Many places in India have their own tourist attraction, primarily for their geographical location, whereas Mumbai has its own way of attracting people. The fact that Mumbai has some amazing historical architectural wonders, still alive in the modern times, makes it one of the ‘must-visits’ in India.
So, what do you witness as you enter through the water front of Appollo Bunder?
A big basalt arch structure 26mt (85 feet) high built in the 19th century in Indo-Saracenic style with yellow basalt and concrete, is the most famous monument of Mumbai. It is also, infamously, referred to as the Taj Mahal of Mumbai and it is our very own Gateway of India.
Next to the Gateway of India is none other than The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel standing tall since 16th Dec 1903. It comprises of two buildings that make up the hotel, the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, built in an Indo-Saracenic Revival Architectural style. Surprisingly, it was also converted into a hospital with 600 beds during the World War I.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus the famous Victoria Terminus of yesteryears is no less than a palace itself. The most important part of Railways in Mumbai, the building is intimidating at its first look. A declared UNESCO world heritage site, this monument took 10 years to complete in 1888 and has an architectural style of Indo-Saracenic fusion.
Flora Fountain is yet another architectural beauty to visit in Mumbai, an ornamentally and exquisitely sculpted monument, built in 1864, has Roman goddess Flora on the top of it. The cost of this fountain at that time was Rs.47000 or £9000.
The Asiatic society of Mumbai(Bombay) was founded by Sir James Mackintosh. The library of the society has a varied range of books out of which 15000 books are classified as rare and valuable. Interestingly, the library is the proud owner of the only two original copies of the famous classic, Dante’s Divine Comedy. Off late, the place is used by a lot fashion bloggers to spice up their shoots.
St.Xaviers College, one of the top liberal colleges in India has an architectural style of indo-gothic mixture founded on 2nd January 1869 and officially, also visited by Barack Obama in Nov 2010.
The Rajabai Clock Tower is our very own answer to the Big Ben of London, considering they both have been designed by the same person, Sir George Gilbert Scott, who completed its construction in 1878 at a princely price of Rupees 200,000 back then!
Express your thoughts, idea or write a feedback
It is wonderful article… and nice click the pictures..
thanks a lot!