Best Landmarks in Mumbai

Also famously known as the Queen's Necklace (a romanticized perception of the streetlights), Marine Drive was built in 1920 on reclaimed land from the back bay. The 3.6-kilometer-long (2.2 miles) sweeping curve runs along the shoreline of the Arabian Sea from Nariman Point. It takes one past Mumbai's most renowned landmarks like the N.C.P.A, Marine Plaza, Pizza By The Bay, InterContinental Marine Drive, Wankhede Stadium, and Art Deco buildings till you reach Taraporewala Aquarium, Bachelors Juice House, the Gothic Wilson College, Chowpatty Beach to the foot of Malabar Hill. A favorite spot among joggers and dog walkers, most prefer enjoying the views with a cup of roadside tea.

The Bandra-Worli Sea Link, also known as the Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link, has been the cynosure of all eyes in Mumbai and the whole country. The outcome of long-term planning and meticulous engineering, the bridge has elevated the metropolis to another level owing to the improved infrastructure. Majestically spread across Mahim Bay, the sea link is a boon to the busy Mumbai traffic. It has rather conveniently connected the western suburbs of Bandra to Worli in South Mumbai, reducing the travel time between the two areas in half. If not for commutation, it is worth visiting this spectacular bridge and marveling at its sheer beauty.

A catholic educational institution set up in 1869 by German Jesuits, St Xavier's College is one of the few colleges to be certified with A+ grades. St. Xavier's has earned a deservedly impressive reputation over the years. Held in high esteem for its exceptional literature standards, it is renowned for its Arts stream. The college is an architectural spectacle with a gothic-styled building and a massive but well-maintained campus. Malhar, its annual event, is immensely popular and is conducted at a level of landmark events in the city. With a string of remarkable and commendable achievements and an illustrious alumnus, this college is a dream for many.

Mumbai's most popular landmark, this yellow basalt arch, was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911. Designed by George Wittet, this imposing structure overlooking the Arabian Sea was opened to the public in 1924, and since then it's been on every tourist itinerary, besides being a favorite meeting point for the locals. Many launches depart from here for short joyrides around the harbour, or for longer ones to the Elephanta Caves. Touts, balloon sellers, photographers, and peanut vendors rove across the place amid tourists who gape in pure delight and awe at its sheer scale and architecture. Awash in elegant semblances of Indo-Saracenic and Islamic architectural styles, the Gateway is also within close proximity to the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, which is another one of the city's most prized possessions. Accentuated by the rippling waters of the sea, this monumental, triumphal arch stands under a gleaming dome and is adorned with fine detailing, including latticework and an inscription that describes why the arch was constructed. What was once a modest piece of land utilized by the city's fisherfolk was later frequented by British nobles along with other luminaries, and today it stands as a gargantuan, emblematic jewel of Mumbai.

One of the most exquisite colonial remains in the country is the Victoria Terminus in Bombay, rechristened as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in 1996. Constructed in honor of Queen Victoria on her golden jubilee year, this brilliant exponent of grand Gothic architecture dates back to 1887. Popularly called C.S.T, it is one of the busiest railway stations in India and serves as the headquarters of Central Railways. It is also the terminating stop on the Mumbai suburban railway line. But, C.S.T undoubtedly goes beyond its qualification as a major railway station. A historic landmark in itself, it exudes a charm reminiscent of the Victorian era. Additionally, it was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 2004.

A city built on islands, Mumbai has no shortage of beaches. The most popular among them is Girgaum Chowpatty, a stretch of beach that extends along Marine Drive near Charni Road Railway Station. The only sand beach area in South Mumbai offers a unique culinary experience for both the tourists as well as the locals. A stretch of the Chowpatty beach is teeming with a long line of fast food stalls serving excellent Pav Bhaji (spicy mashed potatoes and bread), Vada Pav (potato cutlets in bread), Bhutta (roasted corn on the cob) and kulfi (regional ice-cream). However, Girgaum Chowpatty truly comes to life at sunset with its masseurs, balloon-sellers, gamblers, fortune-tellers, magicians, ferris wheels and shooting galleries.

Standing tall opposite the Oval Maidan in the midst of the gardens of Mumbai University, the Rajabai Clock Tower is one of Mumbai's outstanding landmarks. Believed to have been inspired by Giotto's Campanile in Florence and the Big Ben in London, the five storied 280 feet tall tower was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott and completed in 1878. Look closely, and you'll spy eight statues which represent the Indian castes. The tower was named after 'Rajabai', the mother of Premchand Roychand, a broker who funded the construction. The Rajabai Clock Tower has housed the University's library, a vast repository of rare manuscripts. The clock tower is also reported to have played 16 tunes including Rule Britannia.

Flora Fountain stands in the midst of one of the busiest areas of Mumbai. Constructed in the late 1800s from the same type of limestone used in the United Nations building in New York, the fountain was original named Sir Bartle Frère, honoring the then Governor of Bombay and the man responsible for building modern Mumbai. Before the unveiling, it was rechristened Flora after the Roman Goddess of Abundance. The statue sits next to another monument that honors the soldiers who died protecting the state, leading to the square being renamed Hutatma Chowk. Incidentally, this is the same spot where the gate to the St. Thomas Cathedral stood, hence lending the name Churchgate to the area.

The Castella de Aguada, famously known as Bandra Fort and was built by the Portuguese in 1640 as a watchtower overlooking the Mahim Bay. After Bombay was handed over to the British as dowry, this watchtower served as a defensive structure against the British who sought to expand to Salsette Island held by the Portuguese. In 1739, the Salsette Island was captured by the Marathas who held it till 1761 after being passed on to the British under whom the fort fell into disrepair since it no longer served its purpose. The fort today at Land's End serves as a venue for concerts and has an amphitheater.

The Asiatic Society stands tall and proud in midst of the historical cotton green area. It is an impressive neo-classical structure that overlooks the Horniman Circle and was built in the 1830s. This place is one of the last remnants of the Victorian Bombay. Today it is a public library that houses some priceless and rare ancient books and manuscripts along with bronze and marble sculptures. It is open to membership; the place also organizes informative Mumbai tours.