Churchgate Mumbai (Timings, History, Entry Fee, Images & Information)

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Churchgate in Mumbai is the business district of the city. The area has offices of many banks and business organisations. It houses the High Court and reputed educational institutions. Churchgate Mumbai is popular among the sports enthusiasts too, and renowned sports avenues like Brabourne Stadium and Wankhede Cricket Stadium are here.

This business neighbourhood is also the home to Mumbai Churchgate station and many prominent tourist spots of Mumbai. Whether you’re visiting Mumbai to see Gateway of India, Marine Drive or Elephanta Caves, they all are in the locality.

And you have got plenty of options for shopping too. The opportunities range from budget street shops and all the way to luxury showrooms.

History of Churchgate Mumbai

Churchgate area is known so because of the Churchgate Railway Station – the headquarter of the Western Railway division, and one of the busiest railway stations in Mumbai. The origin of its name dates back to the 18th century.

Before 1862, Mumbai used to be a walled city and one of the gates was in this area, near the present-day Flora Fountain. Since the gate led straight to the St. Thomas Cathedral, people called it ChurchGate. Although the road and the church remain, the gate was later demolished when the expansion of the city took place. But the name of the area remained the same.

Things to do at Churchgate Mumbai

1. Admiring the sea at Marine Drive – Marine Drive is a 3 km long walkway along the Arabian Sea. Every morning people come here to jog and, in the evening, they come with friends to hang out. Marine Drive also acts as a viewpoint for the sea dotted with jetties and ferries.

2. Driving along the seafront – You can spend hours at the Marine Drive admiring the views, but while you’re there, try going for a ride too. A drive along the endless Arabian Sea is an experience that must not be missed when in Mumbai.

3. Shopping at Nariman Point – Nicknamed Manhattan of Mumbai, Nariman Point is a business hub of Mumbai. It has offices of many international companies. But the area is also popular as a shopping district. It has outlets of many fashion brands’ clothes and accessories.

4. Enjoying cuisine of Mumbai – Churchgate street Mumbai offers loads of options when you’re craving for food. From local favourites like pav bhaji, sandwiches and chaat to international delicacies, you can savour them here. Whether you’re looking for a restaurant serving regional dishes or need a burger from McDonald’s or Burger King, Churchgate has it all.

5. Being a part of the nightlife – The visit to Churchgate gets better as evening sets in. The pubs and bars in the locality start coming to life. You can dance out of energy in a hotel or sit at a café enjoying the music. And Marine Drive scintillating with light is a sight to behold. Because of this display of lights, it resembles the Queen’s Necklace at night.

6. Visiting Flora Fountain – Flora Fountain is at a place where the historical Church Gate stood during the British era. The structure is among the Heritage structures of India and different Victorian-era buildings surround the chowk. A statue of the Roman Goddess Flora is on top of the fountain, which is illuminated at night.

7. Checking time at the Clock Tower – The Rajabai Clock Tower near Churchgate station Mumbai is an architectural charm. It is designed by the same architect who created the Big Ben of London, and it is an amalgam of Venetian and Gothic style. The clock at the tower used to chime hourly. Today it rings every 15 minutes.

8. Watching games at Wankhede Stadium – Wankhede Stadium is one of the largest cricket stadiums in the country. And if you’re a cricket fan, you must visit this place for a live match when you’re in Mumbai. It hosts national and international cricket matches in all the formats.

Entry Fee and Timings of Churchgate Mumbai

The Churchgate area in Mumbai is open at all times of the day. And there is no fee for entry. You’re free to roam around this business district checking out the shops and restaurants. You can also spend your evening at a local pub or just watch the waves at Marine Drive.

Best time to visit Churchgate Mumbai

It’s best to visit Churchgate in the evening hours. The area is bustling with students, office goers and others who need to take a break from their daily schedule.

