Narayan Ravi - Mumbai

Navarathri Shakti Series

Shakti series part 5: Mumbai Mahalakshmi temple

The Mahalakshmi temple situated on Bhulabhai Desai road in Mumbai is one of the most famous temples in the country. This temple was built around the year 1785. Its history goes back to the time when the British undertook a project to unite all the 7 small islands of Bombay into a single large island. This project was called the 'Hornby Vellard', named after governor William Hornby. The word 'vellard' is a form of the Portuguese word 'vallado' meaning 'fence' or 'embankment'. The sea wall collapsed twice during the construction, thus stalling the project. One night, Devi Mahalakshmi appeared in the dreams of the chief engineer Ramji Shivji Prabhu & instructed him to take out three images of Devi from the sea & install them with appropriate rituals on top of the hillock. He accordingly did so, & it was only then that the island linking project could be completed.

Devi is enshrined here in Her three principal forms - Mahakali, Mahalakshmi & Mahasaraswati. A large number of devotees visit the temple, especially during Navratri, Diwali & Sharad Purnima. May Vaishnavi bless one and all with Her infinite grace.

Jai Mata Di