Wednesday 2 April 2014

B for Banganga

So, yesterday we went all the way up to the Acropolis but today we are not traveling very far, at least I am not. Today I am taking you to one of my favorite places here in Mumbai: the Banganga tank at Malabar Hill.

When I first went there in 2012, it was love at first sight. Walking down some steep stairs and taking in the whole scenery of the narrow streets around the tank, all the temples, the trees, the people, just feeling the peace and quiet... And then sitting down at the stairs, looking at the water, hearing people talk around me, and get this intense feeling....  of both sadness and happiness.

You see, Banganga tank is one of Mumbai's most holy sites. Since it is said that the water here comes from Ganges, it is considered sacred and with healing effect just like the Ganges water. People come here to remember their loved ones who has passed away. You can see groups of people sitting on the edge, dressed in white and often with shaved heads (White is the color for mourning in India) - letting small packets of memories float off on the water or swim themselves in the sacred water of the tank.
(Almost) car-free alleyways surrounding the tank... 

So, the legend says that the spring was created by an arrow shot by Rama (the hero of the epic Ramayana), and the minute the arrow hit the ground, water gushed from the ground, creating a tributary of the Ganges. Therefor the name is Banganga, the Ganga created on a baan (arrow).

To me, this place has a unique atmosphere. Sitting there, getting all dreamy and melancholic while philosophy-ing about life itself is what makes the Banganga tank a dream(y) destination for me. I hope that you enjoyed coming along with me as well? And stay tuned, because tomorrow we have a high up and down below destination when we travel to C....

Until then!

1-30 April I participate in the A to Z blogger challenge, and this post is written as a part of that challenge. Check out some amazing participating blogs hereMy theme for the challenge is Dream Destinations. I hope you had fun coming along? Please stay tuned for a new destination tomorrow. 

Go to a-to-zchallenge.com

56 comments:

  1. Wow Athens to Mumbai... loved the journey. Though I've lived in Mumbai I never went to Banganga.. seems such a peaceful place.

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    1. Happy you love coming along dear Tulika:-) Thanks for your kind words:-)

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  2. It does have an aura of peace amidst urban chaos.

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    1. Yes, I so agree...:-) Thanks for following:-)

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  3. So many places like this abound in India where Mother Ganga is believed to have appeared. Amazing indeed when you think about it! This was a wonderful post, Eli!

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    1. Yes, that is amazing..:-) So happy you liked it Beloo:-)

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  4. Wow Eli your words have a dreamy feel to it! Thanks for this post on Banganga...I never knew!

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    1. Thank you for your sweet words dear Aditi:-) Hugs your way

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  5. Thanks for sharing Banganga with us, somewhere I probably would never learn about with your post. Interesting cultural rituals.

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    1. Thank you so much Rhonda:-) All the best

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  6. Yayy!! My country!! indeed it is a lovely place. :) :)

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    1. Ha ha - it is:-) Happy you like it:-) Hugs

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  7. It's feels so good to read about different places through journey of your words and your pics ....

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    1. So happy you enjoy it:-) Thanks a lot:-)

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  8. Wow, is this really Mumbai. It looks so peaceful and serene, nothing like the busy and chaotic Mumbai :)

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    1. Yes, it is so peaceful:-) Thanks for following:-)

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  9. Wow loved Acropolis and now loved the transition to Babganga :)

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    1. Sooo happy you love it Nabanita:-) All the best

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  10. I was not aware of this place in Mumbai. Thanks for taking me to another place today :-). Look forward to more....

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    1. Thanks for your kind words Jayanta:-) yes, please stay tuned:-) All the best

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  11. Wow! This was interesting! Having stayed in Mumbai for 8 years I was not aware of Banganga and the history behind it! Thanks for sharing, Eli :)

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    1. Thank you so much Shilpa:-) Happy you found it interesting:-) Hugs

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  12. Real interesting to see places with you! What's more interesting is knowing more about such places.... the stories...the myths :-) Well written!

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    1. Thanks for your kind words Danny! So happy u like it:-) All the best

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  13. In Mumbai!! I am definitely visiting this place soon!

    Ishithaa
    #AtoZChallenge

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    1. Great! Please do Bhavya - hope you will like it as much as I do:-)

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  14. This is definitely a virtual tour... esp for a person who see Mumbai as a dream land :)

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    1. True:-) Thanks for following Sheethal:-)

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  15. Mumbai I love...have heard a lot about Banganga..need to visit on my next trip to Mumbai

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    1. That's great:-) Hope you will like it as much as I do:-) All the best

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  16. looks like a peaceful place

    Rajlaksmi
    #atozchallenge

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  17. Hi Eli: You keep on surprising me with your finds, I have been to Mumbai so many times but never been there... need to visit it now on my next visit....

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    1. He he ... Thank's Prasad:-) Yes, please visit, I am sure you will enjoy it:-) All the best:-)

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  18. It looks like a wonderful place to reflect and think. ♥

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    1. It is, Kathy:-) Thanks for following:-) All the best

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  19. Great find Eli. It does look very holy and peaceful!

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    1. Thanks Amelia, it is very peaceful:-) Hugs to you:-)

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  20. Never heard of it, Eli. The things we learn from visitors! :)
    It made a great story. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Ha ha ha:-) Thanks for your kind words Corinne:-) All the best

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  21. Moving to Pune soon and well gues what is put on my must visit place :D

    Richa

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    1. Oh great Richa:-) yes, please do visit - hope you will like it as much as I do:-)

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  22. I have yet to visit this place though I have lived in Mumbai for the first 3 decades of my life, lovely post.

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    1. So happy you like it Sulekkha:-) All the best:-)

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  23. Lovely post and loved Banganga dear team mate Eli :)

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    1. Thank you so much dear Sunila:-) Happy to be on team with u:-) Best

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  24. I had never heard of this place before...thanks for sharing

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  25. Super wow, Elli. I have heard so much about this place from the last time my husband visited it...maybe some day i will get to travel there as well ....lovely peep into the destination!

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    1. Thank you so much Kajal:-) Hope your husband liked it, and that you will get to visit:-) Big hugs your way :-)

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  26. Very interesting! I don't know very much about India regrettably, but now I feel like I know a little bit more. Great "B"!

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    1. Thank you so much Calli! Happy you enjoyed it:-) All the best

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  27. Touching words. Beautiful sentiments. Awesome B!

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    1. Thank you so much Corinne:-) Happy you liked it:-)

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  28. u know Eli to see the beauty of a place despite the narrow dirty aleys around its - now thts the sign of a person who loves life :)

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    1. Aaaa..:-) - thank you so much for your lovely words dear Mina:-)

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