Sri Mahalakshmi Temple in Mumbai is one of the holy places. The temple is at Bhula Bhai Desai Road. The area itself is called as Mahalaxmi. The temple is said to be built in the year 1831 by a merchant.
As per the legend, the idols of Sri Lakshmi, Sri Saraswathi and Sri Parvathi were kept immersed and buried in the ocean to prevent and protect them from being usurped by the rulers of the other cult. During British period, there was a plan to connect Worli and Malabar Hill by building a bridge on the ocean. However, the efforts proved futile due to tides.
Sri Ramji Shivji Prabhu, devote the main Engineer of the project as well as a devotee had a dream in which Sri Mahalakshmi had mentioned that there were divine idols buried inside the ocean and that they had to be removed; He had informed the Engineers about this; Though they did not believe, they had arranged for boats and searched all over the area. During the search, three divine idols had emerged.
A merchant had come forward and built a temple on a nearby hillock installing the three Deities. From then on, the temple is come to be known as Sri Mahalakshmi temple.
The main Deities of the temple are Sri Maha Kali, Sri Maha Lakshmi and Sri Maha Saraswathi. All the three murthies are consecrated on a peetam. All the three Devis are adorned with glittering ornaments such as nose rings, pearl necklaces and gold bangles. Sri Maha Lakshmi is depicted with lotus flowers in Her hands.
The Kalash or dome above the main sanctum is said to be of fifteen meters height. The Dwaja Sthamba is encased in silver. There is also a Deepa Sthamba, the pillar for lighting lamps.
Ladies and gents are sent into the temple in separate queues. In the Artha Mandapam, devotees are made to stand in moving lines. The Three Devis are visible from a distance. The entire temple atmosphere is serene and tranquil.
All Navarathri festivals are celebrated grandly in this temple. Deepavali, Lakshmi Puja, Saraswathi Puja and Durga Puja festivals are also celebrated. Annakut, Gudi Padwa are the other major festivals celebrated here.
The temple is open from 06.00 A.M to 10.00 P.M. The Aarti times are from 07.00 A.M to 07.20 A.M and from 7.30 P.M to 07.50 P.M. Dhoop Aarti is done at around 06.30 P.M depending on the sun-set time. Shej Aarti is done at 10.00 P.M prior to closing the gates.
Sri Mahalakshmi temple is easily reachable in Mumbai city.
