The stunning Bandra Station is turning 160 years old. Yes, the Western Railway station that’s most Mumbaikars’ gateway to iconic spots like Bandstand, Linking Road and Pali Hill is a grand old dame. Now, the Western Railway is paying tribute to the legacy and contributions of this magnificent railway structure to Mumbai’s transport and development with a month-long Bandra Station Mahotsav.
Bandra Station Mahotsav – Light & Sound show, Photo Walk
Festivities kicked off on June 20 with the release of a commemorative postal stamp. However, the fun and fervour will reach a full boil only this weekend with a Light & Sound Show and Photo Exhibition on July 5 and 6. Both events will trace this station’s journey from its creation on November 28, 1864, when it was ‘Bandora’, to its present-day status as Queen of the Suburbs. If the lit-up pictures of Bandra Station at night are any indication, we’re in for a spectacular show.
Bandra Station is one of the few Mumbai suburban railway stations to have a Grade 1 Heritage Status for its architectural beauty and historical significance. The slanting roofs and towering spires of the station’s facade are a blend of Victorian-Gothic elements from British colonial rule and local Maharashtrian architecture.
These features underwent major restoration in 2023. If you’ve never had the chance to stop and stare at this architectural marvel, as crowded trains swallowed you up and spat you out, this is your moment to look up and appreciate it. Community engagement is also at the core of the Bandra Station Mahotsav. Commuters and citizens participated in creative competitions like Vlog Making, to collect anecdotes and personal memories of Bandra Station’s history.
Other events included a Purani Yaadien Initiative, a nostalgic project which called for submissions of old photographs, memories, and voice clips highlighting the emotional ties Mumbaikars have to this heritage structure. These competition winners will be announced during the grand finale of the Mahotsav on July 27.