The temple Ram made

Sep 15, 2012 - Age Correspondent

The Walkeshwar Temple and the nearby Banganga Tank may seem like symbols of Mumbai’s (often overlooked) heritage structures. But they are interesting not as architectural specimens alone. In today’s bustling times, it is difficult to remember the true context in which the tank especially became famous.

Legend has it that a thirsty Lord Ram, pursuing Ravan after his abduction of Sita, paused at this point. Finding no source of fresh water nearby, he shot an arrow to summon the River Ganga to the spot. As the water flowed, Lord Ram quenched his thirst and rejuvenated, took up the chase anew. The temple too is part of the same story: Ram was advised to worship Lord Shiva if he wanted his rescue of Sita to be successful. As he waited impatiently for his brother Lakshman to bring him an idol, he picked up some sand and moulded a shiva linga himself. It is this the power of these stories that still draws devotees to the beautiful temple and the tank even today.

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