The Directorate of Tourism (DoT), in association with Bombay High Court and Tourist Guide Association (TOGA) is opening doors of the Bombay High Court building for the heritage admirers from Saturday, October 16, 2021.
Bombay High Court is one of the oldest High Courts in India. It was inaugurated on August 14, 1862 under the High Court’s Act, 1861. The work on the present building of the High Court commenced in April 1871 and completed in November 1878. Bombay High Court is famed for its architecture as it was built in the 19th century, by the British, in the eye-catching Gothic Revival style. The building is part of the Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Bombay, which was added to the list of World Heritage Sites in 2018.
The museum being the highlight of the building, inaugurated in 2015, has interiors designed exactly like a court room. The space has been curated with old legal rolls, portraits of the advocates and a minuscule model of the Bombay High Court in a corner. M.K Gandhi’s application for studying law dating back to 1890s and his certificate from the year 1891 along with Vallabhbhai Patel’s certificates and degree are also displayed there.
Tourists will now be able to take a tour of the building on non-working Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and the duration of each heritage walk will be maximum 1 hour. Total 3 heritage walks will be conducted each on Saturday and Sunday in Marathi, English and Hindi languages respectively.
A nominal entry fee of Rs. 100/- (plus taxes, if applicable) per heritage walk per Indian national (domestic) tourist/visitor and Rs. 200 (plus taxes, if applicable) per international (foreign) tourist/visitor will be levied. Tickets have to be bought at least two days before on bookmyshow.com only.
Valsa Nair Singh, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Govt. of Maharashtra informs, “In order to create awareness of the rich heritage, history and architecture of this monumental structure, the Directorate of Tourism, Govt. of Maharashtra (DoT) has proposed to facilitate heritage walks in the Bombay High Court premises, with the approval and guidance of the concerned authorities of the Bombay High Court. Hence, a MoU has been signed between the Directorate of Tourism, Bombay High Court and Tourist Guide Association (TOGA).”
Jerroo Bharrucha, President, TOGA said, “Dignitaries like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar have walked these corridors and the tourists must feel proud that they are getting an opportunity to enter this beautiful heritage structure. We have arranged tour guides who will be guiding the tourists in Hindi, Marathi and English. I am glad that Maharashtra Tourism department and Bombay High Court have taken this initiative. Everyone should pay a visit and be ready to get awestruck by the beauty of this monument.”
The heritage walk would start from Gate No. 4, from where they will be taken to the Judges Library, Central Court Hall no 46, the statue of the Justice M.C Chagla (first Indian Chief Justice of Bombay High Court) and the Museum. The walk will come to an end at the Judges Porch. All the information about the architecture of the building will be provided by the tour guide and the group would be allowed to take photographs at specific points during this walk.
