Mumbai is known as the economic capital of India and has an expeditious and fast-paced environment with but everything comes to a stop and becomes slow and joyous when it comes to spirituality which can be seen during various festivals. It is only natural for the city named after a goddess to be spiritual despite the circumstances. This enthusiasm and cultural consciousness can be observed especially during the Ganesh Pooja .
Siddhivinayak Temple
This temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and is nearly 200 years old. It is believed that if one prays with a pure heart their wishes will come true. The idol is placed inside a six storied structure with a gold plated Kalash accommodated above the dome shaped ceiling. It is situated near the Dadar Railway Station and only 1.3 km from Prabhadevi beach, it is one of the most renowned and wealthy temples in India.
Nerul Balaji Temple
It is inspired by the Tirupati Balaji temple and built as an exact replica of it. It is located on a small hill in close proximity to the western side of the Nerul Railway station and as the name suggests it is dedicated to Lord Hanuman.
Mahalakshmi Temple
Built by a merchant named Dhakji Dadaji in 1831 and dedicated to Goddess Mahatmyam this temple is situated at a distance of only 1km from the Mahalakshmi temple railway station. The main Mandapa has 27 pillars covering an area of 110 sq metres with a Shree Yantra built inside the inner chamber or the Garbh-Griha.
Mumbadevi temple
It is the oldest temple in the city built in 1675 near the north wall of Saint George Fort and is dedicated to the local deity Goddess Mumba. The city of Mumbai was named after her and is derived from the language Sanskrit. The idol of the goddess doesn’t have a mouth symbolising a contrast between her and mother Earth.
Babulnath Shiva Temple
Located near Girgaum Chowpatty it is one of the city’s oldest temples. The temple is named after the main deity Lord Shiva which is present in the form of a Babul tree in the temple. The temple’s structure consists of pillars made out of marble and limestone brought from Rajasthan with carvings of scenes from mythologies.
Vaishno Devi Temple
Built as a replica of the original Vaishno Devi temple, this shrine is within walking distance from the Malad East railway station. The temple has a cave system that enshrines various deities including the main Goddess Durga.
ISKCON Temple
The Radha Ras Bihari Temple or ISKCON temple has a complex spread across four acres of land and is located in Juhu, Mumbai. It is dedicated to Lord Krishna as well as Goddess Radha and was built by the ISKCON community which stands for International Society for Krishna’s Consciousness. The temples’ architecture incorporates styles from Orissa, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
Walkeshwar Temple
The Shiva Linga in The Baan Ganga Temple or the Walkeshwar Temple located near Malabar Hill is believed to be established by Lord Rama on his way to Lanka. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is a must-visit for both the followers of Lord Shiva as well as Lord Rama. The temple follows a geometrical design of Vastu-Purusha-Mandala.
Babu Amichand Panalal
Adishwarji Jain Temple- Located near the Walkeshwar Temple in Malabar Hills it is one of the most beautiful examples of Jain architecture. The temple is dedicated to Lord Adishwar who was the first of the twenty-four Jain Arihants. The temple is beautifully built and sculptors, carvings and paintings from Jain scriptures can be observed throughout the structure.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple
Decorated and ornate with pink stones and intricate carvings, the temple is based on Three-spired architecture. The temple is located on LN Road, Dadar East, Mumbai, and is maintained by the BAPS organisation which works on the principles of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. The temple is built as per the BAPS standard of following the ancient Hindu style mentioned in Shilpa and Sthapatya Shastra.
