Walkeshwar Temple

The Walkeshwar Temple is among the most ancient temples of Hindu God Shiva, which is located in Mumbai. It is situated on Malabar Hill next to the Banganga Tank. The temple and the attached Banganga Tank were built in 1127 AD by Lakshman Prabhu, a minister in the court of the Silhara dynasty Kings. The temple was destroyed by the Portuguese during their rule of Mumbai in the 16th century. The temple was rebuilt by a Mumbai businessman and philanthropist, Rama Kamath, in 1715. The present form of the temple in Mumbai evolved in the 1950's.

According to Hindu mythology, this temple was founded at the same place where Lord Rama of Hindu epic “Ramayana”, paused on his way from Ayodhya to Lanka in pursuit of the demon Ravana who had kidnapped his wife, Sita. He constructed a lingam made of sand, after getting tired of waiting for his brother, Lakshman to bring a lingam for worship. The name of the temple was an inspiration of this legendry incident. It is also believed that at this place Lord Ram got thirsty and as there was no fresh water readily available, he shot an arrow which resulted in the formation of a sweet jet of water. It is the major source of the Banganga tank. The temple is usually visited by a large number of people on a daily basis and there is an exceptionally high rush on the full moon day & no moon day of every month.