People power saves historic Banganga tank from poor restoration work

Local protest sloppy restoration

Published on 3 February 2011

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They have to restore the stones using principles of conservation architecture and not replace them

As a result of strong disapproval shown from local people concerning the shoddy restoration work of the historic Banganga tank at Walkeshwar, South Mumbai precinct, India, the State Archaeology and Museums Department has now been reprimanded by politicians. The department has been instructed to take much more care over the restoration works at the holy place during the second phase and has been issued with guidelines on how to proceed.

Banganga tank now stting amongst urban development in the South Mumbai precinct, is still a popular pilgrimage point for Hindus. Photo Induviduality, Flickr.jpg
Banganga tank now stting amongst urban development in the South Mumbai precinct, is still a popular pilgrimage point for Hindus.

A year after completion of the first phase of restoration of the iconic tank that rests amidst Walkeshwar’s old residences and new multi-storeys, work on the second phase of restoring the 300-year-old tank will start in February 2011. Under the first phase, original stones on the northern and eastern ends were removed instead of being restored, and replaced by concrete slabs. The work was carried out by a local contractor and was heavily opposed by locals who felt the original glory of the place was being lost in the ‘modernisation’. The popular pilgrimage point has 26 temples in its vicinity.

They have to restore the stones using principles of conservation architecture and not replace them. The department has now been told not to remove any more old stones. “The old stones are the essence of the place and some of them even have beautiful carvings. How can these be removed without the slightest consideration for history? We will not allow this to happen in the second phase. They have to restore the stones using principles of conservation architecture and not replace them,” said Minister of State for Housing Sachin Ahir.
Archaeology department director Sanjay Patil said they have appointed conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah and renowned archaeologist Dr Arvind Jamkhedkar to assist them so that they do not repeat the mistakes of the first phase.

Banganga tank Flickr.jpg
Banganga tank. Photo: Lecercle, Flickr

The rectangular pool, surrounded by steps on all four sides, has sweet water despite its proximity to the sea and is considered a holy place by many. The place was first developed in 1127 and later rebuilt along with the rectangular tank in 1715 with donations from the Walkeshwar Temple on the northern edge of the tank. The temple complex and the tank are owned by the Goud Saraswat Brahmin Trust.

According to local legend, Banganga was created when the Hindu god Ram, the exiled hero of the epic Ramayana, stopped at the spot while in search of his kidnapped wife Sita. Overcome with thirst, he shot an arrow into the ground, and water gushed forth, creating a tributary of the River Ganges – which flows over a thousand miles away – hence its name, Banganga, the Ganga created on a baan (arrow).

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