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The Fountain of Joy — Kolkata
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Fountains, Squares and Bridges 📍 Kolkata, India 441 views

The Fountain of Joy

It was a rather joyless time for the Calcutta Electric Supply Company when in 1991 its generous gift of a musical dancing fountain, located near the Victoria Memorial in the city's Maidan Park, was denigrated by critics and protested by protesters. How dare the power company wast...

Photo · Disha K.

The Fountain of Joy — Kolkata, India.

Location
Kolkata
Type
Fountains, Squares and Bridges
Opening hours
http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q99731947
Weather now
28°C
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About The Fountain of Joy

The Fountain of Joy - Kolkata | Secret World Trip Planner

It was a rather joyless time for the Calcutta Electric Supply Company when in 1991 its generous gift of a musical dancing fountain, located near the Victoria Memorial in the city's Maidan Park, was denigrated by critics and protested by protesters. How dare the power company waste electricity when the Indian city was plagued by blackouts and so many of its poorest residents had no electricity to light their homes, let alone entertain themselves with a fountain! The fountain was abandoned. But the urban mood has changed since then, and in 2012 the fluttering fountain was reopened. With its valves opening and closing 12 times a second, this joyful fountain dances to the rhythm of music, creating wave after wave of amazing effects for the eyes.

The Fountain of Joy - Kolkata | Secret World Trip Planner
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    The Fountain of Joy
    📍 Kolkata
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  2. 02
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    📍 0.4 km away
  3. 03
    Evening
    📍 0.6 km away

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Fountain of Joy was reopened in 2012, more than two decades after it was originally abandoned in 1991. The fountain had been closed due to public criticism about the power company wasting electricity during a time when the city faced severe blackouts.
The Fountain of Joy is located near the Victoria Memorial in Maidan Park, one of Calcutta's most iconic public spaces. This makes it easily accessible and a perfect addition to a visit to the historic Victoria Memorial area.
The fountain was protested in 1991 because the Calcutta Electric Supply Company's gift was seen as wasteful during a time when the city suffered from blackouts and many residents lacked access to basic electricity. Critics argued the power company shouldn't squander resources on entertainment when so many of the city's poorest residents couldn't even light their homes.
The Fountain of Joy is a musical dancing fountain with valves that open and close 12 times per second, choreographed to move in rhythm with music. This creates dynamic wave patterns and amazing visual effects that go far beyond a traditional static fountain.
Visit the fountain near the Victoria Memorial in Maidan Park to watch its water dance to musical accompaniment, creating impressive visual effects. Plan your visit during daylight hours to fully appreciate the fountain's movement and effects, and consider combining it with a tour of the nearby Victoria Memorial.

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