Marine Drive In Mumbai

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Location:

Marine Drive located in the central Mumbai, on land reclaimed from the sea is Mumbai's most famous thoroughfare. Recently it has come to known as Netaji Subhashchandra Bose Road with Nariman Point on one end to Babulnath, at the foot of Walkeshwar on the other.

Significance:

Marine Drive is a skillfully laid-out boulevard in South Mumbai. It is actually an upturned 'C'-shaped six lane concrete road, which lengthens to 3 km along the coastline - a natural bay. This avenue connects Nariman Point with Malabar Hills. Situated over domesticated land, facing west-south-west; its coastline forms the part of the Arabian Sea. What draws attention to this avenue is the striking esplanade next to the road, where many people come to breathe fresh air and view sunset.

History:

Marine Drive was built on reclaimed land in 1920, and is one of the most famous esplanades of the city. Marine Drive was earlier known as Sonapur amongst local Marathi populace. Palm trees are lined up along the road, presenting a picturesque view and nice walkway to take a stroll. Mumbai, having the highest real estate prices in India; the buildings down the road embrace many hotels and are home to many celebrities.

Architecture:

Marine drive is a windswept promenade flanked by the sea and a row of art deco buildings. Stuck between the concrete jungle of Nariman Point, Mumbai's Manhattan, and the leafy green slopes of Malabar hill, Marine Drive was once called the queen's Necklace, strung with glittering street lights like an enormous strand of imperious jewels.

Busy Shores:

The curve of the road resembles a glowing pearl string. Along the shoreline, there are hundreds of tetra pods, ungainly concrete structures which check the fury of the choppy tides during monsoons. The road is one of the busiest in Mumbai with vehicular traffic zipping continuously through out the day. It is one of Mumbai's busiest roads, an important artery for the heavy suburban traffic heading downtown. The beach is at its best during the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi when the large idol of the elephant-headed God is immersed in the sea.

A Major Sightseeing Hangout:

Marine Drive popularly known as the Queen's Necklace is the most popular tourist spot giving an enchanting view of the sun set over the Arabian Sea. It glitters at night with its beautifully lighted promenade along the shore. From Malabar Hill past Chowpatty onto the elite business centre of Nariman Point, the road glitters with streetlights at night.

This expanse of sand and sea is the place where pleasure seekers come to relax after dusk in the cool sea breeze. One can see the statues of Lokmanya Tilak and Vithalbhai Patel. . On this beach one can find Kiosks selling delicious kulfi (Indian ice cream) and Mumbai's mark dish bhelpuri (a combination of crisp noodles, puffed rice, potatoes, onions, puri, mint, coriander, chutney and chillies). There are also shooting galleries, snake charmers, monkey trainers, balloon sellers and even masseurs. Recently they have added a park called Nana-Nani Park for elderly people. The 'Queen's Necklace', emerged as a magnificent avenue and has seen the changing of its glittering streetlights from 'diamonds' (white light) to 'Gold' (yellow lights).

How To Reach:

It a very famous place so it is easily accessible from the airport , all the way stations and bus terminals by buses and taxis.