Quick answer: Malabar Hill is a hilly residential neighbourhood in south Mumbai, overlooking Back Bay and Marine Drive, and one of the most expensive addresses in India. It is not a single attraction but a cluster of them: the ancient Banganga Tank and Walkeshwar Temple, the Hanging Gardens and Kamala Nehru Park, the Babulnath Temple, the Governor’s residence at Malabar Point, and since 2025 an elevated forest walkway. The neighbourhood is free to explore; individual sights have their own timings, and some, such as the walkway, need advance booking.
Malabar Hill at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Location | South Mumbai, between Girgaon Chowpatty and Malabar Point (postal code 400006) |
| Known for | Banganga Tank, Walkeshwar Temple, Hanging Gardens, Kamala Nehru Park, views over Back Bay |
| Entry | The neighbourhood is free to explore; individual sights set their own timings and fees |
| Best time | October to February; early morning or late afternoon |
| Time needed | Half a day to see the main sights |
| Nearest stations | Grant Road and Charni Road (Western line) |
History of Malabar Hill
Malabar Hill’s oldest history is religious. The Walkeshwar Temple on the hill was founded by the Silhara kings, who ruled the region between roughly the 9th and 13th centuries. According to published histories, the original temple was destroyed by the Portuguese and rebuilt in 1715 by Rama Kamath, a Bombay merchant and philanthropist. By 1860 there were 10 to 20 other temples in the area.
The hill became a fashionable address in the 19th century. Mountstuart Elphinstone, Governor of Bombay from 1819 to 1827, built the first bungalow there, at Malabar Point, and wealthy families followed. Today Malabar Hill is home to business leaders, film personalities and politicians. The official residence of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra (Varsha) and the state guest house Sahyadri are here, and the Governor’s residence occupies Malabar Point at the tip of the hill.
An earlier version of this article told a story about the area being handed to the East India Company by a “Keyi family” from Kerala’s Malabar region, and said the hill’s history appears in texts called the Walkeshwar Mahatmya and Sahyadri Khanda. We could not confirm these from a reliable source, so they have been removed.
Things to see on Malabar Hill
Banganga Tank
Banganga is a rectangular, spring-fed temple tank surrounded by stone steps on all four sides, at the heart of the Walkeshwar Temple complex. It was built in 1127 CE by Lakshman Prabhu, a minister at the court of the Silhara kings of Thane, and rebuilt in 1715 with funds from Rama Kamath. Although it is only a few dozen metres from the sea, its water stays fresh because it is fed by a spring.
Local belief says the tank marks the spot where Lakshmana shot an arrow (ban) into the ground to bring up water for Rama, which gives Banganga its name. The tank and much of the complex belong to the Goud Saraswat Brahmin Temple Trust, and Goud Saraswat Brahmin families still live around it. Each November, around Dev Diwali, crowds light lamps and gather for bhajans by the tank.
Walkeshwar Temple
The Walkeshwar Temple, dedicated to Shiva, stands beside Banganga and is visited by local devotees every day. The complex around it includes other shrines, maths (religious institutions) and dharamshalas, along with old samadhi shrines and a cremation ground near the sea.
Babulnath Temple
On the slope above Girgaon Chowpatty stands the Babulnath Temple, one of Mumbai’s oldest Shiva temples. Its origins are traced to the 12th century, and its later history is told in different versions. For darshan timings, aarti and the temple’s story, see our guide to the Babulnath Temple.
Hanging Gardens (Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens)
The terraced Hanging Gardens on top of the hill were laid out in 1881 over one of the city’s main reservoirs, which is why they are raised above the street. They are officially named the Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens, after the lawyer and civic leader, and are known for topiary hedges and views towards the sea. See our guide to the Hanging Gardens for visiting details.
An earlier version of this article said the gardens were “built in 1880 in memory of Pherozeshah Mehta” and named their designer. Mehta died in 1915, so the gardens could not have been built in his memory, and we could not confirm the designer’s name.
