India - Mumbai's Mahalaxmi Temple 08.11.2013

Mahalakshmi Temple, Mumbai

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Mahalaxmi temple entrance

Mahalaxmi temple, view from the sea

Mahalaxmi Temple (Marathi: महालक्ष्मी मंदिर) is one of the most famous temples ofMumbai situated on Bhulabhai Desai Road in Mahalaxmi area. It is dedicated toMahalakshmi the central deity of Devi Mahatmyam. The temple was built in 1831 by Dhakji Dadaji (1760–1846), a Hindu merchant.^[1]

Contents

  [hide] 

• 1 History
• 2 Inside
• 3 Navratri Festival
• 4 How to reach
• 5 See also
• 6 References

History[edit]

Built around 1785, the history of this temple is supposedly connected with the building of theHornby Vellard. Apparently after portions of the sea wall of the Vellard collapsed twice, the chief engineer, a Pathare Prabhu, dreamt of a devi statue in the sea near Worli. A search recovered it, and he built a temple for it. After this, the work on the vellard could be completed without a hitch.

Inside[edit]

The temple contains images of the goddesses Mahalakshmi, Mahakali and Mahasaraswati. All three images are adorned with nose rings, gold bangles and pearl necklaces. The image of Mahalakshmi is shown riding a tiger and a demon (Mahishasur) in tandem. The compound of this temple contains several stalls that sell flower garlands and other paraphernalia used by devotees for worship and as offering.

Navratri Festival[edit]

During Navaratri celebrations, devotees from distant places throng to the temple, which is decorated for this occasion, to pay obeisance. They have to stand for hours in long queues holding coconuts, flowers and sweets which they offer to the goddess.

How to reach[edit]

It is only 1 km from Mahalakshmi railway station in Mumbai. There are two more temples viz. Tryambakeshwar temple and Mahadev Paleshwar temple near to the temple