Portals to Divinity

An elevator provides safe and easy transportation for those wishing to worship at the Babulnath temple.

There’s a beautiful saying: “Never lose faith. Just when you feel like giving up, God sends a miracle.” Miracles come in various forms. For the devotees of the Babulnath temple in Mumbai, it appeared in the form of technology — vertical transportation, to be precise. Indeed, it is a miracle of technology that an elevator block could be accommodated with an ancient temple complex like Babulnath.

Babulnath is one of Mumbai’s oldest temples, situated on a small hillock near Girgaum Chowpatty. It is estimated that the temple idols were consecrated in the 12th century. Lost and safely hidden in the depths of history, the idols were rediscovered during the period of 1700-1780, when the first temple was built. Shiva in the form of the Lord of the Babul tree is the main deity in this temple. The faithful climb up it to obtain the blessings of the Lord. It is also possible to take an elevator up to the temple.

To climb up the temple, one must ascend 108 steps, which is quite a climb, especially for the old and infirm, as well as families with children. The elevator comes as a boon for them. Built more than 25 years ago, the elevator block hosts two elevators, which have been very thoughtfully accommodated within the limited space available inside the complex. Each has a carrying capacity of eight people.

Every day, approximately 500 people visit this facility. A 75-year-old visitor said, “I can climb down the steps, but climbing up is difficult. Thanks to the availability of the lift, I have been able to visit the temple and maintain an uninterrupted devotion for the last 35 years.” 

I can climb down the steps, but climbing up is difficult. Thanks to the availability of the lift, I have been able to visit the temple and maintain an uninterrupted devotion for the last 35 years.

This is a sentiment echoed by many seniors who go there daily to offer worship at the temple. Rohit Desai, an octogenarian, says, “Thanks to the elevator, I can still come to the temple and offer my prayers every morning along with my caretaker.” For him, the elevators are truly a portal to divinity.

Bharat Marafatia, a retired senior bank officer who serves as a manager at the temple complex, said:

“During the holy month of Shravan, we have around 80,000 to 100,000 devotees visiting the temple every Monday. Thus, at that point, the elevator enables seniors, disabled people and families with kids to easily access the temple at the top and offer their devotion. [Many] VIP dignitaries also visit the temple on these days. So, even from a security point of view, the elevators enable us to take them to the top safely. On the day of Maha Shivratri, the temple is visited by around 350,000 devotees. So, you can imagine how beneficial the elevator is for all the devotees coming to worship on these auspicious days.”

The elevators are also manned by full-time attendants to aid with any kind of emergency that could occur with seniors and other physically challenged people who may have difficulties even operating the lift.

A nominal fee of INR1 (US$0.01) for a two-way elevator ride helps ensure smooth maintenance of the service. The salaries of the attendants, regular servicing of the lifts and electrical bills are taken care of through this fee. This has allowed the elevator service to be rendered a self-sustaining mechanism. Also, charging a fee is a deterrent to any untoward element looking for a free joyride.

Finally, the elevator installation has been a very noble service to the devotees by the patron, who provided the resources to build the elevator block. One can’t help but be reminded of an old Quaker proverb: “You lift me and I’ll lift thee, and we’ll ascend together.” Seriously, no pun intended.  🌐