Mumba Devi Temple is the most talked of shrine of
Mumbai. It is sited at Bhuleshwar, in the southern part of the
Commercial Capital of India. It is dedicated to Goddess Mumba, who is
considered as the patron deity of Koli fishermen - the first inhabitants
of Bombay. If truth be told, Mumbai has been named after 'Mumba Devi'.
The Goddess is identified as the form of 'Shakti' and is worshipped by
people with the utmost devotion.
According to the legends, Mumbadevi Temple was the result of attacks by
Mumbarka - a cruel monster, who used to plunder the city for fun.
Frightened by the violence of Mumbarka, the city inhabitants kept their
situation before Lord Brahma. It is regarded that Lord Brahma made a
Goddess, who had eight arms, to slaughter the demon. The Goddess killed
the demon and consequently, she came to be known as 'Mumba'.
In 1739, the temple of Mumbadevi was constructed at Bori Bunder that
currently makes the site of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. It was later
destroyed and rebuilt at the present site of Bhuleshwar. The temple
doesn't have any extraordinary architecture. In the sanctum sanctorum,
the image of Mumba Devi appears divine, dressed in rich clothes and
adorned with a silver crown, a nose stud and a golden necklace.
On the left side, you can see Goddess Annapurna mounted on a Peacock.
Goddess Mumba is depicted without mouth, which symbolizes the Mother
Earth. There are other shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Maruti,
Mahadev, Indrayani, Murlidhar, Jagannath, Narsoba and Balaji in the
temple complex. Till date, Mumba Devi is worshipped by Koli fisher folks
and Dravidians in the most sumptuous manner.
