Where Was This Photo Taken? (2)

Haji Ali is northernly even from Mahalaxmi I think, GameTo.

I seriously have no idea at this stage; I guess there'd be significant temples a-plenty out there.

I guess from a look at a map Walkeshwar Mandir would indeed be as good a guess as any; one I visited was Babulnath Mandir (major Shiva temple), I'm not even sure where that was, but I think somewhere between Mahalaxmi and Malabar Hill (a conveniently broad enough area anyway). If close to the sea, no idea really. (Edit: Oh, look, a web search would suggest it may well be, "located at the end of Marine Drive and south of Malabar Hill." Descriptions of Walkeshwar Mandir -- high up, and an important Shiva temple, in the same area -- have one wonder really: Could the two be identical, or related? Fill us in, Mumbaikars.)

I remain, curiously yours

I think it is a Dargah and not a temple.

But then HFot mentioned

So apparently it's no religious structure as such we're looking at either way, it's just close to one. Anyway, I see they're online now; maybe they'll drop another hint. I could just about picture a stairway like this being close to a quay, perhaps by means of welcoming or making a statement to incoming sailors and traders.

(I agree though, those white spires I'd more readily associate with Islam than with Hinduism. But then with Indo-Saracenic styles and whatnot -- oh, who knows really. Would all be very possible in Mumbai anyway, wouldn't it.)

You've got it, Sadanand. I figured sooner or later a Mumbaikar would turn up to answer the question.

The painted pillar is at one end of Banganga Tank, the two in the second photo above are at the other end. There are a number of similar pillars scattered in the area, at least one serving as a post to hold laundry lines and a satellite dish.

I haven't learned the meaning of these pillars. Are they an elaboration on the idea of lingas? Why do they look so much like Song Dynasty Chinese pagodas?

The entrance to Walkeshwar Mandir, one of the oldest buildings in Mumbai I'm told, is on a road down the west side of the tank, about midway between the two photos.

We don't mean to hog the thread; but as no one else is stepping in and we have ever so many photos, where was this one taken?

Reminds me of Nasik although I don't remember this kind of colorful spire.

Sorry, Wildhorse, not Nasik.

It is a pilgrimage site, and obviously it does have water, but no Kumbh Mela.

OK, another clue: the building and the statue are perhaps 250-300 meters apart.

Renuka Temple/Lake?

Well done, PeakXV.

It's a beautiful place, no?

Were you by chance there during the Renuka Fair in November?

It sure looks to be a very nice, peaceful setting. The temple size/structure indicated North India, the landscape/vegetation undeniably HP, the iconography within the photo clues were enough to take it home from there.

Good detective work. I'm impressed – I couldn't have done it.

Renukaji is indeed "a very nice, peaceful setting." It's also not much visited, probably because there's nothing else there but the lake and the temples and a sad zoo at the other end of the lake. The only hotel I know of is an HPTDC guest house, where we stayed.

I suppose Renukaji would be dead boring for most tourists, except as a moment's relaxation from the push-push-push of touring elsewhere in India. But in November there's a wonderful, clunky rustic fair, which coincides with a mela at the temple. Besides the fairgrounds there are constant processions of litters carrying statues of deities from one temple to another along the lakeshore, and there are endless competitions between local drum bands performing outside the gazebo with the image of Renuka. When we were there, there was also an arts festival featuring Indian classical music and tribal dancing. Good stuff!

Mahabalipuram

Could you enlighten us on Renuka Devi please?

As per the legend, she was the mother of Lord Parshurama, who killed her to honour the orders of his father Jamadagni rishi.

Or do you want to know about Renukaji, the place ?