Monday, November 2, 2009

Some Sacred Sites

Babulnath Temple: This temple of Lord Shiva to the south of Malabar Hill, was built in 1780 and a tall spire was added to the structure in 1900. It enshrines a black stone Shivalingam and idols of various gods and godesses.
Bholeshwar Temple: It is dedicated to Lord Shiva also known as Bholeshwar(the pure one). The temple is covered with brass plates and has a red flag adorned with representations of the sun and moon.
ISKON or Hare Rama Hare Krishna Temple: The Magnificient shrine at Juhu is worth visiting, especially during the morning and evening prayers.
Mahalakshmi Temple: The shrine of Mahalakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity is set picturesque on a rocky promontory at the edge of the sea and is one of the most popular shrines of Mumbai. The present temple was built in the 18th century and snshrines elaborately ornamented statues of Mahalakshmi, Mahakali and Mahasaraswati.
Muma Devi Temple: It is dedicated to Mumba Devi, a pattron goddess of the city and is believed to have been originally built by Koli fisherman in the 1st century B.C. The temple was erected at the present site of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and was demolished by the British in 1739. The new shrine was later reconstructed at Kalbadevi in 1753 and enshrines a beautifully ornamented image of the goddess.
Siddhi Vinayak Temple: Mumbaites have a great respect and devotion for this holy shrine of lord Ganesha at Prabhadevi.
Walkeshwar Temple: This ancient temple near Malabar hill is said to have been built in 1000 AD by Silhara Kings. It was vandalised by the Portuguese in the 16th century and was beautifully rebuilt by Rama Kamthi, a wealthy Brahmin in 1715. As per legends Lord Rama made a Shivlingam out of sand (Waluk) and prayed here. The sacred banganga Tank nearby is said to have been created by Lord Rama.
Afghan Church or St. John’s Church: The magnificient church of Colaba, with wide Gothic arches and beautiful stained glass windows was built in 1847, in the memory of the British soldiers who fell in the Sindh and Afghan campaigns of 1838 and 1843.
St. Thomas Cathedral: The church as fort is a fine blend of the classical and Gothic styles of architecture. It also has several intresting memorials and monuments.
The Gloria Church: The church located at byculla was originally built by Portuguese in 1632. It was demolished and built in Gothic style in 1911.
Haji Ali: It houses the tomb of a muslim saint, who died while on pilgrimage to Mecca. When casket containing his mortal remains floated and came to rest on a rocky bed in the sea, devotees constructed the tomb and mosque at this spot. The mosque set amidst the waters of the sea can be approached through a causeway, which gets submerged during the high tide.
Raudat Tahara: It has marble mosque and mausoleum built by the Dawoodi Bohra Muslims in honour of their spiritual leader, the late Dr.Syedna Tahar Saifuddin.

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