VICTORIA TERMINUS, Mumbai

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This is one of the largest historical buildings in Mumbai, formerly Victoria Terminus, and better known by its abbreviation CST or Bombay VT) is a historic railway station in the city which serves as the headquarters of the Central Railways. It is one of the busiest railway stations in India, and serves Central Railway trains terminating in Mumbai as well as the Mumbai suburban railway. On 26 November 2008, two terrorists entered the passenger hall of the CST, opened fire and threw grenades at the people. The terrorists were armed with AK-47 rifles. More than 50 people were killed in the attack. The pictures I have attached are from 2004 and 2009 - on the 2009 pictures one can clearly see the repairs undertaken after the terrorist attacks.

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Victoria Terminus (VT) is my favorite building in Mumbai - I just love all the details. It is so special that at first glance you might think it's a palace or cathedral.

Building started in 1878 and was completed 10 years later, although it opened for passengers in 1882. It is considered the most impressive example of Victorian Gothic architecture in all of India. Although it was renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) in 1996 many people still refer to it as VT. In 2004 this beautiful building was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site.

VT has domes, spires, and arches, but the highlights are the passenger/booking hall and the stone carvings/sculptures. On top of the entrance gate are stone sculptures of a lion and a tiger - symbolizing Britain and India. Spend time walking around the outside to find the other carvings and sculpures. Look closely to find the peacocks, elephants, monkeys, and snakes. Also very interesting are the portrait medallions - busts of Raj-era men in the facade.

The hall has a lofty Neo-Gothic roof and is decorated with colorful tiles and stained glass windows. The platforms are spacious to accomodate the throngs of passengers that pass through the station daily.

Atop the central dome is a 4m (13 ft) high statue of "Progress" holding a torch. The dome has eight decorative ribs and water spouts shaped like animals (very cool) that jut out from the base.

VT is the western-most end point of the central railways of India and also the southern end point of the central and harbor lines of Mumbai's metropolitan rail transport system. It is the headquarters of the Central Railway with over 1,000 trains and two million passengers passing through daily!! Crowds of suburban commuters begin and end their work day here.

You will probably pass VT several times during your visit to Mumbai, but it's well worth a visit inside. Photos of the interior are no longer allowed.

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Victoria Terminus is perhaps the most impressive example of Victorian Gothic architecture in India. Victoria Terminus Railway Station, which is now rechristened as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. This gorgeous building is a beautifully ornamented extravaganza of domes, spires and arches. The building was designed by Frederick William Stevens, a British architect. The building was further decorated by local art students and craftsmen. The building was completed in 1888 and named to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee celebrations. Now it is the headquarters of the Central Railway Region of Indian Railways. This railway terminus handles over 1,000 trains and two million passengers daily. It is well equipped to handle the peak hours rush of suburban trains’ commuters.

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With its lofty Gothic vaulted ceilings and stained glass, the ticketing area within Victoria Terminus is rather Cathedral-like. However, it lacks the calm and serenity of the interior of a cathedral, for the place buzzes with human traffic, in fact, more than two million passengers on a daily basis! The platforms are topped with some intriguing steel architecture but seem to be in need of restoration, while the trains have probably not been replaced in decades. It is well worth entering the station even if you won't have the pleasure of taking the train.

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The most magnificent of all Gothic buildings in Bombay, the Victoria Terminus is also Asia's busiest railway station. The richly decorated edifice was designed by the British architect Frederick William Stevens and completed in 1888. Although the design is described as Victorian Italianate Gothic, its decoration includes many elements from Indian nature, such as elephants, monkeys, chameleons, etc. The stunning building has been a symbol of Bombay, and in 2004 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in recognition of its architectural value. Previously in 1994, its official name had changed to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, or in short, CST, as part of the same local nationalist movement that also modified the city's name. However, locals still refer to the railway station as Victoria Terminus, much as they still call their city Bombay. For photos of the architectural details of this incredible edifice, take a look at the travelogue "Victoria Terminus."

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The station, the busiest in India, was designed by Frederick William Stevens, a consulting architect in 1887-1888.
It took ten years to complete and was named "Victoria Terminus" in honour of the Queen and Empress Victoria; it was opened on the date of her Golden Jubilee in 1887. This famous architectural landmark in Gothic style was built as the headquarters of the great Indian Peninsular Railway. In 1996 it was renamed Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus, in honour of Shivaji, who was a 17th century Maratha king. It is still fondly referred to as Victoria Terminus (VT) by most Mumbaikers.
In 2004 it was nominated as a World heritage Site by Unesco.
The architecture of the building is Victorian Gothic with influences of Italianate and Indian style. Internally, the wood carving, tiles, ornamental iron and brass railings, grills for the ticket offices, the balustrades for the grand staircases and other ornaments were the work of students at the Bombay School of Art.
The terminus serves long-distance passenger trains as well as two of the suburban lines-the Central Line and the Harbour line. It is the westernmost terminus of Central Railway.
Security is very tight, and no photography is allowed inside the building.I managed to sneak a photo of the waiting room while we were waiting for our train to Kolkata. The waiting room is without a doubt the best we have seen in India. Beautiful wood panels and comfortable seating.

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Mumbai's sign manufacturers must have been laughing when the city's government chose to rename almost everything after Chratrapati Shivaji. As one of the city's major landmarks, the Victoria Terminus was one of the first places named after the anti-Mughal warrior. It's probably the most impressive building in Mumbai, and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Chances are you'll pay a visit to the station during your stay. It's conveniently located in the Fort area, on the way to Colaba - so most travellers won't be able to miss it. The entrance to the the terminus is along the eastern side of the building, so passengers don't actually get a chance to walk through the main building (this isn't made clear in the guidebooks). You do get a pretty good view from the outside though - plus some sense of the scale of the building.

Most long-haul trains out of the city leave from CST, although some leave from Mumbai Central Station. Foreigners tickets can be bought from the first floor ticket office, at desk number 52. It can close early - if so, head to one of the travel agents near the station who will book your ticket for you instead.

Now known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Victoria Terminus is a historic railway station which is also the headquarters of the Central Railways on India. A UNESCO World Heritage Site this railway station is a spectacular specimen of gothic architecture. I have always noticed that all my friends from other cities on there first visit to Mumbai are always stunned at the first view of this grand edifice and wishes to take pictures.

Taking pictures is prohibited inside the station and outside it as well one has to encounter great traffic which makes it difficult to capture this absolutely splendid monument in the frame. The building exhibits amalgamation of Victorian Italian architecture and traditional Indian art formations. Inside the building the wood carvings, tiles and ornamental iron always arouses my interest in architecture. I would suggest every tourist on a Mumbai tour must visit this place not just for viewing the building but also for a ride in the local mode of transportation of Mumbaikars (residents of Mumbai).