The chief landmarks which were targetted by the terrorists:
(Taj Intercontinental Hotel on the left, Gateway of India on the right)
The terrorists selected Mumbai's landmark locations as venues for their murderous mayhem. These prominent and beloved Mumbai spots are part of the city's heritage, sites that Mumbaikars are extremely proud of.
'The Taj' means you are referring to that beautiful, 105-year-old hotel opposite the Gateway of India. There are other Taj properties in Mumbai, but the Taj has always meant that iconic building which is as much a symbol of the city as the imposing Gateway.
It stands proudly on Apollo Bunder -- Bunder meaning harbour -- promenade, which is a part of colonial Mumbai. It is a popular spot for walkers and sightseers. If you have been a visitor to Mumbai, this is a part of the city you would probably have visited first.
The old Taj, with its sweeping staircase and classic wood work, is not surprisingly one of the country's most expensive hotels. The Sea Lounge, its cherished cafe, overlooks the sail boats in the harbour and is known for its view as much for its trademark fare. Many Mumbaikars wept when they saw the dome of the Taj go up in flames early on Thursday morning.
It has been years since this treasure of Mumbai was renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus after the great Maratha monarch, but it has remained VT (for Victoria Terminus) for many Mumbaikars.
The Central Railways's main terminus has remained the symbol of Mumbai buzz, where millions hop off onto its platforms every day. It is also been a snapshot of the city of dreams as captured in Hindi films with scenes of outsiders entering the city and building their lives here, thus adding to the charisma and sense of possibility that Mumbai offers.
One of Mumbai's most beautiful buildings -- completed in 1888 -- flagged off India's first train 155 years ago and is at the heart of the city's heritage quarter.
On a Sunday morning, if you stand across the street from this marvel, you can gaze at it for hours, such is its unique beauty. It was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 2004. Nothing in Mumbai has been able to match up to the grandeur of this imposing work of art.
Cafe Leopold, the thriving, throbbing pub on chic Colaba Causeway is a popular hangout for locals and foreigners alike.
Established in 1871, Leopold is one of Mumbai's all time favourite pubs, a place cool enough for all sorts of people. You can see college students, single women enjoying a beer and diners having a good time at the cafe's closely placed tables at all times of the day.
Newer shops and eating places may have sprung up by the dozens on the Causeway, but Leos, as Mumbai call the bistro, has stood the test of time.
At the extreme end of Marine Drive, the city's chimeric promenade, by the Arabian Sea stands the Oberoi Hotel.
There was a time the Taj and the Oberoi were really the only two five star hotels in town. Its old building was called the 'Old Oberoi' while the newer part was simply called the 'new Oberoi'. A couple of years ago, the old Oberoi was rebranded as the Trident, and remains a prominent venue for business and corporate conferences in South Mumbai.
It has a fantastic view of the ocean and both its buildings are connected by a short walk from within the hotels. It is the only Oberoi property in Mumbai and remains the most sought after venue for the city's corporate world.
Of all the landmarks selected by the cowardly terrorists, the Cama hospital is comparatively lesser known than the other sites. It is an old colonial building situated on a leafy promenade, flanked by St Xavier's College and the Esplanade Court.
It dates back to 1886 and was refurbished a few years ago. It is a hospital for women and children.
The terrorists stormed into the hospital on Wednesday night and started firing incessantly at the patients, killing several of them, before holing up in the upper floors and warding off police attempts at rescuing the remaining patients and hospital staff.