Posts for mumbai

5 British Monuments in Mumbai

Blog, Destinations, Heritage & Culture - GoroadTrip - July 29, 2015

Bombay was handed down as part of the dowry in the wedding of Catherine of Braganza and Charles II in the year 1661! Initially British favoured Surat over Mumbai but eventually recognized its potential for its geographical position and shifted their base to this west coast city. The rest is history. One of the cities to grow phenomenally in no time, Mumbai started to make fashionable statements with its stylish buildings. Built under the guidance of Sir Bartle Frere, the city boasts of many colonial buildings of a high architectural competence.

5 British Monuments in Mumbai

Gateway of India:

Regarded as Mumbai’s pride, the Gateway of India was designed and built by George Witte to commemorate King George V and Queen Mary’s visit to Mumbai. The massive and striking archway took nearly 13 years for completion.

Mumbai High Court:

Designed by Colonel J.A. Fuller, the Mumbai High Court showcases the impressive Gothic style. It is one of the oldest colonial buildings in the Fort area of Mumbai that continue to dazzle tourists.

Victoria Terminus:

Blending Victorian Italianate Gothic Revival and traditional Indian style, the Victoria terminus railway station stands tall and imposing. It was designed by Frederick William Stevens and conceived to honour the Victoria Jubilee Day. The carvings on the wood, the turrets and the statue of Queen Victoria make the Victoria Terminus an attractive structure. The name was changed to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in 1996.

Prince of Wales Musuem

Built in the Indo-Saracenic architecture by George Wittet, the Prince of Wales Museum has three sections on art, natural history and archaeology. The museum is regarded as one of the best and finest museums in India. The bronze statue of George V outside the museum and the equestrian statue of Edward VII in the front, adds to the charm that the structure commands.The name is changed to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya.

The Town Hall:

Originally designed by Colonel Thomas Cowper, the Town Hall is a fine example of neo-classical and Greek revival styles. The building is placed high on an arcade basement with a colossal flight of steps leading to it.

It can be said without doubt that the British left with Mumbai, monuments worthy of its power, class and wealth.

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One day trip from Mumbai

Blog, Destinations, Weekend Getaways - GoroadTrip - November 17, 2014

While the city of Mumbai is the most visited for natural attractions and monuments, there are plenty of places at short distances from it as well. Plan a picnic every week and watch your holiday turn into a fun filled one.

One day trip from Mumbai

Mandwa:

If you have a penchant for water sports, you can travel about 100 kilometres from Mumbai to the village of Mandwa. It is accessible by sea and land. With a host of private adventure companies setting base here, it has become a favourite water sports hub.

Kolad:

Set on the banks of the Kundalika River, Kolad is an ideal place for rafting. With experienced and trained rafting guides, the sport can be enjoyed by thrilled adventure lovers.

Alibaug:

Approachable by road and also by ferry from the Gateway of India, Alibaug has an interesting variety of attractions to interest tourists. Along with plenty of beaches like Nagoan, Versoli, Akshi and Kashid and temples like VikramVinayak and KanakeshwarDevasthan, there is Kulaba Fort and Phansad Sanctuary to visit in Alibaug.

Karjat:

Blessed by an ideal geographical location, Karjat is thronged by visitors for various reasons; for the natural beauty of the hills, for the water activities that the River Ulhas has to offer and for its sprawling location over the Western Ghats and the Konkan region. The natural scenery of this place has attracted many international production houses like Twentieth Century Fox and Walt Disney to set up facilities here.

Durset:

With a raw beauty, Durset around 100 kilometres from Mumbai, appeals to visitors looking for peace and tranquillity amidst the marvels of natural surroundings. The Amba River gives the place a fresh appeal and you will feel invigorated with a chance to indulge in activities like rock climbing.

Kamshet:

Kamshet in Pune district is perfect for tourists aiming at some adventure activities, exploration and a trip down the historical route. The ancient cave temples, hill fortresses and colonial hill stations along the route to Kamshet makes for many pleasant stops. Once you reach Kamshet you can enthral yourself by paragliding amidst the green rambling hills and striking sunflower and paddy fields.

