old part of Mumbai called "Banguna" ????

philip007

Hi folks,

Has anyone heard of an old part of Mumbai called - I am not too sure how it is pronounced or spelled - it sounds like "banguna" or "bangunga".

I heard it being refered to an a travel program on TV as a complete contrast to the city. It looked a really interesting part of Mumbai.

Can anyone place it ?

Many thanks for any help.

Philip

spacemanspliff

yes Banganga tank. It is in South Bombay amidst all the chaos ...the Banganga affords a tranquil moment. Open all year. special prayers duringf festivals etc. Do come and check it out. We in Bombay seem to take it for granted...which btw is also the train station closest to the tank...Grant Road

philip007

Hi spaceman ,

Many thanks for your quick reply. Yes I think you have identified the area. However I cant see it located on any of my maps - could you please give me a few more directions ? How to get there etc

Many thanks.

Philip

AnishK

Philip,

If you are taking the train, get off at Grant Road and take a taxi to Malabar Hill, tell the driver to take you to Teen Batti. You can also take a bus from VT station (108 is the most direct) - a one-way ticket is 10 rupees.

From Teen Batti, you can walk down to Banganga by following Walkeshwar Road past the bus stand and taking a right on the next street past the vegetable/fruit sellers on the roadside. I believe this is Banganga Road.

If you get lost, just ask for help from someone on the street or in a shop. the best time to come would be early in the morning or around sunset when it's not too hot. You could also look it up on Google Maps to get a better idea of the area. You should visit the Jain Mandir up the hill from Teen Batti if you have time.

aadil

Banganga Tank is one of the nicest spots of the city that most residents of the city have not visited. It is a stone stepped tank surrounded by temples dedicated to Shiva all around it and there are tall deepstambhas (towers for oil lit lamps) near it. The famous Walkeshwar temple is situated at one side of the tank. The area is very easily accessible from the bus stop and you can go there via two paths leading down to the tank and temples. Both have a stepped path going down so you just go down all the way till you reach the tank. Buses from different places come here but the easiest way if you are coming from the Fort area is by bus #108, other buses like #103 and #106 also come from there but they take a longer route. Like Anish said do visit the Jain temple up the hill going towards Hanging Gardens (on the right side of the road) with its grand elephants at the gate. There is a nice book by Sharada Dwivedi and Rahul Mehrotra called Banganga - A Sacred Tank which is worth reading if you are interested in the history of the place. Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Aadil.

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delhiwala

The Banganga Tank is seeped in history. It's water is believed to be coming from the holy Ganges..

Legend has it that the tank was created by an arrow shot by Lord Rama who rested here while searching for his abducted wife Sita. The tank's name derives from this story - Baan ("arrow") + Ganga (Ganges River).

Ever year 'Banganga Music Festival'is organised here in February.

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philip007

anish
aagil
delhiwala

Guys many thanks for your detailed information it is much appreciated. I have printed out the post and will take it with me as I intend to visit including the locations mentioned by the three of you.

Thanks again.

Philip

capt_mahajan

And hanging gardens is not far either. Or Chowpatty. Easier to drive/taxi up from there, especially if one is around Colaba.

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james1980

Lord Rama belonged to what is now UttarPardesh and his wife to Nepal Bihar border area. That means people from East North India visited here before people who are claming to be natives now.
I have seen with my own eyes "Sons of the soil" beating poor taxi drivers belonging to Bihar or UP. Ironacly Bombay was never part of MAHARASHTRA as such, historically and geographically it belongs to Gujarat area.

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delhiwala

James1980,

What does all this mean ???

james1980

I was on Bombay roads when all this started happening on adjoining taxi driven by Non native of Maharashrtra state.
My friend, who was driving the car, we were traveling in, told me the whole story about location of capital and how many lives were lost in early 60's on fight for capital. May be I was wrongly informed or what i have seen, is acceptable norm there.

Jorge Reverter

Great information for my next visit to Mumbai. Is Grant Road in Kamathipura???

Jorge

capt_mahajan

Yes, it is- or adjacent to it.

aadil

Kamathipura is not far from the Grant Road Railway station. Be careful when you are there.

Cheers,
Aadil.

james1980

why