Popular Temples in Mumbai" a Collection Featuring Few of the Most Popular Temples in the City Which Are Visited by Devotees, As Well As, Tourists in Large Numbers

"Popular Temples in Mumbai" A collection featuring few of the most popular temples in the city which are visited by devotees, as well as, tourists in large numbers.

Created By: Saroop Pillai

5 Locations Bookmarked

ISKCON "Cultivating Spirituality"

ISKCON which stands for International Society for Krishna Consciousness is a great place to visit to get in touch with your spiritual side. Every cabbie in Mumbai knows about this legendary Hare Rama Hare Krishna temple located in Juhu. This religious organization is huge by any standards. The beautiful temple is spread over a sprawling area. It has a by Os Rúpias wonderful vegetarian restaurant and also a guest house for visitors. The temple complex also houses the Bhaktivedanta Institute which is a scientific research and educational institution and the Bhakti Kala Kshetra which promotes Indian culture.

+91 22 2620 6860 www.iskconmumbai.com [email protected] Off Juhu Road, Hare Krishna Land, Mumbai

Siddhivinayak Temple "Abode of Lord Ganesha"

An emblematic edifice situated in the neighborhood of Prabhadevi, Siddhivinayak Temple is the epicenter of religious faith, and the majestic abode of Lord Ganesha. Touted to be one of the richest temples in the city, the temple has had modest beginnings. What was once a small, obscure place of worship, has today metamorphosed into a grandiose edifice, and one of the most-frequented landmarks of Mumbai. Built in 1801 by Vithu Patil, the temple is now in the hands of the Siddhivinayak Ganpati Trust, beckoning droves of tourists, locals and pilgrims alike. The temple was completed 200 years ago according to the Hindu calendar, and is complete with beautiful architectural details like wooden doors, serene sanctums and finely-carved images of the various avatars of Lord Ganesha. Boasting a palace-like visage topped by a fluttering, saffron flag, the temple shelters a humble, yet powerful, bright scarlet canopy of Lord Ganesha in its heart, a feature which is perhaps its centerpoint. Upon entering the temple, devotees claim to experience a strong sense of purity and freshness, and a certain kind of peace that soothes their frayed nerves.

+91 22 2437 3626 www.siddhivinayak.org/ [email protected] Swatantrya Veer Savarkar Marg, Prabhadevi, Mumbai

Mahalaxmi Temple "Temple for Prosperity"

This temple has been built to appease the goddess of wealth, Laxmi. Legend has it that an Indian contractor who was supposed to build a sea wall joining Malabar Hill and Worli at the end of the 18th century for the British, claimed that the goddess appeared in his dreams and asked him to build this temple at this site. Surprise suprise...a small statue of the by Public Domain goddess was unearthed from the ground, and so the area was declared a holy site. And this is where the contractor built his temple, which today is called the Mahalaxmi Temple. Believers come from all over the country to pay their respects here.

+91 22 2414 3200 (Tourist Information) Off Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai Mumbadevi Temple "Patron Goddess of Mumbai"

Believed to be more than 600 years old, the Mumbadevi Temple is located in Mumbai's bustling Bhuleshwar area. The temple celebrates Goddess Amba and is symbolic of Mother Earth. The eight-armed idol of the goddess, stationed inside the temple is clad in characteristic Hindu attire further embellished with ornaments and a striking nose stud. Her alert stance and watchful eyes reassure devotees of her presence presiding over the coastal city.

Mumba Devi Road, Mumbai

Walkeshwar Temple "In the Footsteps of Rama"

Legend has it that while on his way to Lanka to rescue his wife Sita, Rama stopped at this very place to pray to Lord Shiva. He built an idol of Shiva, the 'Shivaling', out of sand and worshipped it. The Walkeshwar Temple gets its name from Valuka Ishwar—Sanskrit for Sand Shiva—an avatar of Shiva. Walkeshwar Temple was built in AD 1127 under the patronage of the Silhara kings who ruled over the area. Despite being so close to the sea, the temple has a fresh water tank called Banganga Tank. The source of water is an underground spring, though according to legend it is actually the River Ganga summoned by Rama through his arrow or 'bana'. The Banganga Festival which showcases Hindustani classical music and features eminent pundits and maestros, is held annually at this temple.

+91 22 2202 4482 Banganga Road, Mumbai

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