Difference between revisions of "Banganga Tank" - New World Encyclopedia

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[[Image:Banganga-Tank.jpg|300px|thumb|The Banganga Tank during the 'Banganga Festival'.]]
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[[Image:Banganga-Tank.jpg|200px|thumb|The Banganga Tank during the 'Banganga Festival'.]]
 
'''Banganga''' or '''Banganga Tank''' is an ancient <ref>[http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article&sectid=2&contentid=2008010220080102050212875b34b07 Repairs at Banganga, January 02, 2008]</ref> water tank which is part of the [[Walkeshwar Temple|Walkeshwar Temple Complex]] in [[Malabar Hill]] area of [[Mumbai]] in [[India]].
 
'''Banganga''' or '''Banganga Tank''' is an ancient <ref>[http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article&sectid=2&contentid=2008010220080102050212875b34b07 Repairs at Banganga, January 02, 2008]</ref> water tank which is part of the [[Walkeshwar Temple|Walkeshwar Temple Complex]] in [[Malabar Hill]] area of [[Mumbai]] in [[India]].
  
==Banganga today==
+
== Walkeshwar Temple ==
The tank today is a rectangular pool structure surrounded by steps on all four sides. At the entrance are two pillars in which oil lamps called ''diyas'' were lit in ancient times.  
+
[[Image:Ancient Statues Walkeshwar.JPG|175px|thumb|right|''Ancient statues around BaanGanga, Walkeshwar''.]]
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 +
Walkeshwar Temple, also known as the ''Baan Ganga Temple'', is a [[temple]] dedicated to the [[Hindu]] god, [[Shiva]] located on [[Malabar Hill]] neighborhood, in [[South Mumbai]] precinct of the city of [[Mumbai]], [[India]].
 +
 
 +
=== Legend ===
 +
Legend has it that [[Hindu]] god, [[Rama|Ram]] paused at that spot on his way from [[Ayodhya]] to [[Lanka]] in pursuit of the demon king, [[Ravana]] who had kidnapped his wife, [[Sita]]. Then [[Lord Rama]] was advised to worship [[Lingam|Shiv lingham]] and he is said to have constructed the original lingam of sand, after getting tired of waiting for his brother, [[Lakshman]] to bring an idol. The name is etymologically derived from the [[Sanskrit]] word for an idol made of sand - ''[[Valuka Iswar]]'', an [[Avatar|avatar]] of [[Shiva]].
 +
 
 +
As the story progresses, later when Ram was thirsty, as there was no fresh water readily available (except sea water), he shot an arrow and brought Ganga over here. Hence Bana (arrow in Sanskrit) [[Ganga]]. The water that feeds the tank stems from an underground spring at that spot, despite the proximity to the sea.
 +
 
 +
=== History ===
 +
[[Image:Interiors of Shree Kashi Math Walkeshwar.JPG|200px|thumb|Left|''Kashi Math, Walkeshwar''.]]
 +
The temple and the attached fresh water [[Banganga Tank]] were built in 1127 C.E. by ''[[Lakshman Prabhu]]'', a [[Gaud Saraswat Brahmin]] minister in the court of [[Silhara dynasty]] Kings who ruled [[Thane]], and the islands of Mumbai during 810 to 1240 C.E. The temple was destroyed by the [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]] during their reign over Mumbai (Portuguese ''Bom Bahia'') in the 16th century. It was rebuilt due to the generosity of Mumbai businessman and philanthropist, [[Rama Kamath]], another  Gaud Saraswat Brahmin (known in British records as 'Kamati') in 1715. The main temple has been substantially reconstructed and many smaller temples have come up around the Banganga tank.
 +
 
 +
=== Worship ===
 +
The temple is generally busy every month only during the full moon, and at ''[[Amavasya]]'' ([[new moon]]). In the past it was a favorite of the [[Malabar]] pirates who used to frequent the islands during the 16th and 17th centuries.
 +
[[Image:Temple of shree Walkeshwar.JPG|thumb|200px|right|''Gowd saraswat Brahmin Jatiche Devalaya Shree valukeshwar'']]
  
The tank is spring fed and so its water remains sweet, despite being located only a few dozen meters away from the sea. It is cleaned and spruced up each year, for the annual 'Banganga Festival', of Music organised by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), which takes place here in every January <ref>[http://www.mumbai.org.uk/banganga-festival.html Banganga Festival]</ref>, and now has become an important event in the cultural calendar of the city <ref>[http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/asia/india/mumbai/attraction-detail.html?vid=1154654624795 Banganga at NY Times]</ref>.
+
It is currently the site of an annual [[Hindustani classical music]] festival, which in 2005 featured musicians like classical singers [[Rajan and Sajan Mishra]], and [[Santoor]] maestro [[Shivkumar Sharma]].
Apart from being a cultural hub, the place over the years has provided inspiration to many a artists, be it on film or on canvas <ref>[http://www.rayhassard.com/dataviewer.asp?keyvalue=5609&subkeyvalue=116504&page=WorksDetail Banganga in Pastel]</ref>. Earlier the site was used for many film shoots, which was banned in November 2007, to protect this heritage site, which is also one of Mumbai's oldest surviving structures <ref>[http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article&sectid=2&contentid=200711072007110702340696826c94cdb Shooting banned at Banganga, November 2007]</ref>.
 
