The Banganga Tank is part of the complex of temples at Walkeshwar, with the festival a key event in the city’s cultural calendar. The two-day event is usually held in the second week of January.

R N Hegde, director of the state Archeological Department and Museums, which is conducting the repairs, said they had intimated the MTDC about how long the repairs would take. “We have already informed them about the possible delay of the Banganga festival as we were carrying out restoration work. The restoration work is in its initial phase and we expect it to be completed by March this year,” Hegde told Newsline. “But we have cautioned them of a possible delay even after March.”

Started in 1992, the festival also sees a clean-up of the area with the stage erected in the middle of the tank. Seating is on the stone steps around the 13th century temple complex.