Although Mumbai, the thriving metropolis of India, does not boast of any historical or cultural temples that are specifically related to Thai culture and religion, it does have a handful of noteworthy temples that offer a glimpse into the diverse religious and cultural tapestry of India. These temples may not be directly linked to Thai culture, but they do provide a window into the spiritual diversity of the country.
Siddhivinayak Temple
The Shri Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir, located in Mumbai, India, is a renowned Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Its construction dates back to November 19, 1801, when Laxman Vithu and Deubai Patil initiated its establishment. Deubai Patil, hailing from the village of Vadala, received a divine vision from Lord Ganesha himself, urging her to construct a temple in his honor.
This temple holds immense significance among the Hindu community in Mumbai and has emerged as one of the most popular temples in the city. Since the 1950s, it has attracted countless pilgrims who seek the blessings of the deity. Devotees firmly believe that Lord Ganesha readily fulfills their wishes, making this temple a cherished destination for those seeking divine intervention. The temple receives substantial contributions and trust funds, amounting to over INR 100 million annually.
Various vibrant festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm at the Shri Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir. These include Ganesha Chaturthi, Sankashti Chaturthi, Hanuman Jayanti, and Akshaya Tritiya. These festivities bring devotees together in joyous celebrations, further enhancing the temple’s spiritual ambiance and fostering a sense of unity among its visitors.
Mumbadevi Temple
The Mumbadevi Temple, located in the heart of Mumbai, India, is a well-known ancient temple dedicated to the local deity, Goddess Mumbadevi. This temple, which was built in the 18th century, is one of the oldest temples in the city.
Initially, the Mumbadevi temple was situated at Bori Bunder, but it was destroyed between 1739 and 1770. A new temple was constructed at the same location in Bhuleshwar.
The name “Mumbai” has a direct connection to Mumbadevi, as it is believed to be an anglicized version of “Mumbā Aai,” which means mother in Marathi. The Koli fishermen, who were the early inhabitants of Mumbai, hold great respect and honor for Goddess Mumbadevi and consider her as their guardian.
Mahalakshmi Temple
The Mahalakshmi Temple, situated in Mumbai, India, is a sacred place of worship for Hindus. It is devoted to the goddess Mahalakshmi and was constructed in 1831 by Dhakji Dadaji, a prominent Hindu merchant. Positioned on Bhulabhai Desai Road, this temple holds great significance for devotees seeking blessings and solace.
Here is some information about the temple’s history:
- The temple is said to have originally been a Jain temple.
- The Shilahara rulers of Kolhapur added embellishments to the temple.
- Four inscriptions belonging to the 13th century CE were found in the temple.
- Devotees immersed the three idols of the goddesses Shri Mahalakshmi, Shri Mahakali, and Shri Mahasaraswati into the sea near Worli creek to avoid destruction of the idols by invaders.
- The temple has at least 50,000 visitors in its lean season and over 5 lakh during the festive season of Navratri.
The significance of the temple lies in its association with the goddess of wealth and prosperity. The devotees believe that by offering prayers and performing rituals at the temple, they can seek the blessings of the goddess and attain success in their lives. The temple is a place of peace and tranquility, where people come to seek solace and guidance from the divine power of the goddess.
Gateway of India
The Gateway of India, located in Mumbai, India, is a significant arch monument. Its construction took place in 1924 to honor the arrival of King George V and Queen Mary at Apollo Bunder in 1911. The purpose of their visit was to proceed to Delhi for their coronation as the emperor and empress of India.
Standing at a height of 26 meters (85 feet), this architectural marvel is constructed using yellow basalt stone. Situated at Mumbai Harbor, it offers a captivating view of the Arabian Sea. The monument’s structure is a combination of yellow basalt stones integrated into a reinforced concrete framework, adorned with intricately carved stone latticework known as jali.
The Gateway of India holds immense popularity among tourists and locals alike, making it one of the most sought-after destinations in Mumbai. Its allure attracts thousands of visitors on a daily basis, who come to witness its grandeur and soak in its historical significance.
Haji Ali Dargah
The Haji Ali Dargah, situated in Mumbai, India, is a renowned pilgrimage site that holds great significance in the Indo-Islamic culture. Positioned on an island near the Worli coast, amidst the vast Arabian Sea, this dargah attracts devotees from various religious backgrounds.
Constructed in 1431, the dargah was built as a tribute to Sayyed Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, a prosperous Muslim merchant hailing from Bukhara, which is now part of Uzbekistan. Prior to embarking on his journey to Mecca, he relinquished all his material possessions to embrace a life of spirituality. Legend has it that he met his demise at the very spot where the mosque stands today, succumbing to the depths of the sea.
