Legend
Tradition holds that when the British were building the Hornby Vellard sea wall to join Bombay's islands in the 18th century, the wall kept collapsing. The chief engineer dreamed of a goddess image lying in the sea off Worli; it was recovered from the creek, a shrine was raised for it, and the wall was completed. The present temple was built in 1831 by Dhakji Dadaji, a Hindu merchant.
Why this temple matters
The Mahalakshmi temple on Bhulabhai Desai Road stands on a headland over the Arabian Sea at Breach Candy. Its sanctum holds three goddesses together: Mahalakshmi, Mahakali and Mahasaraswati, adorned with nose rings, gold bangles and pearl necklaces. It is Mumbai's principal temple of the goddess of wealth, visited by business families, and the lane leading to it is lined with flower and offering stalls.
What devotees pray for here
Wealth & Prosperity
Mumbai's trading families come here before opening a shop, signing a deal or starting the financial year. Devotees offer lotus flowers, coconuts and sweets to Mahalakshmi and pray for steady prosperity, the clearing of debts and protection of what they have earned.
Festivals
- Navaratri (September–October): the biggest festival, with devotees queuing through the night
- Diwali and Lakshmi Puja (October–November): traders come for blessings on new account books
- Margashirsha Thursdays (November–December): women's Lakshmi vrat
- Fridays through the year: the weekly special day of the goddess
Poojas & rituals
- Archana in the family's name
- Lakshmi puja and Shri Suktam chanting
- Offering of lotus, coconut and sweets
- Navaratri homam
- Evening aarti
Personal predictions for your own birth chart, pooja booking and prasad delivery are in the SantoBaba app.
How to reach
Mahalaxmi railway station on the Western line is about 1 km away; Mumbai Central is about 3 km. Mumbai airport is roughly 15 km. Taxis and buses stop on Bhulabhai Desai Road; the temple is a short walk down the lane of flower stalls.
Timings
Open daily from about 6 AM to 10 PM. Friday evenings and Navaratri nights are the busiest.
Rules & dress code
Modest dress. Cameras and phones are not used inside the sanctum. Expect long queues on Fridays and during Navaratri; a separate line is kept for those with offerings.
Frequently asked questions
Which day is best for Mahalakshmi temple?
Fridays, and any day during Navaratri or around Diwali when Lakshmi is worshipped for prosperity.
Can I book a pooja at Mumbai Mahalakshmi temple without visiting?
Yes. Archana or Lakshmi puja can be arranged in your name, and SantoBaba sends you the video and prasad.
What should I offer?
Lotus flowers, coconuts, sweets and a sari for the goddess are the traditional offerings, sold in the lane outside.
How old is the temple?
The present temple dates from 1831; the goddess image is linked to the building of the Hornby Vellard in the 1700s.
Photo gallery
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Other temples for Wealth & Prosperity: Jagannath Temple · Siddhivinayak Temple · Sri Kanaka Durga Temple · Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple · Tirupati Balaji Temple · Vaishno Devi Temple