Mumbai Travel And Tourism , Mumbai Travel Guide,Bombay Tour Guide,Tourism in Bombay,Tourist.Mumbai was given by Portuguese as dowry to Charles II of England when he married Catherine.
The group of seven island was leased to the East India Company who offered freedom of business and religion to persons who came and settled here.
Gateway of India
This 26 metres high stone archway is the first landmark of Bombay a visitor sees when arriving by ship. Designed by Writtet in the 16th century Gujarat style, it was built to commen/morate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Indfia in 1911.
The Gateway of India (Marathi: भारताचे प्रवेशद्वार) is a monument in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India. Located on the waterfront in Apollo Bunder area in South Mumbai, the Gateway is a basalt arch 26 metres (85 ft) high. It was a crude jetty used by fisher folks and was later renovated and used as a landing place for British governors and other distinguished personages. In earlier times, the Gateway was the monument that visitors arriving by boat would have first seen in the city of Bombay.
Its design is a combination of both Hindu and Muslim architectural styles, the arch is in Muslim style while the decorations are in Hindu style. The Gateway is built from yellow basalt and reinforced concrete. The stone was locally obtained, and the perforated screens were brought from Gwalior.
The central dome is 15 metres (49 ft) in diameter and is 26 metres (85 ft) above ground at its highest point. The whole harbour front was realigned in order to come in line with a planned esplanade which would sweep down to the centre of the town. The cost of the construction was Rs. 21 lakhs (2,100,000), borne mainly by the Government of India. For lack of funds, the approach road was never built, and so the Gateway stands at an angle to the road leading up to it.
This crypto-Moresque archway welcomed numerous viceroys, governors and top civil servants as they disembarked by launch from their p&O steamers. An equestrain staue of Chhatrapatin Shivaji and statue of Swami Vivekhanda have been installed here.
Initially a few Parsis and Gujarati came but soon a sizeable population began to thrive here. This was way back in the 17th century. Today also Mumbai is a city of migrants. People from all over the country have come and settled here. This gives the society of Mumbai a multi-lingual and multi-cultural colour.
Elephanta Caves
The Elephanta Caves (Marathi: घारापुरीच्या लेण्या, Gharapurichya Lenya) are a network of sculpted caves located on Elephanta Island, or Gharapuri (literally “the city of caves”) in Mumbai Harbour, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) to the east of the city of Mumbai (Bombay), in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The island, located on an arm of the Arabian Sea, consists of two groups of caves—the first is a large group of five Hindu caves, the second, a smaller group of two Buddhist caves. The Hindu caves contain rock cut stone sculptures, representing the Shaiva Hindu sect, dedicated to the god Shiva.
The rock cut architecture of the caves has been dated to between the 5th and 8th centuries, although the identity of the original builders is still a subject of debate. The caves are hewn from solid basalt rock. All the caves were also originally painted in the past, but now only traces remain.
The main cave (Cave 1, or the Great Cave) was a Hindu place of worship until Portuguese rule began in 1534, after which the caves suffered severe damage. This cave was renovated in the 1970s after years of neglect, and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 to preserve the artwork. It is currently maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
The Elephanta island is known as Gharapuri (fortress city). The 7th century cave temple complex, which has been carved out of rock under two small holls, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and was a flourishing place of pilgrimage tilla few centuries ago. It has a magnificent 18 feet high, three-headed bust of Shiva- the Maheshmurti.
The main cave, which is known as Elephanta, is supported by masasiva pillars, each restin gon a supported by massive pillars, each resing on a square base with fluted shafts. Inside is the main hall housing sculptures of various gods in the Hindu mythology. This well known tourist spot is accessible by boat from the Gateway of India.
Afghan Church
The Church of St John the Evangelist better known as the Afghan Church (Hindi: अफ़ग़ान गिरजा [avɣɒn ɡɪrdʒaː]) is a Presbyterian Church in South Mumbai, India, built by the British to commemorate the dead of the disastrous First Afghan War of 1838. The church is located in Navy Nagar in the Colaba area of Mumbai (Bombay).
Besides British soldiers it also commemorates different Indian regiments, such as the Bombay Army, the Madras Army, and Ranjit Singh’s army from Lahore. Records also mention that only one person, one Surgeon Bryden – a medical officer, out of 16,000 men returned safely to Jalalabad to tell the tale, a war in which the British suffered a complete rout. Dedicated to the British soldiers who fell in the Singh and Afghan comapigns of 1838 and 1843, this church also known as St. Johns Chrch was built in 1847.
Chowpatty Beach
Girgaum Chaupati (Marathi:गिरगाव चौपाटी), commonly known as just Chaupati (pronounced as chow-patty), is one of the most famous public beaches adjoining Marine Drive in the Girgaum area of Mumbai, India. The beach is famous for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations when hundreds of people from all over Mumbai come to immerse the idols of Lord Ganapati in the Arabian Sea.