  
==Banganga in History==
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A branch of the Shri [[Kashi Math]], a famous religious seat of [[Gaud Saraswat Brahmins]], is located on the western bank of the tank.
The Tank was built in the 1127 C.E., by Lakshman Prabhu, a minister in the court of [[Silhara dynasty]] kings in [[Thane]] <ref>[http://www.gsbkonkani.net/TEMPLES/BANGANGA%20SHRI%20WALKESHWAR.htm Banganga, Walkeshwar history]</ref>. The tank was rebuilt in 1715 C.E., out of a donation for the Walkeshwar temple by [[Rama Kamath]] <ref>[http://theory.tifr.res.in/bombay/architecture/building/walkeshwar.html Walkeshwar Temple History]</ref>. The main [[temple]], has been reconstructed since then and is at present a reinforced concrete structure of recent construction.
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{{commonscat|Mumbai}}
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<!--{{credits|Walkeshwar_Temple|218061270}}—>
  
==Banganga in Mythology==
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== Banganga Tank ==
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=== Mythology ===
 
[[Image:Bangangatank.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Banganga Tank]]
 
[[Image:Bangangatank.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Banganga Tank]]
 
According to local legend, it sprang forth when the [[Hindu]] god [[Rama|Ram]], the exiled hero of the epic [[Ramayana]], stopped at the spot five thousand years ago in search of his kidnapped wife [[Sita]].  
 
According to local legend, it sprang forth when the [[Hindu]] god [[Rama|Ram]], the exiled hero of the epic [[Ramayana]], stopped at the spot five thousand years ago in search of his kidnapped wife [[Sita]].  
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The area still has an old Hindu cemetery consisting of [[samadhi]] shrines of various [[Advaita]] gurus, such as Sri Ranjit Maharaj  (1913-2000) and his guru [[Siddharameshwar Maharaj|Sri Siddarameshwar Maharaj]] (1888-1936) <ref>[http://www.nisargadatta.in/WebCMS/CMSPage.aspx?PageID=2 Meet the Sage]</ref> <ref>[http://www.straight.com/article/gurtu-takes-a-musical-trip?# Journey to Banganga, Trilok Gurtu]</ref>.
 
The area still has an old Hindu cemetery consisting of [[samadhi]] shrines of various [[Advaita]] gurus, such as Sri Ranjit Maharaj  (1913-2000) and his guru [[Siddharameshwar Maharaj|Sri Siddarameshwar Maharaj]] (1888-1936) <ref>[http://www.nisargadatta.in/WebCMS/CMSPage.aspx?PageID=2 Meet the Sage]</ref> <ref>[http://www.straight.com/article/gurtu-takes-a-musical-trip?# Journey to Banganga, Trilok Gurtu]</ref>.
  
==References==
+
=== History ===
 +
The Tank was built in the 1127 C.E., by Lakshman Prabhu, a minister in the court of [[Silhara dynasty]] kings in [[Thane]] <ref>[http://www.gsbkonkani.net/TEMPLES/BANGANGA%20SHRI%20WALKESHWAR.htm Banganga, Walkeshwar history]</ref>. The tank was rebuilt in 1715 C.E., out of a donation for the Walkeshwar temple by [[Rama Kamath]] <ref>[http://theory.tifr.res.in/bombay/architecture/building/walkeshwar.html Walkeshwar Temple History]</ref>. The main [[temple]], has been reconstructed since then and is at present a reinforced concrete structure of recent construction.
 +
 
 +
=== Contemporary ===
 +
The tank today is a rectangular pool structure surrounded by steps on all four sides. At the entrance are two pillars in which oil lamps called ''diyas'' were lit in ancient times.
 +
 
 +
The tank is spring fed and so its water remains sweet, despite being located only a few dozen meters away from the sea. It is cleaned and spruced up each year, for the annual 'Banganga Festival', of Music organised by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), which takes place here in every January <ref>[http://www.mumbai.org.uk/banganga-festival.html Banganga Festival]</ref>, and now has become an important event in the cultural calendar of the city <ref>[http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/asia/india/mumbai/attraction-detail.html?vid=1154654624795 Banganga at NY Times]</ref>.
 +
Apart from being a cultural hub, the place over the years has provided inspiration to many a artists, be it on film or on canvas <ref>[http://www.rayhassard.com/dataviewer.asp?keyvalue=5609&subkeyvalue=116504&page=WorksDetail Banganga in Pastel]</ref>. Earlier the site was used for many film shoots, which was banned in November 2007, to protect this heritage site, which is also one of Mumbai's oldest surviving structures <ref>[http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article&sectid=2&contentid=200711072007110702340696826c94cdb Shooting banned at Banganga, November 2007]</ref>.
 +
 
