Temples in Mumbai

The Siddhivinayak Temple in the Prabhadevi area is a revered shrine dedicated to Lord Ganesha and is one of the most significant and frequented temples in Mumbai. This temple was built in the year 1801 by Laxman Vithu and Deubai Patil. The couple did not have any children of their own and decided to build the Siddhivinayak temple so as to fulfil the wishes of other infertile women. Interestingly, the statue of Lord Ganesha here is believed to be self-manifested and grants wishes.

The Mahalaxmi Temple in Mumbai is one of the oldest temples situated in the city. Located on the Bhulabai Desai Road in Mahalaxmi West, it is dedicated to Goddess Mahalaxmi or the 'Goddess of Wealth'. The temple was built sometime around the 16th - 17th century and the main presiding deity here is Goddess Laxmi, while Goddess Kali and Saraswati are other two deities worshipped here. Together, the three idols are known as Mahalaxmi, Mahakali and Mahasaraswati.

ISCKON Temple is a divine and spiritual getaway from all the hustle and bustle of the capital city of Mumbai. Dedicated to Lord Krishna who is considered as the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu, the temple is clad in marble and glass. Meters away from the Juhu Beach, incorporating Iskcon Temple in your weekend plans might just be the perfect peaceful escape you are looking for. This place has a tranquil feel about it and the in-house vegetarian restaurant serves exceptional food at cheap rates.

The Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Mumbai is part of the Swaminarayan Sampraday of idol worship and the belief that Sri Krishna Purushottam Narayan is the supreme being. The Temple in Mumbai has raised demand for festival offerings in the area thereby aiding the local economy.

The early inhabitants of Mumbai considered Mumba Devi as their "Mother Goddess". The original temple of Shree Mumbai Devi, which was built in Bori Bunder, is believed to six centuries old. When that temple got destroyed, it was reconstructed in Zaveri Bazar in the 18th century. The temple is surrounded by flower shops.

Built by a Gujarati community, the Babulnath temple is one of the oldest in Mumbai. Lord Shiva is the main deity of the temple and it is located atop a small hillock near Girgaum Chowpatty. The structure of the temple dates back to 1890 when it was of considerable height. A lightning strike in the 1960s resulted in lowered height and till the 1980s, the temple was one of the highest locations in the city.

Also known as Baan Ganga temple, the Walkeshwar temple is located near Malabar Hill in South Mumbai, which also happens to be the highest point of the city. Near the temple, there is a small tank, named Baangangatank and hence the alternate name. The legend of the temple is related to the Ramayana and the name Baan Ganga is derived from a story related to the legend. The temple witnesses a lot of crowds on the new moon and full moon days.

The Thiruchembur Murugan Temple is one of the few South Indian temples in Mumbai which restores the essence of the practices in the South. The main deity of the temple is Lord Murugan and the temple is located on top of a small hillock, just like how Murugan temples are found in the Southern parts of India. The food made here is traditionally served in banana leaves for food offerings/Annadaanam. The temple is situated in West Chembur.

Maintained by the Asthika Samaj in Matunga, the temple was built in the year 1923 and the main deity of the temple is Lord Rama. The daily rituals here are performed strictly according to the scriptures. The temple is located in the middle of a bustling flower market and yet, the atmosphere inside the premises of the temple is very calm and soothing. The temple is very famous among the Malayalis in the city and the most celebrated festival at the temple is Ram Navami.