Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus | A Walking Itinerary

This is an article on a visit to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai, formerly known as Victoria Terminus. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The part of the edifice that is the station itself is easily accessible and used by commuters daily. However, one can go inside the main building only using a guided tour at present. Read on to find out how you can make the most of this extraordinary visit.

Why Visit

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), formerly known as Victoria Terminus, is a historic railway station located in Mumbai, India. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most remarkable examples of Victorian-Gothic architecture in the country. The station boasts an intricate design with its pointed arches, turrets, and stained glass windows. It truly is a marvel to behold. It was constructed as a symbol of British colonial power and continues to play a pivotal role as a bustling transportation hub, connecting millions of commuters and travellers daily, making it one of the busiest railway stations in India.

The station was constructed between 1878 and 1887 and took approximately nine years to complete. It was designed by the British architect Frederick William Stevens. CST was officially inaugurated on May 20, 1888, to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria’s reign.

I took a tour of CST with Raconteur Walks Mumbai.

The Stops

Stop 1: Central Railway Museum

The Central Railway Museum showcases the rich history and heritage of Indian Railways, offering visitors a glimpse into the evolution of this essential mode of transportation. It’s a small museum but with a rich collection of vintage locomotive parts, tastefully constructed miniatures, old maps and signs, carriages, and other eclectic railway artefacts. The museum recounts the history of Indian Railways from the days of its inception, with pictures of how the stations used to look, how the British murdered the spellings of all the stations, and other fun facts, making it an overall enjoyable experience.

Stop 2: The Garden

As you step out of the museum and into the garden, you’ll be greeted by two awe-inspiring buildings standing side by side: the CST building and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Head Office building. Both structures were designed by the same architect, Frederick William Stevens, a native of Bath who joined the Indian Public Works Department when he was just twenty years old. Stevens chose to shape the CST building like a ‘C’, not only for its striking appearance but also for its practicality. This orientation allowed for maximum exposure to the prevailing west winds, making it ideal from a climatic standpoint.

Only from the outside can you truly appreciate the series of arches and decorated limestone carvings that make Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus the most splendid building in Mumbai.

Stop 3: Up the Grand Staircase and Inside the Office Block

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus building boasts a main central porch that leads to the grand staircase block. The columns in this structure are made of granite, basalt stone, and Italian marble. The main entrance is adorned with ornate wooden doors that are placed between skillfully crafted marble columns. Each corner of the hall is a marvel to behold.

The central dome at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is a significant architectural marvel. It’s the world’s first octagonal ribbed masonry dome in the Italian Gothic Revival style and the first of its kind on any public building in Mumbai, possibly even in any railway station globally. Decorative squinches in the staircase area transform the square plan into an octagonal one, providing support to the dome’s drum. Remarkably, the original stained glass with coats of arms and locomotive paintings still adorns the drum, a typical characteristic of Gothic Revival structures.

 

Stop 4: The Terrace

Oh, what lovely views under a dramatic cloudy sky! Looking down from the top, I was amazed to see the bustling city of Mumbai moving around me. The view was breathtaking, and I couldn’t help but take pictures of the stunning architecture and admire the resilience of the people. It was incredible to witness the spirit of the city and the passage of time as I stood there in awe. It was the crown jewel of the visit.

Stop 5: The Train Station

And finally, the station itself. What a pleasure it must be to stare at it from the top rather than be amidst the throngs. And the glittering ceilings are beauties to behold.

Have more time in the city? Take other tours in Mumbai and Bandra.

---

---