Lord Siddhivinayak Mumbai no-watermark
TEMPLES TO VISIT DURING SUNDAYS IN MUMBAI CITY
Mumbai is a crowded city situated in the state of Maharashtra. People from all parts of India used to come to this place in order to make a decent earning, since lot of business houses are situated in this excellent City.
After the hectic schedule of six working days in a week, most of the business units would be closed on Sundays in Mumbai City, and due to that, most of the Hindus would prefer to visit some of the famous temples situated in Mumbai on Sundays. Some of those popular temples visited by the devotees during Sundays are as follows:-
SIDDHI VINAYAK TEMPLE, MUMBAI
Among the various popular temples in Mumbai, the Siddhivinayak Temple situated at Prabhadevi in Mumbai is considered as a most famous temple, which was constructed before 200 years. Mumbai people’s favourite god is Siddhi Vinayaka, and most of the Hindi film personalities used to regularly visit this Vinayaka, before the start of film shooting. The consecration ceremony of this temple was made during the year 1801. In this temple, Lord Vinayaka appears in four hands, and in one of the hands he carries his favourite Modaks. Along with him, his consorts Mata Riddhi & Siddhi can be seen. Mumbai is a busy place, and most of the people used to get up early in the morning to worship Siddhi Vinayaka, and then only they would start doing their daily work. Siddhivinayaka grants various boons to his devotees, and fulfils their wishes. Various kinds of pujas are performed by the temple authorities. The Siddhivinayak temple receives huge donations from the devotees, and it is one of the richest temples in India.
MUMBA DEVI TEMPLE
The second most famous temple in Mumbai is the Mumba Devi Mandir is an ancient temple situated in Mumbai, Maharashtra. In this temple, Mata Shakti Devi is worshipped as Mumba Devi, and this temple was built during 15th century AD. The idol of Ma Mumba is made out of a black stone and she looks very beautiful in appearance. She wears golden ornaments, and can be seen seated in a lion’s vehicle. Mumba is also called as Amba, and the temple is situated amidst business houses. Since the temple is very sacred, daily lot of devotees are visiting this holy temple. And those who visit the Siddhi Vinayak Temple of Mumbai are advised to visit this holy temple also.
It is one of the main tourist places of Mumbai. An idol of Mata Annapurna is also found, near the main shrine of the temple.
As per the wishes of Lord Shiva, Mata Parvati had incarnated as a fisher woman with the name Mumba, and stayed at the present day Mumbai, and learned fishing. After some time, Lord Shiva took the form of a fisherman, met Mata Mumba and married her at the present place of the temple, and then they went to Kailasa. As per the wishes of the fishermen, a shrine was constructed, and from then onwards, she was called as Mata Mumba Devi. She is worshipped by the Mumbai villagers as their Kula Devata, and most of the people in Mumbai used to worship her as their Ishta Devata.
SRI MAHALAKSHMI TEMPLE, MUMBAI
The Mahalaxmi Temple is one of the most famous temples of the city of Mumbai, India. It is dedicated to Mahalakshmi who is the beautiful consort of Lord Vishnu, and our prestigious divine mother. The temple was built during 18th century AD.
The Mahalaxmi temple contains images of the Tridevi goddesses Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati. All these three beautiful images are adorned with nose rings, gold bangles and pearl necklaces. The image of Mahalakshmi can be seen holding lotus flowers on her hands. We can also see the vendors nearby the temple, and they used to sell flower garlands and other puja materials used by devotees for worship and as offering.
During Navaratri celebrations, devotees even from distant places throng to the temple, in order to honour the wealth goddess, Ma Mahalakshmi Devi. During Fridays, Sundays and on festival occasions, they used to stand for hours in long queues holding coconuts, flowers and sweets which they offer to the goddess.
SRI SWAMINARAYAN MANDIR, MUMBAI
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, and renovated during the year 1903. The temple contains beautiful idols of other deities such as Krishna, Ghanshyam, Radha, and Laxminarayan. The interiors and exterior of the temple are beautifully carved with intricate designs. The festival of Janmashtami and Ram Navami attracts devotees and visitors in hoards from all over the country.
The temple remains open on all days of the week from morning 7:30 am to 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
BABULNATH TEMPLE
Babulnath Temple is one of the most magnificent Shiva temples in Mumbai. It is located on a hillock, which is very close to Girgaon Chowpatty. The temple’s name comes from the fact that Shiva is depicted here as the Lord of the Babul Tree. The temple is built in the likeliness of Kailash Parvat, which is believed to be the abode of Shiva. The temple’s glorious architecture leaves every visitor mesmerized by its beauty. The temple was consecrated in the 12th century. In the year 1780 four idols from the temple were rediscovered and reinstated. The four idols are of Lord Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha, and Hanuman.
The temple is most visited by people on Sundays and Mondays since these two days are considered to be the day of worship of Lord Shiva and Ma Shakti Devi. On the occasion of Maha Shivratri Festival day, Sri Babulnath Temple would be beautifully decorated and people used to pour milk and water on the Holy Shivalingam.
“OM NAMAH SHIVAYA”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR