The Mumbai Protector – Mumba Devi

“It is Navratri time, the ideal time to have a glimpse of the Devi in Mumbai, what say?” I said adjusting the folds of my saree. Yes, I have the habit of wearing a saree on all the nine Navratri days and I make it a point to at least visit a Devi a day if possible. I have seen two in the first day already. So I though this time the second day I would make it to the Mumba Devi temple. So, yellow was the color of the day and there we were the three of us, me , Meena, and Puja all dressed in the splendid yellow color and all of us in sarees ready to go to the Hindu temple Mumba Devi which comes from the name Maha Amba or the Great Mother.

“It is lovely to see a 15th century temple, isn’t it?” said Meena excitedly as we drove down to the temple.

“Yes, apparently it was built in the year 1675 near the creek of Bori Bunder and it was actually just behind the Fort Saint George.”

“But the creek and the fort don’t exist anymore. But the remains of whatever existed is magnificently beautiful. Another thing that I like to see when I go there. Amazing that the temple is so alright and so powerful even today.”

It is said that this Mumba goddess supported all the salt collectors or the agri folk and the fisher folk who were the actual inhabitants of the seven island Mumbai of those days. This Goddess looks resplendent in the jet black stone that she is depicted in.

As we entered the Bhuleshwar area it was quite crowded but we really didn’t mind the hustle and bustle as we were headed towards our Goddess Mumba Devi. The traders were just opening out in the clothing and steel market of Mumbai. Many people like us were headed here as it is actually a pilgrim spot for most Hindus. We saw the innumerable flower stalls selling marigold, pink lotuses. We bought some.

“Did you know that this temple once existed where the Chhatrapati Shivaji terminus is today? And then later in the year 1737 it was rebuilt in the present place of Bhuleshwar?”

Puja and Meena didn’t know this and were pretty surprised at this trivia about Mumba Devi temple. If you have to go there by train you can get down at the Marine Lines station. It is said that Mumbaraka was a great giant who was very sadistic by nature and plundered the island city of Mumbai those days.

All the Dravidian descendants worship this goddess as the Goddess earth and love to see their favourite Goddess. As we entered the temple the atmosphere was energetic and there we saw the Goddess in a robe having a silver crown on her head and a beautiful nose stud with a necklace made of gold. Then there is the figure of the Annapurna Goddess riding a peacock right next to her. As we entered that temple we saw the tiger which is believed to be the vehicle of this Goddess of power and stability.

We felt very emotional that we were in that temple Mumba Devi after which our own city is named as Mumbai. Isn’t that wonderful to experience.

So the legend goes that this Mumbaraka as I said earlier plundered this city a lot. Everyone was very terrorized and went to Lord Brahma the creator. Brahma in absolute need pulled out this Goddess with eighth arms and brought her down and she vanquished this giant Mumbaraka. The giant pleaded guilty and told Lord Brahma to make a temple in honour of this great Goddess who defeated him. Thus the temple was built and the orange looking Goddess has marigolds surrounding her.

I knew if I go there with a wish I wouldn’t come back disappointed. That is what is believed about Mumba Devi. I just wished peace for the entire world.

We just stood there transfixed seeing the lovely Goddess without a mouth. Yes she is one without a mouth as she represents Mother Earth. We also saw the idols of Ganesh, Hanuman and Indra beside her. WE were lucky we didn’t think of going next Monday as we had planned. Mondays this temple is closed.

From Mumba Devi temple we felt very enriched and fresh and rejuvenated and just loved this lovely land of the Goddess. We then made our way towards the Zaveri Bazaar and bought some Hindu religion associated stuff like the rings, and the rudraksha mala, the bracelets etc. There were also photos which we could take for our friends and incense sticks of varied fragrances. We bought all this and more and were happy coming here to the land of the Mumba Devi. As we veered our way out we saw the sadhus dressed in ochre colored clothes walking along the street. They had vermillion smeared on their forehead. It was a unique sight.

Visit Mumba Devi and feel divine.