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Banganga Tank – An Ancient Heritage of Mumbai

 

Often known as Mumbai’s very own ‘Varanasi’, Banganga Temple Tank at Walkeshwar is one of the oldest pilgrimage sites for devotes in the city. A sacred water tank, there is a lot of mythology surrounding the origin of this temple. As I reached the Walkeshwar Bus Depot, I wondered what was the story behind Banganga as I heard so much about it. 

 At the beginning of the walk, I met my guide from Khaki Tours and a middle-aged woman who would be accompanying me on the walk. As I looked all around me there were narrow and sneaky lanes and a side of Mumbai I had never explored before. Dating back to AD 1127 when the tank was constructed, the entire Banganga area is full of 10-20 small-sized temples, over 50 dharamshalas and one main temple which has been reconstructed over time.

 

Surrounded by mythology and history, it is believed that the temple at Banganga came into existence when Lord Rama – the exiled hero of the epic Ramayana stopped at this site to seek the blessing of a sage, while on his way to Sri Lanka to save his wife Sita from the evil clutches of demon king Ravan. Overcome by fatigue, he asked his brother to fetch him some water to drink but Lakshmana is believed to have shot an arrow into the ground, after which water began to gush out, which created a tributary of the Ganges; which was a thousand miles away. It was a Ganga river that was created by an arrow, therefore the name BaanGanga. 

 

 Housing the Shri Kashi Math and Shri Kaivalya/Kavale Math of the Goud Saraswat Brahmins on its banks, the area also has a Hindu cremation ground, which received a complete makeover to also house a gas crematorium in 2003. This area also has an old Hindu cemetery, having samadhi shrines of various advaitin gurus, such as  Siddharameshwar Maharaj and his disciples, Ranjit Maharaj Nisaragdatta Maharaj and Bhainath Maharaj.      

 

The Banganga Tank consists of a rectangular pool that is surrounded by steps on all sides (four sides). At its entrance are two pillars in which diyas (lamps) were lit (during ancient times).

 

What was interesting to note is how the tank was so far away from the sea but was well maintained. Many people come to this spring-fed pool for a dip and to swim. Having provided a lot of inspiration to many artists and singers, some of the finest films have some scenes shot in this vicinity.  What was very interesting to note was that Coldplay's "Hymn to the Weekend" was also shot there!

 

 

            

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