The large Buddha head artwork was placed in the front yard of the museum with the long name
The Mumbai sun beats down with an intensity so merciless, it feels almost divine—as if the wrath of the gods has been condensed into pure heat. The oppressive humidity clings to the skin, making it instinctive to seek shade wherever possible.
In the midst of this sweltering struggle, I spotted a sign with an impossibly long name: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya. A well-known Mumbai landmark, this museum is housed in a historic colonial-era building and even holds UNESCO World Heritage status. But, more importantly, it had to have air conditioning—or so I desperately hoped.
I stepped through the grand entrance, greeted by the sight of a massive stone structure, its imposing British-era architecture standing frozen in time. In the courtyard, a giant Buddha head lay on the ground, remnants of some ancient past. But my attention wasn’t on its historical significance or its aesthetic grandeur—all I cared about was getting inside and escaping the heat.
I bought my ticket, pushed open the heavy doors…
—and was immediately crushed by disappointment.
The air inside was thick and muggy, far from the refreshing coolness I had envisioned. A few weak ceiling fans spun half-heartedly along the walls, barely making a difference. I stood there in disbelief. A museum this grand, and no air conditioning?
Or perhaps, because it was such a historic building, they had never installed cooling systems in the first place. Whatever the reason, my last hope for relief evaporated in an instant.
The museum undoubtedly housed fascinating exhibits, but I had no capacity to appreciate them. The heat was unbearable, the air stifling. Around me, visitors stood motionless in front of the fans, seeking whatever minimal relief they could find.
"I can’t do this."
Muttering to myself, I made a swift retreat toward the exit.
Next time, I’ll come in a cooler season, when I can actually take the time to enjoy this renowned Mumbai landmark. But for now, I had no choice but to step back into the furnace of the city’s streets and brace myself for the relentless heat once again.
| Mar 2025 ARCHITECTURE INDIA | |
| BUDDHA STATUE MUMBAI MUSEUM WORLD HERITAGE SITE |
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PHOTO DATA
No
12830
Shooting Date
May 2024
Posted On
March 9, 2025
Place
Mumbai, India
Genre
Architectural Photography
Camera
SONY ALPHA 7R V
Lens
ZEISS BATIS 2/40 CF
