CULTURAL & RELIGIOUS SITES, Mumbai

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The Shree Siddhivinayak Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It is located in Prabhadevi, Mumbai and it's one of the richest temples in Mumbai. It was originally built by Laxman Vithu and Deubai Patil on November, 1801.

The temple has a small hall with the shrine for Siddhi Vinayak (Lord Ganapati). The wooden doors to the sanctum are carved with images of the Ashtavinayak (the eight manifestations of Lord Ganesha). The inner roof of the sanctum is plated with gold as well as the central statue is of Ganesh. In the periphery, there is a Hanuman temple as well which typically worshipped by male. Photography is not allowed inside the temple.

To reach Siddhivinayak temple catch a taxi from Dadar raliway station on the western side. Across the road of the temple there is a magnificant elephant image.

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Mahalaxmi Temple is one of the most famous temples of Mumbai situated on Bhulabhai Desai Road beside the seashore. It is dedicated to Mahalakshmi the central deity of Devi Mahatmyam. There are three idols of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati.

The temple was built around 1785 and the work completed in 1831 by Dhakji Dadaji, a Hindu merchant. There were few engineering glitches in the construction before the work on the vellard could be completed

The temple can be reached by a short taxi ride from either Mumbai Central or Mahalakshmi railway station. Photography is not allowed within the temple and there are plenty of small stalls outside the temple selling flowers(lotus), sweets, candles & souvenirs

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Babu Amichand Panalal Adishwarji Jain Temple is a beautifully decorated temple in downtown Mumbai. The Jain community in Mumbai are known to be exceptional in the world of business. Although they believe in self-restraint and maintain very basic lifestyle, but Jains pour large sums into the construction and maintenance of their places of worship.

The temple has an entrance flanked by two stone elephants. The downstairs area houses an array of deities and saints, including an image of Ganesh that recalls historical links between Jainism and Hinduism. The dome ceiling is painted with the signs of the zodiac. The walls are also painted beautifully throughout the temple.

The Hare Krishna Mandir (Lord Krishna/ISKCON Temple) is located in Juhu, a suburb of Mumbai. The temple was built in the 1970's on 4 acres of now prime real estate - close to Juhu beach. At the time this part of the suburbs was considered a remote part of Mumbai. Today this temple complex - Hare Krishna Land - is one of the most visited in all of India. It is considered a must visit pilgrim center with 25,000 visitors a day. Somehow it is still a very peaceful place.

The presiding Deities at the temple are Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai, Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari and Sri Sri Sita Rama Laxman Hanuman. The complex includes a marble temple, an auditorium, a restaurant, and even a guesthouse where visitors can stay and participate in the spiritual programs. There is a daily deity darshan and the many statues are very beautiful.

See the website for weekly programs and festivals/celebrations. The biggest celebration is probably Janmashtami - the auspicious day of the appearance of Lord Krishna, which for 2009 is on August 14th.

To reach the temple: Take the train from Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) Station to either Vile Parle West or Andheri West station. From there take a rickshaw to the complex. You can also take the bus from either Andheri Station or certain areas of downtown Mumbai. JVPD Bus Depot is the closest stop. *Note*: the trip from downtown can take up to 2 hours depending on traffic.

Temple Timings:

4:30 am : Mangala arati
5:15 am : Tulsi-puja
7:15 am : Sringar darshan
7:30 am : Guru puja
8:00 am : Bhagavatam discourse
12:30 pm: Raj Bhoga arati
4:30 pm : Usthapana arati
7:00 pm : Sandhya arati
7:30 pm : Bhagavad-gita discourse
8:30 pm: Shayana arati

The temple is closed from 1:00-4:30 p.m. and after 9:00 p.m.

Remove your shoes before entering. Be respectful of worshippers. Obey photography rules.

** For a live view Darshan: http://iskconmumbai.com/Media/Liveview/tabid/224/Default.aspx

This is the home where Gandhi stayed while in this city between 1917 and 1934. It has some interesting displays, especially the mini figures, but a lot of remodeling was going on when I was there and that definitely took away from the experience.

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Some people I met in Mumbai told me not to miss Haji Ali Mosque. So, the next day I took the bus to that part of the city. From Flora Fountain the bus was 8 rupees (June 2010). After a long time on the bus I asked some other passengers for the stop as I was a bit worried to miss it, but many other passengers were also going there.

Arriving at HajI Ali Mosque it turned out it was closed because of the weather conditions. The mosque is situated on a rocky islet out in the Arabian Sea and can be reached by a long causeway. The waves were splashing over the causeway making it inaccessible to visitors.

HajI Ali Mosque, that was built in the 19th century over a previous mosque from 1431, is visited by thousands of pilgrims daily. Within the mosque is the tomb of the Muslim sain HajI Ali. He died while visiting Mecca and the casket with his body is said to have floated over the Arabian Sea to this spot where his tom is.

The mosque can only be visited during low tide as the causeway can be under water during high tide. I had been told to come after 16.00 as that was the time it was opening, but as said above this day the weather was just too bad.

The Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue stands out from its surroundings with its blue colour. The synagogue was constructed in 1884 by the Sassoon family, and it is built in a neoclassical style.
Unfortunately the synagogue was closed when I passed. The interior is said to be very nice with high vaulted ceiling, stained-glass windows and colourful pillars.

I guess in a causeway / religious kind of a way the Haji Ali's Mosque is to Mumbai what Mont Saint Michel is to France or St. Michael's Mount is to the UK.

A floating shrine for saint Haji, it was built in the 19th century. The story says Haji Ali died en route to Mecca and this is where his casket floated to.

The causeway is lined with beggars and obviously when the (Arabian) sea sweaps in there is no access at all.

Plans are to remove the deteriorated structure and replace it with a glowing white, marble one.