Temples – Article on temples of Bhuleshwar
Gods own patch Bhuleshwar
Neha Rishi Bhuleshwar
Walking through the lanes that spill over each other, narrowly demarcating
one area from another – one lands up in the nerve centre of south Mumbai,
Bhuleshwar. The width of the road is just about enough to support a two-way
pedestrian traffic. And amidst the cramped co-existence of old buildings and
zillion shops, spring up much to your wonderment, temples of varied sizes
and lords.
Bhuleshwar derives its name from the 150-year-old Bhuleshwar Mahadev Mandir,
where it is believed that a shiva linga appeared by itself. People here take
pride in the belief that this place is the abode of 84 crore Hindu devtas.
Around 1835, bazaar areas emerged as the heart of south Mumbai in places
such as Bhuleshwar, Kalbadevi and Girgaum, where residential, commercial,
social and religious activities were integrated within the system of the
city. Densely populated colonies developed in and around Bhuleshwar, where
Hindu immigrants from Kathiawar, Kutch and Marwar settled in large numbers
in the 17th and 18th centuries. Thus, many temples in the precinct show the
glimpse of Gujarat and Rajasthan architecture.
The feel of Bhuleshwar comes with a blend of buzzing commercial enthusiasm,
sobered down with the chants of mantras that emanate from the scores of
temples housed in its maze-like lanes. It would be unanimously accepted that
this place is where gods reside, where gods rub shoulders with man and where
different faiths converge to form a melting pot of tolerance.
On one side, if Bhuleshwar is known for its imitation jewellery market, on
the other side due to the existence of temples, there flourishes a flower
market which is as old as 100 years and also idol market (both marble and
clay) at the 123-year-old Madhavbaug. The Bhuleshwar-Kalbadevi area is
characterised by several baugs constructed by wealthy residents. Madhavbaug
was built by Narottamdas Varjivandas in the memory of his father, in 1874.
Gopal Agarwal, who owns a shop selling idols at Madhavbaug states,
“Madhavbaug is the only area in Bhuleshwar and C P Tank, where idols of
deities are available. All the puja-related articles are sold in this
market. We cater to the requirements of every religion; in fact we have a
large supply volume to mosques.”
Close to Madhavbaug is the Bhagwat Gita School which was started by a
Maharashtrian saint by the name of Pandurang Athavle. The locals claim that
such a school is found nowhere else in the city. The cow, sacred to the
Hindus, also rightly has its space here in Bhuleshwar. Run by the Mumbai
Panjarpole Trust is the 172 year old cowshed that houses nearly 2,000 cows.
The milk needed in the temples here is supplied by this shed and also to
other temples in Mumbai.
Subhash Pawar, a shopowner selling artificial flowers, offered as malas to
the temple deities says, “Name a God and you’ll find Him here, either
sheltered in a small temple or worshipped in a lavish one. Besides the
several small temples that dot its skyline, the area has five big and
popular temples – Bhuleshwar Bholenath Mandir, Laxmi Narayan Mandir, Samudri
Mata Mandir, Digambar Jain Mandir and the Mumbadevi Mandir. Your faith will
definitely find a form here.”
Bhuleshwar Bholenath mandir
Bhuleshwar derives its name from the 150-year-old Bhuleshwar Mahadev Mandir,
where it is believed that a shiva linga appeared by itself. The temple
exudes the feel of being timeless and rustic, not affected by the modernity
of changing times. It stands interspersed with the chaotic cluster of shops.
Samudri mata mandir
The 1000-year-old temple is easily is one of the oldest in Mumbai. D D
Chaturvedi, maharaj or head-priest of the temple elaborates, “The idol of
Goddess Mahalakshmi appeared from the sea, at the same place where the
temple now stands. Hence, the temple is named Samudri Mata Mandir.” While
people of all faiths come calling on the deity, devotees are from the Kapol
Samaajh, Visha Sarothia Samaajh and Dasa Sarothia Samaajh of the Gujarati
community are more regular. The rush is less here as compared to that at the
Mahalaxmi Temple, Bhulabahi Desai Road and Mumbadevi Temple, Zaveri Bazaar.”
Digambar Jain mandir
Built in 1971, this temple is one of the few of its kind in Mumbai. The Jain
community is comprises Digambar Jains and Swetambar Jains. This temple is
very popular amongst the Digambar Jains of the city.
The maharaj of the temple explains, “Our rituals are very different from
those of Hindus. While Hindus conduct abhishek to achieve vaykunth (heaven),
we do it for achieving moksha. In order to attain moksha or salvation, the
head-priests sacrifice materlistic pleasures.”
Laxmi Narayan mandir
The 130-year-old temple is very popular among devotees. It is believed that
it is here that all wishes are fulfilled. The pujari affirms that if a
person is going through a rough patch, visits the temple regularly, then
within three months he will be freed of all his troubles. The pujan of the
idol is done in the same style as the Shreenathji Nath Dawara Temple in
Rajasthan.
Mumbadevi mandir
This temple is of great significance to Mumbai, as the city derives its name
from here. Pujari Shobhnath Garg says, “The temple is 160-years-old and was
existing where today stands the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. When the
construction of the station began, the temple was shifted to the current
spot.” Besides, Mumbadevi other deities such as Hanuman, Ganesh, Shankar,
Ambamata and Krishna are also housed here. They have been in existence for
over 400 years now. The pujari recounts the belief that has been passed on
from generations of, Mumbai being protected by the blessings of Mumbadevi
and that the day the devi turns scornful, Mumbai will drown in the sea.
The temples of Bhuleshwar neither exhibit flamboyant architecture nor sprawl
over acres of land. They exude the rock solid faith the devotees instill in
the deities rooted strongly on the ground of Bhuleshwar. It’s the converging
point of two contrasts – what money is to trade, belief in God is to people
here.
downtownplus@timesgroup.com
Publication : Dowtownplus; Pg : 4; Date : 17/8/07
URL : http://www.downtownplus.com/fullStory.asp?articleID=DP8ART817200721801