Matunga

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Matunga is the name of a railway station on the Mumbai Suburban Railway network. It is a suburb of Mumbai. This station is called Matunga on the Central line and Matunga Road on the Western line. It is famous for its educational institutions. Apart from Matunga and Matunga Road stations, the Harbour Line station of King's Circle is also located in Matunga.

Matunga is dominated by South Indians (especially Tamil Brahmins. Hence, it is also called "mini Madras" ). Matunga boasts of a number of South Indian style temples along with a number of street shops selling coffee and flowers which adds to the South Indian feel. The number of Gujaratis has also been on the rise in recent years. The celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi are on a grand scale in Matunga.

1 History
2 Train bombings
3 Educational institutions
4 Quick look

[edit] History

Matunga formed a part of the seven original island of Mumbai with Mahim (then known as Mahikavati). Mahim, or Mahikawati as it was known, was the capital of Raja Bhimdev, who reigned over the region in the 13th century. Raja Bhimdev's origins are not clearly known. He may have come from Anahilwada-Patan in Gujarat or from the dynasty of Yadavs in Deogiri. He built a palace and a court of justice in Prabhadevi, as well as the first Babulnath temple. Raja Bhimdev stationed his elephant cavalry near Mahim. This place was referred to as Matanga (Sanskrit for Elephants) which later became "Matunga".

Matunga has long been a hub of education in Mumbai. In 1887, Mumbai's first engineering college, Victoria Jubilee Technological Institute (VJTI) was founded. It was later renamed to Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute. It also houses the famous college UDCT, now known as the Mumbai University Institute of Chemical Technology, which has produced renowned chemical engineers over the years. It was also the first planned suburb of Mumbai. The plan of 1899-1900 was devised to evenly distribute population as well as provide better living standards.

In 1937, the general council of Salesians of Don Bosco approved a plan to buy 60,000 square yards (50,000 m²) land in Matunga from the Bombay Municipal Corporation. The Corporation approved the sale on July 16, 1937. The Salesians bought the land for Rs. 229,160. The Don Bosco High School (formerly known as The Catholic Educational Institute) run by them was shifted from the rented premises at Tardeo to the new Don Bosco campus at Matunga. This is one of the best primary educational institutions in Mumbai.

In 1937, Guru Nanak Khalsa college was founded by Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee. It was first the college to be established by the Khalsa community outside Punjab. Its Gothic-style building was designed by a Roman architect. Don Bosco High School and Khalsa College are famous for their active sports-life.

In June 1937, Ramnarain Ruia College of Arts and Science was set up by Shikshana Prasaraka Mandali (a private education society run by teachers) of Pune. It was the first college to be founded by a private organization in Mumbai. In 1941, S P Mandali founded R A Podar College. S P Mandali was given the plot by the railways, the biggest land owners in Mumbai at that time. The business house of the Podars constructed the college building at its own cost and handed it over to the college. In 1952, the Modern Education Society of Pune founded the D G Ruparel College. It was little known until early 1980s, when it started producing merit-list toppers. Sandip Patil used to represent Ruia College, when Ravi Shastri was representing Podar College.

Podar College: Ramnarain Ruia College and Ramniranjan Ananandilal Podar College of Commerce and Economics are adjacent to each other. Both are set up by Shikshana Parasaraka Mandali. Cricketers Farokh Engineer (wicket keeper) and Ravi Shastri (all rounder) both studied in Podar College. Ravi Shastri joined Podar College after graduating from Don Bosco High School. Podar College also offers courses through institute of management studies.

[edit] Train bombings

On 11 July was affected by 11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings.

[edit] Educational institutions

Ramnarain Ruia College of Arts & Science
Guru Nanak Khalsa College (King's Circle)
Ruparel College
Ramniranjan Anandilal Podar College of Commerce & Economics
Welingkar Institute of Management Research and Development
Mumbai University Institute of Chemical Technology (formerly UDCT)
Veermata Jijabai Technical Institute (formerly Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute)
Don Bosco High School
S.I.E.S High School

Bookstores

Oxford Bookstore

[edit] Quick look

Church of Mary, Help of Christians

Gokhale Road

Matunga Road
Next station south: Dadar	Mumbai suburban railway : Western Railway		Next station north: Mahim
	Stop Number:10	KM from starting:?

These are the stations on Western line of Mumbai suburban railway

Matunga
Next station south: Dadar	Mumbai suburban railway : Central Railway			Next station north: Sion (suburban railway)
	Stop No:9	KM from starting:?	Platforms:4