It has been 12 years since 26/11 happened and the city of Mumbai has only proved to be more resilient with each passing year. Today, we revisit some of the major hubs — Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Leopold Cafe, Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident, Nariman House, and Metro Cinema — in the city that, in spite of being the central locations for the deadly attacks, have only made powerful comebacks and made us fall in love with them even more. By Amitha Ameen
1. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
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This historic train station and the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mumbai is undoubtedly an icon of the city. The terminal was built in the year 1887 to commemorate the then Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee and was subsequently named Victoria Terminus in her honour. It was later renamed to its current name in 1996 to honour the founder of the Maratha Empire. The terminus that took almost 10 years to build was designed by British architect F W Stevens and presents an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic architecture seamlessly blended with traditional Indian architectural elements. The very first of its kind terminus station in the subcontinent, today it sees almost three million visitors each day.
2. Leopold Cafe
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This over-a-century-old Irani Cafe-turned-pub is one of the places that makes its way into anyone’s list when they come to Mumbai. The cafe which originally started out as a wholesale cooking oil store is now one of those typical places that people head to when they visit the city. While the cafe was already popular, especially among foreigners after featuring in the 2003 novel by Gregory David Roberts titled Shantaram, it gained even more popularity after the attacks and has even preserved some of the signs as a memorial. While landing a table at the Leopold Cafe may prove to be a task, the energy of this now-historic cafe overlooking the streets of Colaba is something that we have grown fond of.
3. Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
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A world-renowned landmark, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is an iconic luxury hotel that everyone dreams of staying in when in Mumbai. Built in 1903, the legendary 5-star hotel has previously played hosts to royalty and eminent personalities from around the world. Overlooking the Gateway of India, the palace hotel is home to nine of the city’s celebrated restaurants and bars. Apart from the elegantly appointed rooms, what makes this property more attractive is its close proximity to some of the most important landmarks and shopping districts in the city.
4. Oberoi Trident
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The Oberoi Trident is one of those places in the city that offers uninterrupted views of the Arabian Sea and the beautiful Queen’s Necklace lights along the shoreline. The hotel was the tallest building in South Asia after its completion in 1973. Ranked as one of the best hotels in the city, the iconic views of the Marine Drive and easy access to serene walks in the promenade makes this one of our favourite places to stay in India’s Maximum City.
5. Nariman House
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This Jewish outreach center is home to one of the eight synagogues in Mumbai and plays a central role for the Jewish community in the city. Last year, Nariman House opened its doors to the public as a memorial and a museum, dedicated to the attacks. It is a great place to get an insight into the Jewish way of life and also throws light on the owner’s lives — Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rivka Holtzberg — who were victims of the attack. Nariman House is one of those places in Mumbai to head to, to truly experience the spirit of the city.
6. Metro Cinema
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Movie enthusiasts will love this one. Built in 1938, the Metro Cinemas is an Art Deco Heritage movie theatre that has withstood the test of time. Watching a movie here would be a memorable experience considering the landmark place was the venue for the first-ever Filmfare Awards’ night. Originally built and run by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), the theatre soon became the red carpet venue for the most famous Bollywood personalities. The interiors of the multiplex only add to the charm of the movie-going experience here.
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