How to See the Mahalakshmi Temple in Mumbai

The Mahalakshmi Temple in Mumbai is one of the most famous of its kind in India. It was constructed to honor the deity Mahalakshmi in 1831. The interior contains images of the goddesses Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati. Each is adorned in gold bangles, nose rings, and pearl necklaces.

Devotees flock to the temple during Navratri celebrations. Many people stand in line for hours, holding coconuts, sweets, and flowers that are used as offerings to the goddess.

The History of Mahalakshmi Temple

The Mahalakshmi Temple was constructed around 1785. Inspiration for the project is believed to stem from the Hornby Vellard causeway, which connected all seven islands of Bombay.

Work on the Hornby Vellard was hindered when portions of the sea wall collapsed on two occasions. Afterward, chief engineer Ramji Shivji Prabhu had a dream of a devi statue in the sea.

A search uncovered the statue. It was recovered from the water and Prabhu built a temple in its honor. It is said that once this was done, work on the vellard was able to commence without further complications.

Finding the Mahalakshmi Temple

The Mahalakshmi Temple is located on Bhulabhai Desai Road in Mumbai, India. Visitors can take a train from the Mahalakshmi railway station. The trip spans just 1 km.

A variety of shops are positioned along the way, selling lotus flowers and puja items. You’ll get a gorgeous view of the Arabian Sea. Travelers can also pay for a private car to take them to the area. BEST and Mumbai Darshan buses offer an economical method of travel to the temple.

Planning Your Visit to the Mahalakshmi Temple

If you would like to include Mahalakshmi Temple on your itinerary, then you should do some planning ahead of your trip. The site can get very crowded, so you may need to allow adequate time for the journey. You should also check for any festivals or celebrations that may happen during your visit that could significantly increase the size of the crowds there.

Before you go inside, you should stop at a stall and buy flower garland to give as an offering. Some offer prasad, which is a material substance consisting of vegetarian food. It is eaten and shared by the masses. Some versions will exclude items like onion and garlic. Many believe that those who offer prasad will have all of their worldly desires fulfilled.

Some visitors find that the wait to get inside the temple is shorter if you go during the early morning hours. It also tends to be less crowded on weekdays.

If this is your first visit to Mumbai, India, it may be helpful to speak to a travel agent. An expert can help you create an efficient itinerary and give you advice to help you avoid the common mistakes tourists often make when seeing popular landmarks and sites. The Mahalakshmi Temple is well worth the visit for anyone who will be staying in the region.