I am sure most of you must have visited this place sometime or other in your travels. Even I had been to that place before, and I was mesmerized every time I went. The location that I am specifically alluding to is none other than the esteemed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Many individuals still use the name Victoria Terminus or VT when referring to it.
The moment you enter the place, you are just taken in by the grandeur. I have passed through this massive structure umpteen times, and every time I have the urge to take out my phone. The pictures were consistently shaky or blurry. My wish to click beautiful images came true in this walk. The reason being this was a photo walk of CSMT.
Some of you may have been taken aback by the title of the blog. I was also surprised by it. I never thought that my 50th walk would take me inside a UNESCO World Heritage site. I was always intrigued by the grandeur of this structure and hence wanted to explore the premises from the inside. However, I didn’t find any specific tours being conducted for the public. Last month, I saw a post, “The Crown Jewel of Mumbai: Inside CSMT Heritage Walk”. I quickly reserved tickets for my father and me. He is a massive enthusiast of railways.
The tour began at the McDonald’s in front of CSMT. Since it was a photo walk, the group had more photographers. An important thing to keep in mind, videography is wholly prohibited, be it with cameras or even with your phones. I realized why no one has posted about this place on Instagram reels or YouTube shorts. After the introduction, we entered the station through the ticket windows side. The hustle and bustle of the passengers, the urge to start clicking instantly, those constant train announcements falling on one’s ears and the onlookers' wonderment were all unmatched.
Displays at the Railway Museum
The group proceeded to move away from the noisy area towards a more isolated section. While walking, I could soak in the building’s architecture which had considered the natural lights and ventilation. After a brief walk, we entered the Railway Museum. Indeed, a dream come true for any rail enthusiast. The place was filled with tidbits about the journey of trains. The museum has various train-related materials such as pictures, maps, schedules, and more. The train models on display seemed to be authentic and took me back in time. I even came across a dressing table in which there was a provision to hang coats, hats, and umbrellas. There was even a display of train tickets, rotating chairs, railway fans and a clock. The list is unending. I plan to visit this museum again to gain a deeper understanding.
Luckily, there was no rain when we were exploring the exteriors of the building. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) is a magnificent structure that seamlessly blends Victorian Gothic architecture with traditional Indian themes. The building was constructed in a decade and was formally opened in the year 1887. During that period, the railway station was known as the Victoria Terminus in honour of Queen Victoria. On 7th July 2004, CSMT was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by the World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The view from outside is breathtaking, especially after the downpour. The beauty of the verdant green leaves and the strikingly bright yellow sunflowers captivated my gaze, leaving me unable to look away.
Central Dome
Now it was time to explore the interiors of the structure. I was amazed to see the detailed work carved on the columns and arches. The masterful artisan took great care in placing each tile with precision, ensuring a secure and perfectly aligned display. The tour guide asked us to crane our necks upwards for a marvellous look at the central dome.
Floating Staircase
The staircases leading up and down are floating in nature. The ariel views from atop are fantastic. British architect F.W. Stevens designed the building. One can see his portrait in the rail museum. Stevens had not only designed the exteriors, but he had also considered the furniture to be used. During the walk, I was lucky enough to see the same pieces of furniture still being used.
Star Chamber
Once I had taken several pictures of the central dome, I decided to move on to the next area of interest: the Star Chamber. I guess most of you must have been in this section but didn’t bother to look toward the ceiling. It is shaped like a star. This is the same place where one can book tickets for local trains. Our walking group was on the 1st floor, observing everyone down there. Over here, there are information boards describing the history, structural details, and overall landscape. There was even a terrace in this section. It's impossible to put into words the stunning views you can experience from this terrace. The tour technically ends in this section since it was a photo walk people were exploring around.
I booked this tour through Raconteur Tours. During the walk, I came to know that this heritage trail of CSMT is conducted daily. One can book the tickets. through Book My Show. If you're looking to explore those areas, it's necessary to have a tour operator who is verified, and Raconteur Tours is an example of such an operator.
Ironically, my first ever walk in Mumbai was also with Raconteur Tours in the year 2018. At that time, I had explored Ballard Estate. As it was a free walk back then, I decided to go. I never realized that I would become so enamoured with walking tours. I have now attended 50 walking tours in Mumbai alone and have thoroughly enjoyed each experience. I have a list of more than 50 walking tours in Mumbai that I still want to attend. These walking tours made me fall in love with Mumbai while observing the minute details of each building, street and corner.
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