: The statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a symbolic structure that stands near the Gateway of India. It is a tribute to the bravery and heroism of Shivaji, who is revered as the father of the Maratha nation.

Bowen Memorial Methodist Church: Bowen Memorial Methodist Church is an old church that is located near the Gateway of India. The church has a Gothic style of architecture, with stained glass windows, wooden pews and a pipe organ. The church also has a library that contains books and manuscripts related to Christianity and India.

Elephanta Caves: Located on Elephanta Island, just a short ferry ride away from the Gateway of India, the Elephanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main cave, also known as the Great Cave, features a large sculpted panel depicting Shiva in various forms and is a stunning example of Indian rock-cut architecture.

Colaba Causeway: A bustling street market located near the Gateway of India, Colaba Causeway is a popular shopping destination for tourists and locals alike. The market offers a wide range of items, including clothing, accessories, jewelry, and handicrafts.

Must Read: Tourist Places to Visit in Mumbai

Best Time to Visit Gateway of India

The best time to visit the Gateway of India is during the winter season, from November to February. During this time, the weather is pleasant and cool, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 30°C.

The winter season also coincides with many festivals and events in Mumbai, such as Diwali, Christmas, New Year and Mumbai Marathon. The winter season is also less crowded than the summer season, which is hot and humid, with temperatures reaching up to 40°C.

Entry Fees for Gateway of India

No Entry Fees: Visitors can explore the Gateway of India without any charges.

Free Access: Enjoy the monument and its surroundings without the need for tickets.

Boat Ride Prices: Range from INR 30 to INR 150 depending on the type of boat ride chosen.

How to Reach Gateway of India

Train: The nearest railway station is Churchgate Station, about 2 km away. Take a local train to Churchgate Station and then a taxi or auto-rickshaw to the gateway. Train fare ranges from INR 5 to INR 25.

Bus: The closest bus stop is Regal Cinema Bus Stop, around 500 meters away. Take a bus to Regal Cinema Bus Stop and then walk to the gateway. Bus fare ranges from INR 10 to INR 50.

Taxi: Taxis are available from anywhere in Mumbai directly to the gateway. Taxi fare varies from INR 100 to INR 500 depending on the distance and traffic.

Ferry: If coming from outside Mumbai, take a ferry from Mandwa Jetty or Rewas Jetty in Raigad district to Gateway of India Jetty. The ferry ride takes about an hour and costs around INR 100 per person.

You may also like to know: A Day at the Gateway of India

Gateway Of India Reviews

What is in a name?

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THE BOAT RIDE The boat journey is itself part of the experience, with so many things to see that time flies past. This is one of the few places in Mumbai, where you can see flocks of seagulls at any time of the day! THE ISLAND The island itself was originally known as Gharapuri. It is believed to have been the capital of the Konkan Mauryas, and the name literally means ‘fort city’. The only village here which is still inhabited is known by the same name. The name ‘Elephanta’ came from the Portuguese, who landed here and saw a huge stone elephant guarding the entrance to the holy cave-shrines. (For those who are interested, this elephant was broken down by the Portuguese who found them, but the pieces have been reconstructed, and the elephant is on display at the Bhau Daji Lad Museum at Byculla) Once we reached the island, there was a mad rush for the toy train. Yes, there is a tiny toy train which takes us to the foot of the hills. It costs Rs. 10 for the return journey, but takes less than 5 minutes, and isn’t really worth all that rush! That means it is really very slow. :p HISTORY The caves at Elephanta are believed to date back to the sixth century, to the reign of the Konkan Mauryas, who were vassals of the Chalukyas. The island was then known as ‘Sripuri’. Unlike the caves at Badami, which were built for the kings, or those at Ajanta, which were built by monks, the caves here - according to the ASI booklet – were patronized by merchants and traders! The caves apparently looked so impressive, that the Portuguese, who captured the islands in 1540, couldn’t believe that these were the work of human hands! There are various stories told about why the caves and the sculptures were defaced – while some say it was done because the Portuguese thought them to be the work of demons, some say that it was simply an attempt to destroy the Hindu influence in the area. However, it no longer matters WHY the caves were defaced and sculptures destroyed. What is important is to ensure that we do no more damage. The main cave There are seven rock cut caves in all, but the first is the most important one, and the only one really worth a watch. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, every available wall is covered with images of Lord Shiva in various postures or depicting stories related to him. A little off centre is a huge temple with a lingam inside. There are entrances on all the four sides, with 8 dwarapalakas or guards at the corners. It is an impressive sight, and I had to remind myself that all this had been carved out of the rocks… not built! At one time, this temple may have been the hub of prayers to the Lord, resounding with the echoes of chants and devotional music, but today, this temple comes alive just once a year – on MahaShivaratri – when permissions have been given for prayers to be performed.

