My first trip to Vaishnodevi was unimpressive. Climbing was hard, and it only served to highlight how badly out of shape I was, while my in-laws managed to cope so much better. Further, I hadn’t quite realized that the cave experience wouldn’t be the same as I had imagined, since the original cave was only opened at certain times a year, and that we only entered a newly created tunnel, one far easier to access, and hence more manageable with the crowds that thronged the mountain shrine. The resulting experience at the shrine, for barely a fraction of a second, hardly compared to what I had expected / imagined / heard about. So, for me, Vaishnodevi was like any other temple, nothing to write home about, something that was reflected (though not explicitly mentioned) in the blog post I wrote then.
This was once the Royal Alfred Sailor’s Home, built in the
1870s to accommodate 20 officers and 100 seamen. It was originally conceived in
1870 to commemorate the visit of Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh, who laid
the foundation, during his visit, at the end of Hornby row. However, the
location was later changed, and when work finally began in 1872, the foundation
stone was shifted here. Designed by the same architect responsible for such
masterpieces as the VT station and the Municipal Corporation building,
F.W.Stevens, the building took 4 years to build, and was opened in 1876.
The most arresting thing about the structure is the
sculpture of Neptune on the pediment right at the top.
Neptune, the Roman God of the sea, is depicted surrounded by
mythical creatures such as mer-people (male as well as female), and sea horses.
He is seated on a shell, and is surrounded by waves of water. Flanking this
panel are two stylised sea lions, fitting into the theme.
In the late 1930s, the building was acquired by the government
and became the seat of the Bombay Legislative Council. Extensions were made to
suit the increased usage, and the building remained the seat of the Legislative
Council even post Independence, till a new building was constructed for the
purpose in 1982. This one then was handed over to the Maharashtra Police Department,
which has, since then, used it as its Headquarters.
If you are ever in Colaba, or visiting the Museum, stop a
while to stare at the beautiful sculpture atop the building. You might not be
allowed to get close, considering the security, but its size and location make
it easily visible from across the road!
For more information, check out the Maharashtra Police Website.
It is indeed very impressive otherwise a lot of police stations have such a run down look.
ReplyDeleteWell, Mridula, this is the Headquarters.. not many are lucky to be housed in heritage structures! but there are a few like these around.... will click some more soon!
DeleteLovely shot of a wondeful building.
ReplyDeleteThanks Niranjan!
DeleteAah this is what we see in all the Hindi Police flicks!
ReplyDeleteoh yes this is the one!
DeleteFascinating! I really enjoyed reading your post - and what an impressive place :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Marianne!!
DeleteWow, it took only 4 yrs to build way back in 1870's !
ReplyDeletesrinivasan
Its actually quite a small structure.. which has been extended later... so its not really so surprising that they built it so fast back then...
DeleteI can't get close to the building? How can I lodge a complaint...?? hah
ReplyDeletewell, Neeraj, you can surely go in if you have a valid reason to do so.. its photography they may have problems with.
DeleteI have been inside the building once, Anu, about 20 years back. And it is as impressive on the inside as it is on the outside. And no, I wasn't allowed to photograph it.
ReplyDeleteaah.. now that must make for an interesting story!!!! would love to hear about it!! and i dont know what prejudice we have against photos
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