Mumbai, the financial capital of India, is also the city of dreamers and a melting pot of culture. The metropolitan hub is known for its fast-paced life and constant hustle and yet, it almost comes to a standstill during religious processions. During Ganesh Chaturthi, you will see devotees taking the idols around the city and office goers bowing their heads in prayer. So if you live in Mumbai and have a spiritual or religious bent, here’s a list of all the famous temples you can’t miss in Mumbai. Even if you aren’t religious, these temples are an architectural marvel and some are even historical wonders. Experience spiritual grandeur at an enormous scale and you’ll understand the true soul of the city.
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Famous Temples in Suburbs
Mumbai Suburbs have some gorgeous temples–and we’ve compiled a list of the ones that you need to visit even if you aren’t a religious person!
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Mata Vaishnodevi Temple
It is almost an exact replica of the Vaishnodevi temple in Jammu and is beautiful. Devotees need to take a short hike and cross a stream to reach the top of the temple and it gives a truly humbling experience. You also have a strip that goes through caves to enter the inner sanctum, and the idols are an exact replica of the one in Jammu. The walk is worth it, especially for those who are religious. This temple is a definite must-visit if you don’t want to travel the entire distance to Jammu and Kashmir.
Where: Subhash Lane, Malad, Primal Nagar, Malad East, Mumbai
Mini Sabarimala Temple
This is the first temple dedicated to the deity Ayyappa outside the state of Kerala and is pretty similar to the one at Sabrimala in Kerala. It is located on a small hillock in Kanjurmarg and it used to be a devi and small Ayyappa temple before this massive structure was constructed. However, it was demolished by foreign invaders who also killed the priests there. The ruins can still be found at the Mini Sabrimala Temple.
Where: Kanjurmarg, Mumbai
ISKCON Temple
The ISKCON temple is home to the Hare Krishna movement, which was founded in 1978 in Mumbai by the Acharya Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. It is very famous all over the world and devotees come from everywhere to live here and understand the teachings of Lord Krishna. It is made of white marble and has intricate carvings all over. It also serves as a meditation centre where devotees can come and spend time to connect with their inner self.
Where: Hare Krishna Land, Juhu, Mumbai
Famous Temples in Navi Mumbai
If you live in Navi Mumbai and are looking for some divine peace and quiet, you should visit these temples near your house.
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Shri Venkateshwara Swamy Temple
This temple is known for its beautiful architecture and is constructed in a similar way to how the Lord Venkateshwara temples in South India. The best part is that the temple remains quiet and peaceful throughout the day, so you can spend your entire time enjoying the tranquility.
Sri Bhaktha Anjaneya Trust Hanuman Temple
This temple has the tallest Hanuman statue in the country that is made out of a single stone. It stands tall at 33 feet. You can even find a huge 67 feet Rajagopuram for Lord Hanuman and two other temples dedicated to Lord Rama and Lord Vinayaka. Saturdays is when the main aarti happens, for which hordes of fanatics come to watch.
Where: SIES Complex, Plot No.1 C, Sector V, Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswati Vidhyapuram, Nerul, Navi Mumbai
Famous Temples in South Mumbai
South Mumbai has a number of temples which are the main attraction of the city. We have numbered the most famous ones, which should be on your must-visit list!
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Mumbadevi Temple
This is one of the oldest temples in Mumbai and in fact, the city gets its name from it! It is dedicated to Goddess Mumba who is supposed to be the patron goddess of the native Somvanshi Kshatriyas, who are the agricultural communities and fishermen or kolis. The idol has been decorated with jewellery like nose pins and necklaces. The temple is bustling with devotees on Tuesday as it is considered an auspicious day.
Where: Mumba Devi Marg, Zaveri Bazar, Mumbai
Babulnath Temple
Malabar Hills has a gem which is the Babulnath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is 15 minutes away from Marine Lines Railway Station and is one of the most famous and iconic ones in the city. Marwari and Gujarati communities who reside in that area flock there. The temple is built in such a way that it will remind devotees of Kailash Parbat.
Location: Charni Road, Near Chowpatty, Mumbai
Swaminarayan Temple
Swaminarayan Sampraday, which is a Hindu sect who worships Lord Krishna, owns and operates the Swaminarayan Temple. The temple was originally built in 1863 and was then remodelled in 1903. It has idols of Ghanshyam Maharaj, Hari Krishna Maharaj, Gaulok Bihari and Radha. It is a must-visit during the festivals of Janmashtami and Ram Navami because it is lit up and decorated in the most beautiful way.
Where: Shree Sahajanand Marg Near, 3rd Bhoiwada Ln, Panjarpole, Bhuleshwar, Mumbai
Mahalaxmi Temple
The Mahalaxmi Temple is very well-known in Mumbai and is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, Durga and Saraswati and was constructed by a Hindu merchant in 1831. The temple offers a gorgeous sea-facing view and is one of the most iconic landmarks of the city. During Navratri festival, the temple is decorated with floral arrangements and lights. It also sees loads of people who come to seek blessings of the Goddesses.
Where: Bhlabhai Desai Road, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai
Walkeshwar Temple
The Walkeshwar Temple holds a historical and cultural significance to the city of Mumbai and that’s because according to legend, Lord Rama, made a shivling from sand to conduct his puja. The temple was built by the Shilahara Dynasty about a thousand years ago on Malabar hill itself. The temple has gone through massive renovations twice–once in the seventeenth century and once in the 1950s. Even if you aren’t very religious, it is worth paying a visit here for the melodious classical concerts that the temple hosts.
Where: Teen Batti, Malabar Hill, Mumbai
Shri Shri Radha Gopinath Temple
The temple was originally built to serve as an orphanage and was bought over by the ISKCON foundation, who later converted it into a beautiful temple. It was constructed in 1988, and is also home to many animals like cows, peacocks and monkeys. The Radha-Krishna saga has also been depicted in many paintings.
Where: Girgaum Chowpatty, Mumbai
Siddhivinayak Temple
Built in 1801 for Lord Ganesha, the Siddhivinayak Temple is considered to be one of the richest temples in Mumbai. The devotee list is riddled with stars, sportsmen and other famous personalities. The Ambanis also come here to bow their heads in prayer. The main chamber has a gold plated ceiling and the idol itself has been carved out of one black stone. There is a special aarti performed here on Tuesdays and it is estimated that about thirty thousand worshippers come here everyday so be ready for a crowd.
Also Read: Visit These 30 Famous Temples In Tamil Nadu For A Dose Of Art, Divinity And Serenity
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