If Mumbai had a face, it wouldn’t be Marine Drive.

It wouldn’t even be the Gateway.

It would be Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus – or CSMT, as locals say while racing past it with headphones in one ear and a vada pav in the other hand.

What looks like a castle, feels like a museum, but is actually a functional train station that sees over 3 million people daily? That’s CSMT. And yes, it’s officially a UNESCO World Heritage Site, declared in 2004.

Let’s hop on.

The British Origin Story – When Mumbai Was Bombay and Queen Victoria Was Boss

The story begins in 1878, during peak British Raj vibes.

Bombay was booming, and the British wanted:

• A grand railway terminus for the Great Indian Peninsula Railway

• A building that would scream “Look at our imperial power AND architecture”

• Something that would rival the great European train stations — but with Indian flair

Enter: Frederick William Stevens, a British architect who went all in.

He studied Victorian Gothic Revival architecture, mixed in Indian craftsmanship, added some Mughal-style domes and traditional Indian arches, and voila — the blueprint of Victoria Terminus (named after Queen Victoria, obviously) was born.

Construction began in 1878 and took 10 years to complete. Cost? Around ₹16 lakh back then, which today would probably buy you one parking spot in South Mumbai.

In 1887, the station was finally opened to the public to mark Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee.

Architecture – Gothic Meets Gharana

CSMT is probably the most beautiful railway station in the world. Full stop.

Let’s break it down:

• Victorian Gothic Influence:

Pointed arches, spires, stained glass windows, a grand central dome, and stone carvings everywhere

• Indian Elements:

Ornate wooden carvings, domes influenced by Mughal and Deccan styles, turrets and arches with a desi flavour

• Symbolism:

o The grand central dome is topped with a statue of Progress (a woman holding a torch and wheel)

o Gargoyles, lion statues (representing Britain), and tigers (representing India) decorate the façade

o Intricate friezes show trains, steam engines, and guards — carved into stone!

Every inch of the building screams, “I’m too good to be just a railway station.”

Fun Fact: Bollywood & Beyond

You’ve 100% seen CSMT in:

• Slumdog Millionaire (the dance scene at the end – “Jai Ho” happened right here)

• Ra.One, The Lunchbox, Raees, and probably every movie set in Mumbai ever. It’s also in travel books, fashion shoots, architectural magazines, and every foreign tourist’s “OMG India is amazing” Insta reel.

Today’s Scene – 3 Million People. One Legendary Building.

You enter expecting heritage.

You get human waves, chai sellers, yelling uncles, announcements on repeat, and a million smells you can’t quite place.

But here’s the thing — the building still stands proud.

Still elegant.

Still clean (shoutout to the station staff working round the clock).

Still holding up under Mumbai’s love and weight.

The terminus serves long-distance trains and Mumbai suburban locals, and if you’ve never experienced a peak-hour local train from CSMT, you haven’t really been to Mumbai.

What to Explore – If You’re Not in a Rush (Good Luck)

If you’re not running to catch the 7:48 fast to Thane, take a slow walk around:

• The Grand Staircase inside the heritage wing

• The main dome from the east entrance — best photography angle

• Stone carvings of flora, fauna, and British-Indian fusion motifs

• The UNESCO plaque near the entrance

• Peek into the heritage gallery (if open) — old photos, model trains, letters, and architectural plans.

Nearby Landmarks – You’re in Fort, Baby

Once you’re done admiring CSMT, you can walk to:

• BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) Building – Gothic twin across the road

• St. Thomas Cathedral – Oldest Anglican church in Mumbai

• Asiatic Society Library – With those dramatic white steps

• Horniman Circle – Colonnaded charm

• Gateway of India – A 10-min cab ride away

Hungry? Eat Here (No Michelin, All Masala)

Mumbai station = hunger within 15 mins. Trust me.

Cannon Pav Bhaji

Just outside the station

What to eat:

• Pav Bhaji – buttery, spicy, iconic

• Masala Pav

• Falooda for dessert if you're feeling dramatic

The stall’s been here for decades. It’s part of Mumbai’s soul. Also, you’ll be eating next to lawyers, backpackers, delivery guys, and aunties who’ve just done darshan at CST Ganpati.

Other options:

• Kayani & Co. (for Irani chai and bun maska)

• Badshah Cold Drinks at Crawford Market

• Or just pick a street cart and trust the smell

How to Reach

CSMT is the final stop for the Central Line of the Mumbai suburban railway.

From Mumbai Airport (BOM):

• ~23 km

• ~1 hr by cab (in traffic terms: 1.5 hrs+ if you blink wrong)

• Nearest Metro: CSMT Metro (Line 3) under construction as of now

Already in Mumbai?

• Take a Central Line local train straight to CST

• Or cab it via Marine Drive or Fort area

UNESCO Details

• Declared: 2004

• Full Name: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus)

• Why UNESCO loves it: “Outstanding example of late 19th-century railway architecture in

the British Commonwealth, fusing Gothic Revival with Indian traditions.”

Final Thoughts – A Palace That Trains Call Home

CSMT isn’t just a station. It’s a city that breathes.

It holds British ambition, Indian spirit, daily struggle, and architectural elegance — all under one glorious dome.

People run, trains whistle, pigeons fly, and yet the building just stands there... calm, confident, and covered in black fungus stains like medals of honour.

With Nadodigal, every corner of India has a voice — even the one that yells “Platform number teen se local gaadi jaane waali hai.”