Hetal Chirag
If you like historical monuments, you have to visit the Gateway of India when you travel to Mumbai. Although we have been to Mumbai countless times, we have visited the beautiful Gateway of India only twice. We would definitely recommend visiting this stunning gate during the day time as well as at the night. You would be surprised how different this monuments looks depending on when you visit.
If you go there bright and early in the morning or later in the evening, it’s a little cooler and less crowded. Especially at sunset, the Gateway of India looks absolutely amazing. In the afternoon and on the weekends, it gets really crowded. Since it’s a popular touristy spot, you will bump into people from across India and from across the globe. With countless ferryboats and an open ocean in the background, the Gateway of India looks even more beautiful. The view from the opposite side is also amazing with the legendary Taj hotel across the Gateway of India.
Within the first five minutes of getting to the Gateway of India, you will see hundreds of people taking selfies. Local vendors would come up to you to sell snacks or drinks. A number of photographers will approach you with their polaroid cameras to give you an instant photo in front of the Gateway of India for a small fee. Not to mention hundreds if not thousands of pigeons just hanging out in the open area. If you just sit there and feel the energy of this place, a few hours will just fly by. You can also go to ancient Elephanta Caves from the Gateway of India.
If you wish to witness the Gateway of India form the sea, you can go for a boat ride and enjoy the view with a nice ocean breeze.
If you are fascinated by historical events, this place won’t disappoint you. It was built as a memorial of King George V and Queen Mary’s visit to India in 1911. With a dome that is around 50 feet wide, it is a gigantic 80 feet tall gate built from yellow basalt and reinforced concrete.