 +
== Notes ==
 
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Reflist}}
 +
 +
== References ==
 +
* Mallya, K.G. ''The Merchant Of Bombay''. Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
 +
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
* [http://www.sacred-destinations.com/india/mumbai-banganga-tank.htm Banganga Tank History]
+
* [http://www.sacred-destinations.com/india/mumbai-banganga-tank.htm Banganga Tank History]. Retrieved June 13, 2008.
* [http://worldofstock.com/search_pages/banganga.php Images of Banganga]
+
* [http://worldofstock.com/search_pages/banganga.php Images of Banganga]. Retrieved June 13, 2008.
 +
* [http://www.gsbkerala.com/gsbmutt.htm Temples Of Saraswat Brahmins]. Retrieved June 13, 2008.
 +
 
 +
{{Tourist attractions in Mumbai}}
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 +
[[Category:Geography]]
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[[Category:Sites of religious pilgrimages]]
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[[Category:Religion]]
  
[[Category:]]
 
  
{{credits|181598706}}
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{{credits|Banganga_Tank|181598706|Walkeshwar_Temple|218061270|}}

Revision as of 21:54, 13 June 2008


The Banganga Tank during the 'Banganga Festival'.

Banganga or Banganga Tank is an ancient [1] water tank which is part of the Walkeshwar Temple Complex in Malabar Hill area of Mumbai in India.

Walkeshwar Temple

Ancient statues around BaanGanga, Walkeshwar.

Walkeshwar Temple, also known as the Baan Ganga Temple, is a temple dedicated to the Hindu god, Shiva located on Malabar Hill neighborhood, in South Mumbai precinct of the city of Mumbai, India.

Legend

Legend has it that Hindu god, Ram paused at that spot on his way from Ayodhya to Lanka in pursuit of the demon king, Ravana who had kidnapped his wife, Sita. Then Lord Rama was advised to worship Shiv lingham and he is said to have constructed the original lingam of sand, after getting tired of waiting for his brother, Lakshman to bring an idol. The name is etymologically derived from the Sanskrit word for an idol made of sand - Valuka Iswar, an avatar of Shiva.

As the story progresses, later when Ram was thirsty, as there was no fresh water readily available (except sea water), he shot an arrow and brought Ganga over here. Hence Bana (arrow in Sanskrit) Ganga. The water that feeds the tank stems from an underground spring at that spot, despite the proximity to the sea.

History

Kashi Math, Walkeshwar.

The temple and the attached fresh water Banganga Tank were built in 1127 C.E. by Lakshman Prabhu, a Gaud Saraswat Brahmin minister in the court of Silhara dynasty Kings who ruled Thane, and the islands of Mumbai during 810 to 1240 C.E. The temple was destroyed by the Portuguese during their reign over Mumbai (Portuguese Bom Bahia) in the 16th century. It was rebuilt due to the generosity of Mumbai businessman and philanthropist, Rama Kamath, another Gaud Saraswat Brahmin (known in British records as 'Kamati') in 1715. The main temple has been substantially reconstructed and many smaller temples have come up around the Banganga tank.

Worship

The temple is generally busy every month only during the full moon, and at Amavasya (new moon). In the past it was a favorite of the Malabar pirates who used to frequent the islands during the 16th and 17th centuries.

Gowd saraswat Brahmin Jatiche Devalaya Shree valukeshwar

It is currently the site of an annual Hindustani classical music festival, which in 2005 featured musicians like classical singers Rajan and Sajan Mishra, and Santoor maestro Shivkumar Sharma.

A branch of the Shri Kashi Math, a famous religious seat of Gaud Saraswat Brahmins, is located on the western bank of the tank.

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Banganga Tank

Mythology

Banganga Tank

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 Laxman 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 out on a 'Baan' (Arrow)[2].

The Banganga also houses the 'Shri Kashi Math' of the Goud Saraswat Brahmins at its banks and samadhis of their various past heads of the Math [3].

The area also has a Hindu cremation ground [4] which after 2003, received a makeover to house a Gas crematorium [5].

The area still has an old Hindu cemetery consisting of samadhi shrines of various Advaita gurus, such as Sri Ranjit Maharaj (1913-2000) and his guru Sri Siddarameshwar Maharaj (1888-1936) [6] [7].

History

The Tank was built in the 1127 C.E., by Lakshman Prabhu, a minister in the court of Silhara dynasty kings in Thane [8]. The tank was rebuilt in 1715 C.E., out of a donation for the Walkeshwar temple by Rama Kamath [9]. The main temple, has been reconstructed since then and is at present a reinforced concrete structure of recent construction.

Contemporary

The tank today is a rectangular pool structure surrounded by steps on all four sides. At the entrance are two pillars in which oil lamps called diyas were lit in ancient times.

The tank is spring fed and so its water remains sweet, despite being located only a few dozen meters away from the sea. It is cleaned and spruced up each year, for the annual 'Banganga Festival', of Music organised by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), which takes place here in every January [10], and now has become an important event in the cultural calendar of the city [11]. Apart from being a cultural hub, the place over the years has provided inspiration to many a artists, be it on film or on canvas [12]. Earlier the site was used for many film shoots, which was banned in November 2007, to protect this heritage site, which is also one of Mumbai's oldest surviving structures [13].

Notes

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Mallya, K.G. The Merchant Of Bombay. Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.

External links


Credits

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