Tourism in india
Home | About Us | Contact Us | Query | Email
 
Information guide on tourism in India

Tour to India

Mumbai

» Gateway of India

The Gateway of India is synonymous with Mumbai. It is the most famous monument of Mumbai and is the starting point for most tourists who want to explore the city. Gateway of India is a great historical monument built during the British rule in the country. It was built as a triumphal arch to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai (then, Bombay). Gateway of India was built at Apollo Bunder, a popular meeting place. It was designed by the British architect, George Wittet.

The foundation stone of the Gateway of India was laid down by the then Governor of Bombay (Mumbai) on March 31st 1913. The archway is 26 meters high and joined with four turrets and intricate latticework carved on stones. The arch alone was built at the cost of 21 lakhs.

It is built in Indo-Sarcenic style, though some influence of Gujarati style is also evident in its architecture. The structure itself is quite majestic and a hybrid of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

In the past Gateway of India used to be the arrival point for visitors from the west. Ironically, when the Raj ended in 1947, this colonial symbol also became a sort of epitaph: the last of the British ships that set sail for England left from the Gateway. Today this symbol of colonialism has got Indianised, drawing droves of local tourists and citizens. This landmark of Mumbai is a must visit of the city.

The Gateway faces the vast Arabian Sea, flanked by Mumbai's another attraction, Marine Drive, a road running parallel to the sea. The majestic monument is a must-visit at night, in its pristine glory against the backdrop of the sea. It is visited by millions of people across the world every year and is a very significant figure in the lives of the people of Mumbai, as the Gateway defines the grandeur of the city that is a culmination of both, historic and modern cultural environment.

» Chhatrapati Shivaji

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly known as Victoria Terminus Station, in Mumbai, is an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India, blended with themes deriving from Indian traditional architecture.

The building, designed by the British architect F. W. Stevens, became the symbol of Bombay as the ‘Gothic City’ and the major international mercantile port of India. The terminal was built over 10 years, starting in 1878, according to a High Victorian Gothic design based on late medieval Italian models. Its remarkable stone dome, turrets, pointed arches and eccentric ground plan are close to traditional Indian palace architecture. It is an outstanding example of the meeting of two cultures, as British architects worked with Indian craftsmen to include Indian architectural tradition and idioms thus forging a new style unique to Bombay.

» Prithvi Theatre

Prithvi Theatre is one of Mumbai's best known theatres. It belongs to the Kapoor family, one of the most influential actor/director families in Bollywood. The theatre is named after Prithviraj Kapoor who first founded 'Prithvi Theatres', a travelling theatre company in 1944. The company ran for sixteen years in 1978 Prithvi Theatre opened in Juhu, Mumbai by Prthiviraj's son and daughter-in-law, actors Shashi Kapoor and Jennifer Kapoor. The Prithvi theatre company was established in 1993. It is now run by Prithviraj's grandchildren, Kunal Kapoor & Sanjna Kapoor. Today, it has daily theatre shows (closed Mondays), hosts an annual Summertime programme of workshops and plays for children, and an annual Theatre festival.

Prithvi Theatres was founded in 1944 by Prithviraj Kapoor, as a travelling troupe with 150 members, which staged productions across India. Its maiden performance was Kalidasa's classic "Shakuntala". In subsequent years the theatre staged some 2,662 plays such as "Deewar" (Wall), "Pathan" (a community comprising Hindus and Muslims of North India), "Ghaddar" (Traitor), "Aahuthi" (Offering), "Kalaakar" (Artist), "Paisa" (Money) and "Kisaan" (Farmer). Prithviraj starred as the lead actor in every show. His work in the Indian film industryfunded the activities of the company

Prithviraj Kapoor's youngest son Shashi Kapoor, who had trained as an actor in the Prithvi Theatres, married Jennifer Kendal, daughter of Laura and Geoffrey Kendal, and the leading actress of their theatre company, Shakespearana. Both Shashi and Jennifer shared a deep passion for theatre, and a great respect for Prithviraj's dream for Indian theatre.

 
Monuments In India

Lotus Temple Delhi
qutub minar (Delhi)
Hawa Mahal Jaipur
Taj Mahal Agra
  Forts & Palaces of India

Hawa Mahal Jaipur
Jaisalmer Fort Jaisalmer
City Palace Jaipur
Lalgarh Palace Bikaner

Wildlife Sanctuaries
In India

Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary
Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
B R Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

 
Wildlife Parks In India

Bandhavgarh National Park
Corbett National Park
Ranthambore National Park
Kaziranga National Park
  Fairs & Festival of India

Onnam Kerala
Pushkar Festival
Baisakhi Punjab
Pongal

  Temples In India

Birla Mandir Delhi
Iskon Temple Delhi
Jama Masjid Delhi
Sun Temple Konarak

Home | About Us | Contact Us | Query | Email
website promotion India | website designing India: softlogics