Overview
- Features: Mumbai’s oldest and most famous temple dedicated to Laxmi, goddess of wealth
- Opening Times: Dawn to dusk, daily
- Best Time to Visit: September/October
- Duration: 20 to 30 minutes
- Travelled By: Auto rickshaw
- Cost: Free
- Address: Bhulabhai Desai Marg, Breach Candy, Cumballa Hill, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Type: Temple
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Summary
Mahalaxmi Temple Mumbai is the oldest and most popular temple in Mumbai. Dedicated to Mahalaxmi, the goddess of wealth, the temple is home to three goddesses, Mahalaxmi, Mahakali and Mahasaraswati. All three images located inside the temple are beautifully decorated. The temple comes alive during the celebrations of Navrati (Festival of Nine Lights) in September/October.
Mahalaxmi Temple Mumbai
Mahalaxmi Temple Mumbai, situated on Bhulabhai Desai Road in the Mahalaxmi area, is one of the oldest, busiest, most colourful and famous temples in Mumbai. It is dedicated to Mahalakshmi the goddess of wealth. The temple was built in 1831 by Dhakji Dadaji (1760–1846), a Hindu merchant.
Built in the 18th century, it is believed that this temple is connected with the building of the Hornby 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 the Mahalaxmi Temple Mumbai for it. After this, the work on the Vellard could be completed without a hitch.
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The temple contains images of three 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.
Mahalakshmi, the goddess of wealth, is the unofficial presiding deity of the city, and the temple is host to frenzied activity; pressing a coin into the wall of the main shrine is supposed to be a sign of riches to come.
Mahalaxmi Temple Mumbai becomes the focus point for Navratri (Festival of Nine Lights) celebrations in Mumbai in September/October. During these celebrations, devotees from distant places gather at the beautifully decorated temple to pay their tributes. They stand for hours in long queues holding coconuts, flowers and sweets as offerings to the goddess within the temple.
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In the courtyard in front of the temple, there are hundreds of pigeons that come to feed on the grain thrown by the devotees that visit the temple daily. They are a sight to behold especially when they take to the sky startled by a noise or sudden movement.
Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple; for non-Hindus, a visit from the outside will have to suffice.
Getting to Mahalaxmi Temple
The easiest way to get to Mahalaxmi Temple Mumbai is to take a taxi or auto rickshaw to the temple. While here, it is worth visiting other attractions in the area such as Haji Ali Dargah and Mahalaxmi dhobi ghat.