While the original structure of the dargah dates back to the 15th century, it underwent reconstruction during the 19th century. The present-day edifice, crafted from Makrana marble sourced from Rajasthan, encompasses a mosque and the tomb of Sayyed Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. Regarded as one of Mumbai’s premier attractions, the dargah stands as an iconic symbol and a remarkable testament to the Indo-Islamic architectural style.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is the primary railway station in Mumbai, India, and serves as the headquarters of the city’s Central Railway System. Its construction took place between 1878 and 1887. While it is often the first impression that visitors have of the bustling metropolis, the station’s architecture is not representative of traditional Indian design. Instead, it should be viewed as a centerpiece of the country’s most important region during the British Empire’s reign, showcasing its grand scale and ambition.
The station’s English architect, Frederick Williams Stevens, spent several months touring Europe for inspiration, and the station’s design reflects this. The Italianate Gothic Revival style is blended with traditional Indian domes, turrets, and pointed arches to create a fusion style that accurately represents 19th-century Bombay’s role as the country’s gateway to the West. The ornamental railings, woodcarving, tiles, balustrades, and other decorations were created by students of the Sir Jamsetjee Jeejebhoy School of Art in Mumbai.
Despite the national policy of replacing British Empire-derived names with Indian ones, the station is still commonly referred to as V.T., short for Victoria Terminus. It is Mumbai’s primary commuter hub, and during rush hour, the station encapsulates the city’s chaotic yet dynamic feel. The station was also one of the locations of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. In 2004, UNESCO recognized the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus as a World Heritage site.
ISKCON Temple
AC Bhaktivedanta Swami founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in New York City in 1966. The organization’s primary objective is to promote the practice of Bhakti Yoga or Krishna Consciousness as a means to achieve enlightenment. ISKCON is dedicated to the worship of Lord Krishna, whom they consider to be the Supreme Being.
The Hare Krishna Movement, also known as ISKCON, is one of several Hinduism-like movements that emerged in the West during the 1960s. It has spread throughout most countries in Latin America and is currently present in over 16 countries on the continent.
The ISKCON Temple in Vrindavan was constructed in 1975 and was inaugurated on the occasion of Ram Navami. The temple’s foundation was laid by Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON. The ISKCON Temple in Bangalore began construction in 1990, and it took over 10 million man-hours and the efforts of 600 skilled craftsmen to complete the temple. The temple’s construction materials included marble tiles from Portugal and oak wood from Japan.
Bandra Worli Sea Link
The Bandra-Worli Sea Link, located in Mumbai, India, is a cable suspension bridge that connects the areas of Bandra and Worli. This impressive structure was commissioned by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and constructed by the Hindustan Construction Company. Initially, the bridge opened four lanes to the public on June 30, 2009, and later, on March 24, 2010, all eight lanes became accessible.
Featuring two 250-meter main spans, the bridge boasts twin concrete box girder decks. It is supported by a single tower, standing at an impressive height of 128 meters above the pile cap level. One of the significant advantages of this bridge is its ability to significantly reduce travel time between Mumbai’s suburbs and the town area, saving commuters nearly 30 minutes.
Overall, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link stands as a remarkable infrastructure project, enhancing connectivity and easing transportation for the residents of Mumbai.
Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly Prince of Wales Museum)
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya is a museum located in Mumbai, India. It was founded in 1905, but its opening was postponed until 1922. The museum is housed in a magnificent domed building that was constructed in the Indo-Saracenic style and was completed in 1914.
The museum’s collections are diverse and include a wide range of artifacts from different cultures and periods. Among the most notable collections are Tibetan art, Chinese porcelain, Mughal and Rajput miniatures, and the Jehangir Art Gallery, which was completed in 1952. The museum also has impressive jewelry and glass collections.
The natural history section of the museum began with the collection of the Bombay Natural History Society. The history section of the museum features dioramas and exhibits from the period of the Maratha Confederacy, which spanned from the 17th to the 18th century. Overall, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in art, history, and culture.
Mumbai Taj Hotel
The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, located in Mumbai, India, was established on December 16, 1903, by Jamsetji Tata, a well-known Indian industrialist and philanthropist. The hotel was designed by W. A. Chambers, a British architect, and Sitaram Khanderao Vaidya, an Indian architect. The construction of the hotel cost 1.2 million rupees and features Indo-Saracenic arches, a unique red-tiled Florentine Gothic dome, and Victorian Gothic and Romanesque details.
The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is considered a masterpiece of architecture and a symbol of Mumbai. The hotel has hosted a variety of events, including live classical orchestras, British Regiment Bands, jazz, Saturday Night dances, opera, dance performances, and even a resident fortune teller. The hotel’s rich history and cultural significance have made it an iconic landmark in Mumbai.
One of the most well-known stories about the hotel’s construction is that Tata was denied entry into Watson’s Hotel, which was exclusively reserved for Europeans. This incident inspired Tata to build a hotel that would rival the best hotels in Europe and provide a luxurious experience for all guests, regardless of their background. The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel has since become a symbol of Indian hospitality and a testament to Tata’s vision and determination.