TOURISM RESOURCES OF SOUTH INDIA BTTM 301 BLOCK 1 MAHARASHTRA, GOA & DAMAN AND DIU Uttarakhand Open University 1 TOURISM RESOURCES OF SOUTH INDIA BTTM 301 UNIT 1: POPULAR MONUMENTS AND HISTORICAL SITES Structure 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Objectives 1.3 Popular Monuments 1.3.1 Maharashtra 1.3.2 Goa 1.3.3 Diu 1.4 Historical sites 1.4.1 Maharashtra 1.4.2 Goa 1.4.3 Diu 1.5 Check Your Progress 1.6 Summary 1.7 Clues to Answer 1.1 Introduction Unit 1 gives detailed information about popular monuments and Historical sites in India with special reference to Maharashtra, Goa & Diu. These states have got a large number of monuments. The grand Architecture of Maharashtra depicts the superb history of its own. These historical buildings in Maharashtra are situated in the cities like Nagpur, Pune, Aurangabad, Mumbai etc. Due to the charisma of these splendid monuments, millions of tourists gather here from different places of the world. Each and every testimonial represents a different architectural style such as Mughal, Marathi and European. The building legacy of Goa has a distinct Portuguese character. Due to its proximity to the sea, a number of European settlers landed here first, and of them all the Portuguese managed to hold fort here. As a result most of the architecture style seen in the monuments of Goa is distinctly European in character. Apart from it, a explicit Mughal influence can also be seen here as Goa was also under the rule of the Mughal dynasty for a period of time. Not only that, despite being full of Churches and Christian places of worship, Goa is also famous for various Hindu monuments and temples. Monuments of Diu retain the distinct colonial Portuguese architectural style. Once referred to as the `Gibraltar of the east`, Diu is located just off the southern tip of the Kathiawar peninsula. The monuments of Diu are a fascinating account of the colonial past. All these states provide great scope for tourism & of course the tourists. And students surely you will learn about it. You will get a conception of the culture of these states & fascinations for which it is famous. Uttarakhand Open University 2 TOURISM RESOURCES OF SOUTH INDIA BTTM 301 1.2 Objectives After going through the Unit 1 on Popular Monuments & Historical Sites with a special reference to Maharashtra, Goa & Diu, you would be able to: Understand the popular monuments present in Maharashtra, Goa & Diu. Know about the Historical sites in Maharashtra, Goa & Diu. Understand the role of Heritage & Architecture in tourism. Understand the significance of monuments & Historical sites in Maharashtra, Goa & Diu. 1.3 Popular Monuments A huge number of popular heritage are present in Maharashtra, Goa & Diu. These places exhibit architecture not only influenced by natives but also the architecture influenced by Mughals Britishers, Portuguese who ruled these destinations. 1.3.1 Maharashtra Now we will start with Maharashtra. And surely students you will know about the beautiful, wonderful & exciting Maharashtra. Maharashtra has a lengthy history that had in turn contributed a lot in the overall history of India. Maharashtra witnessed different eras and dynasties. These all make Maharashtra - a state of historic and magnificent monuments. Different schools of art and architecture can be seen in these monuments. The Gateway of India in Mumbai is one of the most eminent monuments in India. It is regarded to be the preliminary destination for tourists who visit Mumbai. The Chand Minar in Daulatabad gives glimpse of mughal architecture. The Maharajah's New Palace in Kolahapur has a museum called Shahaji Chhatrapati Museum. The architecture of the palace is a combination of Jain and Hindu influences from Gujarat and Rajasthan, and local Rajwada style. Agakhan Palace is hugely popular and significant monument of Maharshtra, as it is associated with the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi. Khuldabad, Kesari Wada, Lal Mahal, Raste Wada, Shaniwar Wada and Vishrambag Wada are other popular historical monuments of Maharashtra. Gate Way of India Mumbai's most legendary monument, this is the starting point for most tourists who want to explore the city. The Gateway of India is a monument built during the British Raj in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India. It is located on the waterfront in Uttarakhand Open University 3 TOURISM RESOURCES OF SOUTH INDIA BTTM 301 the Apollo Bunder area, South Mumbai and overlooks the Arabian Sea. The structure is a basalt arch, 26 metres (85 feet) high. It lies at the end of Chhatrapati Shivaji Marg at the water's edge in the harbour of Bombay. It was an unsophisticated jetty used by the fishing community which was later renovated and used as a landing place for British governors and other prominent people. In earlier times, it would have been the