Mumba Devi Temple

Getting there

• By road

  The Mumba Devi road branches to the right from the northern end of Zaveri Bazaar.

Rules to know

• Remove shoes before entering the sanctum; footwear stands are near the entrance.
• During Navratri devotees are asked not to carry heavy bags, because they slow the queues.

Why devotees come here

Mumba Devi Temple stands in Bhuleshwar, South Mumbai, in the heart of the steel and clothing markets. It is dedicated to Mumba Devi, the local form of Parvati and the patron deity of the city. Mumbai is said to take its name from her.

Mumba Devi is the local form of Parvati and the patron deity of Mumbai. Legend says she once took the form of a fisherwoman named Mumba. The fishermen asked her to stay as their village deity, and the people called her Mumba Aai, meaning mother in Marathi. The city is said to take its name from her.

After the first temple was destroyed, a new temple was built on the same spot in Bhuleshwar. The trust says the temple was built in the 18th century. The trust describes it as a beautiful temple in the heart of Mumbai. Inside, the image of the deity wears a robe, a silver crown, a nose stud and a golden necklace.

A tiger, her carrier, stands in front of the shrine. The building itself is not grand, but the temple is an important landmark because it is dedicated to the city's patron deity. The trust that runs it is called Shree Mumbadevi Mandir Charities.

Festivals

• Gudi Padwa to Ram NavmiChaitra Navratri

  Listed by the temple on its official site.

• Ashvin Ekam to Ashvin NavmiAshvin Navratri

  Listed by the temple alongside Chaitra Navratri.

Tips for your visit

• During Navratri a free chappal stand for footwear was planned at the utsav entry gate.
• The trust's address is Mumbadevi Road, Zaveri Bazar, Mumbai 400002, as given on its official site.

Questions people ask