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The Mumbadevi temple precinct in Mumbai is poised for a significant makeover as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to transform the 9,000-square-metre area inspired by the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi. Estimated to cost INR146 crore, the project will restore the over 100-year-old temple, enhance accessibility, and beautify the surroundings with gardens and water features. The redevelopment aims to accommodate 7,000 devotees while improving crowd management and preserving local hawkers' livelihoods.
One of Mumbai's most atmospheric downtown neighbourhoods, the Mumbadevi temple precinct, is set to receive its long-awaited makeover. This area is home to the Mumbadevi temple, which houses the goddess Mumbadevi, believed to be the presiding deity of the city. In a significant community-integrated development initiative, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to transform the modest 9,000-square-metre precinct, inspired by the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi. The foundation stone for the project is expected to be laid by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde soon, and tenders have already been issued. Advertisement
Estimated to cost INR146 crore, the project will involve restoring the over 100-year-old Mumbadevi temple and enhancing accessibility for devotees. The surrounding area will be beautified with gardens, water bodies, statues, and murals. To recreate the ambience of a bygone era, natural materials such as basalt will be utilised in the redevelopment.
Once a modest shrine in the heart of the old city, the Mumbadevi temple has witnessed shops and other commercial establishments, along with residential buildings, encroach upon its vicinity. Hawkers selling ritual items and garlands operate in crowded conditions outside the temple, while devotees waiting to offer prayers often find themselves in long queues in an extremely congested space. During festivals like Navratri, managing the crowd has proven to be a challenge.
This is all set to undergo a dramatic transformation. A civic official stated that the primary goal of the revamp plan is to organise the unstructured areas surrounding the temple to improve crowd management. The precinct will be redesigned to accommodate up to 7,000 people at a time. Facilities for devotees will be included, such as benches, drinking water, toilets, first aid, and parking.
Plans include widening the temple entrance from Mumbadevi towards the Kalbadevi side by 30 feet. Additionally, a garden featuring a mandal vaatika, a designated area for rituals like havans, and a pond will be created. The proposal also suggests showcasing the Devi's idol outside, providing devotees with a walkthrough experience.
The historic Pydhonie Talav, a water body of great historical significance that has long since disappeared, will be reconstructed for devotees to wash their feet before entering the temple grounds. The official noted that unfortunately, the temple has become engulfed by the bustling market area, with its dome barely visible and the temple's ambience compromised by encroachments from all sides. However, all shops and licensed hawkers will be rehabilitated, ensuring they retain their clientele by providing them with prime spaces along the routes frequented by devotees.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the guardian minister of the island city, Deepak Kesarkar, have granted approval for the project. Several meetings between the state government and the BMC have taken place to finalise the details. BMC has appointed project management consultant M/S Structwel and conducted a traffic simulation study. The civic official explained that the topography of the area has been studied to create a well-organised plan, with the entire Mumbadevi precinct area set to be developed in phases.
The upcoming redevelopment of the Mumbadevi temple precinct marks a transformative step towards enhancing the spiritual experience for devotees. By integrating modern amenities while preserving cultural heritage, this initiative aims to create a more organised and welcoming environment in one of Mumbai's historic neighbourhoods.
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