Cross Maidan

Coordinates: 18°56′11″N 72°49′47″E / 18.936297°N 72.829742°E / 18.936297; 72.829742
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

18°56′11″N 72°49′47″E / 18.936297°N 72.829742°E / 18.936297; 72.829742

Crucifix at Cross Maidan

Cross Maidan (formerly Parade Ground

Rs. 940 million.[4] It is claimed that the South Mumbai locality will have adequate water supply once this water tunnel is completed.[5]

The Maidan

Cricket Pitches at Cross Maidan

The vast expanses of land of the Oval Maidan, Azad Maidan, Cooperage Ground and Cross Maidan until the early 20th century formed the area known as Esplanade.[6] The road which divides Cross Maidan and Azad Maidan which is today called Mahatma Gandhi Road was formerly known as the Esplanade. The term Esplanade is almost obliterated from history books except for the Bombay High Court which still goes by the term esplanade court. The part of MG Road abutting the Cross Maidan is popularly known as Fashion Street, with a range of vogue clothing at throwaway prices.

The rest of the ground is used for

AGM at the ground with 30,000 company shareholders in attendance.[9] During the pre-independence
era, the ground used to hold rallies and parades.

Cutting across the centre of the ground is a shortcut that links the two railway stations of

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Churchgate
. The lane known as "Khau Galli" meaning Food Lane in Marathi, is traversed by thousands of people rushing to their work places. At times exhibitions and fairs are held in the maidan.

Due to encroachment by Fashion Street hawkers and also mounds of garbage dumped in the southern end of the maidan, it has deteriorated to such an extent that a special committee has been set up to look after the ground, fence it off and clear the garbage and attain a heritage status.

The Cross

Crucifix

The cross used to stand where the current Elphinstone School currently stands. Currently it stands at the northern end of the ground. The cross is attested to have miraculous powers and devotees come from all over Mumbai and Goa during the feast on 3 May. The cross is adulated by both Christians and non-Christians. Good Friday and Maundy Thursday services are held in an exclusive area around the cross. The cross is maintained by the local diocese.

Bhikha Behram Well

Bhika Behram Well

At the southern end of the maidan stands a well built by Bhika Behram in 1725. Behram, a

brackish owing to the proximity to the Arabian Sea
. The site is a declared heritage structure and is held sacred by the Parsi community.

References

  1. ISBN 0-7146-5342-X
    .
  2. ^ "Cross Maidan is set for revamp". Daily News and Analysis. 22 November 2005. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  3. ^ "Replica of charkha at Cross Maidan". The Indian Express. 10 September 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  4. ^ "Money flows in for vital water projects". The Times of India. 7 July 2009. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  5. ^ "Need more than 2L litre a day? No way". Daily News and Analysis. 12 December 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  6. ISBN 978-90-8506-694-1
    .
  7. ISBN 90-414-0013-3
    .
  8. ^ "Mumbai's maidans may soon vanish". Gulf Times. 22 October 2010. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  9. ISBN 978-81-203-4156-2
    .
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