There are many temples of gods and goddesses in many parts of India. However, amongst them all, Mumbai is one of the best cities where you can visit to attain spiritual satisfaction. Each temple within the city has a unique charm of its own and you will be completely rejoiced from within once you capture the sight of these splendid temples. So, if you have a religious inclination, plan a tour to Mumbai either with family or solo to awaken your soul in the abode of deities. But before you do that, book hotels online in advance to travel to the destination without any hindrance. Now follow the guide below for the best spiritual experience in this Bollywood city.
Siddhivinayak Temple
One of the most sacred places in Mumbai, the Siddhivinayak temple pays homage to Lord Ganesha and was established in 1801. It is reckoned as one of the Ashtavinayak Temples in Maharashtra. The ceiling of the deity’s central chamber is adorned with a gold plate and the idol of Lord Ganesha is made of a single black stone. One interesting fact of this idol is the trunk of Lord Ganesha being on the right side which is usually on the left. The shrine also has a novel design with images of gods sculpted elaborately on the wooden doors and the ceiling of the sanctum is made of gold plates. Since Tuesday is considered an auspicious day for worshipping Lord Ganesha, you can come here during this time to take blessings from the deity.
Mumbadevi Temple
The name of the city Mumbai is derived from this temple. The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Mumba, a form of Ma Shakti. The deity is adorned with customary jewellery and a crown. Besides, the statue of Mumba Devi is made of black stone with an orange painted face. Earlier the agricultural and the fishermen community of Mumbai worshipped Mumba Devi as the patron goddess. There are also other deities within the temple worshipped every day with grandiose. The temple is open from 6 am to 7 pm and so, you can plan your ‘darshan’ during this time to capture the best sight of the temple.
Mahalakshmi Temple
Situated on the Malabar hill and adjacent to the seashore, Mahalaxmi Temple in Mumbai is one of the most frequented temples. The shrine was built in 1831 by a Hindu trader. The main deities of this temple are the three goddesses namely Laxmi, Saraswati and Durga. The shrine has a unique architectural style, featuring an elaborate entrance that is completely made of stones. The idols are decorated with nose jewellery, bangles and a golden mask. All the deities are bathed every morning. You can see a large crowd visiting this temple during the Navratri festival from all parts of the country.
Babulnath Temple
This is one of the most notable temples and attracts a great footfall of pilgrims and tourists. The deity worshipped in the sanctum is that of Lord Shiva. The name of the temple is derived from the fact that Lord Shiva is the lord of the Babul tree. The temple’s exceptional interior work will make you feel you are in the Kailash Parbat itself (abode of Lord Shiva) and will certainly appreciate the beauty owing to the rich heritage of this temple. The shrine was ordained in the 12-century and later in 1780, figurines of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha and Hanuman were discovered and consecrated in the sanctum. You will witness thousands of devotees on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri when the temple is beautifully decked up with flowers and lights.
Balaji Temple
If you have visited Tirupati in South India, then you will find a resemblance to the Balaji temple in Mumbai. The shrine is situated on a hilltop and Lord Balaji is worshipped here with great fervour. The large temple also has some other shrines situated inside the main compound. The other deities worshipped here are Lakshmi, Rama, Lakshman, Hanuman, Rukmini and Ramanuja. The elaborately designed tower at the entrance and the tall gopurams are admired by visitors for their style and design. The sanctum is visited by many devotees and tourists from the early morning till late at night every day to seek the blessings of Lord Balaji.
Swaminarayan Temple
This temple in Mumbai is one of the oldest in the city. The main deity worshipped here is Lord Shri Krishna. Visitors are fascinated by the beautiful interior that is carved with detailed works of art. Besides Lord Krishna, deities such as Shri Radhika, Ghanshyam and Lord Laxminarayan also rest in the sanctum. There is also a devotee hall situated within the premises of the shrine that has murals depicting the entire life of Shri Krishna and Radharani. Visitors are fascinated by the paintings and the complex work on them. The temple celebrates the auspicious festivals of Ram Navami and Janmashtami that witness thousands of devotees and visitors from all parts of the country.
So, for your next spiritual tour, you can refer to this list of the must-visit temples in Mumbai mentioned above and discover yourself in the serene abode of gods and goddesses.