Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is i.e. CST is a very renowned railway station of Mumbai; it has got a very beautiful historical architecture which remind us a Victorian gothic style of architecture. It was built in 1888, located in the heart of Mumbai city. It also has been declared as a ‘World Heritage Site’ in 2004 by UNESCO. The station is reminder of great British raj pre-independence which is still a historical landmark in Mumbai.
CST shows the output of the industrial revolution technology that includes the beautiful Victorian style with a little enormous Italian model. Apart from this style of architecture it is also showing some shades of Mughal-Style architecture. It also symbolizes the British Commonwealth. It’s an outstanding example of the late 19th century. CST has been witnessing all the development of city, booming of film industry, flourishing of all Mumbai all these moments has lived by the CST.
History
The CST was built by British architect F.W. Stevens who named it as a ‘Victoria Terminus’. As it has built in gothic style It was labeled as ‘Gothic City’ which now has become a symbol of Mumbai (Bombay). It is the hub of many mercantile activities and is a beautiful mixture of British and Indian Design. The station got its name from royal, Queen Victoria. It took ten years to complete the construction of CST. At that time it was the most expensive structure of the Mumbai with 260,000 pounds. In 1996 it was renamed as ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus’ by Suresh Kalmadi who was the minister of railways at that time.
Architecture Style
The architecture of the CST reflects the Victorian gothic style including the designs from late19th century. The main entrance of the CST is edged by the lion figures and tigers that represent the two countries India and Great Britain. Whole structure is made by the limestone and sandstone while the interior of the station is by the High Quality of Italian marbles. It has 18 railway lines and also houses the main headquarters, grosteques, Star Chamber and the North wing.
Nearby Points of Attraction
CST is located on D.N. road of Mumbai. There are many places apart from the CST that can be visited by tourist which are near from CST.
- Gateway of India
It is the impressive, marvelous monument which is constructed in Dec 1911, to honor the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to the Mumbai. It is located in south Mumbai. It is like an arc structure which has a height of26 meters and inner width of 15 meters. It represents the style of indo- Saracen architecture.
- Flora Fountain
It is located at the Hutatma chowk in Mumbai which was built in 1869. It was built in an honor of Sir Bartle Frere, he was the governor of the then Bombay. The fountain stands exactly at the point where the church gate of Bombay fort stood. The construction of this monument is the mixture of water, architecture and sculpture.
- Juhu Beach
It is one of the famous beaches in Mumbai. It can be accessible from the various suburbs of Mumbai like Vile Parle, Santacruz and Andheri etc. As it is the uncrowded free space many tourist visits this place, although it gets crowded in the evenings and weekends.
There are many more places like Mumbai University, Marine drive, Elephanta caves nearby CST to visit.
Where to Stay?
As Mumbai is very popular city, many people visit the city to enjoy and explore the city. All the places to visit in Mumbai are generally near from the CST many travelers choose the place which is near from the CGT to stay. CST itself is a tourist spot which shows the enormous example of Gothic architecture. Many lodges, cottages, and hotels are there near CST. Some of the some of the hotels in Mumbai near CST are,
- Hotel sea lord
- Hotel Supreme
- Hotel new Bengal
- Hotel Shanthi Doot
