General Information About Malabar Hill Mumbai:
- Location: South Mumbai
- Attractions: Walkeshwar Temple, Banganga, Parsi Tower of Silence, Hanging Gardens, etc
- Specialty: An elite and posh residential area of Mumbai
- Best Time to Visit: October to March
More Information About Malabar Hill Mumbai:
An up-market residential area with some spectacular views of the city surroundings, Malabar Hill is a must-see place when you travel to Mumbai. On the road climbing up, is a Jain temple dedicated to Adinath, the first Jain tirthankara. At one end, on the top are the Hanging Gardens (Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens) and the Kamala Nehru Park. Both provide relaxing atmospheres of greenery. Beside the Hanging Gardens are the Parsi Towers of Silence. But these are off-limits to all except those who have come to dispose and pay respect to the dead. Malabar Hill is a small hill in South Mumbai that is quarters to the famous Hanging Gardens, Walkeshwar Temple and Kamala Nehru Gardens of the Dream City of India. In fact, it is the highest point in the city center, with a height of 50 meters, presenting an eye-catching view of the county that sprawls at the foothills. The region nearby is known as Malabar Hill and it is counted amongst the elite residential areas of Bombay. Malabar Hill is Mumbai’s most upwardly mobile and posh residential area. A small hillock in Southern Mumbai, Malabar Hill is the highest point in downtown Mumbai with an elevation of 50mts, offering a stunning view of the city that spreads out at its foothill. Malabar Hill houses a Jain Temple dedicated to Adinath, the first Thirthankara. All built in marble, the temple walls are adorned with colorful paintings depicting incidents culled out from the lives of 24 Thirthankaras of the Jain religion. Malabar Hill is the name given to a small hillock, situated in the southern area of Mumbai. There is a very interesting history behind the naming of the hill as ‘Malabar’. During the time Bombay city was being developed, it became a target for the pirates of the sea, which included those from the Malabar Coast of Kerala. To ensure protection from the attack of the pirates, a lookout tower was established on a nearby hill, so as to keep an eye on the sea as well as the pirates. This hill later came to be known as the ‘Malabar Hill’.
Not only many business tycoons and film celebrities, this area also addresses the official residences of the Governor and the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Real Estate value here is amongst the priciest in the world. Possibly, unobstructed sight of Back Bay along with Chowpatti beach in the forefront and Nariman Point skyline in the backdrop make the grounds for the soaring prices in this area. Jain Temple and Parsi Tower of Silence are two other religious structures in the region. Towards the other end is the Banganga Temple complex at Walkeshwar, considered to be one of Mumbai’s holiest sites. Local legend has it that the Hindu god Rama rested here on his way to rescue Sita (his wife) from Lanka. The Banganga Tank is supposedly the spot where Rama shot his bow or bana. Further away is the British built Raj Bhavan, the residence of the governor of Maharashtra. The Banganga Festival of Music is a yearly highlight, and is in the month of January usually. There is also Walkeshwar temple, which dates back to the Silhara dynasty. Adjacent to the temple is the famous Banganga Tank, which is the oldest standing structure in Mumbai. The holy Banganga tank holds a two-day colorful and musical festival in the early January each year. Organized by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), the festival sees a convergence of renowned artists performing during the live musical concerts. Malabar Hill is one of the posh as well as the most elite areas in the Bombay city. Here, one can find the residences of some of the famous business tycoons and film personalities of India. Amongst them are houses of the Governor (Raj Bhavan) and the Chief Minister of Maharashtra (Varsha). You can also find the homes of film personalities like Juhi Chawla, Akshaye Khanna and Rahul Khanna on the hill. Malabar Hill is counted amongst the most expensive residential areas of the country.
Malabar hill has three best parks that Mumbai boasts of – Hanging Gardens, Kamala Nehru Park and Priyadarshini Park. The hill has a Parsi Tower of Silence where Parsis dispose off their dead. A splendid view of the Back Bay with the placid Girgaum Chowpatty beach in the foreground and the glittering expanse of Nariman Point skyline in the background entice tourists to visit the place over and over again.In the early days of city’s growth, Mumbai was inundated by pirates from the Malabar Coast (Kerala), apart from others. With the intention of defending the city, a sentinel was built on the hill that offered the best view of the sea approaches at that time. And consequently, the hill came to be known as Malabar Hill. Amidst such great tourist attractions and hard sell popularity, Malabar Hill is certainly a place to be visited in Mumbai. One of the reasons for this is its picturesque location, with Chowpatti beach in the foreground and Nariman Point in the background. Forming a part of the attractions of the hillock is Walkeshwar Temple, built by the Silhara kings and dedicated to Lord Shiva. Banganga Tank, a part of the temple complex, is also quite popular amongst tourists as well as the local people. Then, there is a Jain Temple, dedicated to Lord Adinathji – the first Jain Tirthankara. Other attractions of Malabar Hill are Parsi Tower of Silence, Hanging Gardens, Kamala Nehru Park and Priyadarshini Park.
How to Reach Malabar Hill Mumbai:
One can easily reach Malabar Hill by boarding buses or trains, or by hiring autos or taxis from the city.
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Google Map For Malabar Hill Mumbai:
