Siddhi Vinayak Temple, Mumbai
Post No. 12,004
Date uploaded in London – – 15 May , 2023
Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com
Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.
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https://www.pustaka.co.in/home/author/london-swaminathan
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There are at least 20 temples in Mumbai . One of them is a Jain temple. Following are the twenty temples:
2. The ISCKON Temple
3. The Vaishnodevi Temple
4. The Babulnath Temple
5. Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Temple
6. Shree Venkateshwara Swami Temple
7. Mini Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple
8. Swaminarayan Temple
9. Shree Mahalakshmi Temple
10. Walkeshwar Temple
11. Shree Mumbadevi Temple
12. Prabhadevi Mandir
13. Shree Ghanteshwar Hanuman Temple
14. Icchapurti Ganesh Temple
15. Arya Samaj Mandir
16. Sri Sringeri Shankara Math
17. Suvarna Temple
18. Sahar Ayyappa Shiva Parvati Temple
19. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
20. Babu Amichand Panalal Adishwarji Jain Mandir
I have already covered The Babulnath Temple and Walkeshwar Temple in the previous parts posted here.
If you look at 100 year old books many of them temples would not even figure there. Some are built recently or some have become more famous recently. Let us look at some popular temples.
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Part 14
61. Mumbadevi Temple
The city of Mumbai derives its very name from one of its oldest temples, the Mumbadevi Temple. This temple is considered to be one of the greatest holy places to visit dedicated to the worship of Goddess Mumba, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. Mumba Devi is the patron goddess of the native communities of Mumbai like the agricultural and fishermen (Koli) community and the Somvanshi Kshatriya community. The temple was constructed in 1675. The goddesses’ idol is decked up with traditional jewellery and crown, placed atop a beautiful altar. The idol of Mumba Devi is made from black stone while her face is painted orange. Inside the temple complex, other deities are also placed. Lot of devotees visit the temple on Tuesdays, which is considered to be auspicious.
The temple is open from Tuesday to Sunday .
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62.Siddhivinayak Temple
One of the most popular temples is the Siddhivinayak Temple located in the Prabha Devi area of Mumbai. It is dedicated to the worship of Lord Ganesha . It was constructed in the year 1801. Lord Ganesha, is with his consorts named Siddi and Riddhi housed in a small mandap. The key highlight of the temple is the unique trunk of the Ganesha idol, which is on the right side, instead of the usual left side. Siddhivinayak Temple is considered to be the richest temple in India receiving an annual donation of over Rs 25 crores. The temple also has a unique architecture with images of deities carved intricately on the wooden doors, while the roof of the sanctum is constructed of gold plates. The temple remains open on all days. Visits by Bollywood actors and politicians made it more popular.
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63.Mahalakshmi Temple
Mahalaxmi Temple is one of the most famous temples of Mumbai situated on Bhulabhai Desai Road in Mahalaxmi area. It is dedicated to Mahalakshmi . The temple was built in 1831 by Dhakji Dadaji, a Hindu merchant. The temple contains images of the Tridevi goddesses Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati. All three images are adorned with nose rings, gold bangles and pearl necklaces. The image of Mahalakshmi is in the center shown holding lotus flowers.
The festival of Mahalaxmi is wonderful in Navaratri
The iconic structure, built nearly three centuries ago, witnesses at least 50,000 visitors in its lean season and over 5 lakh during the festive season of Navratri
Navratri: Navratri is celebrated two times at the Mahalakshmi temple of Mumbai. Chaitra Navratri is celebrated during the Hindu month of Chaitra, the months of March and April. Ashwin Navratri is celebrated during the Hindu month of Ashwin, the months of September and October. The temple is beautifully decorated with colourful lights, bright flowers, fresh garlands, from the Gabhara to the main gateway.
Constructed in 1771 AD, this shrine has several folklores surrounding it. It is believed that the three deities of Goddesses Mahalakshmi were immersed into the Arabian Sea, near Worli to prevent the destruction of the idols by the Muslim invaders.
Later, during the British rule, Lord Horneby planned to join the two hill creeks of Worli and Malabar and Shri Ramji Shivji Prabhu was appointed as the chief engineer for the task. Shri Ramji along with his colleagues tried several times but failed to connect the creeks due to the waves. One night Goddess Mahalakshmi appeared in his dreams and instructed him to bring out the immersed idols from the creeks of Worli and place them on the top of a hillock. Shri Ramji did the same and after that, he was able to construct the bridge. Later he built the temple on the hillock where the deities are still worshipped with great pomp.
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64. ISKCON Temple
The ISKCON Temple was constructed by Acharya Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the Hare Krishna Movement. The temple was built in the year 1978 and is one of the most beautiful places to seek solace and spirituality in the city. One of its main highlights is that it is home to several animals and birds like peacocks, monkeys, and cows providing them with a safe haven to thrive. The temple is carved from beautiful white marble while the interior of the temple is beautified with hand-drawn paintings depicting the Legends of Krishna and especially the divine love of Krishna and Radha.
Janmashtami is a day of huge celebrations in the temple.
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65. Balaji Temple
(Shree Venkateshwara Swami Temple)
The Balaji Temple is situated at Nerul on a hilltop, very close to the railway station, and bears great resemblance to the Balaji Temple at Tirupati. This temple is highly revered by the South Indian community of the region.
Inside the complex are many other temples dedicated to different deities like Ramanuja, Rukmini, Lakshmi, Rama, Lakshman, and Hanuman. Balaji Temple was inaugurated in 1990 by the Director of Nehru Planetarium S. Venkata Varadan. The temple also houses gardens and a 60-feet high gopuram, a vast and ornate entrance tower.
66. Swaminarayan Temple
Among the oldest and most religious sites in Mumbai is the Swaminarayan Temple. It is more than 100 years old dedicated to the worship of Lord Krishna. It is owned and managed by the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. The temple was initially built in the year 1863, but it underwent renovation in 1903. The temple houses beautiful idols of other deities such as Krishna, Ghanshyam, Radha, and Laxminarayan. The festival of Janmashtami and Ram Navami attracts a large number of devotees.
67. Mini Sabarimala
The Mini Sabarimala Temple is one of the most sacred places to visit in Mumbai. It is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa and is nestled on the top of a hill rock in Kanjurmang. This temple bears great resemblance to the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala.
However, unlike the temple in Kerala, the mini Sabarimala Temple of Mumbai can be visited at all times of the year. The temple hosts special poojas on Tuesdays and Fridays adding to the charm of the place. It is believed that there was a small temple and an idol of the Devi long before the construction of this temple, which was plundered and destroyed by the foreign invaders and the ruins of them can be still seen near the temple.
68. Mata Vaishnodevi Temple
Mata Vaishnodevi Temple of Mumbai is almost a perfect replica of the famous Vaishnodevi Temple in Jammu. Located in the middle of the city, making a visit to this temple ensures a unique experience. The original temple requires devotees to hike through a cave and cross streams of water to reach the inner sanctum. In this temple too, you will need to crawl through the caves to witness the idol of the Devi, which is also very similar to the one in Jammu.
( for other temples of Mumbai, please go to their websites)
To be continued………………………
Tags- Mumbai Temples, Mahalakshmi, Siddhi Vinayak, Mumbadevi
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