Malabar Hill

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For other uses of Malabar, see Malabar (disambiguation).

Malabar Hill is a small hillock in southern Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India, and is the location of the Walkeshwar Temple, founded by the Silhara kings. The temple was destroyed by the Portuguese, but rebuilt again in 1715 by Rama Kamath. At a height of 50 metres (80 feet), this is the highest point in downtown Mumbai.

The Banganga Tank, attached to the temple, is the oldest standing structure in Mumbai. Hindu mythology has it that Lord Rama, on his way to Sri Lanka to rescue his kidnapped wife, Sita, felt thirsty and stopped at the location of the Banganga Tank and shot an arrow into the ground. A water fountain erupted and Rama quenched his thirst. It is believed that the very same hole in the ground still fills the Banganga tank till today. A Jain temple dedicated to Adinath, the first Jain Tirthankara, and the Parsi Tower of Silence are two other religious structures in this district. Malabar Hill has three of the best parks in Bombay namely Hanging Gardens, Kamala Nehru Park, and Priyadarshini Park. Some of the poshest people come to walk in these parks in the evening especially in Priyadarshini Park which is adjacent to the Arabian Sea.

The Malabar Hill district is arguably the most exclusive residentail area in Mumbai, and is home to several business tycoons, corporate high rollers and film personalities. Raj Bhavan (Governor's House) and the bungalow "Varsha", the official residences of the Governor and Chief Minister are located here. Apartments here are amongst the most expensive in the world.

The Hanging Gardens of Mumbai and Kamala Nehru Park are located in this area. A unhindered view of Back Bay, with the Girgaum Chowpatti beach in the foreground, and the Nariman Point skyline in the background are one of the reasons for the sky-rocketing real-estate prices in this district (Rs. 60,000+, or US$ 1200+ per square foot).

[edit] Origin of the Name

In the initial days of Bombay's development, the city was plagued by Muslim pirates from the Malabar Coast (Kerala), called Moplahs, among others. In order to protect the city, a look out was built on the hill which, at the time, provided the best view of the sea approaches to the city, and thus to spy the arrival of the Malabar pirates. Thus, the hill came to be called Malabar Hill.

See also: Girgaum Chowpatti