12 November,2023 08:59 AM IST | Mumbai | Aastha Atray Banan
The Shree Siddeshwar Ram Mandir is an oasis of calm in the midst of a bustling side street in Thane. Pic/Gautam S Mengle
You almost don't believe it when you first step inside the Shree Siddheshwar Ram Mandir. Tucked away in a corner off the bustling narrow side street in Khopat, it's an oasis of calm, where the birds chirp uninterrupted.
At the center of the sanctum sanctorum stand Ram, Lakshman and Sita, decked up and garlanded. To their right are Krishna and Radha, while Vittal and Rakhumai stand to their left; the masculine and feminine completing each other.
Outside, in another sanctum facing the bigger one, Hanuman stands guard; the vermillion idol obviously carved out of stone, as opposed to the others sculpted by professionals. To our surprise, even our local auto driver was clueless about this undiscovered gem!
It wears a minimalist look, not quite gelling with the brazenly decorated mandirs we see around us today. It inspired the name of a railway station nearby and is also Oshiwara's best kept secret.
The structure, which they say was built in 1835 and fell into disuse after the plague ravaged Mumbai in 1896, lost its devotees and began to fall apart. It was later rebuilt by Goregaon residents Bhikoba and Harishchandra Jagannath Goregoankar, a building contractor.
The temple houses three idols of Ram, Sita and Lakshman, moons away in simplicity from the flashy murtis newer temples house. Goregoankar is believed to have held Ram Navami celebrations on the premises and invited the faithful from around to participate. The Ram Navami utsav is held to this day, to celebrate the lord's birthday in the month of Chaitra (March-April).
The Shri Ram Mandir in Goregaon West fell into disuse after the 1896
According to indologist Sandeep Dahisakar, a Shiva temple existed on the premises, even more ancient than this one, and if you look hard enough, you will find an old Shivalinga, a pillar capital, and a Shiva head dating back to approximately the 11th century.
For those of you who are not into local history, drop in for the peace. It's the sort of refuge that lets you tune into your spiritual self and lose yourself in dhyaan. Ram Mandir Road, Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority Colony, Best Nagar, Goregaon West