Kamala Nehru Park
Across the road from the Hanging Gardens is Kamala Nehru Park, a children’s park famous for its giant “Old Woman’s Shoe” (the Boot House), based on the nursery rhyme. From its viewpoints you can look down over Back Bay and the curve of Marine Drive, the view that gave Marine Drive its “Queen’s Necklace” nickname when its lights come on.
The elevated nature trail
Malabar Hill’s newest attraction is Mumbai’s first elevated forest walkway, a raised wooden boardwalk through the treetops of the hill’s woodland, with a sea-viewing deck. Built by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and officially named Nisarga Unnat Marg, it opened to the public on 30 March 2025, according to news reports, and starts near Kamala Nehru Park. Entry is by timed slot, booked online on the BMC’s nature trail portal (naturetrail.mcgm.gov.in), and a ticket is charged. Check the portal for current timings and prices.
Other sights
- Lok Bhavan (Raj Bhavan): the Governor’s residence at Malabar Point, with booked early-morning visits to its Sunrise Gallery and British-era bunker museum. See our guide to visiting Raj Bhavan (Lok Bhavan).
- A Jain temple on the hill, popular with devotees and visitors.
An earlier version of this article also described a small All Saints’ Church near the Hanging Gardens and the Malabar Hill post office. We could not confirm its details, so the section has been removed.
Suggested route
- Start early at Kamala Nehru Park for the view over Back Bay, and walk the elevated nature trail if you have booked a slot.
- Cross to the Hanging Gardens.
- Head down towards Walkeshwar to see Banganga Tank and the Walkeshwar Temple.
- Finish at the Babulnath Temple and walk down to Girgaon Chowpatty for the evening.
How to reach Malabar Hill
- By suburban rail: Grant Road and Charni Road stations, both on the Western line, are the nearest. From either, take a taxi up the hill. (An earlier version of this article placed Grant Road on the Central line; it is on the Western line.)
- By metro: Metro Line 3 (the Aqua Line) has stations at Grant Road and Girgaon, a short taxi ride from the hill.
- By road: taxis and app cabs are the easiest way to move between the sights, which are spread across the hill. BEST buses also serve Walkeshwar and Malabar Hill.
Tips for visiting
- Malabar Hill has several high-security government residences. Do not photograph security posts or gates, and follow police instructions.
- Dress modestly and remove footwear at Banganga’s temples.
- Book the elevated nature trail in advance; slots can fill up on weekends.
- Carry water; the climb between sights can be steep.
Nearby places
- Girgaon Chowpatty, the beach at the foot of the hill.
- Mani Bhavan, Gandhi’s Bombay home, in nearby Gamdevi.
- Marine Drive, the seafront promenade you see from Kamala Nehru Park.
Frequently asked questions
What is Malabar Hill famous for?
Its expensive homes and official residences, its views over Back Bay and Marine Drive, and sights such as Banganga Tank, the Walkeshwar Temple, the Hanging Gardens and Kamala Nehru Park.
How old is Banganga Tank?
It was built in 1127 CE by Lakshman Prabhu, a minister of the Silhara kings, and rebuilt in 1715 with funds from Rama Kamath.
Is there an entry fee for Malabar Hill?
No. Malabar Hill is a neighbourhood. Some sights, such as the elevated nature trail and visits to Lok Bhavan, need a paid booking.
Which station is nearest to Malabar Hill?
Grant Road and Charni Road on the Western line, followed by a short taxi ride up the hill.
What is the Malabar Hill nature trail?
An elevated forest walkway built by the BMC and opened in March 2025, with a sea-viewing deck. Slots are booked online on the BMC’s nature trail portal.
History and details were checked in October 2026 against published histories of Malabar Hill, Banganga and the Hanging Gardens, and news reports on the elevated nature trail. Timings and booking rules change, so check the official portals before you go.
