Invisible Bombay – Flora Fountain and Hutatma Chowk

by Sharukh Bamboat

I am a Bombay boy and I am so proud of it. Although, the city has changed today and the lifestyle has become complicated the city of Mumbai has always offered the best living experience that I can imagine. I agree life is fast, so fast that we don’t even have the time to think, in fact the speed of life has made us virtually blind because we rarely see the beauty of Bombay, admire it and bring some peace to our life.

So, I decided to give a pause to my writing skills, get my fingers off my laptop keyboard and instead start clicking some pictures of old Bombay that still stands tall, but invisible to our naked eyes. This will be the first installment of the five part INVISIBLE BOMBAY SERIES where I start with Flora Fountain and will take you across Kala Ghoda Area and in the last installment you return to Flora Fountain again completing the full circle. I would request my readers to take some time and explore all the five parts to enjoy this photographic tour of Kala Ghoda that I have created with all my efforts in writing and also exploring my photographic skills.

If you are in South Mumbai, you will surely come across this exquisite heritage monument which lies at the heart of Fort, a business district of Bombay. Built in 1864, this monument is a combination of architecture, water and sculpture and the fountain depicts the Roman Goddess Flora.

Flora Fountain Mumbai
Flora Fountain Mumbai
Flora Fountain Churchgate
Another View of Flora Fountain in Mumbai

Initially, this fountain was to be named after Sir Bartle Frere, Governor of Bombay then who contributed immensely to the growth of the city through progressive policies increasing trade in the city. However, the idea was dropped eventually and the fountain was named Flora Fountain, named after Flora, a Roman Goddess of flowers and season of spring. The fountain is made from Portland stone with Flora right on the top and various mythological creatures and figures on the four corners for decoration purpose.

Fishes Flora Fountain Mumbai
Mythological Fishes on Flora Fountain, Mumbai
Artwork Flora Fountain Mumbai
Mythological Characters on Flora Fountain, Mumbai
Artwork Flora Fountain Mumbai
Mythological Character on Flora Fountain, Mumbai
Flora Fountain Mumbai
Roman Goddess Flora on Top of Flora Fountain
Roman Goddess Flora Mumbai
Roman Goddess Flora
Flora Fountain Mumbai Sunset
Flora Fountain Mumbai Sunset

Hutatma Chowk

Hutatma Chowk also known as Matyr’s Square is the official square where Flora Fountain is located today. The area was popularly known as Flora Fountain Area before 1960, but in 1960 Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti decided to come up with a square in honor of all the people who lost their lives during a police firing upon a peaceful demonstration resulting in 105 deaths. Amar Jyot (Eternal Flame) is located at Hutatma Chowk that always burns symbolizing the ongoing struggle and salutation to the matyrs.

Hutatma Chowk at Fort Mumbai
Hutatma Chowk
Hutatma Chowk in Mumbai
Hutatma Chowk in Mumbai

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE THE JOURNEY AHEAD WITH INVISIBLE BOMBAY SERIES PART 2

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10 comments

Dan Antion February 19, 2014 - 18:20

Every city has places like this. Thanks for sharing yours. Time has a way of hiding away lots of beauty. At least they weren’t destroyed in the name of progress.

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pathbreakingwriter February 19, 2014 - 20:31

Very true.

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Peter Nena February 19, 2014 - 18:48

How old are those statues and buildings?

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pathbreakingwriter February 19, 2014 - 20:30

St Thomas Cathedral – 1718
Flora Fountain – 1864
Elphinstone College – 1856
Watson’s Hotel – 1869
Rajabai Tower (Clock Tower) – 1878
Mumbai University Building – 1857
Asiatic Library – 1804

Only Hutatma Chowk (Matryrs Square) is recent that too in 1960…so even the latest statue is 64 years old.

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dweezer19 February 19, 2014 - 19:21

What a wonderful way to get to know Bombay, theough itts historical places. I love the staue photos tou took. They are so beautiful. These are places you don’t see in most geological photos of the city. I really look forward to your next post!

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pathbreakingwriter February 19, 2014 - 20:28

Thank you Cheryl. I am glad that you liked the pictures. Worked really hard to bring out small details that people usually miss out while they are strolling in that area.

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dweezer19 February 19, 2014 - 21:11

My favorite photo is the side view of the Goddess Flora. It is a beautiful statue. You really captured the feeling of standing and gazing at them.

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pathbreakingwriter February 19, 2014 - 21:34

Thank you 🙂

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jaime tong February 20, 2014 - 07:18

I enjoyed reading this series! The photos are great and the articles have a nice amount of history/background info — not too much and not too little.

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The Lost Mumbai – Then and Now - Travel India Destinations June 5, 2017 - 12:02

[…] This architectural heritage monument stands on the southern end of the D.N. Road. It lies at the heart of the Fort business district, so one may call it ‘The Times Square of South Bombay‘. Built in 1864, the fountain depicts the Roman goddess Flora. Built at a cost of 9000 pounds (a hefty amount then), this fountain still attracts lot of visitors and tourists from all over India and the globe (although maintained poorly by the authorities). For more images of Flora Fountain click here. […]

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