Babulnath Temple

Last updated

Babulnath Mandir
1-P1010049 Babul nath temple.JPG
Religion
Affiliation Hinduism
Deity Shiva in the form of the Lord of the Babul tree
Festivals Mahashivaratri, Diwali
Location
Location Mumbai
Country India

Babulnath Mandir is an ancient Shiva mandir in Mumbai, India. Situated on a small hillock near Girgaum Chowpatty, it is one of oldest mandirs in the city, [1] Shiva in the form of the Lord of the Babul tree is the main deity in this temple. The faithful climb up to the mandir and obtain Darshan of the shivling and obtain blessings of the Lord. It is also possible to take an elevator up to the temple. The temples is visited by lakhs of devotees on annual Mahashivratri festival. [1]

Contents

Since Raja Bhimdev's Time

Front view of the Temple' 2-P1010051 Babul nath temple.JPG
Front view of the Temple'

Babulnath Temple Shiva Linga and Idols were originally consecrated in the 12th century by the then Hindu king Bhimdev of the region. Over a period of time the temple was buried and lost over a period of time. The idols were re-discovered (unearthed) during the period of 1700 to 1780. The first temple was built in the 1780 year.

'Babulnath, Maharashtriyan style' 3-P1010053.JPG
'Babulnath, Maharashtriyan style'

When rediscovered, 5 original idols were dug out. That of the main Shiva Linga, Ganesh, Hanuman, Parvati and one more. Out of this the first four are in the temple. The fifth one was immersed in the sea because it was broken when it was dug out in the 18th century. Very famous temple in the 21st century, known for the active blessings.

History

When the first temple was built, the land belonged to the Parsi community. There were 5 Dakhma's (Parsi final resting place) existing in the vicinity. There was a lot of resistance from the Parsi community at that time for the building of the temple. This resistance continued till late 1800 when the issue was settled by the courts in favour of the temple.

Old Temple

The Babulnath Mandir was patronised when built for the first time by Hindu merchant of that time. A bigger temple was built in 1890 by contributions from the Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad of Baroda state. The current temple structure can be dated back to 1890. The temple height was considerable when built in 1890 but a lightning strike in the 1960s and damage to the spire lowered the height of the present temple considerably. Till the 1980s Babulnath Temple was one of the Tallest structure & location in the city of Mumbai.

There is limited reference to Babulnath Temple in the historical texts, because in the initial days the temple was frequented by yogis who used to stay there for "Dhyan" (Quiet & Concentrated Meditation) and remain quietly in the vicinity/radius of the Shivling's vibrations. However the temple famed in the 20th century. Currently the temple is thronged by people on Mondays and during Mahashivratri & Shravan months.

Legend

About Babulnath Temple, Mumbai

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.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maheshwar</span> Town in Madhya Pradesh, India

Maheshwar is a town, near Khargone city in Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh state, in central India. It is located on State Highway-38 ,13.5 km east of National Highway 3 and 91 km from Indore, the commercial capital of the state. The Town lies on the north bank of the Narmada River. It was the kingdom of Chaktavartin Samrat Sahastraarjun, Kartavirya Arjuna a Heheya king. Lately, after many years, it was the capital of the Malwa during the Maratha Holkar reign till 6 January 1818, when the capital was shifted to Indore by Malhar Rao Holkar III.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maha Shivaratri</span> Hindu festival dedicated to the god Shiva

Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of the deity Shiva, between February and March. According to the Hindu calendar, the festival is observed on the fourteenth day of the dark (waning) half of the lunar month of Phalguna or Magha. The festival commemorates the wedding of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion that Shiva performs his divine dance, called the Tandava.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khatu Shyam Temple</span> Hindu temple in Rajasthan, India

Khatu Shyam Temple is a Hindu temple in Khatoo village, just 43 km from Sikar City in the Sikar district of the Indian State of Rajasthan. It is a pilgrimage site for worshipping the deity Krishna and Barbarika who is often venerated as a Kuladevata. Devotees believe the temple houses the head of Barbarika or Khatushyam, a legendary warrior who sacrifices his head upon the request of Krishna during the antebellum of the Kurukshetra War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mangueshi Temple</span> Temple in Priol, Ponda taluk, Goa

Shri Manguesh temple is located at Mangeshi Village in Priol, Ponda taluk, Goa. It is at a distance of 1 km from Mardol close to Nagueshi, 21 km from Panaji the capital of Goa, and 26 km from Margao.

Walkeshwar is an affluent area in South Mumbai, India, at the north-western end of the Marine Drive loop. It has a large Gujarati population. It is mostly known for Walkeshwar Temple, Banganga Tank and Jain temples.

Singheshwar is one of the administrative divisions of Madhepura district in the Indian state of Bihar. The block headquarters are located at a distance of 6 km from the district headquarters, namely, Madhepura. There's a temple of Lord Shiva. Devotees come from many places for puja. In month of Saavan Singheshwar is jam packed by people. People from Nepal also come for puja.

Risod is a city and a municipal council in Washim district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Risod is also a major market place for the people from Hingoli district as well as Risod tahsil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaduthuruthy</span> Town in Kerala, India

Kaduthuruthy is a town in Kottayam District in the state of Kerala, India.

