Banganga Tank, Mumbai
The sacred Banganga Tank in Mumbai. Photo
Jeremy Higgs.
Banganga and Walkeshwar Temple. Photo
Chingkhei Nganba Sapam
A Hindu priest bathes in the Banganga Tank. Photo
Akshay Mahajan.
Climbing the ancient stairs around the pool. Photo
Bruno Furnari.
View from surrounding buildings. Photo
Chingkhei Nganba Sapam.
The pool during the Banganga Festival. Photo
Indu Harikumar.
Shrine at Banganga. Photo
Indu Harikumar.The sacred waters of the Banganga Tank in Mumbai are a vivid representation of the paradox of traditional life coexisting with unbridled modernization. The temple complex of Banganga is overlooked by many tourists, but is one of Mumbai's holiest sites and the oldest surviving structure in the city.
History
The Banganga Tank was built over a freshwater spring under the Silhara dynasty in the 14th century. The spring is believed to be an underground offshoot of the Ganges, so the waters are considered just as sacred and effective for healing as those of the great river itself.
Legend has it that the spring was created by an arrow shot by Rama (the hero of the epic Ramayana), who rested here while on a mission to rescue his beloved Sita from the demon king's abode in Lanka. The tank's name derives from this story - Baan ("arrow") + Ganga (Ganges River).
What to See
Near the edge of the Arabian Sea at the southern tip of Malabar Hill, several small crumbling stone-turreted temples and flower-garlanded shrines surround a rectangular pool of holy water amidst modern-day skyscrapers and encroaching urbanization. The pool has wide stone stairways on all four sides.
In the shadow of one of present-day Mumbai's most prosperous neighborhoods, Banganga continues to function as a timeless devotional hub, its tolling bells and mantra-chanting pujaris drawing devotees to worship the divine.
The Banganga Tank is adjacent to the Walkeshwar Temple.
Festivals & Events
Every February the tank is cleaned for the Banganga Festival, a major cultural event.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Banganga Tank |
| Type of site: | Sacred waters |
| Faith: | Hindu |
| Status: | Active |
| Dates: | 14th century |
| Location: | Walkeshwar Rd., Malabar Hill, Downtown Mumbai. |
| Hours: | Always open |
| Cost: | Free |
Getting There
At the end of Walkeshwar Rd., take the lane just beyond Ghanshyamdas Sitaram Poddar Chowk.
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Banganga Tank. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Mumbai Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Travel Planning Links
- Mumbai Hotel Reviews - TripAdvisor
- Mumbai Flight Search - TripAdvisor
- Mumbai Travel Forum - TripAdvisor
Sources
- Frommer's India, 1st ed.
- Fodor's India, 5th ed.
