Walkeshwar Temple :
Walkeshwar Temple, also known as the Baan Ganga Temple, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva that is located in Walkeshwar, near Malabar Hill, in the South Mumbai precinct of Mumbai, India. Walkeshwar Mandir is located at the city’s highest point, and the Banganga Tank is close by.
Walkeshwar Temple History :
Lakshman Prabhu, a Gaud Saraswat Brahmin minister in the court of Silhara dynasty Kings who ruled Thane and the islands of Mumbai from 810 to 1240 AD, built the temple and the attached fresh water Banganga Tank in 1127 AD. The Portuguese destroyed the temple during their reign over Mumbai in the 16th century. It was rebuilt in 1715 thanks to the generosity of Mumbai businessman and philanthropist Rama Kamath, another Gaud Saraswat Brahmin (known as ‘Kamati’ in British records).The main temple has been extensively rebuilt, and many smaller temples have sprouted up around the Banganga Tank. By 1860, the temple was attracting larger crowds, and 10 to 20 other temples and 50 dharamshalas had sprouted up around it. Even today, the Gaud Saraswat Brahmin Temple Trust owns the temple and much of the property in the complex.
Legend – Walkeshwar Mandir :
Rama paused there on his way from Ayodhya to Lanka in pursuit of Ravana, the demon king who had kidnapped his wife, Sita. After getting tired of waiting for his brother, Lakshman, to bring an idol, Lord Rama was advised to worship Shiva lingam, and he is said to have built the original linga of sand. The name is etymologically derived from the Sanskrit word for a sand idol, Valuka Iswar, an Avatar of Shiva.As the story progresses, Rama became thirsty and, because there was no fresh water nearby (only sea water), he shot an arrow and brought Ganges over here. As a result, the Ganges is known as Bana (arrow in Sanskrit). Despite its proximity to the sea, the water that feeds the tank comes from an underground spring at that location.
Walkeshwar Temple Timings : 6:00 am – 8:00 pm
Walkeshwar Temple Address : 40, Banganga Cross Ln, Teen Batti, Malabar Hill, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400006.
Walkeshwar Temple Contact Number : +91-2223692727
nearest station from walkeshwar temple : Grant Road is the nearest railway station. From here, you can take a taxi or a bus that will take you there in about 15 minutes.
Walkeshwar Temple Images :