Mandangad is the headquarters of Mandangad taluka the northmost taluka in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murdeshwar</span> Tourist destination in Karnataka

Murdeshwar is a town in Uttara Kannada district in the state of Karnataka, India, It is famous for the world's second tallest Shiva statue, the town lies on the coast of the Laccadive Sea and is also famous for the Murudeshwara Temple. The town has a railway station on the Mangalore–Mumbai Konkan railway route.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna</span> Hindu temple in Karnataka state, India

The Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna is a 4th-century CE Hindu temple located in Gokarna, Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka state, India which is built in the classical Dravidian architectural style. It is a site of religious pilgrimage. The temple faces the Gokarna beach on the Arabian Sea. The temple deifies the Pranalinga also called Atmalinga or Shiva Linga In legend, it is said that the deity of the temple will bestow immense blessings to devotees, even to those who only glimpse it. Currently the administrative charge of the temple is with an Overseeing Committee under the Chairmanship of Justice BN Srikrishna, a Retired Justice of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India. It is one of the 275 paadal petra sthalams expounded in the Tevaram, a sacred Tamil Shaivite text written during the 6th and 7th centuries by 63 saints called Nayanars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shri Alkheswar Mahadev Mandir</span>

Shri Alkheswar Mahadev Mandir is a sacred temple of Alkheshwar mahadev otherwise known among locals as Alakh Baba.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kopeshwar Temple</span> Hindu Shiva temple in Khidrapur, Shirale Taluka, Kolhapur District, India

Kopeshwar Temple is at Khidrapur, Kolhapur district, Maharashtra. It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. This temple is in Maharashtra It is also accessible from Sangli as well. It was built in the 12th century by Shilahara king Gandaraditya between 1109 and 1178 CE. It is to the east of Kolhapur, ancient & artistic on the bank of the Krishna river. Even though Silaharas were Jain kings, they built and renovated various Hindu temples, thus depicting their respect and love for all religions. Kopeshwar means angry Shiva.

Vadhav is a village in the tehsil/mandal of Pen in the Raigad district of Maharashtra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shri Dev Rameshwar Temple</span> Hindu temple in Maharashtra, India

Shri Dev Rameshwar Temple is located in village Rameshwar Wadi in Devgad taluka of Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra, India. This temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva. It is a historic temple built in 16th century. Its chief interest is the approach about 250 yards long, cut through rock fifty feet deep. The idol, a four-armed figure seated on a bull, is of solid silver said to weigh a hundred kilograms and is in good condition at present.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rameshwar Wadi</span> Town in Maharashtra, India

Rameshwar also known as Rameshwar Wadi is a small town located on the coast of Sindhudurg District of Maharashtra on the west coast of India. A very old Shri Dev Rameshwar Temple is located in this town which is dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shiv Mandir, Maharashtra</span> Hindu temple in Maharashtra, India

The Shiv Mandir, Maharashtra is a temple located in Vangaon village in the Palghar district of Maharashtra, India. A long history associated with divine religious destinations is captured in the architecture of the outer building. It is situated at 100 m from Railway station of Vangaon, 130 km away from Mumbai and 60 km away from Vapi. The divine Shiva Linga situated inside the main building is associated with many traditional stories and is considered to be swayambhu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mittheswarnath Shiv Temple</span> Hindu temple in India

Mitheshwarnath Shiva Temple is a Hindu Temple, dedicated to Hinduism God "Shiva". This temple is located at Chunabhatti Near Mitthu Mistri Chowk, Darbhanga District, Bihar, India. This temple built in the 20th century, as compared to Cornerstone of the Temple, and established by "Mitthu Mistri Thakur" in March 1949. The name of the temple is originally denoted by "Mitthu Mistri Thakur". After the Death of Mitthu Mistri Thakur on 21 October 1982, this temple is Maintained by the Mitthu Mistri Thakur son's. Now, this temple is maintained and care by the "Mitthu Mistri Thakur" Dynasty. Temples have on average a small number of visitors, usually local people per day, But during festivals like Maha Shivaratri, Shraavana, Naga Panchami, Kartik Purnima the number of visitors to the workplace and those who come to worship and pray to God Shiva are more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tungareshwar Temple</span> Hindu temple in Maharashtra, India

Tungareshwar Temple is located in Vasai, Palghar District, Maharashtra, India. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, about 3 to 4 kilometres from the "Tungareshwar Entrance Gate", opens at morning 05:00 AM to 06:00 PM. This is one of the Lord Shiva Temple and also have Ram Kund on backside area. Alongside the Tungareshwar Temple, a small temple of Goddess "Khodiyaar Mataji". Being said about God and Goddess, Tungareshwar attracts devotees who visit both these temples at special occasions and festival seasons like "Khodiyar Jayanti" which comes in around February and "Maha Shivratri" in Shravana Months as Hindu calendar, falling between July and August every year. Bhandara takes place every year at the "Mahashivratri Festival" and every Monday at the Shravan month.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dakshineswar Nath Mahadev Mandir</span> Lord Shiva temple in Mithila from Satya Yuga

Dakshineswar Nath Mahadev Mandir is a historical and an ancient Hindu temple in the Mithila region of the Indian state of Bihar, in Madhubani district at Uttra village in Madhwapur block. It is believed that the ancient Vedic King Daksha Prajapati in Satya Yuga came here to worship the god. This temple is also known as Daksheshwar Nath Mahadev Mandir. The upbhransh word of Daksheshwar is now a day is Dakshineswar. So present time this temple is known as Dakshineswar Nath Mahadev Mandir.

References

  1. 1 2 "Babulnath temple bans plastic bags on premises". The Times of India . 12 February 2010. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.

18°57′31″N72°48′31″E / 18.95869°N 72.80860°E / 18.95869; 72.80860