Emotions poured in by book lovers as Kitab Khana at Fort reopened in Mumbai!

Kitab Khana at Fort opened again on March 11 after surviving the pandemic and the large fire that took place in December last year. Read below what people have to say about it.

Amidst the crowd and noise of one of the busiest cities in India and the world, there lies a comforting place for book lovers living in Mumbai- Kitab Khana. This iconic book store was closed owning to Coronavirus lockdown followed by a massive fire that damaged nearly 45,000 books in December last year. Now, Kitab Khana at Fort has been opened again after surviving all tragic events and, hence, is arousing the emotions of all the bibliophiles who were frequent visitors here.

Karan Shevale, who is a book blogger and reviewer calls Kitab Khana, home. "It is one of my favourite places in Mumbai," he says. While adding how being around books makes him happy, Karan says that the store is an easy escape from all the chaos Mumbai stands for.

Kitab Khana has been existing near Flora Fountain at CST for a decade and has been serving readers with an infinite number of books belonging to different genres.

Sahil Pathare, an Associate Producer and a media student refers to Kitab Khana as a place that lets one feel the books. "It is that one vintage book store which, through its ambience, lets you feel what you are reading," he says.

As the book shop opened on March 11, readers talked about their unforgettable memories that are attached to Kitab Khana. "Around a couple of years back, I was in CST and it was raining heavily. So, I went to Kitab Khana and picked up a poem book by Gulzar. I was standing and reading pages after pages. Two hours passed by and I did not even realise it," Sahil says. "Only Kitab Khana can make this happen," he adds.

On the other hand, Karan says that Kitab Khana was always his go-to place during the five years of his college life. "I associate with Kitab Khana as a marker of personal growth through my teenage years. I have discovered all enlightening books and have met people at this place," he says.

Before lockdown, Kitab Khana used to organise book launches, author meetups and sessions for children. However, the store will be setting up virtual book discussions and events which will be updated through social media.

Karan, who visited the store after it reopened, says that he was elated to discover the news. "I was so stoked that I decided to pay a visit," he says. "I also managed to read Ranjit Hoskote's new collection," Karan adds.

Even if COVID restrictions are in place, one thing is sure and it is that the book lovers have finally got their "place" back.

When are you paying a visit to this heaven?

Where: Kitab Khana, Flora Fountain

Also Read: Visit this Bookstore in Kochi famous for its book-shaped design, which got attention from Paulo Coelho too!

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