Banyan tree

A grand old banyan tree opposite Gateway of India. It must have seen so much happening there in its lifetime!

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Gateway of India

The Gateway of India is synonymous with Mumbai. It was built as a triumphal arch to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai (then, Bombay). It was designed by the British architect, George Wittet. 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.

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Iconic Taj

The Taj Mahal Palace opened in Mumbai, then Bombay, in 1903, giving birth to the country’s first harbour landmark. The recently trademarked flagship hotel overlooks the majestic Gateway of India. This was the Hotel that the terrorists attacked on 26th November 2008. The clear blue sky with a lone bird flying is the perfect backdrop.

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Mumbai

"Mumbai" says the signboard in Colaba at the Gateway of India. You have arrived!

Linking with Tom's 'Signs'

 

Shuttle

The shuttle between the Gateway of India and the Elephanta caves.

Our world

A miniature replica of the Gateway of India, which is as old as the original, built by Raobahadur Yeshwantrao Harischandra Desai who was also the superintendent manager in charge of constructing the Gateway of India in 1911. This replica is built with the same sandstone that was used to build the original. This is now fenced in, in Gamdevi. For more details on this please click here

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Columbus 1

This is Columbus 1 a General Cargo ship in the Arabian sea. Information gleaned from Marine Traffic 

Tech ship

No idea what this ship in the Arabian sea is. Looks like a ship that rushes to assist another that has suffered a breakdown. Your views?

Freighter

Freighter in the Arabian sea off Gateway of India.

Armed island

Armed island in the Arabian sea protecting the Mumbai coast.

Speed boats

Speed boats anchored off Gateway of India.

Cruise boat

Cruise boat off Gateway of India.

Gateway of India

The iconic Gateway of India.

Ref Wikipedia
The Gateway of India was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai, prior to the Delhi Durbar, in December 1911. However, they only got to see a cardboard model of the structure since the construction did not begin till 1915. The foundation stone was laid on 31 March 1911, by the governor of Bombay Sir George Sydenham Clarke, with the final design of George Wittet sanctioned on 31 March 1914. The gateway was built from yellow basalt and concrete. Between 1915 and 1919, work proceeded at Apollo Bundar (Port) to reclaim the land on which the gateway and the new sea wall would be built. The foundations were completed in 1920, and construction was finished in 1924. The gateway was opened on 4 December 1924, by the viceroy, the Earl of Reading.

The last British troops to leave India following the country's independence, the First Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, passed through the gateway on their way out in a ceremony on 28 February 1948, signalling the end of British rule.

The climb

The gradual climb to the caves at Gharapuri (popularly known as Elephanta) off Gateway of India.

Toy train

The toy train at Gharapuri (popularly known as Elephanta) island off Gateway of India. It shuttles between the jetty and the base of the steps that lead to the caves.

Cruiser

'New Carribean Princess' anchored in the Arabian sea off Gateway of India in Mumbai.

Speedboat

A speedboat speeding past in the Arabian sea off Gateway of India.

Taj ahoy!

The Taj Mahal hotel seen from the Arabian sea.

Eid Mubarak

Thursday challenge - Peaceful

Off Apollo Bandar, the Arabian sea at dawn.

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Monochrome mania

Birds in flight at Gateway of India, Mumbai.

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