UpdateBot at 11:45, 27 August 2021

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{{short description|Open ground in Mumbai}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2014}}

{{Coord|18.936297|N|72.829742|E|display=title}}

[[File:Sheltered Crucifix at Cross Maidan, Mumbai.jpg|thumb|Crucifix at Cross Maidan]]

'''Cross Maidan''' (formerly ''Parade Ground''<ref name=manfan>{{cite book|last=J. A. Mangan|first=Fan Hong|title=Sport in Asian society: past and present|year=2003|publisher=Routledge|isbn=0-7146-5342-X|pages=186}}</ref> ) is a vast expanse of land in [[Mumbai]]. The term maidan means "playing ground" in [[Marathi language|Marathi]]. The ground measures 23,000 m².<ref name=dna05>{{cite news|title=Cross Maidan is set for revamp|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_cross-maidan-is-set-for-revamp_10849|access-date=30 January 2012|newspaper=[[Daily News and Analysis]]|date=22 November 2005}}</ref> The name "Cross" is derived for the old stone Cross (crucifix) built when the city was under Portuguese rule in the 16th century. The maidan is under the jurisdiction of the district collector. In 2009 it was announced that a 30-foot tall steel sculpture inspired by [[Mahatma Gandhi]]'s [[Spinning wheel#Charkha|charkha]] would be installed at the maidan.<ref name=ie09>{{cite news|title=Replica of charkha at Cross Maidan|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/replica-of-charkha-at-cross-maidan/515168/0|access-date=30 January 2012|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=10 September 2009}}</ref> In the same year, the government also announced that it would be laying a water tunnel from the [[Malabar Hill]] reservoir to Cross Maidan at the cost of [[Indian Rupee|Rs.]] 940 million.<ref name=toi09>{{cite news|title=Money flows in for vital water projects|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-07-07/mumbai/28198417_1_water-projects-mld-water-mains|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103081551/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-07-07/mumbai/28198417_1_water-projects-mld-water-mains|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 January 2013|access-date=30 January 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=7 July 2009}}</ref> It is claimed that the [[South Mumbai]] locality will have adequate water supply once this water tunnel is completed.<ref name=dna09>{{cite news|title=Need more than 2L litre a day? No way|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_need-more-than-2l-litre-a-day-no-way_1322810|access-date=30 January 2012|newspaper=[[Daily News and Analysis]]|date=12 December 2009}}</ref>

==The Maidan==
[[File:Cross maidan.jpg|thumb|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.<ref name=kellyjanina>{{cite book|last=Kelly Shannon|first=Janina Gosseye|title=Reclaiming (the urbanism of) Mumbai Volume 3 of Explorations in/of urbanism|year=2009|publisher=SUN Academia|isbn=978-90-8506-694-1|pages=125}}</ref> 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 [[cricket]] in the dry season and [[football (soccer)]] during the [[monsoon]]s. Near the southern end, the Mahindra United Club, a national level club, has undertaken a lease of a small portion of the ground. In the past, traveling [[circus]]es have used the ground.<ref>{{cite book|last=Irving|first=John|title=A son of the circus|year=1994|publisher=Anthos|isbn=90-414-0013-3|pages=24}}</ref> The ground hosts eight cricket pitches.<ref name=gt10>{{cite news|title=Mumbai's maidans may soon vanish|url=http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/printArticle.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=393558&version=1&template_id=49&parent_id=29|access-date=28 February 2012|newspaper=[[Gulf Times]]|date=22 October 2010}}</ref> In 1986, [[Reliance Industries Limited]] held their [[Annual General Meeting|AGM]] at the ground with 30,000 company shareholders in attendance.<ref>{{cite book|last=Anjan|first=Raichaudhuri|title=Managing New Ventures|date=17 August 2010|publisher=PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd|isbn=978-81-203-4156-2|pages=85}}</ref> During the [[Indian independence movement|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==
[[File:Crucifix at Cross Maidan, Mumbai.jpg|160px|thumb|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.

[[File:Bhikha Behram Well.jpg|thumb|Bhikha Behram Well]]
==Bhika Behram Well==
At the southern end of the maidan stands a well built by Bhika Behram in 1725. Behram, a [[Parsi people|Parsi]], was travelling through this region, when he built this well for travellers. The well has a perennial source of sweet water, which is remarkable as most of the water in the area is [[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==
{{reflist}}

{{Mumbai topics}}
{{Tourist attractions in Mumbai}}

[[Category:Sports venues in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Parks in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Maidans in India]]

Cross Maidan - Revision history

UpdateBot at 11:45, 27 August 2021