Horniman Circle Gardens
- Horniman Circle Gardens since 1947
The Horniman Circle Gardens is a large park in South Mumbai, India which encompasses an area of 12,081 square yards (10,101 m2). It is situated in the Fort district of Mumbai, and is surrounded by office complexes housing the country's premier banks. Designed to be a large open space with grand buildings in the middle of the walled city, the area had been known as Bombay Green in the 18th century. Following India's independence in 1947, the area was renamed in honor of Benjamin Horniman, editor of the Bombay Chronicle newspaper, who supported Indian independence.
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[edit] History
In 1842, the area had been just a dump of coconut shells and debris[citation needed]. The Police Commissioner, Charles Forjett, thought of converting the Green into a circle surrounded by buildings. He was supported by governors Lord Elphinstone and Sir Bartle Frère. The garden was planned in 1869 and completed in 1872 with well laid out walkways and trees planted all around. The whole complex was then renamed Elphinstone Circle after the Governor, Lord John Elphinstone. An ornamental fountain was placed in the centre, but it was replaced by a modern art deco iron pipes design.
The park was a favourite social venue of the Parsi community. In the pre-independence era, a band used to perform there every evening.
The Asiatic Society of Bombay overlooks the Horniman Circle Gardens and the Reserve Bank of India.
Luxury fashion house Hermes opened it's store 15 A, Horniman Circle Gardens, occupying two floors of a heritage building. It has become the first luxury brand in India to open on the street rather than in a luxury property.[citation needed] File:Hermes mumbai.jpg
[edit] Host
Horniman Circle hosts the annual Sufi and mystic music festival, Ruhaniyat.[1] It is also one of the venues of the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival when several music and dance concerts are held at the park.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ "Sufis to regale this weekend". DNA Express. November 21, 2007. http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1134476. Retrieved 2009-02-09.
- ^ "Kala Ghoda Gazette". http://www.caferati.com/kgaf/events. Retrieved 2009-02-09.[dead link]
[edit] Further reading
- Kamala Ganesh, Usha Thakkar and Gita Chadha. eds., Zero Point Bombay: In and Around Horniman Circle, Lotus Collection, Roli Books (2008) ISBN 81-7436-659-7
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