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| Mumbadevi Temple, Maharashtra |
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 The
temple of Mumbadevi, once stood on the site of the
present Victoria Terminus in the central island
which was called Mumbai. The temple was built in
honour of Mumbadevi, the patron goddess of the Koli
fishermen believed to be the original inhabitants
of Mumbai. The original temple was built in 1737
was demolished and a new temple erected in its place
at Bhuleshwar. The nearest station is Marine Lines.
MAA MUMBADEVI temple is another Sakthi temple situated
in Bombay. Mumbadevi, is the city's patron Goddess.
The name of the city Bombay (now correctly called
Mumbai) is derived from MAA MUMBADEVI . This temple
is dedicated to city's patron Goddess Mumbadevi.
Although the Mumbadevi Temple is not as striking
as others are in the city, its resident deity, The
structure is about six centuries old, believed to
be the handiwork of Mumbaraka, a sadistic giant
who frequently plundered the city at the time. Terrorized
by these unwelcome visits, the locals pleaded with
Lord Brahma, Creator of all things to protect them.
Brahma then "pulled out of this own body",
an eight armed goddess who vanquished the brute.
Predictably brought to his knees, Mumbaraka implored
her holiness to take his name and built a temple
in her honour. She still stands there, an orange
faced goddess on an altar strewn with marigolds:
devotees believe that those who seek her divine
favour are never disappointed.
Mumbadevi Temple was built in honour of the Goddess
Mumbai, from whose name it is said, that the English
word 'Bombay' is derived. 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 descendants
of the Dravidian population of western and southern
India. 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.
Mumbadevi Temple dedicated to city's patron Goddess
Mumbadevi is located in Bhuleshwar, Mumbai. She
is considered as Mumbai's resident deity. The temple
of Mumbadevi once stood on the site of the present
Victoria Terminus in the central island. The 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. It is from her that Bombay gets its
local name Mumbai. According to a popular legend
the structure of the temple is about six centuries
old and it is believed be the handiwork of Mumbaraka,
a sadistic giant who frequently plundered the city
at the time. Terrorized by these unwelcome visits,
the locals pleaded with Lord Brahma, Creator of
all things to protect them. Brahma then "pulled
out of his own body", an eight armed goddess
who vanquished the Mumbaraka. Predictably brought
to his knees, Mumbaraka implored Her Holiness to
take his name and built a temple in her honour.
She still stands there, an orange faced goddess
on an altar strewn with marigolds: devotees believe
that those who seek her divine favour are never
disappointed.
The temple is closed on Mondays. Just outside the
temple, the stalls sell flowers: garlands of sweet
smelling jasmine, orange marigolds and pink lotuses
-an offering, which is considered auspicious by
the worshippers. Dressed in silver robes and adorned
with nose studs sits Mumba, the presiding goddess
of Mumbai, inside this temple at Phansi Talao. Mumba
is a goddess without a mouth and is a local representation
of Mother Earth, and is worshipped by the Koli fisherfolk.
Beside the statue of the orange faced goddess MumbaDevi
also reside idols of Indra, Ganesh and Hanuman.
It is common belief that the goddess does not disappoint
any of her devotees if they pray to her sincerely.
The MumbaDevi road is to your right from the northern
end of Zaveri Bazaar. It is a narrow street lined
with stalls selling a spectrum of objects associated
with Hindu religion - copper bracelets, rings, rudrakska
malas, brass lingams, photographs of deities, incense,
saffron and so on. Ochre clad sadhus flit along
the street, their foreheads smeared with ash paste
and vermilion. |
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