A Walk To Remember

One of my favourite walking routes in Mumbai is the one that takes you from Gateway Of India to Churchgate station...and right upto Marine Drive


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We begin our ramble at the Gateway Of India. Located right on the waterfront, the Gateway is a basalt arch 26 metres high.The arch was completed in 1924, during the British Raj, to commemorate England’s King George V and Queen Mary’s 1911 visit to India.Plans are underway to convert the entire area into a plaza, where tourists can enjoy the breathtaking views of the Mumbai Harbour.Behind the Gateway steps lead down to the waterfront, where boat trips can be had to locations such as Elephanta Island.
Standing nearby is the magnificent building of the Taj Mahal Hotel.

Moving away from the Gateway, we have to stop at the Arey dairy booth. Located just where the main road turns towards Taj Hotel, it serves amazing milkshakes.Heading north along Chhatrapati Shivaji Road we will soon stumble upon the Regal Cinema.Built in the art deco style, it is really a beautiful sight. Located right opposite to it is the Mumbai Police HQ with it's Gothic architecture.

On the other side of the circle stands the National Gallery Of Modern Art.This elegant three-tier circular stone building houses paintings by Indian and foreign artists.Just opposite to NGMA is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum aka Prince Of Wales Museum.Walking down a bit further brings us to the Jehangir Art Gallery. I have already written about these two places which I think is the top place to spend the afternoon in town.

Lining the opposite side of the road are the amazing heritage buildings of Elphinstone College, David Sassoon Library, Army and Navy Building and Institute of Science.This is the historic Kala Godha Precinct.It also houses many good restraunts. My choice goes to Samovar, which is located inside the Jehangir Art Gallery.

Taking the left after Army and Navy building, we come across the Oval Maidan.The majestic University building lies to the left. Walking along we see the famous Rajabai Tower.The Rajabai tower was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, an English architect. It was modelled on Big Ben, the clock tower of the UK houses of Parliament in London.The tower stands at a height of 85 m.

Our walk now takes us past the Mumbai High Court which was inaugurated on August 14, 1862 and on to Churchgate Station.
This stretch of road used to be lined with hawkers selling books.You could buy any book you wanted or simply spend some time browsing through the mounds of books.Unfortunately these hawkers have been evicted after a recent beautification drive.
Standing opposite Churchgate is the Eros Cinema Hall, which is another beautiful art deco building.

Walking straight we reach Marine Drive and the end of our little walk.Ofcourse we have to stop at Gaylords for a bit of refreshment before that.
Marine Drive is our last stop.Most buildings here sport an art deco look.Miami in the United States is the only city in the world that has more art deco buildings along the seafront than Mumbai.