Karen Anthony, Negosentro |
Capital of the state of Maharashtra, India, Bombay is a city with a permanent multiculturalism, where the greatest contrasts are found: from the skyscrapers to the slums, from the richest to the poorest, cities where large companies and banks are located of Bollywood and, at the same time, where many people still live from fishing. Tourism marketing says that Bombay is the ” City of Dreams”. Bombay is a vibrant city!
It is one of the monuments visited in Mumbai (Mumbai), India, and has free entrance: the Gateway of India. Its construction began on a special occasion in 1911, during the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India. The first stone was launched that year, but the “gateway” in Bombay was only completed in 1924 and opened to the public on December 4 that year.
Mumbai most visited by international tourists and Indians, the Gateway of India stands out in a gigantic square. It looks like a movie set and we could almost imagine, centuries ago, the boats arriving at this location. At present, it is not possible to cross under the Gateway of India which has not only an architectural value but also a strong symbol of the independence of the country, since it was here that the British troops left the territory, signaling in 1948 the end of the English presence in Indian lands.
It is a very popular place because the excursions to Elephanta Island and its famous caves depart from that port and its surroundings are lavish in commercial bustle: street vendors, taxis, horse carriages, and souvenir shops, guides that are offered … By the way, also there is the Hotel Taj Mahal Palace, and where terrorist was attack.
The gateway of India is 25 meters high and sits on the shore of the Arabian Sea. It covers one of the points of the port of Bombay (in the south part of the city, in Colaba), from where numerous ferries leave, including those that go to Elephanta Island. That is where the biggest confusion is and where there are huge queues to get on the boats. Tickets purchased outside this square and must be shown, before descending the stairs that will take you to the boat – only descends the stairs that have the ticket.
Although we live in a time when everyone takes pictures and selfies, in this place there are dozens of photographers who guarantee that they will take the special photograph with the monument as a backdrop. For those who want to have the photographic paper in hand, they have an irresistible proposal: they can print it on the spot and carry with them the memory already printed.
There is a profusion of colors in this square, with saris of bright colors taking care of the eyes, and always many people taking many photographs.
So do not be surprised if they ask you to take pictures with you. Indians are very fond of having memories of the strangers they meet on their walks. You can ask to take it with your daughter and when you do, you will have the family with you to stay in the picture.
Enjoy the goodwill and also take selfies with the locals who, for the most part, love to do it. Print the photos Although most of the photos are taken from the square – there are always plenty of people there, whatever the day of the week and the quieter day will be early Sunday morning – overlooking the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, the best view (in my opinion) is almost if you are inside a boat, already away from the boarding docks. This tour was done with Travelogyindia.es
Finally, one last thing: do not confuse this India gate that in Delhi, simpler and erected in memory of the ninety thousand Indian soldiers killed during the First World War and the Afghan Wars of 1919.
