Babulnath Temple is a historic Shiva temple and one of the city’s oldest temples, located on a small hillock near Girgaum Chowpatty Mumbai, India. The main deity in this temple is Shiva in the form of the Lord of the Babul tree.  It is built on a hillock near the Malabar Hill area and has an interesting backstory and extensive history.

The temple was built less than 200 years ago, but its origins date back to the 12th century. Babulnath Temple holds a special place in the hearts of Shiva devotees, and the joy and excitement during the Mahashivaratri festival are worth witnessing. The temple’s grandeur and magnificence will make you forget where you are, creating the illusion of Mount Kailas, Lord Shiva’s eternal abode.

Legend of Babulnath Temple

According To Legend, Babulnath Temple dates back about 300 years. Previously, the area was pastoral land owned by a wealthy man named Pandurang. And a young man named Babul was in charge of his cows. A cow did not produce any milk one evening. As a result, Babul began keeping an eye on that cow in the fields. He discovered that it poured all of the milk at a specific time in the evening. Babul reported her strange behaviour to Pandurang after following her for a few days.

Pandurang followed the cow and then ordered digging at that location. As a result, a massive Shivalinga appeared. And it is the Babulnath Temple Shivalinga that we see today. During the excavation, the idols of Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman, and Goddess Parvati were also discovered. The temple still stands in the same location today.

History of Babulnath Temple

The history of the Babulnath Temple, on the other hand, dates back to the 12th century. At the time, a Hindu king named Bhimdev constructed a Shiva temple. Later, Muslim invaders destroyed it, and the idols were buried in the earth. Those were discovered by Pandurang and Babul during their excavation, and a temple was built in the 1780s.

The Parsi community opposed its construction because the land was close to one of their dakhma (or Tower of Silence). The case was taken to court, and in the 1800s, a decision was made in favour of Hindus. The current temple was built in 1890 by a Gujarati merchant. At the time, the Babulnath Temple Tower (gopuram) was Mumbai’s tallest structure. However, it was later damaged by lightning.

The Architecture of Babulnath Temple

The architecture of Babulnath Temple, with its beautifully carved pillars, is similar to that of Hindu temples. The temple’s walls are intricately carved from limestone, and the designs captivate many visitors. The pillars and ceilings are adorned with Hindu Historical stories and figurines. The marble flooring was also brought down from Rajasthan, adding to the temple’s aesthetics.

Several renovations and additions to the temple structure were made over time. Until 1890, the temple was known as Mumbai’s tallest structure, until a lightning strike destroyed its gopuram. The temple’s pillars and ceiling are made of Rajasthani limestone and marble and are adorned with scenes from Hindu mythology. Apart from the main shivling, the temple also houses idols of Parvati, Ganesh, and Hanuman, which were discovered alongside the shivling.

Babulnath is still a revered temple in Mumbai, and thousands of devotees visit every year to offer milk to the stone linga in honour of Maha Shivratri. A walk up to this serene and spiritual site is the ideal way to start a day of sightseeing for visitors.

Important Facts About Babulnath Temple

• Babulnath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located near 1000 feet above sea level in the heart of Mumbai, overlooking the Arabian Sea.
• The Babulnath temple is located at the end of Marine Drive, south of Malabar Hill, which was constructed in 1780.
• This Temple was built nearly 200 years ago and is one of the city’s largest temples.
• Shri Babul, a gawala, showed this Shivling to his Swami Shree Pandurang, and thus the temple is known as Babulnath.
• The original shivling of the temple was discovered under the shadow of an Acacia (Babul) tree, thus the name Babulnath.
• Babul or Baba means everyone’s guardian and father in Hindi. As a result, be known as Babulnath, the guardian of all Lord Shiva.
• Babul or Baba means everyone’s protector and father in Hindi. Hence, be a guardian of all Lord Shiva named as Babulnath.
• Many saints throughout India have sung Lord Shiva’s praises over the centuries. Pushpadanta, a great devotee of Lord Shiva, wrote the Shiva Mahimnah Stotram. Devotees still recite the same Stotram for Lord Shiva Pujan today.
• To get to the main temple shrine, where the Shivalinga is kept, you must climb 110 steps. The lift is also available. When you reach the top, you will be in a calm environment away from the chaos.
• Other shrines at Babulnath Mandir house the gods discovered while the temple was being built.

Best Time to Visit Babulnath Temple

This place is very heavenly and spiritual, and you can visit it all year. However, the best time to visit this temple is during the monsoon and winter seasons. During the monsoon season, this location receives moderate to heavy rainfall, making it appear heavenly with its greenery and bringing freshness elsewhere.

Famous Festivals In Babulnath Temple

• Shravana: For happiness and wealth, many fasts, offerings, and mantras are performed during the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, known as Shravana.
• Mahashivaratri is a fasting ritual in the last week of February – March Begining. It is reminiscent of Lord Shiva bringing Goddess Parvati with him. Priests and the temple committee arrange a Grand Celebration.

How to Reach Babulnath Temple

The Babulnath Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located in Mumbai, Maharastra.

By Air: The nearest airport with regular services is Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, about 22 km away from the Babulnath Temple.

By Rail: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Mumbai Central is the nearest railway station which is 4 Km away from the main Babulnath Temple.

By Road:  Mumbai is connected to major cities of India through national highways. The nearest bus stop is Mumbai Central Bus Depot, about 4 km away from the Babulnath Temple.

Also Read – Airavatesvara Temple – Dharasuram Temple