Also, the Queen’s Necklace is at its full glory in the night and you should capture the view in your lens. If you prefer solitude though, visit Churchgate during the morning hours when most of the city hasn’t got out its covers yet. And the best months to visit this place is from October to March when it’s winter and the temperature of Mumbai is at a comfortable level.

Time to explore Churchgate Mumbai

You will need about 2-3 hours to check the tourist spots at Churchgate and other places around. You can even spend the day roaming around, shopping and dining. And then, at night, recharge yourself at a bar or in your hotel room overlooking the sea.

Places to visit near Churchgate Mumbai

1. Bombay High Court – It is one of the oldest high courts in India, and it is about 2 km away from Churchgate Mumbai station. Along with Maharashtra, Bombay High Court takes care of the cases in Goa and two other Union Territories. It is a UNESCO Heritage site built in the impressive Gothic Revival style of architecture. Bombay High Court also houses a museum which has loads of historical data about the judiciary in India.

2. Jehangir Art Gallery – Jehangir Art Gallery is present in the nearby Kala Ghoda area. It played a prominent part in the development of contemporary Indian art and has hosted hundreds of exhibitions since its inception. Apart from the art shows, this gallery also is the venue for various art programmes and workshops. It is about 2 km away from Churchgate.

3. The Asiatic Library – The Asiatic Society Library is a part of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, and its aim is to promote knowledge. This library (aka Town Hall Library) has many rare manuscripts, maps, artefacts, coins and other items. It also preserves ancient manuscripts written in Persian, Sanskrit and Prakrit, on paper and palm leaf. It is 3 km from Churchgate.

4. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus – Earlier known as Victoria Terminus, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is one of the railway stations that connects Mumbai to other cities of India. And tourists also visit this station to admire its Victorian-Gothic style of architecture. It is about 2 km away from Churchgate station and it took 10 years to be built. Although the building went through renovations, it still retains most of the architectural charm.

5. Girgaon Chowpatty – Girgaon Chowpatty is a popular beach in Mumbai, about 3 km away from Churchgate. Every morning, you’ll find people either jogging, cycling or doing yoga. The beach is also known for the variety of street food available. And as the day begins, the place is flocked with local people coming for a picnic or for the tangy and spicy bhelpuri. Many street artists are also there showing their skills for entertainment.

6. Colaba Causeway – Colaba has a street-style market where you can get a range of products. From souvenirs to accessories and clothes to household items, those stores have everything at affordable prices. Put your bargaining skills to practice and you can get a bunch of quirky t-shirts and exotic shawls at throwaway prices. Colaba Causeway Market also has restaurants and food stalls. It is at a distance of around 3 km from Churchgate.

7. Gateway of India – Gateway of India is a magnificent stone arch near the Colaba Market. It was built to commemorate the official visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India. Today, this gate acts as the entrance to boat tours on the Arabian Sea and ferries to nearby islands like Elephanta Island. Churchgate to Gateway of India distance is only 2 km.

8. Elephanta Caves – It is another UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s on Elephanta Island. Elephanta Caves are a group of Hindu and Buddhist cave temples. Although many of the sculptures were destroyed by Portuguese, parts of the structure were later restored, during the 1970s.

How to reach Churchgate Mumbai?

Churchgate of Mumbai is a business hub and you can reach it through a local train from all points in Mumbai. You can also get a taxi or the state-run BEST buses to Churchgate Mumbai market and restaurants.

And now, following are the various ways to reach Mumbai –

By Road – Mumbai is well-connected to other parts of India through a network of roads. You can get a bus from nearby towns like Pune, Nagpur and Aurangabad or book a cab to reach Mumbai. Regular long-distance bus services to Mumbai are also available.

By Rail – Mumbai has regular express trains to the metropolitan cities including Ahmedabad, Bangalore and New Delhi. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Mumbai Central are the two railway stations where trains from all over India stop.

By Air – Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai has regular flights from many destinations around the world including Dubai, the UK and the US. Daily flights from Indian cities also arrive daily.

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Location Map for Churchgate Mumbai