Flora Fountain, Bombay - Print

DESCRIPTION

This is a vintage photograph of Flora Fountain, also known as Hutatma Chowk. It was built at the exact place where the Church gate, named after St. Thomas Cathedral, Mumbai stood before its demolition along with the Mumbai Fort. The construction was sponsored by the Agri-Horticultural Society of Western India. The fountain was designed by Richard Norman Shaw, carved by James Forsythe in imported Portland stone, and is a beautiful example of Gothic Revival architecture.

Built in 1864, initially it was to be named after the then Governor of Bombay, Sir Bartle Frere, but just before the fountain was to be inaugurated, it was named Flora Fountain named after Flora, the Roman Goddess of flowers and the season of spring. Majestic Portland stone statue of the Goddess adorns the top of the fountain. The four corners of the fountain have four life-sized female mythological figures carrying foliage to represent the four seasons.

In 1960 the structure was declared as one of India's Heritage structures.