The Wealthy Temple – Mahalaxmi temple Mumbai

Have you ever wondered why devotees throng temples? Yes, there might be many reasons for this but the main reason is the prayer for the world to be a better place. Armed with such thoughts I thought of going around the temples in Mumbai and getting the pure experience. So last Navratri I decided to visit the Mahalaxmi temple.

This very famous temple in Mumbai lies on the Bhulabai Desai Road. With Goddess Mahalaxmi as the presiding deity this temple has the three idols of Mahalaxmi, Mahakali and Mahasaraswati.

In the year 1785 it was then joined with the Hornby Vellard building. The area of Breach Candy was being developed. But the constructions never could go ahead. There used to be some impediment or the other. Then there were instances when the wall here collapsed. Then Pathare Prabhu an engineer by profession had a dreamt of a statue near Worli which was near the present day temple premises. There was a search for the idol in the dream and then he built a temple. After the erection of the Mahalaxmi temple the wall of Vellard never collapsed! The name Mahalaxmi obviously is in reverence to the Goddess Mahalaxmi who is here.

I entered the temple premises much to the excitement of the vendors around who were selling saris, flowers, coconuts and garlands to be offered to the Goddess. As I saw the Goddess decorated with nose rings, pearl necklaces and gold bangles, the Goddess seemed so radiant and calm that suddenly all around me looked still and it was just me and the Goddess.

It was Navratri time and the temple was all decked up for the occasion. There were devotees who had come from afar to have a glimpse of their favourite goddess. The temple is famous not only for the Goddess but also for the organized line that leads up to the idol. In times like Navratri, the temple authorities make a lot of organized arrangement for the devotees to be able to move up easily. Mahalaxmi temple Mumbai is a great devotional spot and a centre of pilgrimage for many.

Easily accessible by road, you just have to park your car a little ahead and then walk up the narrow lane leading to the temple. This is one of the most visited temples in Mumbai. With the sight of the sea behind, a sense of calm prevails over the devotee here. Many Hindus come here with the expectation of getting their wishes fulfilled. The fact that the idol for the temple was found after searching for it makes everyone believe that the goddess willed to be installed here. This gives way for lot of passion and emotions and it is hard to shake off the vibration that you feel here when you come here.

Since the time I have been in Mumbai I always visit this temple. I never get tired of getting fascinated by this place. I remember as a kid I used to love to see the sea behind and the huge rocks after a darshan of the Goddess. WE used to go early in the mornings at 6 and used to love the freshness of the morning hitting us at the temple. Yes the temple opens at 6 in the morning and closes at 10 in then night. I used to like to see the Goddess with their masks of gold on and they look so beautiful. It is believed that this Goddess is a swayambhu meaning the idol has come out on its own. It is very rarely that anyone can see the Goddess in this form but once when I went early morning they were just in the process of dressing up the Deity and I could get this rare glimpse and was so struck by the power she exuded even when she was plain. If you want to see the original forms then go early mornings or late nights. The idol looks beautiful then and she is covered with sindoor as is wont in all temples of Maharashtra.

Another legend related to this temple is that Mumbai earlier a tiny island was the place where only fishermen used to live. Goddess Mahalaxmi in her human form was roaming around and was not allowed into others home as she was in her menstrual cycle time. But the fishermen weren’t bothered about this and welcomed her and made her comfortable. Blessing them she went back after which the fisher folk prospered beyond limits. Hence she is called the Goddess of Wealth and so crowds come here to the Mahalaxmi temple Mumbai.

So if ever you want to do something true to yourself visit the Mahalaxmi temple Mumbai.