Banganga, Mumbai

18th Nov 2012, since Mumbai was declared bandh due to death of Bal Saheb Thackery, Amit, Chirag and me decided to explore the streets of Mumbai.  The real beauty of Mumbai was seen that day when all shops were shut, not a dog on the road, pollution free, empty roads almost unbelievable. We took exactly 14 mins to reach Kurla (W) from Andheri (W) :) :) :) 
One such place we have been willing to visit since a long time was Banganga !  The rectangle pool of holy water is located near the edge of the Arabian Sea at the southern tip of Malabar Hill, amidst modern-day skyscrapers and encroaching urbanization.  The pool is surrounded by wide stone stairways on all four sides.

The local kids were seen enjoying cricket match. It was great pleasure to just sit around relax and enjoy them play. They had their own rules. Direct hit inside the pool was out. Two kids were seen with a net attached to a wooden log who would pull out the ball from the pool. The kids were smart enough to use two balls ;) 

The tank is spring fed and so its water remains sweet, despite being located only a few dozen meters away from the sea. Apart from being a cultural hub, the place over the years has provided inspiration to many artists, be it on film or on canvas.

History says that "Banganga" Tank was built in the 1127 AD, by Lakshman Prabhu, a minister in the court of Silhara dynasty kings of Thane.  The tank was rebuilt in 1715 AD, out of a donation for the Walkeshwar Temple by Rama Kamath. The main temple, has been reconstructed since then and is at present a reinforced concrete structure of recent construction.

According to local legend, it sprang forth when the Hindu god Ram, the exiled hero of the epic Ramayana, stopped at the spot five thousand years ago in search of his kidnapped wife Sita. As the legend goes, overcome with fatigue and thirst, Rama asked his brother Lakshmana to bring him some water. Laxman instantly shot an arrow into the ground, and water gushed forth from the ground, creating a tributary of the Ganges, which flows over a thousand miles away, hence its name, Banganga, the Ganga created on a baan.