Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus is a historic railway station and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It was formerly known as Victoria Terminus and was built by the British architect F. W. Stevens in the late 19th century. It is an example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture blended with Indian traditional architecture. It has a stone dome, turrets, pointed arches and an eccentric ground plan that resemble an Indian palace. It is one of the busiest railway stations in India and serves more than three million commuters daily.
The ticket price for visiting the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus is Rs. 200 for Indians and Rs. 500 for foreigners. The station is open for visitors from 3 pm to 5 pm on weekdays and from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm on weekends and public holidays. Visitors can book their tickets online or at the ticket counter near the main entrance.
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus is located in the Fort area of Mumbai and can be easily reached by public transport. The nearest local train station is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus itself, which is connected to all major lines of the Mumbai suburban railway network. The nearest metro station is CST Metro Station, which is part of the Mumbai Metro Line 3. The nearest bus stop is CST Bus Depot, which is served by several BEST buses.
There are guided tours available for visitors who want to learn more about the history and architecture of the station. The tours are conducted by trained guides from the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). The tours last for about an hour and cover the main features of the station, such as the central dome, the star chamber, the stained glass windows, the sculptures and the paintings. The tours cost Rs. 300 per person and can be booked online or at the ticket counter.
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus has many attractions for visitors to see and admire. Some of them are:
- The central dome, which is 33 meters high and has a colossal figure of Progress holding a torch.
- The star chamber, which is located under the central dome and has a beautiful mosaic floor depicting the zodiac signs.
- The stained glass windows, which depict various scenes from Indian history and mythology.
- The sculptures and paintings, which adorn the walls and ceilings of the station and represent various themes, such as agriculture, commerce, engineering, science and art.
- The heritage gallery, which displays photographs, models and artefacts related to the history of the station and the railways in India.
Some tips for visiting the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus are:
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes as there is a lot of walking involved.
- Carry a water bottle and some snacks as there are no food stalls inside the station premises.
- Avoid visiting during peak hours (8 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 8 pm) as the station gets very crowded with commuters.
- Respect the rules and regulations of the station and do not touch or damage any of the heritage features.
- Do not litter or spit inside or outside the station premises.
Some prohibitions for visiting the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus are:
- Do not enter any restricted areas or platforms without permission.
- Do not take photographs or videos without permission.
- Do not smoke or consume alcohol inside or outside the station premises.
- Do not carry any weapons or explosives inside or outside the station premises.
