Considered to be the second most photographed monument in India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus; earlier known as the Victoria Terminus is a delightful example of India's colliding past and present. This marvelous structure is a very fine example of the Victorian-Gothic style of architecture in India built in 1878.
Visiting here, you will get to experience the perpetual chaos firsthand that engulfs this station on a daily basis and which is also somehow responsible for turning it into a lively place. What’s the most interesting thing is that some of its parts still make you reminisce about the times of the long-gone British era. However, in the present times, it acts as the headquarters of the Central Railways.
If you truly want to experience this amazing destination then don't forget to visit here during the nighttime. And if you are a Bollywood buff, then there is no way you should skip this one out as, time and again, many Bollywood, as well as Hollywood movies, have also been shot here like Slumdog Millionaire and Ra One.
History of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
Not many people know but this terminus was built on a piece of land which used to be a warehouse used for storing imported or exported goods from Mumbai. Then, in 1852, a railway station was built here and was named Bori Bandar Railway Station (Interestingly, the first-ever passenger train ran between Bori Bandar to Thane in the same year).
After a few years, in 1878, it was decided that the railway station should be properly rebuilt as Victoria Terminus on the occasion of commemorating Britain’s Queen Golden Jubilee; this was how the Victoria Terminus came into being in 1887 and was known to be one of the most expensive pieces of construction in all of Mumbai. Soon after, when commercialization hit it, the station became a hub for all kinds of mercantile activities in the city.
Then, in 1996, the Ministry of Railways renamed the station Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. In 2004, It was declared as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.
Places To Visit In And Around Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
1. Gateway of India
One of the most popular tourist spots in all of Mumbai, the Gateway of India was constructed to honor the arrival of King George V along with Queen Mary to Mumbai. This mighty piece of architecture is made in a combination of Indian, Arabic, and Western architectural styles.
2. Marine Drive
This is one of the most identifiable landmarks associated with Mumbai that also depicts the quintessential glamour for which Mumbai is known. Marine Drive is basically a 3.6 km long, arc-shaped boulevard which is also fondly referred to as the Chowpatty Beach. It is a great place to visit and just sit, maybe take a stroll or unwind yourself from the hectic daily life.
3. Siddhivinayak Temple
The temple has been dedicated to the Vighna-Harta, Lord Ganesha, and is also referred to as one of the six most significant temples in Mumbai. Dating back to 1801, this temple was built by Laxman Vithu along with Deubai Patil. It is considered that this couple didn’t have any child of their own, thus, they decided to build Siddhivinayak temple which went on to become the richest temple in Mumbai receiving donations as high as INR 100 million. Many believe that the statue inside the temple is self-manifested and also grants the wishes of the true seeker.
How to Reach Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
To reach Mumbai from some of the major metropolitan cities like Delhi, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, you will need to cover an approximate distance of 1,415, 2,070, and 996 km from Delhi, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Here is how you can travel to Mumbai following the below-mentioned routes.
By Air
Deboard at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM). This airport has very good flight connectivity with all major Indian cities and towns via direct and connecting flights. And as you deboard at the airport, you will need to travel about 20 km via cab or some other means of local transportation to reach here.
- From Gwalior - Board Spicejet, IndiGo flights from Gwalior Airport. The airfares start from INR 5,000-6,000
- From Guwahati - Board IndiGo, Spicejet flights from Guwahati Airport. The airfares start from INR 5,000-6,000
- From Lucknow - Board IndiGo, Air India, Vistara flights from Lucknow Airport. The airfares start from INR 4,000-5,000
By Train
Trains form a significant part of Mumbai’s commuting infrastructure. If traveling by train, then you can consider deboarding at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus itself. This station has very good connectivity with other destinations via regular trains which operate to and fro Mumbai city.
- From Delhi - Board NDLS MMCT SPL from New Delhi Station and deboard at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
- From Bhopal - Board Pushpak Exp Spl from Bhopal Junction and deboard at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
- From Kanpur - Pushpak Exp Spl from Kanpur Junction and deboard at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
By Road
The city of Mumbai has very good road connectivity with other Indian cities and towns. The roads and national highways are well-maintained and frequently accessed by the commuters by bus, cabs, or their own vehicles to reach here.
- From Pune - 163 km via Bengaluru-Mumbai Highway
- From Lavasa - 199 km via Mumbai-Pune Highway
- From Thane - 37.9 km via Eastern Express Highway
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here
