Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

Formerly called Victoria Terminus in British times, this marvelous railway station is among the historical monuments of Maharashtra for its architectural beauty, designed in stone with Victorian and Gothic influences.

Being the headquarters of the Central Railways, it is from here that most local and outstation trains take off. Once here, you will notice that Mumbai truly never sleeps, with the constant hustle of travelers and the consistent calls of hawkers lining the platforms.
Quite a few scenes from popular Bollywood movies have also been shot here. On different occasions, the facade of the station is beautifully lit to commemorate the occasion, which is quite a sight! CST is a Wild Heritage Site under UNESCO, one that certainly shouldn’t be missed.

History

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus was formerly known as Victoria Terminus. It was built in 1888 during British colonial rule. Designed by the British architect F.W. Stevens, the structure became a symbol of Bombay (Mumbai). The city got the sobriquet of 'Gothic City' due to this magnificent building's architectural style. The Terminus is the hub for major business activities. It is one magnificent amalgam of British and Indian designs.

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus was the headquarters of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway and was the station of the first train ride in India which traveled from Mumbai to Thane. Later this station was redesigned and rebuilt. It got its name from the then-ruling British royal, Queen Victoria. The construction of the station took 10 years to complete and was opened to the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 1887. At the time, the building was the most expensive structure in Mumbai costing 260,000 Sterling Pounds. In 1996, the Minister of Railways, Suresh Kalmadi, changed the name to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST).

Architecture

The marvelous structure of The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus deserves to be explored at leisure. Though people come here to catch their trains its architecture demands attention. It is here where people first step into the ‘City of Dreams’.

The entrance of the Chhatrapati Shivaji terminus is flanked by figures of a lion and a tiger. These ferocious beasts represent 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. The building reflects the Victorian Gothic styles and designs of the late 19th century. The style and the ornamentation of the edifice are the perfect mixes of both Indian and European cultures. To date, the building retains most of the architectural designs. Walk around checking out the C-shaped ground plan, symmetrical on both east and west axis. It is crowned by a high dome, which is the focal point of the structure. Other well-proportioned rows of arched structures and numerous rows and windows create the look of Indian palace architecture.