Walkeshwar Temple Mumbai | Timings, History & Dress Code

Walkeshwar Temple Mumbai in South Mumbai, also known as Baan Ganga Temple, is one of the unique and ethnic religious places in Mumbai. The highest point of Malabar Hill on Banganga Road is the actual location of this extraordinary temple. The temple morning timings are 09:00 am to 01:00 pm, and evening timings are 05:00 pm to 08:00 pm.

The temple of Walkeshwar had dedicated to the great Lord Shiva. Aarati to Lord Shiva starts at 06:30 am onwards. A sweet water reservoir named Banganga Tank is attached to this temple. Many followers and devotees visit this temple and take a holy dip in this lake to purify themselves from illegal activities.

Walkeshwar Temple Mumbai History:

Walkeshwar Temple Mumbai

According to the legends, Lord Rama stayed at this place to worship Lord Shiva on his way to Lanka in pursuit of his wife, Sita, who had been kidnap by the demon King Ravana. Ram’s brother, Lakshman went to bring an idol of Lord Shiva; however, after waiting for a long time, Lord Ram decided to make a Linga from the sand. 

Therefore, the name Valuka Iswar derived from the word Sanskrit for an idol made of sand. According to the legends related to the origin of the Banganga, it had believed that Lord Ram shot an arrow and brought the Ganges over this place as he felt thirsty and fresh water was unavailable nearby. That’s how the Banganga name is derived (Bana means arrow in Sanskrit).

Walkeshwar Temple Mumbai Timings:

The temple morning timings are 09:00 am to 01:00 pm, and evening timings are 05:00 pm to 08:00 pm.

DaysMorning TimingsEvening Timings
Monday9 am to 1 pm5 pm to 8 pm
Tuesday9 am to 1 pm5 pm to 8 pm
Wednesday9 am to 1 pm5 pm to 8 pm
Thursday9 am to 1 pm5 pm to 8 pm
Friday9 am to 1 pm5 pm to 8 pm
Saturday9 am to 1 pm5 pm to 8 pm
Sunday9 am to 1 pm5 pm to 8 pm

Best time to visit Walkeshwar Temple Mumbai:

The perfect season to visit the temple is the winter season. The best months to visit are September to February.

Walkeshwar Temple Mumbai Entry Fee:

Entry is free to visit the temple, and the time required to visit the Walkeshwar Temple is 1 – 2 Hours.

Baan Ganga Festival at Walkeshwar Temple Mumbai:

A Hindustani classical music festival has celebrated in the temple venue. The festival is popularly known as the Baan Ganga festival. Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation arranges the festival every year in January. 

Many renowned artists from classical music backgrounds perform here. The concerts catch the attention of the neighbourhood and tourists visiting the shrine. At the time of the festival, the entire hummock and the nearby areas get a makeover with flowers, lights, and decorations. The venue turns magical with all the lights and music.

Dress Code at Walkeshwar Temple Mumbai:

  • For men, the dress code is trousers & shirt, Dhoti or Pyjamas with the upper cloth.
  • For the women, the dress code is saree or half saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper textile.
  • Shorts, mini skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are prohibited.

Things to keep in mind:

  • Do bathe and wear clean traditional clothes before you enter the temple.
  • Do respect ancient customs and co-pilgrims while at the temple
  • Smoking and drinking had prohibited in this temple
  • Chewing betel leaves, tobacco, and gutka and spitting inside the temple is strictly prohibited.

Tourist places nearby Walkeshwar Temple Mumbai:

Priyadarshini Park:

Priyadarshini Park Mumbai and Sports Complex is a clean, well-maintained, sea-facing attraction in South Mumbai. It had sophisticated localities, and this Napeansea Road park overlooks many costly apartments on the street. Every nook and corner of these 20 acres of land has become a powerhouse to keep the heart of Mumbai pumping.

Versova Beach:

Versova Beach is another famous beach located in Mumbai. This fascinating coast, which is a continuation of Juhu Beach and separated by a creek, is situated in the suburbs of Andheri. The Versova village is home to a large community of fishing folk known as ‘Kolis’. 

Babulnath Temple:

Babulnath Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located on Babulnath Road in Mumbai. The Babunath temple was constructed in the 12th century by King Bhimdev of the Shilahara dynasty. It is one of Mumbai’s oldest temples and one of the city’s most important Shiva temples.

Harihareshwar Beach:

It is one of the less crowded beaches in Maharashtra. The Harihareshwar beach has situated in the Raigad district, around 200 kilometres from Mumbai. It had surrounded by four hills named Harshinachal, Bramhadri, Harihareshwar and Pushpadri, often called the “house of God” or Dev-Ghar.

Banganga Tank:

In the heart of Mumbai’s most exclusive district, Banganga Tank (Banganga Talav) is one of the oldest and holiest sites in the city. First built in 1127 AD during the Silhara dynasty, this natural freshwater spring has surrounded by the stone-turreted temples and colourful shrines of the Walkeshwar Temple Complex.

Aksa Beach:

Aksa Beach is one of the clean and most beautiful beaches in Mumbai city. The Beach is located in Malad’s Aksa village. It is 38 km from CST as well as Thane. Aksa Beach is easily accessible from Mumbai. It is close to Marve Beach & Malad railway station and is only 20 minutes away. To reach, we can take BEST Buses or hire any auto. 

Mahalakshmi Temple:

Shree Mahalakshmi Temple in Mumbai is one of the oldest temples in the city. It has dedicated to Goddess Mahalakshmi – the Goddess of Wealth. It is a famous seaside temple beside the shores of the Arabian Sea. The Mahalakshmi temple also has the idols of Goddess Mahakali and Mahasaraswati.

Hotels nearby Walkeshwar Temple Mumbai:

  • The Shalimar Hotel
  • Hotel Marine Plaza
  • Hotel Kumkum
  • Trident Hotel
  • Krishna palace Hotel
  • The Oberoi Mumbai
  • Royal Castle Mumbai
  • Sea Green South Hotel
  • Chateau Windsor Hotel

Walkeshwar Temple Address & Contact Number:

  • Walkeshwar Temple, 40, Banganga Cross Ln, Teen Batti, Malabar Hill, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400006
  • Contact Number: 022 2369 2727

How to reach Walkeshwar Temple Mumbai:

By Road:

The nearest bus stand is the Walkeshwar bus stand.

By Rail:

Teen Batti railway station is the nearest railway station.

By Air:

The closest airport is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

FAQs:

Who built Walkeshwar Temple?

Initially built by the kings of the Silhara dynasty, who ruled Bombay from the 9th-13th centuries, the temple was destroyed by the Portuguese and subsequently rebuilt in 1715.

What is Walkeshwar famous for?

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

What is the history of Walkeshwar Temple?

The Walkeshwar Temple has situated on the highest point in Bombay, Malabar Hill. An ancient Hindu holy site of Bombay, the temple was dedicated to the Sand-Lord, to commemorate the occasion when Rama, the hero of the Hindu epic ‘Ramayana’, built a Shivalinga of sand and prayed to Shiva.

How far is it from Mumbai to Walkeshwar Temple?

The distance between Mumbai and Walkeshwar Temple is 8 km. The road distance is 9 km.

Which station is near Walkeshwar Temple?

The closest stations to Walkeshwar Temple are: Teen Batti is 126 meters away, a 2 min walk.

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