One can find several bhelpuri, panipuri, ragda patties and pav bhaji vendors on the beach
A popular beach where celebration of festivals such as Coconut Day and the Ganesh Chaturthi immersions take place. Besides little kiosks selling Bombay’s special snacks, Bhelpuri & Kulfi (local ice cream) one can find professional massesurs, pony leaders, beebee-gun shooting galleries, contortionists, snake charmers, monkey-trainers, balloon sellers, flower-girls and lots more.
On the beach are statues of india’s freedom fighters, Lokmanya Tilak and Vithalbhai Patel who symbolise the freedom struggle. Chowpatty occupies a special place in the life of Bombay, having been the venue of mass political meetings in the pre-independence era.
Haji Ali Mosque
The tomb of a Muslim saint who died while on pilgrimage to Mecca. It is believed that a casket containing his mortal remains floated and came to rest on a rocky bed in the sea, where devotees constructed the tomb and mosque. Can be visited only at low tide.
Head-Quaters of Western Railways
The Western Railway is one of the 16 zones of Indian Railways, and is among the busiest railway networks in India. The major railway routes of Indian Railways which come under Western Railways are: Ratlam – Mumbai Central, Ahmedabad – Vadodara and Palanpur – Ahmedabad. Completed in 1897, It has as ornamentation, a sculptured group representing engineering commerce and agriculture.
The Western Railway was created on November 5, 1951 by the merger of several state-owned railways, including the Bombay, Baroda, and Central India Railway (BB&CI), and the Saurashtra, Rajputana and Jaipur railways. The narrow gauge Cutch State Railway was also merged into it in 1951.
The BB&CI Railway was itself inaugurated in 1855, starting with the construction of a 29 mile (47 km) broad gauge track from Ankleshwar to Utran in Gujarat state on the west coast. In 1864, the railway was extended to Mumbai.
Subsequently, the project was further extended beyond Vadodara in a north easterly direction towards Godhra, Ratlam, Nagda and thereafter northwards towards Mathura, to eventually link with the Great Indian Peninsular Railway, now the Central Railway, which had already started operating in Mumbai in 1853. In 1883, a metre gauge railway system, initially linking Delhi with Agra, Jaipur and Ajmer, was established.
The first suburban service in Mumbai with steam traction was introduced in April 1867. It was extended to Churchgate in 1870. By 1900 45 trains in each direction were carrying over one million passengers annually.
The railways of several princely states were also integrated into the Western Railway. The Gaekwars of Baroda built the Gaekwar’s Baroda State Railway (GBSR), which was merged into the BB&CI in 1949. Several railways of western Gujarat, including the Bhavnagar, Kathiawar, Jamnagar & Dwarka, Gondal, and Morvi railways were merged into the Saurashtra Railway in 1948. The Jodhpur and Bikaner Railway was taken over by Rajasthan state in 1949, after the western portion was ceded to the government of Pakistan.
In 2002, the Jaipur and Ajmer divisions of the Western Railway became part of the newly-created North Western Railway, and in April 2003 the Kota division of the Western Railway became part of the newly-created West Central Railway.
Hutatmas Chowk
Hutatma Chowk (Marathi: हुतात्मा चौक) (“Martyrs’ Square”) is the official name of a square in South Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
The square hosts Flora Fountain and was known by that name until 1960. It was officially renamed in 1960 in memory of the members of Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti, who lost their lives when police fired upon their peaceful demonstration. A statue of a “Martyr with a Flame” stands next to Flora Fountain.
Formerly known as Flora Fountain. This is the business centre of Mumbai, surrounded by offices, banks, colleges and shops.
Jain Temple
Built in marble in 1904, the shrine is dedicated to Adinath, the first Tirthankara or apostle. The walls of the temple are adorned with colourful paintings depicting various incidents in the lives of the 24 tirthankaras of the Jain religion. On the first floor is a special shrine dedicated to Parsvanath carved out of black marble& the ceiling shows the different planets as personified in Hindu mythology.
Jainism (pronounced /ˈdʒeɪnɪzəm/) is an ancient religion of India that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to progress the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state of supreme being is called Jina (Conqueror or Victor).
Jainism is also referred to as Shraman (self-reliant) Dharma or the religion of Nirgantha (who does not have attachments and aversions) by ancient texts. Jainism is commonly referred to as Jain Dharma in Hindi and Samanam in Tamil.
Kamla Nehru Park
Kamala Nehru Park is a park in India covering an area of 4,000 sq yd (3,300 m²). Located at the top of Mumbai’s Malabar Hill, it is named after Kamala Nehru, the wife of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
A place frequently visited by schoolchildren, it has little to offer by way of entertainment apart from a structure shaped like a shoe. The shoe structure is inspired by the nursery rhyme “There was an old woman.”
From the garden, one can see the spectacular view of the city, Chowpatty Beach, and Queen’s Necklace (Marine Drive).
