Panoramic Tour of Mumbai

Compilation of photos from Colaba and Elephanta Caves

Also see: My collection of Panorama Compilation

Panoramic photography is a technique of photography, using specialized equipment or software, that captures images with elongated fields of view. It is sometimes known as wide format photography. Panorama photos are normally shot by stitching series of photos with sightly overlapping fields to create a panoramic image.

This blog contains photos from the Colaba Region (covering Gateway of India, Afghan Church, Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Kala Ghoda and Flora Fountain)and Elephanta Caves of Mumbai.

Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) formerly known as Victoria Terminus (VT) is an historic train terminal station of Mumbai and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The terminal station was designed by Frederick William Stevens.

Panoramic view of the southern faced of Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) previously known as Victoria Terminus (VT), Mumbai

Construction of the building started in 1878 and was completed in 1887, which concided with the 50 years of Queen Victoria’s reign and hence the name Victoria Terminus. In 1996 the station was renamed as Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus and in 2017 it was further renamed as Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT).

{Panoramic view of Mumbai Municipal Building and Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), Mumbai

CST or VT follows the Italian Gothic style of architecture complete with skyline, turrets, pointed arches, and eccentric ground plan are close to classical Indian palace architecture.

Panoramic view of Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), Mumbai

On the south west corner of the CST stand the magnificent Mumbai Municipal Corporation Building. The V shaped building was also designed by Frederick William Stevens and follows the same style of architecture as CST. The foundation of the building was laind in 1884 and the construction was completed in 18093.

Flora Fountain is an ornamental fountain located at the Hutatma Chowk (Martyr’s Square). Built in 1864 at a staggering cost of ₹ 47,000. It depicts the Roman goddess Flora.

Panorama of Flora Fountain with Oriental Building on the right and Ismail Building on left, Mumbai

Hutatma Chowk is located in the busy financial district of Fort. It derives its present name from an incident in 1956 when a peaceful demonstration by the Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti (United Maharashtra Committee) was fired upon by the police resulting in 106 deaths. The Hutatma Chowk square is lined on all sides by buildings constructed during the British Raj. An ornate fountain surrounded by delicately carved figures forms the center of the huge square.

Kala Ghoda (literally meaning the black horse) is a cresent shaped art district in downtown Mumbai. It houses several colonial building including museums, art galleries, libraries and educational institutions.

A panoramic view from Kala Ghoda statue. L – R: Elphinstone College, David Sassoon Library and Army and Navy Building, Mumbai

Once the area housed the horse mounted statue of Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII). It was removed in 1965 and placed in the Byculla Zoo. In 2017, the Kala Ghoda returned to the area with a new statue of a similar looking horse without a rider.

The Afghan Church officially known as Church of St. John the Evangelist is an Anglican Church in southern down town Mumbai. The church was built by the British to commemorate the dead of the First Afghan War and the disastrous 1842 retreat from Kabul.

Panoramic view of the Afghan Church, Mumbai

The foundation stone of the church was laid in 1847 and construction was completed in 1850. The imposing edifice was constructed using locally available buff-coloured basalt and limestone. The interiors contain gothic arches and  beautiful stained glass windows.

Taj Mahal Hotel from Gateway of India, Mumbai

Gateway of India along with the Taj Mahal Hotel is probably the most well known landmark of Mumbai. Gateway of India is also the lunch point of the ferry service to the Elephanta Caves.

Gateway of India and Taj Mahal Hotel from Elephanta Ferry, Mumbai

As the ferry leaves the Gateway of India jetty there is a great panoramic view of the Gateway of India with the Taj Mahal Hotel in the back ground and boats in the foreground.

Gateway of India and Taj Mahal Hotel from Elephanta Ferry, Mumbai

Elephanta Caves is located in Elephanta Island also known as Gharapuri (literally “the city of caves”). The 10 km ride takes about an hour and boats are accompanied by huge groups of sea gulls.

Panoramic view of the Elephanta Caves

Elephanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a collection of cave temples predominantly dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The Elephanta Caves contain rock cut stone sculptures that show Hindu and Buddhist ideas and iconography. Sadly most of the artwork are defaced and damaged.

Note: This is a compilation entry and contains a small fraction of the innumerable monuments of Delhi. The post will be updated from time to time.

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