Malshej Ghat:

Located in Thane district, Malshej Ghat is a mountain pass in the Western Ghats. Renowned for its beauty, the Ghat is abundantly blessed with flora and fauna, birdlife and wildlife including cuckoos, quails, flamingos, peacocks, leopards and tigers.

All within a proximity of approximately 150 kilometres from Mumbai, these picnic places give you adventure and history along with the grandeur of nature’s beauty.

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14 Caves of Maharashtra

Blog, Destinations, Heritage & Culture - GoroadTrip - July 13, 2014

Cushioned in the Sahayadri Mountains, Maharashtra is a natural home to numerous rock-cut caves. The caves of Maharashtra are known for their natural formations, exquisite sculpture and splendid architecture. Some of the caves that are popular tourist destinations in Maharashtra are:

14 Caves of Maharashtra

Ajanta Caves:

Located in Aurangabad district, the Ajanta Caves are popular for their Buddhists monasteries and temples. These caves are a group of about 30 Buddhist rock-cut caves with magnificent sculptures and wall paintings.

Ellora Caves:

Also in Aurangabad district, the Ellora Caves are monumental. There are about 34 caves with 12 having Buddhist temples, 17 having Hindu temples and 5 Jain. One of the caves with Kailasanatha Temple is revered as the abode of Shiva, Mount Kailash.

Bhaja Caves:

Located near Lonavala near Pune, the Bhaja Caves are a group of about 22 rock cut caves 400 feet above the Bhaja village. A large shrine of Chaityagriha in these caves impresses tourists along with a stupa.

Karla Caves:

The Karla caves on the Pune- Mumbai Highroad near Lonavala are around 40 kilometres from Pune. The caves are one of the earliest examples of rock-cut architecture in Maharashtra.

Lenyadri Caves:

Housing the Ashtavinayak shrine, one of the eight important shrines of Ganesha in Maharashtra, the Lenyadri caves are in Junnar near Pune. The caves are a network of about 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves.

Bedse Caves:

Close to Karla and Bhaja Caves, the Bedse Caves have two main caves called monastery and chaitya. The caves look best in the monsoon with the surrounding lush greenery.

Pataleshwar Caves:

Situated next to the Jangli Maharaj Mandir on Jangli Maharaj Pune Road, the Pataleshwar Caves has the Pataleshwar Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Pandavleni Caves:

Also known as Trirashmi Caves, the Pandavleni Caves are located near Nashik. They are a group of 24 caves representing the Hinayana Buddhist Caves discovered to have been carved in between 3rd century BC and 2nd century AD.

Pithalkhora Caves:

Rooted in the Satamala valley of the Western Ghats, the Pitalkhora Caves are 14 rock-cut caves depicting the earliest example of rock-cut architecture of India.

Elephanta Caves:

Located on the Elephanta Island in Mumbai, The Elephanta Caves are grouped into Buddhists caves and Hindu caves. The rock cut stone sculptures in the caves are simply awesome.

Mahakali Caves:

The Mahakali Caves in Mumbai city are located in the suburbs of Andheri East. They are a group of 19 rock-cut Buddhist monuments.

Kanheri Caves:

Located in Mumbai city in Borivali, the Borivali Caves are within the forests of Sanjay Gandhi National Park. They depict the Buddhist form of art and culture.

Mandapeshwar Caves:

Set in Mumbai city, the Madapeshwar Caves have an 8th century rock-cut shrine for Lord Shiva. The caves are near Mount Poinsur in Borivali suburb.

Jogeshwari Caves:

Yet another Mumbai cave, the Jogeshwari Caves are located in the suburbs of Jogeshwari. The Jogeshwari temple here is one of the earliest and largest Hindu cave temples.

Set out to explore the many caves of Maharashtra within Mumbai and out of it. They interest and fascinate at the same time.

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