Situated on the slopes of Malabar Hill, it is mainly a children’s park named after the wife of India’s first Prime Minister. Laid in 1952, the garden offers a panoramic view of Marine Drive and Chowpatty Beach.
Mahalaxmi Temple
The puranas, have listed 108 sites where Shakti (the goddess of power) is manifested. Amongst these, the Karveer area (the area where the present town of Kolhapur is located), is of special significance. This is one of the six abodes of Shakti, where one can achieve both fulfillment of desires as well as salvation from them. It is therefore considered to be of greater significance than Uttar Kashi. Shri Mahalakshmi is the consort of Shri Vishnu and it is said that they both reside in the Karveer area.
An important Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess of wealth.
Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market
Formerly known as Crawford Market it was constructed in 1867. This is principally a fresh produce wholesale market with shops selling flowers, fruits, vegetables, meat andf fish all under one roof . At the hub of the market is a fountain by Lockwood Kipling (father of Rudyard Kipling)
Malabar Hill
The poshest area of Mumbai, Malabar Hill has attractive residences, including the Chief Minister’s house and a palatial state guest house. Here also, are the ruins of Walkeshwar temple build sometime between 810 and 1260 AD. It is believed that lord Rama on his way to rescue his sita, stopped here and made a lingam (phallic totem) out of sand to worship Lord Shiva.
Malabar Hill, a hillock in southern Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India is an extremely upmarket residential area, most known for the Walkeshwar Temple which houses the Banganga Tank. It is situated at a height of 50 metres (approx. 165 feet), it is the highest point in South Mumbai.
Mani Bhavan (Gandhi Museum), Mumbai
A memorial dedicated to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. He used to stay at House No.19 called Man Bhavan, from time to time between 1917 and 1934. He was arrested here in 1932 and taken off for one of his many prison terms. The building now contains a pictorial gallery, a 20,000 volume research library, a film and recording archive and a set of diorama on the Mahatma’s life.Residence of the iconic Mahatma Gandhi between 1917 and 1934, Mani Bhavan is tucked in one of the leafy bylanes around August Kranti Maidan . The house was converted to a museum in 1955 and is now a vast repository.
Nehru Planetarium
The high-rise corncob of the cylindrical Nehru Centre looms north of Mahalaxmi. Here is a planetarium, convention centre and concert com-movie auditorium. The planetarium recreates an image of the sk as seen from anywhere on the earth, at any time- past, present or future.
The Nehru Planetarium in New Delhi is situated in the green surroundings of the Teen Murti House, earlier the official residence of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru and now a museum in his memory. Conscious of the fact that an understanding of the spirit and method of science was crucial for children to become responsible citizens, Nehru liked every opportunity to be provided to them in this endeavor. In 1964, the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund was set up to promote his ideas and subsequently it undertook to build the Nehru Planetarium with its primary aim being the promotion of astronomy education. Nehru Planetarium is now a wing of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library.
Rajbai Tower
Built in the19th century Gothic style on the university campus, the 79 metres high clock tower commands a fine view of the city. The tower also houses the university library.
The Rajabai Tower is a clock tower in South Mumbai, India. It is located in the confines of the Fort campus of the University of Mumbai. The tower stands at a height of 85 m (280 ft).
History
The Rajabai tower was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, an English architect. It was modelled on Big Ben, the clock tower of the UK houses of Parliament in London.
The foundation stone was laid on March 1, 1869 and construction was completed in November 1878. The total cost of construction came to Rs. 2 lakhs (Rs. 200,000), a princely sum in those days. This entire cost was defrayed by Premchand Roychand, a prosperous broker who founded the Bombay Stock Exchange on the condition that the tower be named after his mother Rajabai.
Premchand Roychand’s mother was blind and as a staunch follower of Jain religion she was supposed to consume her dinner before evening. The evening bell of the tower helped her to know the time without anyone’s help.
The tower was closed to the public after it became a frequent spot for those attempting to commit suicide.
Nehru Science Center
The museum here has a children’s Science park and a permanent gallery, which consists of exhibits relating to the properties of life. There are also antique exhibits like a railway engine, tramcar, supersonic aeroplane and steam lorry.
Pherozsha Mehta Gardens
Popularly known as Hanging gardens they were renamed after the national barrister Pherozshah Mehta. The garden were laid out in 1881 on top of the reservoir which supplies water in Mumbai. A special feature are the hedges which are cut into animal shapes. In the early hours of the morning it is inhabited with people doing yoga, calisthenhics of just takinga wals, whicle at sunset one can get a stunning view of the city harbour and hills beyon. There is also a flowre clock here.
Race Course
The Mahalaxmi race course is name after the Hindu goddess of wealth and is one of the finest in the East.
Raudat Tajera
The Dawoodi Bohra Muslims erected a marble mosque and mausoleum honour of their spiritual leader the late Dr. Syedna Taher Safuddin. The lavishly decorated mausoeum has four silver door and the koran is inscibed on the inner walls in gold. The air-conditioned Fatemi mosque has 17 arches.
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