Hidden Mumbai Part 3

Tucked away on the tip of Mumbai’s exclusive Malabar
Hill, Banganga Tank is a sacred oasis where it feels like
time has stood still for centuries.
The origin of Banganga Tank is steeped in legend dating
all the way back to the Ramayana . Apparently, Lord Ram
stopped there to seek the blessing of a sage, while on his
way to Sri Lanka. Rama shot in the arrow in the ground
and brought the Ganga out of the nether world.
The area around Banganga Tank gradually developed as a
pilgrimage place, and numerous temples (over a hundred!)
and dharamshalas came up. Some of the earliest settlers
were Gaud Saraswat Brahmins. One of them, who was a
minister in the court of the ruling Hindu Silhara dynasty,
constructed the existing tank and adjacent Walkeshwar
temple in 1127. The 135 meter long and 10 meter deep
structure of the tank was built over a spring, which
continues to provide a flow of fresh water even today –
even though it is just a few metres away from the sea.
Tidbit:
Malabar Hill is believed to have got its name from the
Marathas who were known as the Malabar pirates in this
area.
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