Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mumbai

Date: 27th Jan 2018

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: None.

Timing:  None.

Food: Available.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Elephanta Caves, Gateway of India.

The UNESCO world heritage site was built in 1888 to commemorate Golden Jubilee of  Queen Victoria. The Bori Bunder railway station from where the first passenger train took off to Thane was located here.  The Bori Bunder station was the first railway station in India. The station was rebuilt as Victoria Terminus in 1888. The station was renamed to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) in 1996. It was further renamed as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in 2017. One of the busiest station servers both local commuter train and the intercity trains. There are total of 18 platforms.

The station is built in Neo-Gothic style like many other buildings in Mumbai. Main structure is built with limestone and sandstone and interiors with Italian marble. The station is the headquarters to central railways. The building is in C shape and symmetrical on east west axis. Statue of progress is located on the central dome. The lady carrying flamed torch in one hand and a wheel in another symbolizes progress and thus named Statue of Progress. A lion and tiger statue adorn the entrance of the building representing Britain and India. The station designed by Frederic William Stevens had appeared in many movies including slumdog millionaire.

Few pics from the station.

The historic building is the most treasured landmark and is a must visit place in Mumbai. We also managed to travel in local train during our stay and got to board and deboard from this station.

Gateway of India, Mumbai

Date: 26th Jan 2018

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: None.

Timing:  None.

Food: Available.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Elephanta Caves.

The iconic building in Mumbai was built in 1911 to commemorate the arrival of King George V and Queen Mary. Though the foundation stone was laid in 1911 the design was approved in 1914 and construction completed in 1924. The places was used as access and exit points by the Britishers. The site also marks symbolic exit of British when first battalion of somerset light infantry left India through the gateway in 1948. The monument was built with yellow basalt and concrete in Indo-Saracenic style. Most public buildings in Mumbai are built in this style of architecture which is combination of Indo-Islamic, Indian and Gothic style which was favored by Britishers.

The gateway faces the Arabian sea. The boat's from the jetty behind leaves to elephanta caves, another tourist attraction in Mumbai. The place was too crowded because of the long weekend. There was also preparation going on for some event in the evening so could not get a good picture of the front view of the monument.

Few pictures from the place.

The structure has large arch and four turrets. The central dome is 48ft in diameter and its center is 83ft high from the ground. The intricate lattice work can be seen on all sides of the structure.

The monument was designed by Scottish architect George Wittet and construction carried out by Gammon India.

The complex also houses the statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji and Swami Vivekananda.

Like a good tourist we also started of our Mumbai darshan from gateway of India which is the top attraction in Mumbai. 

Girgaum Chowpatty, Mumbai

Date: 26th Jan 2018

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: None.

Timing:  None.

Food: Small snack available in plenty.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Taraporevala aquarium.

One of the famous beach located in the city is Girgaum. The beach is a popular place among the tourist and the locals. The sunset from the beach is a wonderful sight to watch. There are many food stalls selling delicious snacks. Every year Ganesha visarjan at the end of Ganesh Chathurthi festival is attended by thousands of people. The water is too polluted so avoid getting into it.
A good place for the city people to relax, take a stroll and have some food.

Few pics from the beach.

Tourist can absolutely avoid the place. If visiting never touch the water even with your feet.

Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai

Date: 26th Jan 2018

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: None.

Timing:  11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Food: Small snack available nearby.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya.

Built in 1952 is the Jehangir Art Gallery, one of the famous art gallery in the country. Its located in Kala Ghoda area behind the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya. Generous donations from Cowasji Jehangir halped build the art gallery and was named after him. There are four galleries and a gallery dedicated to photography is on terrace. Art collection of various budding and famous artists are showcased in the gallery.

Few pics from the gallery.

One of the famous tourist attraction in Mumbai can be visited by art-lovers.

RBI Monetary Museum, Mumbai

Date: 26th Jan 2018

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: None.

Timing:  10:45 AM to 5:15 PM. Closed on Monday and Public holidays.

Food: Small snack available.

Photography: Not allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Jahangir Art Gallery, CST, Rajabai Clock Tower and few more.

Other Info: No bags allowed inside. Cloak room available.

The most interesting part of our trip to Mumbai was the visit to Monetary Museum located in fort  area. The museum is divided into multiple sections like, concept of money, coinage, coins to paper, paper money, know your currency and RBI & you. The concept section explains how money evolved from barter system to coins to present day paper money. The coinage has wide variety of coins from earliest punch marked coins to the present day ones. Coins to paper sections displays various financial instruments like promissory notes, bill of exchange and cheques. Paper section displays the notes printed by Government of India and then RBI from 1935. Know your currency section explains about the designs of the notes and all its safety features. Commemorative coins can be purchased from India Government mint located behind the museum. The coins are sold in the counter between 10 AM to 12 Noon. Clicking photograph of the mint and RBI building behind museum is strictly prohibited.

Few pics of the museum from outside.

The museum is a must visit place in Mumbai for both kids and adults alike. 

Taraporevala Aquarium, Mumbai

Date: 26th Jan 2018

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: Rs 60 for Adults and Rs 30 for Kids.

Timing:  Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Sunday and Public holidays till 8:00 PM.
               Closed on Monday.

Food: Small snack available.

Photography: Allowed with camera ticket.

Other attractions nearby: Girgaon chowpatty, marine drive and few more.

Established in 1951, Taraporevala is the oldest aquarium in India. Its located opposite of marine drive near Girgaon chowpatty. The aquarium is named after D B Taraporevala who paid one fourth of the cost of construction. Aquarium maintained by department of fisheries contain more than 2000 fishes which includes variety of marine, freshwater fishes and coral fishes. We did not find the place exciting. There was nothing special and the dust covered glasses made the aquarium dull. They charge Rs 500 for mobile photography and Rs 1000 for regular camera which we found unreasonably high.

Few pics from the aquarium.

Ok to visit if one has never seen an aquarium before else skip it and spend more time at marine drive. 

Bombay Stock Exchange, Mumbai

Date: 27th Jan 2018

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: None.

Timing:  None. Entry restricted.

Food: Available.

Photography: Allowed, from outside.

Other attractions nearby: Rajabai Clock Tower, Jahangir Art Gallery, CST, RBI Museum and few more.

Bombay stock exchange, Asia's first stock exchange was officially established in 1875 as "The native share and stock brokers association. Initially the stock brokers used to meet at various places in Mumbai and finally settled in dalal street or brokers street in 1874. The stock exchange was recognized by Indian government in 1957. With 5000+ companies listed Bombay stock exchange has the most listed companies. Premchand Roychand is considered as the founder of Bombay Stock Exchange.

Few pics from the place.

Amsterdam stock exchange established in 1602 is considered as worlds first stock exchange. However there were many active markets before this.

Established in 1460, Antwerp stock exchange in Belgium is also considered oldest stock exchange.

The biggest stock exchange in terms of market capitalization (21+ trillion) is of course the New York stock exchange. BSE market cap is 2+ trillion.

Obviously tourists are not allowed inside. If one happen to be around the place and interested in money then can visit this place in Mumbai.

Rajabai Clock Tower, Mumbai

Date: 26th Jan 2018

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: None.

Timing:  None. Entry restricted.

Food: Small snack available.

Photography: Allowed, from outside.

Other attractions nearby: Jahangir Art Gallery, CST, RBI Museum and few more.

285ft Rajabai clock tower is one of the iconic buildings in Mumbai. The tower was designed by George Gilbert Scott and modeled on London's Big Ben. The construction begun in 1869 and completed in 1878. The entire sum of 2,00,000 Rs was paid up by Premchand Roychand, one of the founder of Bombay Stock Exchange. The Cotton and Bullion King's only request was to name the tower after his Mother Rajabai. When built, this tower was the tallest building in Mumbai. It used to play sixteen different tunes during the British period, today it plays only one. Due to frequent suicide attempts the building is now closed for public. The oval ground on the opposite side offers a full view of the tower.

Few pics of the tower.

Very unfortunate the tourist are not allowed inside. Would have loved to take a closer look at the majestic tower.