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Beautiful and Historical Flora Fountain

Written by Sudhir Kumar

Flora Fountain, at the Hutatma Chowk (Martyr’s Square), is an ornamentally and exquisitely sculpted architectural heritage monument located at the southern end of the historic Dadabhai Naoroji Road, called the Mile Long Road, at the Fort business district in the heart of South Mumbai, Mumbai,India. Flora Fountain, built in 1864, is a fusion of water, architecture and sculpture, and depicts the Roman goddess Flora. It was built at a total cost of Rs. 47,000, or 9000 pounds sterling, a princely sum in those days.

About Fountain

Flora fountain is beautifully adorned stone fountain which is located in the Fort area in South Mumbai. The fountain was built in 1864. It represents the Roman Goddess Flora which is the ‘Goddess of Abundance’. Today, Flora fountain is a heritage structure. The total cost to build this structure was Rs. 47,000 which was a considerable amount during that time. It was constructed by the Agri-Horticultural Soceity of Western India. A donation of Rs 20,000 by Cursetjee Fardoonjee Parekh was used to erect this fountain. It was designed by R. Norman Shaw and it was sculpted by James Forsythe.

It now wears a white coat of oil paint. The stone that was used to carve the fountain was imported from Portland. It was built in honour of Sir Bartle Frere, who was the Governor of Bombay at that time. The fountain stands exactly at the point where the original Church Gate of Bombay Fort stood during that time. The square in which the fountain stands was official named as Hutatma Chowk (Martyr’s Crossroad) in 1960. The area around Flora Fountain is the business center of Mumbai and is surrounded by offices, banks, colleges and shops. Flora Fountain is indeed a tourist attraction that one must see while in Mumbai. The residents of Mumbai use the term “Fountain” to refer to the area the fountain. The area around is the business center of Mumbai and is surrounded by offices, banks, colleges and shops. Inspired from Flora – the Roman Goddess of Flowers, Flora Fountain is a stone fountain in South Mumbai. Located in the Fort business district, the splendid fountain was built in 1864. It was constructed by the Agri-Horticultural society of Western India and was carefully designed by R. Norman Shaw. Crafted out of imported Portland stone, Flora Fountain was erected at a total sum of Rs. 47,000. Flora Fountain, Mumbai is located in Mumbai’s Fort district at M.G. Road at Veer Nariman Road. The square in which it exists is called the Hutatma Chowk. It exists exactly at the same position at which the original Church Gate of Bombay Fort was present. It is a beautiful white marble statue that is also a fountain. It was built in Portland stone, but was later defaced with white oil paint. This was constructed in the late 1800s to honor the Governor of Mumbai, Sir Bartle Frere. It was named Flora after the Roman Goddess of Abundance. Adjacent to this statue is another monument, which honors the soldiers who became martyrs while protecting the state. This structure was built at an amount of Rs.47, 000 by the Agri-Horticultural Society of Western India. Cursetjee Fardoonjee donated Rs. 20,000. Flora Fountain in Mumbai lies in the midst of one of the busiest parts of the city. This is an aesthetically architectured white marble statue with a jutting fountain presenting a hypnotic aura untouched by the chaos that surrounds this piece of art. Built in 1869 in the honor of the Governor of Mumbai, Sir Bartle Frère, the Flora Fountain is an epitome of the Roman Goddess Flora, the deity of abundance and prosperity. The timeless beauty and splendor of the statue has earned it a heritage status. The Flora Fountain was erected by the Agri-Horticultural Society of Western India when Cursetjee Fardoonjee Parekh donated Rs. 20,000 for its construction. The complete built up incurred a cost of Rs. 47,000, then a princely figure. Designed by R. Norman Shaw, Flora Fountain was sculpted in imported Portland stone by James Forsythe. It now wears a white coat of oil paint.

Today, this magnificent fountain has been coated with white oil paint. Initially, it was intended to be named after Sir Bartle Frère, who was the governor of Bombay at the time of its construction. Nonetheless, it was decided to change the name just before to its inauguration. Situated almost in the center of South Mumbai, Flora Fountain is sited just at the place where stood the original Churchgate of Bombay Fort. The fountain today stands exactly at the point where once the original Church Gate of Bombay Fort stood. Also known as Hutatma Chowk, Flora Fountain is near to several interesting places where you could explore and spend time. You could make rounds to the famous Bombay University, admire the Old Secretariat and who could miss out the famous Gateway of India. A major hub of commercial activities, Fountain area houses all the major banks along with the country’s premier stock exchange, Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). One of the oldest monuments and Heritage of Mumbai now, Flora Fountain is named because of Roman Goddess and is located just 5 minutes walking distance from Churchgate Station. This Statue is made up of Portland Stone imported by Romans in Mumbai city. Its a center of attraction in south Mumbai and is centrally located between famous locations like CST station, Fort and Gateway of India. Later on With Changes in Name it was Renamed to ‘Hutatma Chowk’ but still very famous as Flora Fountain Area. The Roman Goddess Statue is surrounded by plants and continue flowing artificial water pool and It is beautifully decorated with lighting effects that glows the statue at night. Some famous things at flora fountain are street bookstalls, Street side electronic shops selling things like Gadgets, Watches, Binoculars, Walkman etc. Famous places near Flora is BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) and VSNL.Offices, banks, colleges and shops encircle the area around Flora Fountain, Mumbai . It is a business center of Mumbai. It is must visit spot for the tourists. The area around the Flora Fountain is called the Fountain area or Fort area. In this area there are many Victorian buildings that ought to be visited. They are the University of Mumbai building with its magnificent Rajahbai tower, The Mumbai High Court , the Old Secretariat and the Institute of Science. The St. Thomas Cathedral, the Asiatic Society of Bombay or Town Hall, the Office of the Director General of Police, the General Post Office and the Thomas Cook Building exist in nearby locales. All these spots are beautiful illustrations of the Gothic and Indo-Saracenic style. Many of these are illuminated during the night. The country’s leading stock exchange, Bombay Stock Exchange? is also located at a very short distance.

In 1960, the square where the fountain stands, was formally christened as Hutatma Chowk or Martyr’s Square. Flora Fountain has been declared as a heritage structure that continues to soothe the passers-by with its spray of water. Encircled by imperial colonial buildings, the fountain still depicts the royal times. In short and snappy terms, Flora Fountain is city’s famous landmark that definitely deserves a visit.

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Sudhir Kumar

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