Famous Temples in India

Religious Significance

The temple is dedicated to goddess parvati (also known as gauri) in her Fisher woman form. To take the form of mahakali, goddess parvati had to gain perseverance and concentration. At that time lord shiva (husband of goddess parvati) insisted goddess parvati to reincarnate in the form of a fisher woman by which she can gain the ability of perseverance and concentration as a fisherman gains both these qualities while learning fishing. Goddess parvati then incarnated as a fisher woman and took hermitage at the place of fishermen (current location-Mumbai). Goddess parvati at her early age was known as Matsyaa and later she was came to be known as Mumba in her Fisher woman form. Mumba dedicated herself in learning perseverance and concentration under the guidance of fishermen as they were keen in their profession of catching fishes by concentration and perseverance. When Mumba mastered the techniques of perseverance and concentration, the time came for her to return to her abode from where she had come. Lord shiva came in the form of fisherman and married Mumba realising, who she truly was. Later the fishermen requested her to stay there forever and so she became the village goddess(grama devata). As she was signified as "Aai" (meaning mother in Marathi) by the people living there, she came to be known as Mumba Aai. And Mumbai got its name from her.