Quick answer: Babulnath Temple is one of Mumbai’s oldest Shiva temples, standing on a hillock above Girgaon Chowpatty, near Malabar Hill in South Mumbai. Entry is free. As of October 2026, the temple’s official website lists darshan from 6 am to 10 pm on Mondays and 6 am to 9 pm from Tuesday to Sunday, with jal abhishek from 6 to 11:30 am. Mondays, the month of Shravan and Mahashivratri bring the biggest crowds.
Babulnath Temple at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Location | 16 Babulnath Road, near Girgaon Chowpatty, Mumbai |
| Deity | Shiva, worshipped as Babulnath |
| Darshan (Monday) | 6 am to 10 pm |
| Darshan (Tuesday to Sunday) | 6 am to 9 pm |
| Aarti | 5:30 to 6:30 am, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, 5:30 to 6:30 pm, 7:45 to 8:15 pm |
| Jal abhishek | 6 to 11:30 am |
| Entry fee | Free |
| Managed by | Shree Babulnath Mandir Charities |
| Time needed | About an hour |
Timings are from the temple’s official website (babulnathmandir.org) as of October 2026. Festival-day timings can differ; the temple’s office numbers are listed on its website.
History of Babulnath Temple
The 12th-century temple
According to the temple’s own history, a Shiva temple was first built on this site in the 12th century by a Hindu king, Bhimdev. The temple’s website links its origins to the Solanki dynasty, which ruled much of western India until the 13th century. That early temple was later destroyed, and its idols were buried in the ground.
The legend of Babul the cowherd
Centuries later, the hillside belonged to a wealthy landowner named Pandurang, whose cows were tended by a cowherd called Babul. One of the cows, Kapila, stopped giving milk at home. When she was followed, she was found pouring her milk at one particular spot on the hill. Digging there uncovered a swayambhu (self-manifested) Shiva linga, along with idols of Ganesh, Hanuman and Parvati. The temple is named after Babul, the cowherd who found them. The temple’s website also notes another explanation: that the name comes from the babul (acacia) trees that once grew on the hillside.
The court case and the new temple
The temple’s history describes a dispute between the temple’s priests and the Bombay Parsi Panchayat, which owned land next to the temple. With help from the Gaikwad ruler of Baroda, the priests took the matter to the Bombay High Court, which ruled in the temple’s favour; the judgment is inscribed inside the temple’s inner walls. To mark the victory, devotees from the Bhatia community, supported by Bania and other Gujarati trading communities, built a larger new temple.
Dates for the temple’s buildings vary between sources. The temple’s website mentions 1836 for the new temple project, while other accounts give 1780 for the first temple built after the idols were found and 1890 for a later, larger rebuilding. An earlier version of this article gave only the 1780s and 1890 dates and said a “Gujarati merchant” built the present temple; we have added the temple’s own account.
Architecture
The temple sits at the top of a hillock and is reached by a long flight of steps. Its carved pillars and inscriptions follow the style of traditional Hindu temple architecture, and the main shrine houses the Shiva linga with the idols found with it. The complex also contains smaller shrines, including Laxmi Narayan, Kashi Vishwanath, Virat Swaroop, Hanuman, Gayatri Mata and Datta temples, each with its own darshan timings listed on the temple’s website.
Darshan and aarti timings
As listed on the official website in October 2026:
- Darshan: Monday 6 am to 10 pm; Tuesday to Sunday 6 am to 9 pm.
- Morning aarti: 5:30 to 6:30 am and 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.
- Evening aarti: 5:30 to 6:30 pm and 7:45 to 8:15 pm.
- Jal abhishek: 6 to 11:30 am.
The temple says pooja can be booked at the temple office or by contacting the temple. An earlier version of this article gave different opening hours (5 am to 10:30 pm, and 4:30 am to 11:30 pm on Mondays) and a ₹1 lift charge. These could not be confirmed and have been replaced with the temple’s published timings.
Festivals
- Mahashivratri is the temple’s biggest festival, usually falling in February or March. Expect long queues.
- Shravan: Mondays in the Hindu month of Shravan (usually July to August) draw very large crowds.
- Mondays, the day traditionally associated with Shiva, are busier than other days through the year, and darshan runs an hour later.
Tips for visiting
- The climb is a long flight of steps. A lift is available for visitors who cannot manage the stairs; ask at the entrance about its timings and any charge.
- Dress modestly, and remove your footwear before entering the shrine.
- Offerings of flowers and milk are traditional; buy them from the shops at the foot of the hill if you wish.
- Go on a weekday other than Monday, early in the morning, for a quieter visit.
- Keep an eye on your belongings when it is crowded.
How to reach Babulnath Temple
- Suburban rail: Charni Road and Grant Road stations on the Western line are the nearest. From either, it is a short taxi ride.
- Metro: Mumbai Metro Line 3 (the Aqua Line) has stations at Girgaon and Grant Road in the area.
- Long-distance rail: Mumbai Central is the nearest long-distance terminus, a short taxi ride away.
- By road: Taxis and app cabs reach Babulnath Road from anywhere in the city.
Nearby places
- Girgaon Chowpatty, the beach at the foot of the hill
- The Hanging Gardens and Malabar Hill above the temple
- Mani Bhavan, Mahatma Gandhi’s Mumbai home, in nearby Gamdevi
- Marine Drive, running south from Chowpatty
Frequently asked questions
What are Babulnath Temple’s timings?
According to the temple’s website, darshan is from 6 am to 10 pm on Mondays and 6 am to 9 pm from Tuesday to Sunday. Morning aarti starts at 5:30 am.
Is there an entry fee for Babulnath Temple?
No. Entry and darshan are free.
Is there a lift at Babulnath Temple?
Yes, a lift is available for those who cannot climb the steps. Ask at the entrance for its timings and any charge.
Why is it called Babulnath?
According to the temple, it is named after Babul, the cowherd whose cow led to the discovery of the buried Shiva linga. Another explanation links the name to the babul trees that grew on the hill.
How old is Babulnath Temple?
The temple traces its origins to a 12th-century Shiva temple built by King Bhimdev. The present temple was built later, after the idols were rediscovered and a court case was settled in the temple’s favour.
Timings and history in this guide were checked in October 2026 against the Babulnath Mandir’s official website. Festival timings change, so check with the temple before visiting.
