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.
