Flora Fountain at the Hutatma Chowk near the Fort business district in Mumbai, was built in the year 1864. The name flora was given to the fountain just before its inauguration, and on the name of the Roman Goddess of Flowers (Flora). Even a sculpture of the goddess herself is sculpted on the top the structure. Earlier the fountain was named after the then Governor of Bombay, Sir Bartle Frere who was responsible for many great public buildings in the town. It was until almost a decade from its inauguration, in 1960, the site of the fountain also became famous as the martyrs square or hutatma chowk. It was named as such in order to honour the 105 members of the ‘Samyuktha Maharashtra Samiti’, who fought and lost their lives for a separate Maharashtra State. Also, it is know as the Piccadilly Circus of Mumbai.
The design of the fountain was done by Richard Norman Shaw and James Forsythe was the one who sculpted the fountain from Portland stones and covering them with white oil paint. And the statue of the Goddess Flora on top makes the fountain look more exquisite. The construction of the statue amounted to Rs. 47,000/-, of which Rs. 20,000/- came in as donation from Cursetjee Fardoonjee Parekh.
The fountain was built by the Agri-Horticultural society of Western India. This piece of attraction was originally built for the Victoria Gardens at Byculla. Another piece of history related to the fountain says, the place where this fountain stands was the place where the churchgate of bombay fort once stood.
In 2016, the restoration of the fountain started and was unveiled on 24th Jan 2019. The restoration of the Gothic Architecture was done by Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).
The Flora Fountain is also declared as an Indian Heritage Structure and also has bagged UNESCO Heritage Award in 2019. It is the major commercial hub of the city as, Bombay University, Bombay Stock Exchange and Gateway of India among other attractions, are in the same region.
What a wonderful place to visit! Had no idea, thanks putting this together. Will put on my bucket list.
This has to be a place I need to visit in the coming year. Thanks for the post.
I had to look up where exactly Mumbai is on the map lol! Thanks for sharing, learned something new everyday.
Wow, that is such a beautiful fountain. Especially at night! I love learning about new places — thanks for sharing!
Wow! That architecture is simply amazing. I live in a fairly new construction place so we don’t have anything like this!
The statue looks so beautiful, with such an intricate architecture. I would like to admire it in person.
Amazing!! Love pics. Want to go.
I haven’t heard about this place before, the statue is so nice. They did a great job building it with the fountain.
It seems like a wonderful place to visit. I have this on my travel bucket list.
Such a wonderful place! So beautiful at day and night!
This looks like a beautiful place to visit! I really want to visit this kind of place in the future.
Woow the flora fountain is so beautiful,i am sure it has become center of attraction in Mumbai.
MUMBAI! The city that never sleeps. Really beautiful work of architecture.
Hey! Yes I have been there too. I loved the way you write.
Wow those are beautiful pictures. I have to see this live the next time I visit Bombay! I’ve only seen these fountains in Europe.
That’s such a beautiful fountain! The pictures are great but I bet they don’t even do it justice. I’ll have to add it to my list of things to see when I travel.
I’ve always wanted to go. It just looks so rich with history here
India has so much beautiful places. I wish to visit sometimes. This is the 1st time i heard about this place. Thank you for sharing
Flora fountain in mumbai is A perfect place to visit… It is so beautiful
Wow, UNESCO award. I will surely love to visit here whenever I come Mumbai.
Thanks for the details ,I was not aware that it has been declared as World heritage structure in 2019.
I have been in Mumabi many times but never had a chance to visit ,this time I’m definitely checking it out.
Wow! This is such a gorgeous foundation.. Glad that you shared about it! Loved the pictures! 🙂
I enjoy read your blogs about history and architecture of the beautiful city of Bombay. When I visit next time I am going to ask you for suggestions.
Fountains induce such a beautiful aura. I love the sound of water. And this place looks mesmerizing!