Shri Mahalaxmi Temple

About Temple:-

Shree Mahalakshmi Temple is located at the North of the Malbar Hill on Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai 400 026. The beauty of the temple, its mythological importance, its proximity to the seashore and its Dhwjstambha all combine together to make the place a wonderful tourist attraction, as well.
Situated within the Municipal ’D’ ward, the Mahalakshmi Temple precinct is bound by the sea on the western and northen edges and Bhulabhai Desai Road on the east and south.
This temple is dedicated to the three deities  Shree Mahakali or Durga (Destroyer of Demon), Shree  Mahalakshmi (Goddesses of Wealth) and Shree Mahasaraswati (Goddesses of Learning).
In the month of March/April and September/October i.e.during Chaitra and Ashwin Navaratra , the Sun rays of rising sun fall on the deities for few minutes.

History:-
Shree Mahalakshmi Temple, Bhulabahi Desai Road, Mumbai - 400 026 is managed by a Trust called “Shree Mahalakshmi Temple Charities” a Religious and Charitable trust. Shree Mahakali and Shree Mahasaraswati. Thousands of devotees visit the temple every day which goes to hundreds of thousand of devotees during Navaratra, Diwali and in the month of Margashirsha, as they believe that Mahalakshmi Temple’s Mahalakshmi Deity is ‘Jagrut’ or alive deity.

Present Timings of Temple and Arati Schedule :-
Opening Time :      6.00 a.m.
Aarti Schedule :     Morning -  7a.m. to 7.20 am(Main arati)
                           Evening – 6.30 p.m. to 6.40p.m.(Dhoop Arati–depending on timings of Sunset)
                            7.30 p.m. to 7.50p.m.(Main Arati)
                            Night –      10.00 p.m.(Shejarati – at the time of closure)                 

Daily Naivedya :    12:00 (Afternoon)

Festivals:-
Navaratri and Diwali are the special events that are celebrated at Shree Mahalakshmi Temple - ‘Chaitra Navaratra’ in the month of Chaitra i.e. between March-April and ‘Ashwin  Navaratra’ in the month Ashwin between September –October and Diwali during October - November. During Navaratra, the temple is decorated from the entrance to gabhara. Entire temple surrounding is decorated with various series of lights , flowers, garlands etc.
Special arrangements for keeping footwear of devotees, free of cost is made by the temple and Pendals are erected on the footpath near Bhulabhai Desai road during Navaratra festivals, a special railing and arrangements are made in the temple sabhamandap to facilitate proper darshan of Deities to every devotee coming for darshan of all the three deities. During three to four days of Diwali including ‘Laxmipoojan’ there is heavy rush of devotees.
Annakut which is held on the day of Kartik Pournima, celebrated in this temple after the Diwali festival when 56 types of various sweets and food items etc. are offered to matajis as naivedya and then the said items are distributed to all the devotees and more than 500 devotees avail of benefit of Prasad /dinner on Annakut day.

Margashirsh month :-

During recent years there is more rush of ladies on the occasion of Margshirsh month(i.e.During December and January). There is tremendous rush like Navaratra in the temple. This month is considered very auspicious when devotees offer their prayers sitting in front of Sabha Mandap.
Palkhi of Mataji Palkhi procession takes place on ‘Gudhi Padwa’, i.e. 1st day of the Marathi New year in the month Chaitra (March/April). 

Chaitra Navratra starts on 1st day of Chaitra. Palkhi procession takes place on 17th June every year being the anniversary day of the ‘Dhwjasthambha’ which was erected in front of the temple near deepsthambha. Dhwjasthambha was dedicated at the hands of Jayendra Saraswati Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamkoti. During palkhi procession lot of devotees take part and pray to the Goddesses for choicest blessings.

Social Activities / Objects of the Trust

1.     Relief to the Poor :-   
a.     Scholarship Scholarship (One time payment on a yearly basis) is given to the poor Hindu students subject to fulfillment of certain requirements etc. As per the existing norms, the Scholarship is being given to successful students from 7th standard up to graduation as also for Diplomas/Degree courses in Engineering and Medical and Computer streams including B. Pharma, Information Technology etc. to those who secure 60% and above. The Hindu students residing in Mumbai/ Thane district or New Mumbai are eligible for scholarship on submission of required documents. The amount of scholarship per eligible Student ranges from Rs.1,000 to Rs.10,000/- Total amount of scholarship distributed is around Rs. 200,00,000/- (Rupees Two crore) every year.  
b.     Medical Relief It is in the form of Financial Assistance to the extent of Rs. 1000/- to Rs. 5000/- (maximum) per poor patient of any religion who take medical treatment in Govt. Hospitals, BMC Hospitals certain private charitable Hospitals in Mumbai/Pune. The total disbursements on this account is around Rs. 300,00,000/- (Rupees Three crore) every year.  
2.     Trust is running Free Medical Dispensaries in Mahalakshmi Temple precinct. This includes Allopathy, Ayurvedic and Homeopathy, eye check up etc. once a week. This Trust has a plan to set up Dental clinic, pathological Laboratory, dialysis centre etc. in future.   
3.     Trust is also giving Donations to the various educational religious and medical institutions in Maharashtra State and Non–Government Organizations in the Country and to Institutions who are extending help to the orphanages, handicapped, blind deaf and dumb and mentally retarded persons, old peoples homes etc.
4.     Trust gives donations for Translating Books on Hindu religion and preferably of Shakti Cult in Marathi, Gujrati and Hindi languages.

5.     Trust renders help to the people at the time of famine, draught, or other natural calamities.