Banganga Mumbai Temples surrounding water

Location:

Banganga, Mumbai is located at the end of Walkeshwar Road. It can be found in the lane beyond Ghanshyamdas Sitaram Poddar Chowk. This scarcely visited temple complex in the Malabar Hill area is thought off as the city's holiest sites. This is also the oldest surviving structure in Bombay. It consists of small, decrepit temples that a built around a holy pool of water. Encroaching houses of Mumbai's new residents surround these temples. Cows and people move freely here. Bathers come to test the sample the healing powers of water.

How to reach:

In a metropolitan city like Mumbai there is no dearth of transport facilities. Local trains, Buses,

Taxis and Auto rickshaws are easily available and they can be used to reach the selected destination.

Places of Interest:

Banganga, Mumbai is part of the Walkeshwar Temple Complex. It was built during the 12 th century by the Silhara dynasty. Rama Kamath gave a donation for rebuilding the tank in 1715. The main temple is at present a structure of reinforced concrete. The Banganga tank is fed by a spring and during each February it is cleaned and spruced up for the yearly Banganga Hindustani classical music festival. This is a major cultural event in the city. Although it is placed only a few dozen meters from the sea, still it has fresh water. The tank is a rectangular pool structure, encircled by steps on all four sides. Near the entrance are two pillars in which oil lamps called diyas were lit in ancient times. On the western side of the tank is a very old temple built by the Silhara kings. As per a legend, the Hindu god Rama was overcome with fatigue and thirst and asked his brother Laxman to bring water. Laxman shot an arrow into the ground and water appeared from a tributary of the Ganges.

Shopping:

Around the Banganga, Mumbai there are several spots, which provide and excellent ambience for shopping. Crawford market is popular for flowers, fruits, meat and fish. The Mereweather Road behind the Taj Mahal Hotel has a very good collection of colorful and innovative carpets. The range of products available here is extensive, exclusive and expensive. The Central Cottage Industries Emporium and Khadi Village Industries Emporium have fixed price tags and the products are very authentic and of highest quality.