Mumba Devi Mandir

Mumba Devi Mandir, or Mumba Devi Temple, is an old Hindu temple in the city of Mumbai (formerly Bombay) dedicated to the goddess "transl|mr|Mumbā", the local incarnation of the Devi (Mother Goddess). Marathi "transl|mr|Mumbā" derives from Sanskrit "Mahā-Ambā" "Great Mother", and "transl|mr|Mumbaī" combines the name with "transl|mr|aī", the Marathi for "mother". [ Samuel Sheppard Bombay Place-Names and Street-Names (Bombay: The Times Press) 1917 pp104-5]

While Hindu sects devoted to the goddess Mumbadevi are attested to as far back as the 15th century, it is said that the temple was built in 1675 near the main landing site of the former Bori Bunder creek against the north wall of the English Fort Saint George by a Hindu woman also named Mumba. The creek and fort are now deteriorated to a point at which they are but derelict reminders of the city's past. The temple, on the other hand, is still active. Fact|date=February 2007

The goddess "Mumba" was patron of the "agri" (salt collectors) and "kolis" (fisherfolk), the original inhabitants of the seven islands of Bombay. She is depicted as a black stone sculpture in the temple. An etymology of Mumba that is popular is "Maha Amba," or "Great Mother," one of the many of India's more well-known names for the Hindu Mother Goddess (Devi). Located in Bhuleshwar area in South Mumbai, the temple is in the heart of the steel and clothing markets. It is a sacred pilgrimage spot and place of worship for Hindus and is thus visited daily by hundreds of people. It is not uncommon for visitors of Mumbai to pay their respects at the temple and is one of the popular tourist destinations in the city.Fact|date=February 2007

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