Victoria Terminus-CST Railway Station- Mumbai India

 Mumbai , formerly called Bombay, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Mumbai, the most populous city in India, is one of the most populous cities in the world  and an awesome travel destinations India.

Fast facts about Victoria Terminus in Mumbai

When it was built: 1888
By whom it was built: Government of India
Nature of the building: Railway Station

Brief Description
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly known as Victoria Terminus Station, in Mumbai, is an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India, blended with themes deriving from Indian traditional architecture. The building, designed by the British architect F. W. Stevens, became the symbol of Bombay as the ‘Gothic City’ and the major international mercantile port of India. The terminal was built over 10 years, starting in 1878, according to a High Victorian Gothic design based on late medieval Italian models. Its remarkable stone dome, turrets, pointed arches and eccentric ground plan are close to traditional Indian palace architecture. It is an outstanding example of the meeting of two cultures, as British architects worked with Indian craftsmen to include Indian architectural tradition and idioms thus forging a new style unique to Bombay.

History of Victoria Terminus in Mumbai

Victoria Terminus in Mumbai was modeled on St Pancras Station in London. Mr Frederick William Stevens, an architect designed the railway station in Mumbai in 1887-88 at a cost of Rs16.14 lakh. Later Stevens, went to Europe for 10 months so that he could study the railway stations across the European countris in detail. Victoria Terminus was completed in 10 years, named to honor Queen Victoria and then opened to all. Only recently in 1996, it was renamed after Chhatrapati Shivaji, a famous Maratha king of 17th century y the state government of Maharashtra.

Features of Victoria Terminus in Mumbai

  -   Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is popularly known by its acronym VT. Being the headquarters of the Central Railways in India, it is the western-most end point of the division and also the southern end point of the central and harbor lines of Mumbai's metropolitan rail transport system.
  -   Long distance trains as well as suburban trains on the main line and the harbour line operate from this station.
  -   A blend of Victorian Italianate Gothic Revival architecture and traditional Indian architecture-is displayed by the wood carving, tiles, ornamental iron and brass railings, grills and balustrades in the station
  -   It showcases advanced technical and structural designs
  -   There is a statue of Queen Victoria on the dome of the station.
  -   The first steam train in India-- from Mumbai to Thane was flagged off from here in 1853.


Victoria Terminus in Mumbai

Don't miss out the architectural splendor showcased by the station as you reach Victoria Terminus in Mumbai. A High Victorian Gothic design based on late medieval Italian models blended with stone dome, turrets, pointed arches and eccentric ground-features of traditional Indian palace architecture, created a new style of architecture in Mumbai

Terrorist attacks in 2008

On 26 November 2008, two terrorists entered the passenger hall of the CST, opened fire and threw grenades at people. The terrorists were armed with AK-47 rifles. More than 50 people were killed in the attack.

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