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Gateway of India: Mumbai's Most Striking Monument


An orientation of Mumbai is best begun from the Gateway of India, the most recognisable landmark of the financial capital of India.

Though completed in 1924 the yellow basalt monument was supposed to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India in 1911.  George V is the only British king to travel to India before country's Independence.

 


This famous colonial landmark of Mumbai was designed by George Wittet. This 25 mtrs. high stone archway has an imposing gateway arch in the Indo-Saracenic style with Gujarati and Islamic elements such as wooden carvings.

The foundations were laid on March 31, 1913 and between 1915 and 1919, the land on which this yellow basalt monument was to be built was reclaimed from the sea. The Gateway, however, was formally opened by the then Viceroy, the Earl of Reading, on December 4, 1924. 

The constitutional head of any foreign country on an official visit to India was officially received at the Gateway of India, if they came to India by sea, the Guard of Honour being lined up in front. Near the Gateway is an image of the great Hindu saint and philosopher, Swami Vivekanand and facing the Gateway is an equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji located in a garden.

This area is also the departing point for ferries plying to the World Heritage site of Elephanta Island and other beaches across the port. Behind it is the beautiful old (and new) structure of the Taj Mahal Hotel.

 

 

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