first structure that visitors arriving by boat in Mumbai would have seen. The Gateway has also been referred to as the Taj Mahal of Mumbai, and is the city's top tourist attraction. The structure was erected to commemorate the landing of their Majesties King George V and Queen Mary at Apollo Bunder, when they visited India in 1911. Built in Indo-Saracenic style, the foundation stone for the Gateway of India was laid on 31 March 1911. The final design of George Wittet was sanctioned in 1914 and the construction of the monument was completed in 1924. The Gateway was later the ceremonial entrance to India for Viceroys and the new Governors of Bombay. It served to allow entry and access to India. The monument has faced three terror attacks from the beginning of the 21st century; twice in 2003 and it was also the disembarkation point in 2008 when four gunmen attacked the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower. Haji Ali Haji Ali Dargah is one of the most admired religious places in Mumbai, visited by people of all religions alike. Haji Ali Dargah is one of India’s most famous and exalted landmarks situated about 500 yards from the Mumbai shoreline in the middle of the Arabian Sea off Lala Lajpatrai Marg. The structure was erected on a set of high rising rocks and was given its present day shape in the early 19th century after the Trust was legally formed as an entity in 1916. Haji Ali Dargah Haji Ali Dargah is the complex housing the tomb of the Muslim Saint Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari (R.A.). Along with the tomb, there is also a Masjid at Haji Ali. This monument has been sentinel to the shores of Mumbai since a long time. The structure has white domes and minarets reminiscent with the Mughal architecture of the period. The Dargah is a renowned pilgrimage site among the Muslims. Non-Muslims are also allowed to visit the Dargah. The white-coloured structure attracts visitors in large numbers. About 10 - 15 thousand people visit the Dargah daily. The number of visitors increases to 20 - 30 thousand, on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Lakhs of devotees visit the Dargah on the second day of Ramadhan Eid and Bakri Eid (Eid-ul-Uzha), and during which the pathway leading to the Dargah Complex looks like a Sea of Humanity. Uttarakhand Open University 4 TOURISM RESOURCES OF SOUTH INDIA BTTM 301 People from all parts of the world without restrictions of caste, creed and religion visit the Dargah to offer their prayers and for the fulfillment of their wishes by the blessings of the Saint Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari (R.A.). Some pray for wealth, others for health, children, marriages, etc. have their wishes being granted at all the times. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly Victoria Terminus, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and historic railway station which serves as the headquarters of the Central Railways in Mumbai, India. The Chhatrapati Shivaji station, formerly known as Victoria Terminus, was built in 1888. Designed by the British architect F.W. Stevens, the structure became a symbol of Bombay (Mumbai) and the city was labeled the 'Gothic City' due to this magnificent building's architectural styles. Apart from being the hub for major mercantile activities, the CST is the perfect amalgam of British and Indian designs. In the past, 'Bori Bandar' station, located along the Eastern parts of Mumbai, was the place for commercial exchanges and trading activities. In the 1850's, the Great Indian Peninsular Railway operated in this area and gave it the name 'Bori Bandar', starting its first rail service, covering a total distance of 34 km to Thane. Chhatrapati Shivaji Station During the British rule, the station was eventually redesigned and rebuilt by F.W. Stevens, who named it as Victoria Terminus. The station got its name from the then reigning royal, Queen Victoria. The construction of the station took 10 years to complete and was opened to the Queen on the date of her Golden Jubilee in 1887. At the time, the building was the most expensive structure in Mumbai costing 260,000 Sterling Pounds. The station was built to handle main rail traffic and in 1929, a new station and an administrative headquarters were built by the Central Railway. The entrance of the Chhatrapati Shivaji terminus is flanked by figures of a lion and a tiger representing the two countries-great Britain and India. The main structure is made of sandstone and limestone, and the interiors of the station are lined with high-quality Italian marble. Apart from the 18 railway lines, the CST also houses the main headquarters, the Star Chamber, grotesques and the North Wing. In 1996, the Minister of Railways, Suresh Kalmadi, changed the name of the station to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST).