In 1715 AD, Parsi name Bhikaji Behramji Pandey had come to Mumbai on food from Bharuch Gujarat to seek his fortune. On his way to Mumbai a penniless Bhikaji was captured by the marathas who mistook him for a Muslim. At the time the Marathas were at war with the Sultan's of Gujarat. Mr Bhikaji was imprisoned in the Fortress called Padegad. He was later released when he convinced his captors on showing his sudreh and Kusti that he was a Parsi. In the course of time Bhikhaji became a successful merchant having a business at ‘Angrez Bazar’, now known as Horniman circle in South Bombay. As a token of his gratitude in 1725 he built a well named after him, in the Fort area of Bombay as it was called the Bhikha Behram Well which completes 300 years in 2025
The three centuries old well near Churchgate station is the landmark Heritage religious type and perhaps oldest sweet water well in the city. The Miracle of this well is that when it was dug it was surrounded by salty waters of Arabian Sea but the water at the well was sweet. Another Miracle of this well is that it was never dried and has remained full of water throughout the year, in summer and winter. Devotees believe that the water of well has spiritual power
While Zoroastrians offer prayer and ritual at this holy Well, the water of the well continuous to be consumed by people of all other faiths too.
The past and the present trustees still today maintain the Well from donations. At present the trust has a Corpus of rupees 50 lakhs for which the trust receives interest of rupees 2 lakhs per annum while annual expenses share of maintaining and upkeeping the Well is about rupees 3 lakhs
We therefore appeal to all our Well wishes and Public Charitable institutes to help us raise funds to enable us to sustain and improve the facilities at the well. Your donations will contribute the upliftment and maintenance of the well
Donation details are mentioned in the below.
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