Mumbai is a city that pulsates with life, where millions of people commute every day, where history and modernity coexist. Among the many modes of transport that Mumbai has to offer, one stands out for its grandeur and glory: the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). The CSMT is a historic railway station and UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
It is a railway station that showcases the splendor of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India, blended with themes deriving from Indian traditional architecture. It is a railway station that serves as the headquarters of the Central Railway zone and the terminus of several long-distance and suburban trains. It is a railway station that symbolizes the economic and cultural significance of Mumbai as a major port city and a cosmopolitan metropolis. Visit during Mumbai One day tour By cab
Overview Of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus was built as the Victoria Terminus in the late 19th century as part of the British government’s Back Bay Reclamation Scheme, which aimed to create land and expand the city westward. The railway station was designed by Frederick William Stevens, a British architect who also designed other landmarks in Mumbai such as the Municipal Corporation Building and the Royal Alfred Sailors’ Home. The railway station was constructed between 1878 and 1888, at a cost of 16.14 lakh rupees (about 20,000 US dollars at that time). The railway station was named after Queen Victoria, who was the Empress of India at that time.
The railway station is a magnificent example of the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, which combines elements of Indian, Islamic, and Western styles. The railway station has a massive stone dome, turrets, pointed arches, and an eccentric ground plan that resemble traditional Indian palace architecture. The railway station also has intricate carvings, sculptures, friezes, and stained glass windows that depict various scenes from Indian mythology, history, and culture. The railway station also has advanced structural and technical features such as iron columns, steel trusses, electric lights, and elevators.
The railway station was renamed as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in 1996, after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the 17th century Maratha king who founded the Maratha Empire. In 2017, it was further renamed as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, adding Maharaj to honor the king’s title. In 2004, the railway station was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai. The railway station is one of the busiest and most iconic railway stations in India, serving more than three million passengers daily.
Timing and Entry Fee of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
The CSMT is open for visitors throughout the year, 24 hours a day. There is no entry fee to visit the CSMT. However, visitors need to buy platform tickets to enter the platforms or board trains. Platform tickets cost 10 rupees (about 0.13 US dollars) per person for two hours.
Location of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
The CSMT is located at Dadabhai Naoroji Road, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Area, Fort, Mumbai 400001,
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