Banganga Festival is one of the most popular festivals in Mumbai that highlight the performances of leading Indian classical music maestros. This music festival is celebrated for two days in the month of January very year. Banganga Festival Mumbai is arranged by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation to encourage tourism in the state of Maharashtra. Held on the Malabar Hills in South Mumbai, the festival is attended by classical music lovers from all corners of India.
Historical Banganga
Banganga festival derived its name from the Banganga tank. This is a gorge that lies close to the Walkeshwar temple, which was built by the rulers of Silhara Dynasty. Bombay was under its rule between the 9th and 13th century. It was they who built this Banganga tank, which was later renovated in the year 1715.
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Legendary Banganga
According to a legend, the temple was constructed by Lord Rama. Rama asked his brother Lakshman to bring a Shivalinga from Benaras. In the meanwhile, a sand shivalinga had already been made and hence placed at the temple. The temple was named Walkeshwar from the translation of the word Valukeshwar, which meant sand idol in Sanskrit. It is also said that Lord Rama being thirsty, shot an arrow on the site from which the gorge Banganga emerged.
Celebrating Banganga Festival
During the Banganga Festival Mumbai, the Malabar hills are brightly illuminated and thewhole atmosphere is charged up. The whole area is decorated with flowers and lights. Tourists as well as art lovers flock to the Malabar hills to enjoy the performances of popular classical singers. Amongst the audiences, there are many renowned personalities as well.
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