Glorifying the epitome of architectural marvel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminal celebrates 130 years of its beauty

NewsBharati    22-May-2018
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Mumbai, May 22: Mumbai has been a dream city for many aspirants and dreamers. Stepping out of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminals gives a sense of pride and aura and the winds of Mumbai slyly tickle your face giving out the essence of the beauty it is. Celebrating 130 years, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminals stands rock strong welcoming new dreamers.

 
Bori Bunder railway station was a railway station, situated at Bori Bunder, Mumbai, Maharashtra, in India. It was from here that first passenger train of the subcontinent ran to Thane in 1853. This station was rebuilt as Victoria Terminus later in 1888. 

 
The architectural marvel it is as the present day Headquarters building of Central Railway popularly known as Victoria Terminus which is now Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. This architectural beauty was first planned to be the office of GIP (Great Indian Peninsular) Railway. The station is one of the most highly photographed monuments after Taj Mahal which was designed by Frederick William Stevens, a consulting architect. Thus taking almost a decade to build it at a princely sum of Rs. 16 lakhs Stevens designed the monumental Terminus which was the largest building then erected in Asia and which even today is a standing testimony of his innovative talent.

The construction started in 1878 and on Jubilee Day in 1887, it was named after Queen-Empress Victoria. Later in 1996, it was renamed as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. It was again renamed as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in July 2017.

In 2004, UNESCO has enlisted this building as World Heritage Site for its architectural splendor.

From December 2012, this heritage building has been opened for public viewing on working days. Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (earlier Victoria Terminus) was constructed at a cost of Rs.16.14 lakh and is designed in the Gothic style adapted to suit Indian context. It is a C shaped building planned symmetrically about the east-west axis.

The crowning point of the whole building is the central main dome carrying up a colossal high figure of lady pointing a flaming torch upwards in her right hand, and a spooked wheel low in the left hand, symbolizing `Progress’. This dome has been reported to be the first octagonal ribbed masonry dome that was adapted to an Italian Gothic style building. The station was constructed with 6 platforms at a cost of Rs.10.4 lakh and in 1929; the first remodeling took place to have 13 platforms. Further modifications were done to the yard and the station had two more platforms thus making it a total of 15 platforms in 1994. Today it has 18 platforms with a spacious east side entry as well.

In 2013, when the building celebrated quasi-centennial (125 years) anniversary, a special postal cover was released on the occasion.

In April 2018, a heritage gully was inaugurated adjacent to platform no.18, wherein Sir. Leslie Wilson, the GIP Heritage Electric Loco, and other heritage items are displayed. During Centenary celebrations of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Building, a postal stamp was released.