Monuments

Monuments of Mumbai (9) :

1. Gateway of India –

It is only extra-ordinary things that excite human beings but Gateway of India not only excites but also astounds the most discerning eye. The most famous monument, it is an architectural marvel that scores over other buldings in Mumbai. Having advantages of both location and archtitectural construction, it shines every morning with morning sun of Mumbai. There is somethig magial about Gateway of India that attracts tourists in hordes. Words fail to describe and picture postcards fail to capture the exact beauty of the monument.

Pride of Mumbai, the Gateway of India occupies a special place in the hearts of Mumbaikars. It is to them what Red Fort is to Delhiites. Locale of many hindi movies, people flock to the place especially in the evening to watch bashful play of waves and feed pigeons. Besides being one of the important landmarks in the city, it is also base camp from where people start towards Elephanta island in motorboats.

Origin
Gateway of India was built to welcome King George V and Queen Marry in a style. The foundation stone was laid on March 31, 1911 and it took over 13 years to complete the ambitious project. To be precise, the construction was completed in December 4, 1924.

Architecture
Reflecting Indo-sarcenic style, the Gateway was built George witte, who was inspired from the architecture in Gujarat. The Gateway is built from yellow Kharodi basalt and reinforced concrete. The central dome is 48 feet in diameter and 83 feet above ground at its highest point. The cost of the construction was borne mainly by the Government. .

2. Rajabai Clock Tower –

Next to the High Court, the Venetian -Gothic University has a Gothic clock tower 260 feet high that is curiously adorned with oriental figures. In the old days it used to play Rule Britannia, God Save the King and a Handel Symphony among sixteen tunes that changed four times a day; now the repertoire is limited to the wafting chimes of the Big Ben on the quarter hour.

The Rajabai Clock Tower is named after the mother of a 19th century stockbroker, who contributed towards its construction; it has a spiral staircase , which is unfortunately closed to the visitors after several unhappy citizens hurled themselves from the top.

Under the clock tower is the magnificent University Library, with what are undoubtedly some of the most exquisite stained glass windows in Asia. These have recently been treated by British conservationists and restored to their pristine glory. Well worth a look. .

3. University Building –

Next to the High Court on Bhaurao Patil Road, the Venetian Gothic Bombay University has a Gothic clock tower 260 feet high, that is curiously adorned with oriental figures. In the old days it used to play Rule Britannia, God Save the king, Auld Lang Syne and a Handel symphony among 16 tunes that changed four times a day; now the repertoire is restricted to wafting chimes of the big Ben on the quarter hour.

4. Film City –Cinema has emerged as a popular source of entertainment in India. Almost every village in India has a cinema within walking distance. It is really hard to comprehend the impact of cinema as it has effected almost all compartments of life. The Indian film industry is the largest in the world and amazingly it churns out over 900 films every year. There is regional cinema that caters to the local tastes and there is hindi cinema that has a wide presence. The home of Hindi blockbuster, the “all-India film” , is Mumbai.

Bollywood
Mockingly called Bollywood by locals and cynics, Film City clings to the outskirts of the National Park, and is practically overrun by assorted stars and starlets — the demi gods and goddesses of Modern India. To overcome the differences of language and religion, the Bollywood movie follows rigid conventions and genres; as in myth, its characters have predetermined actions and destines. Hindi movies follow a “masala format” where a bit of everything is packaged in one single product. There are elements of song, dance, melodrama, violence and erotica that Indian audiences love. The Film City sets are heavily booked around the year. They are closed to visitors, but special permissions can always be “obtained” to check out the action.

5. High Court –

On the fringes of what was once the walled Fort of Mumbai, stands the High Court, another hauntingly beautiful (some say haunted!) structure, in brooding black stone. Opposite it lies the Oval Maidan, formerly a large Bowling Green where English memsahibs came to “take in the air.” Today, it is an important lung in a congested city, where aspiring young cricketers practice their paces under the watchful eye of the High Court and the Mumbai University.

6. Flora Fountain –