Inaugurated in 1869, the Flora Fountain is a fusion of water, architecture and sculpture made of Portland stone and was dedicated to Governor Bartle Frere. The statue flanking the top of the fountain is of Flora, the Roman Goddess of Abundance from where it derives its name.
The three-tiered fountain was commissioned by the Agri-Horticultural Society of Western India and was built by the Esplanade Fee Fund Committee at a total cost of Rs 47,000, with a donation of Rs 20,500 by Seth Cursetjee Furdonjee Parekh.
The total height of the fountain is (approx) 33 feet while Lady Flora’s height is about seven feet.
On the lower tier are four statues seated in niches on the four corners, depicting ladies in four different attires. These four ladies are allegorical figures representing the industrial, cereal, plant and edible fruit products of India.
Restoration of Flora Fountain was undertaken in phases and was thrown open to the public last year.
In picture: Tramlines that were discovered near the site are now on display as part of a public attraction
In picture: A view of the iconic Flora Fountain in Mumbai's Fort area with the water from spouts in full flow.
Conservation Architect Vikas Dilawari during the restoration process at the topmost level of the fountain. Dilawari and his team comprising Altaf Muwal, Prajakta Deshpande, Lester Silviera and consultant Kiran Bhavsar have been closely with the other experts to set a high benchmark in restoration
ADVERTISEMENT