Experienced Roads

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Gateway of India Right from our childhood Gateway of India is a well heard pride of India. But I just got the chance to visit it recently. My visit to the Gateway of India was not intentional, all thanks to foodie me and my friends. This foodie nature actually helped us for good. Our search for Mughalai food ended up in the Baghdadi hotel in Colaba, which is 6 minutes by walking away from the Gateway of India. The Baghdadi hotel is famous for their roti and Mughalai non veg dishes. We reached Colaba by 8 at night and decided to take a glance at the legendary monument and then fill up our tummy. The famous Taj hotel is situated just in front of the Gate of India. The iconic Gateway of India was built to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary at Apollo Bundar, when they visited India in 1911.This monument has witnessed an important moment of independent India, the last British ship to England left from the Gateway. Later we went to our most awaited destination, Baghdadi hotel. The owner claims that the eatery has been serving food for the past 125years. It is considered as one the oldest restaurants in Mumbai. It is a small restaurant with immense varieties of food. The funny thing that I found was that the popular Baghdadi hotel that was situated in the metropolitan city of India still don't accept payment by credit cards .Every dishes here is reasonable and more over it is finger-licking. I would personally suggest the epicure to try out this restaurant without any second thought. For more details please check my blog: http://experiencedroads.com/Frequent Searches Leading To This Page:- weekend getaways from mumbai, weekend trip from mumbai, weekend holidays from mumbai, weekend trip cost from mumbai, weekend travel cost from mumbai

Sadhna Kumari

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After Hajji Ali the next stop was Gateway of India. It was evening when we reached there. The taxi ride was about 3o min and I can say that it was one of the best rides I have ever had. Passing through Marine Drive, the sun is setting. Sky was orange, sun touching the sea and the orange light coming from behind huge buildings. While traveling to Gateway of India we had chance to see Lata ji’s house, Ambani's house (which has 20 stories and only 5 people live their), Bombay high court, church gate etc. I would like to share one thing, no matter how tired or sleepy you feel while sitting in a taxi don't sleep you'll miss a lot of things. Just see outside it's worth it especially when you are visiting the place for the first time. We reached Gateway of India around 6:30 - 7 PM the sun was set. It's a beautiful architecture, do sit there for a while and enjoy the sea. Also get photographs clicked from the local photographer at the place. I know we may know better photography skills, but still it's a best way to keep memories. We may have hundreds of photographs in our DSLR or mobile phones but this single photograph we can keep with ourselves always. I got one clicked.

Hanan Becker

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The best way to go around the city is to rent a bicycle so that you can stop at everything you fancy. Taking from the 'gyaan' imparted to me generously by my relative, I can tell you that Woodside Inn in Colaba (find it on google maps) rents you bicycles. But I chose to drive around in my relatives car, because October was still too hot and humid for me and 11:00 AM looked like noon. The traffic was disciplined and strangely no one was fuming. People here have figured out how to make use of the time spend in traffic I guess. We had a quick breakfast from a small eatery (could not note the name) and headed straight to Gateway of India. The drive was slow, but not boring to an outsider. After a short drive emerges, with all it's glory, the Gateway of India and you know you have reached the heart of the city with a beat that resonates with the thousand hearts who are on the scene. Marvellous!! An architectural delight, The Gateway of India was built in the 1960s and served as the entrance point to dignitaries and common man alike from it's five entry point. Click pictures, and be sure to, because if you don't have a picture of it, you are missing out on a free souvenir.

sneha shenoy

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This would be the logical place to begin your tour. After all, you're following in the footsteps of royalty! The Gateway of India is a major tourist hub in the city, which is located at Apollo Bunder Waterfront in Southern Mumbai. This monument was built to welcome King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai and years later, the last horde of British troops left India through this gateway. This is probably the place which will give you the feel of a tourist and after some great pictures and watching the pigeons, you can move on to your next place of visit. Address: Apollo Bunder, behind Regal Cinema and Bombay Museum, near Colaba CausewayStroll down the seafront and check the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Overlooking the Gateway of India with a panoramic view of the bay, the Taj has played an intrinsic part in the life of the city, hosting Maharajas, dignitaries and eminent personalities from across the globe.