Banganga is a small temple town, located at the corner of the bustling megacity that Mumbai has now become. The Banganga Tank is a sacred water tank surrounded by temples on all sides and once you enter this area, the fact that you are still in Mumbai surprises you. Because this place takes you to a different world altogether.

One of the major festivals celebrated here is Dev Deepavali, which you can see on the full moon day in the month of Kartik (usually in November). It is usually celebrated around 10 to 15 days after Diwali and if you have seen the Varanasi ghats beautifully decorated on this day, something similar happens here and it's super fascinating.

One day in a year, this body of water in Mumbai transforms into a sea of lights. This year, the Maha Aarti at Banganga is happening on Sunday, 26th November at 6:00 p.m., devotees and tourists are welcome to visit.

Like many pilgrim centres in India, the legend of the Banganga tank is linked with the epics, the Ramayana in this case. Of course, the version of the story changes depending on who you ask. According to the most popular version, brothers Ram and Lakshman were passing through the area in their bid to rescue Sita (who was kidnapped by the demon king Ravana of Lanka) when they felt thirsty. There was no source of sweet water owing to the nearness to the sea. Therefore, Lakshman (Ram according to some) shot an arrow into the ground. The Bhogavati Ganga, which is believed to flow underground, rose through the hole in the ground, and the brothers quenched their thirst.

A pole stuck in the water is said to mark the spot. According to historical records, the tank and the temple was built in the 12th century by a minister employed in the court of the Silhara rulers. However, the temple and its surroundings were likely destroyed by the Portuguese in the 16th century. In the 18th century, the destroyed complex was rebuilt by a Mumbai-based businessman and philanthropist. As the place began to attract pilgrims, other temples too came up in the area along with pilgrim rest houses (dharamshalas).