In the very heart of Mumbai City, a steep flight of stairs leads one to the Babulnath Mandir, or बाबुलनाथ मंदिर atop a hill.
This temple was built in 1780. It is located at the end of Marine Drive and south of Malabar Hill, which was built in 1780. In 1900, a tall spire was added to this auspicious, original temple of Lord Shiva. A stone Lingam of Lord Shiva is worshipped at Babulnath.
Closest railway to reach temple is Marine Lines (Western Railway).
Legend has it that about two centuries ago, the southeast portion of the hilly terrain known as the Malabar Hill, where Lord Babulnath’s ancient temple is situated, belonged to one Pandurang, a rich goldsmith. His cattle were grazing around.
Being grazing land, there was nothing to be taken care of by Babul, the caretaker of Pandurang’s cattle stock.
Once it was noticed that a cow Kapila stopped giving milk. On enquiry, Babul reported that the very cow, before coming home reaches a point and suo-moto puts out all her milk. Babul could not explain the logic behind this, but had made Pandurang inquisitive.
The very next day, Panduranga saw the scene again and he was overwhelmed when the said cow, Kapila was repeating her usual act. On reaching there a huge Shivaling was found. It is the very place where the temple has been built.
