Places of Interest in Mumbai
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. 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.
AFGHAN CHURCH
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
A popular beach where celebrationof festivals such as Coconut Day and the Ganesh
Chaturthi immersions take place. Besides little kiosks selling Bombay's special
snacks, Bhelpuri & Kulfi (local ice crem) one can find professional massesurs,
pony leaders, ,beebee-gun shooting galleries, contortionists, snake charmers,
monkey-trainers, balloon sellers, flower-girls and lost 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 cvenue of mass political meetings int eh pre-independence
era.
HAJI ALI MOSQUE
The tomb of a Muslim saint who died while on pilgrimage to Mecca. It is believecd
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
HEADQUARTERS OF WESTERN RAILWAYS
Completed in 1897, It has as ornamentation, a sculptured group representing
engineering commerce and agriculture.
HIGH COURT
An attractive building built in 1878 in the early Engligh Gothic style. The
central structure rises up to 54.2 metres and is surmounted by statues representing
Justice and Mercy.
HUTATMAS CHOWK
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, thed shrine is dedicated to Adinath, the first Tirthankara
or apostle. The walls of the templeare 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 differednt planets as personified in
Hindu mythology.
KAMLA NEHRU PARK
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
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 Minster's house and a palatial state gtuest house. Here also, are
the ruins of Walkeshwar temple buile sometime between 810 and 1260 AD. It is
believed that lord Ram on his way to rescue his sita, stopped here and made
a lingam (phallic totem) out of sand to worship Lord Shiv.
MANI BHAVAN (GANDHI MEMORIAL)
A memorial dedicated to theFather of the Natio, 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 off for one of his many prison
terms. The buildign now containsa pictorial galleery, a 20,000 volume research
library, a film and recording archive and a set of diorama on the Mahatma's
life.
NEHRU PLANETARIUM
The hiogh-rise corncob of the cylindrical Nehru Centre looms north of Mahalaxmi.
Here is a planetarium, convention centre dn 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.
RAJABAI 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.
NEHRU SCIENCE CENTRE
The museum here has a chileren'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 Hnaging gargens they were renamed after the national barrister
Pherozshah Mehta. The garden were laind n out 1881 on top of the reservoir which
supplies water ot Mumbai. A special feature are the hedges which are cut into
animal shapes. In the early hours of the mornign 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 alos a flowre
clock here.
RACE COURCE
The Mahalaxmi race couse is name after the Hidu goddess of wealth and is one
or the finest in the finest in the East. Racing season :November to April
RAUDAT TAJERA
The Dawoodi Bohra Muslims erected a marble mosqwue and mausoleum honour of their
spiritual leader the lat Dr. syedna Taher Safuddin. The lavishly decorated mausoeum
has four silver door ans the koran is inscibed on theinner walls in gold. The
air-conditioned Fatemi mosque has 17 arches.
