Every major city has landmarks or locations that the city is best identified with. These landmarks are a symbol of recognition for that particular city and people identify the location with those landmarks. And if we are talking about Mumbai then the Gateway of India Mumbai is that one landmark in the city that people best identify the city with. It is a major landmark in Mumbai and a popular tourist spot here as well. Gateway of India as a monument dates long back to the British era and till today this architectural marvel is standing tall in all its glory. However not just architecturally but otherwise also the ambiance and vibe of the Mumbai Gateway of India is alluring in itself.
You can check out the Gateway of India photos but unless and until you reach the location you would not be able to get the vibe of this location. With the magnificent view of the Arabian Sea, the salty breeze, the lively atmosphere with tourists and vendors, this is one of the exciting locations that you can visit in Mumbai. Keep on reading this article as I will mention everything about the Gateway of India here. It will be a helpful read for you if you are planning a trip to this location in Mumbai.
Gateway of India Mumbai
Where is Gateway of India?
The Gateway of India is located in Colaba, Apollo Bandar, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Timings: Open 24 hours on all days of the week throughout the year
Entry fee: There is no entry fee
How to reach
By air
If you are travelling by air then the nearest airport to reach the Gateway of India is the Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport in Mumbai. From the airport the Gateway of India is located 21.8 km away and you can reach there in about an hour. You can either take a cab or a taxi to reach the location from the airport.
By train
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus is the nearest railway station to reach here if you are travelling in the Harbour or the Central Line. From the station the Gateway of India is 2 km away and you can reach there in about 8 minutes. If you prefer walking you can even walk for about 30 minutes to reach the location as well. If you are travelling on the Western Line then the nearest airport is the Churchgate railway station. From there the Gateway is about 2.4 km away and you can reach there in about 10 minutes.
By road
If you are travelling by road you can easily opt for the buses in the city. There are bus stops near the Gateway of India at a distance of 3 to 4 minutes walking distance away. There are private as well as state run buses plying frequently on this route. So you can opt for them to reach this location. Also you can take a taxi or a cab to reach here as well from different parts of the city. Unlike other areas in the city there are no auto rickshaws in this area though. You can however take your own vehicle as well. But make sure you find a good paid or free parking space. Because parking in this area is always a hassle. In that case you can also park at a distance as well.
If you are driving from suburban Mumbai then you can drive through the Eastern Freeway. And while driving from Bandra, do take the Bandra Worli Sea Link to reach South Bombay. That will also be a convenient option to reach here.
Best time to visit
Technically you can visit the Gateway of India Mumbai anytime of the year at any given point of time as it is open for visitors 24*7. But the ideal time to visit this location would be the cooler months from October to March. This is the time when the weather here would be extremely comfortable and you would be able to explore the area really well. And in terms of the best time of the day, the ideal time to visit the Gateway of India would be early in the morning or during the evening. During the early morning the number of people present here is comparatively less and you can enjoy the cool breeze here as well. And during the evening after it is dark you will be able to enjoy the full lit view of the Gateway which is again a pretty sight in itself.
However you can visit here during special occasions like Independence Day when the Gateway is adorned with tri colour lighting. And on various other occasions also there are thematic lightings here which is a pretty sight to observe. So you can plan your visit here accordingly.
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Overview of Gateway of India
The Gateway of India Mumbai is one of the major landmarks in the city of Mumbai. As visually appealing this site is, the site also offers an unforgettable experience to its visitors as well. And that is one of the many reasons why so many people love visiting this spot in Mumbai. Located in an accessible area overlooking the Arabian Sea this landmark is also popular as “Mumbai’s Taj Mahal”. Dating back to 1924 this gateway is also historically and architecturally significant. At present the beautiful view of the sea from the location makes it one of the popular sightseeing spots in Mumbai. From tourists enjoying the breathtaking view to enjoying hot cups of tea and street food, there is a lot to do here. You will also find plenty of spots to click beautiful pictures here as well. So make sure you are definitely visiting here.
History of Gateway of India
The main objective behind the construction of the Gateway of India is to commemorate and celebrate the arrival of the British Royalty in the country. In fact on the top of the gateway this fact is inscribed as well. The foundation stone for this construction was laid in 1911. However the formal construction began much later in 1915. It took almost 10 years to complete the whole construction. British King Emperor George V along with Queen Mary visited India the same year when the foundation stone was laid. Also the royalty could never see this construction with their own eyes. When they visited they could only see a miniature version of the construction made of cardboard.
Also all Viceroys and Governors during the British regime visited Bombay to mark their official entry through the Gateway of India. The official architect of the marvelous structure is George Wittet. Finally, in 1924 the Viceroy inaugurated the structure. Back in the 20th century the total cost of constructing the Gateway of India was 2 million rupees. If we calculate the same amount in today’s time it would approximately be equivalent to 560 million rupees. At present the Archeological Survey of India maintains this marvelous structure in Mumbai.
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Architecture of Gateway of India
The Gateway of India Mumbai is basically an archway and it is a triumphal arch which you can spot in major Commonwealth countries. A Scottish architect George Wittet designed this structure. The structure is 26 meters in height and 15 meters in width. Furthermore it has a central dome which is supported by 4 small turrets. A strong influence of Indo Saracenic style of architecture is evident in this construction. Along with that there are influences of Indian traditional style and Muslim architectural style as well. This is further mixed with British style of construction especially style from the Victorian Era which is heavily inclined towards Neo Classical and Gothic Revival styles.
Built with yellow basalt majorly the colour of the structure is ochre. You will see intricate lattice work along the archway. Also there are intricate net like structures that let the sunlight in and the shadows that form gives a magnificent look on the inner walls. The central space of this structure is equipped to accommodate about 600 people at the same time. However, at present entry is denied inside the monument.
Things to do at the Gateway of India
1. This area offers an array of water sports so you can definitely try some of that here. You will find speedboats here that will take you deep into the sea where the actual activities happen.
2. You will find a lot of yacht clubs in Mumbai, so if you are interested to learn or experience a trip on a yacht, do try that here.
3. This area is also popular for learning sailing. You can also take along a group of 4-6 people along with you to enjoy this activity here.
4. Yacht parties are also a common thing in this location. So in case you wish to celebrate your special days on a yacht, you can surely opt for it.
5. This is the ideal location for some photoshoots. There are no extra charges for photography here also. So you can easily opt for a self photoshoot or even a professional shoot here.
6. You will also find a lot of photographers here who specialize in trick photography. Basically they can click pictures that would look as if you are holding the Gateway with your hand and so on. So you can even try that. They usually charge something from Rs. 100 to Rs. 1000. But make sure you are bargaining well before finalizing the deal with them.
7. There are some tea stalls here so don’t forget to sip on some hot piping tea with a backdrop like the Gateway of India Mumbai.
8. This is also one of the best places that offer a beautiful view of the sunset. So if you are there till the evening do not miss the breathtaking view of the setting sun here.
9. There are a lot of restaurants and cafes nearby as well. So if you want a small refreshment break or even a sumptuous meal, you can head to any of the restaurants here.
Wrapping Up!
The Gateway of India Mumbai definitely needs no introduction and every one visiting Mumbai must visit this site. You would know why this site is so popular in the city once you visit there. With the beautiful structure of the Mumbai Gateway of India and the Arabian Sea flowing by, the location looks enchanting. Moreover the location is always bustling and gives a different kind of lively vibe all the time that will have your heart totally. So do not miss out on visiting this beautiful structure on your next trip to Mumbai. Let me know if this article is helpful for you in planning a trip to the Gateway of India Mumbai.
