This weekend, sign up for a walk that will introduce you to the folk legends of Girgaon and its surroundings
The Laxmi Narayan temple in Bhuleshwar will be part of the walk that will end with a treat of Gujarati snacks
While the rich legacy and history of the Ganesh festival in Mumbai is well-known, Girgaon in SoBo offers a unique celebration during Navratri. In the culturally rich location, the streets come alive with vibrant festivities as devotees gather to worship and remember the various forms and incarnations of Goddess Durga and deep-rooted folklore that has traversed generations. This tradition brings an amalgamation of colours, music, and devotion to the locality, making Girgaon a must-visit destination during the auspicious Navratri season.
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The Mumbadevi temple
“Navratri is more than a festival for the residents of Girgaon, it is a testament to the long history of the locality’s devotion to Goddess Durga. The name of the city itself comes from the legend of Mumbadevi, an incarnation of Durga worshipped by the indigenous Koli community in Mumbai,” says Shruti Railkar, who will be organising the Devis of Girgaon walk, a tour of five unique temples around the area and enlighten participants about their rich histories.
Railkar lays the job of guiding the participants in the hands of Rohan Damushte, a born and bred Girgaonkar, who possesses a deep interest for the history and culture of the city, will lead the walk that will not only explore the temples of Girgaon, but also provide interesting insights and trivia. He shares a sneak-peek of the folklore with us that he thinks most city folk might find fascinating.
Goddess of the seas
The legend of Samudri Mata dates almost 1,000 years back, when the city that we know today existed as seven disconnected islands. Damushte tells us that an idol was found in the seas and was later enshrined at the Samudri Mata temple located in Bhuleshwar by devotees, which is still visited by many in the locality.
The exteriors of the Laxmi Narayan temple which has motifs inspired by Gujarati culture
Destructor of the evil
One of the most well-known incarnations of Durga is Mahishasura Mardini, who killed the demon Mahishasura with her trishul (trident) to gain the epithet. “The 150-year-old Jagdamba temple in Kalbadevi is home to this incarnation of Durga. I’m looking forward to narrating this complex story to the participants,” he says.
A rare find
The worship of Mahakali is not common in Maharashtra which is why the Mahakali temple in Pydhonie is a hidden gem of sorts. “The name Pydhonie is said to have derived from the act of devotees washing their feet outside the temple before entering the premises,” shares Damushte.
Gujarati heritage
The organiser explains that the interiors of the Laxmi Narayan temple at Bhuleshwar was built by traders who migrated to Mumbai for business. The interiors, hence, have hints of Gujarati culture as a tribute to their heritage in the city.
Shruti Railkar and Rohan Damushte
Land of temples
Bhuleshwar is sometimes referred to as the Benaras of Mumbai. Fittingly so, thinks Damushte, who tells us that the area is home to more than 120 temples, of which the Bhuleshwar temple complex is the one most visited by devotees.
On: 21 October to 23 October; 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm
Meeting Point: Sai Baba Temple, Bhuleshwar Road, Fanas Wadi, Kalbadevi.
Call: 9969004297
Log on to: @passportandpizza
Cost: Rs 599
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