- Special Features
Foundation Year1675Sthala TreeTheerthamRathamArchitectureOther SpecialityThe present name of the city is derived from the Goddess Mumbadevi. The temple itself is not impressive but is an important landmark as it is dedicated to MumbaDevi, the city's patron deity.
- Sthala Puran
The temple is dedicated to goddess Parvati (also known as Gauri) in her fisherwoman form. To take the form of mahakali, goddess parvati had to gain perseverance and concentration. At that time lord Shiva (husband of goddess Parvati) insisted goddess parvati to reincarnate in the form of a fisher woman by which she can gain the ability of perseverance and concentration as a fisherman gains both these qualities while learning fishing. Goddess parvati then incarnated as a fisher woman and took hermitage at the place of fishermen (current location—Mumbai). Goddess parvati at her early age was known as Matsyaa and later she was came to be known as Mumba in her Fisher woman form. Mumba dedicated herself in learning perseverance and concentration under the guidance of fishermen as they were keen in their profession of catching fishes by concentration and perseverance. When Mumba mastered the techniques of perseverance and concentration, the time came for her to return to her abode from where she had come. Lord shiva came in the form of fisherman and married Mumba realising, who she truly was. Later the fishermen requested her to stay there forever and so she became the village goddess(grama devata). As she was signified as "Aai" (meaning mother in Marathi) by the people living there, she came to be known as Mumba Aai. And Mumbai got its name from her.
- Architecture
This temple was built in honour of the Goddess Amba. The Mumbadevi temple is six centuries old. The first Mumbadevi temple was situated at Bori Bunder, and is believed to have been destroyed between 1739 and 1770. After the destruction a new temple was erected at the same place at Bhuleshwar. The Goddess personifies Mother Earth and is still worshipped by the Hindu population of the northern Indo-Gangetic plain and southern India alike. The original temple built at the site where the Victoria Terminus station earlier was by Koli fishermen was demolished around 1737 and a new temple was erected in its place at Phansi Talao. The modern shrine contains an image of the Goddess Mumbadevi dressed in a robe with a silver crown, a nose stud and a golden necklace. To the left is a stone figure of Annapurna seated on a peacock. In front of the shrine is a tiger, the carrier of the Goddess.
- Alankar of Deity
The modern shrine contains an image of the Goddess Mumbadevi dressed in a robe with a silver crown, a nose stud and a golden necklace.
- Prayers and BenefitsSpecial Vratas and PrayersOfferings to DeityStotras and Mantras
- FestivalsNavarathri is the most important festival of the temple. On the first day, they light a lamp made of clay. They spread rice and Nava Dhanyas – nine varieties of corns -. They fill a bronze pot with water and put five betel leaves, arecanut, a copper sheet and a dry date. This is called God Sthapana, which in South we call Aavahana – personifying the deity in a form. This is something like the Gada Sthapana with some variation in our consecration ceremonies. The water is spilled on the earth very carefully. The corns generate within 36 hours. On the first night of the Navarathri, Maratha artists play a drum called Savadha with music. On the seventh day, they dig a square pit, arrange bricks in an aesthetic manner. They put the coconuts brought by the devotees, burn them in small fire fuelled with butter. The ash of the burning is made into a paste. Devotees apply it on their eye brows. On the Dasara day (10th day), the corns grown 6 inches tall are plucked off and offered to the deity. Selected men and women get this plant. Women wear it on the hair while men have them on their turbans.
- Sodasha Upcharas
- Prasadhas
- Social ActivitiesAnnadhanMarriageEar BoringHead ShaveDanaasEducation FacilitiesSocial DrivesOther Activities
- Arjita Seva
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