3
Oct
2014
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South Mumbai: Tourism in our own city!

Often, we do not lend the touristy sight to our very own city. Those living in Mumbai might understand what I am saying – we are so busy cribbing about what is wrong that we seldom appreciate what is right around us. Walking through the lanes of South Mumbai was on the cards for a long time and we finally ended up taking some shots of century old buildings last month. It was Ankur’s effort to make my birthday a ‘fun day’. Hand me a camera and show me old buildings – he hit bullseye!

Somewhere in South Mumbai

Somewhere in South Mumbai

South Mumbai is the ‘old Mumbai’, with architectural remnants that will prod your imagination to work to paint a picture of how the streets looked over a 100 years ago, when the British ruled India. The Victorian architecture is evident. As we pottered around the area at 7 am on a Saturday morning, I could not help but feel that I was in a European city, albeit a few decades ago, inhabited by Indians. The power of the mind – time and space travel are both possible. Wonder why H.G Wells made the concept of ‘Time Machine’ so complicated?

St Thomas Church at Horniman Circle

St Thomas Church at Horniman Circle

Here is a photo blog from South Mumbai. If you are in Mumbai, hit the Fort area early on a Sunday morning, click a few pictures, stretch yourself a garden and have some fresh bread and cakes at an Irani bakery – simple pleasures of life!

Fresh 'Brun' and butter at Yazdani Irani Bakery in Fort, Mumbai

Fresh ‘Brun’ and butter at Yazdani Irani Bakery in Fort, Mumbai

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, or the Victoria Terminus as it was earlier known (and still continues to be known) is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The structure is a bustling station for inter and intra city trains and is the busiest station in India. Back in 2006, when I started my work life in Mumbai, I would use the station everyday. It’s a pity I never spent more than a couple of minutes to admire the architectural beauty. Its a grand building – you don’t to stand and stare to get that. What needs some time is appreciation of the frescos – find the seated lion that guards the building, or the fresco of the a fox with its prey.

Majestic Victoria Terminus buiding

Majestic Victoria Terminus buiding

Guarding the Victoria Terminus

Guarding the Victoria Terminus

The Brihan Municipal Corporation building is another structure you cannot miss if you are at the Victoria Terminus. I am totally fascinated by the winged angel, gracefully perched in in front of the domes.

Brihan Municipal Corporation

Brihan Municipal Corporation

Brihan Municipal Corporation : winged angel

Brihan Municipal Corporation : winged angel

The manicured buildings of Standard Chartered Bank, Deutsche Bank and HSBC Bank in Fort, all over which are over a century old, make me wonder whether the employees have a sense of pride as they walk into their office everyday.

HSBC Building in Fort, Mumbai

HSBC Building in Fort, Mumbai

Flora Fountain, dedicated to the Roman goddess Flora, seems to have transposed itself from Italy. I am sure the sculptures and marble would have been flawless when the structure was installed in 1864.

Flora Fountain

Flora Fountain

The memory card of our camera is full of pictures, and it is hard to decide which ones to post and which ones to leave out. I guess I will have to post another blog to do justice to the photo shoot – until then, pick up your camera and head to South Mumbai. Stop at Starbucks for a cup of coffee to recharge yourself and go click click again!

Fancy a coffee?

Fancy a coffee?

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