Banganga Tank

Banganga Tank is an ancient temple tank located within the Walkeshwar Temple complex in Malabar Hill, Mumbai. Built originally in AD 1127 and rebuilt in 1715, it is considered one of the city's oldest continually inhabited sites. The rectangular spring-fed pool is surrounded by stone steps and numerous temples and samadhis. It holds significant mythological importance linked to the Ramayana and remains an active center for Hindu rituals and cultural gatherings.

Visitors can expect a serene, historic precinct featuring a large rectangular water tank surrounded by stone ghats and over 18 small temples. The area includes ancient samadhis of Advaitin gurus and mathas belonging to the Goud Saraswat Brahmin community. Pilgrims perform rituals on the steps, and the site hosts spiritual events like Dev Diwali. The surroundings are traditional residential wadas, offering a glimpse into old Mumbai's heritage amidst the modern city.

Originally constructed in AD 1127 by Lakshman Prabhu, a minister of the Silhara dynasty, the tank was rebuilt in 1715 through donations from Rama Kamath. It has served as a continuous site of worship and habitation for nearly a millennium, surviving urban development around it. The current Walkeshwar Temple is a modern reconstruction, but the tank retains its ancient layout and spring source.

The tank is central to local legend where Lord Rama created the sacred spring during his exile. It houses important Goud Saraswat Brahmin institutions including Shri Kashi Math and Shri Kavale Math. The site functions as a living pilgrimage center and cremation ground, embodying centuries of Hindu religious practice and community life in Mumbai.