Mumbai:
Goddess Mahalaxmi just got richer. The 225 year-old Mahalaxmi temple located near Bhulabhai Desai Road will sport a brand new garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum) covered in 500 kg of silver donated by temple devotees.
A Mumbai landmark, the temple's new look will be unveiled this week. A source within the temple trust told Sunday MiD DAY that the trustees gave the go ahead for the makeover because of pressure from devotees.
When the Shankaracharya of Kanchipuram, who has been closely associated with the temple heard of the request, he sent five skilled temple craftsmen from Chennai to the island city to help with the beautification.
In 2002, the Shankaracharya had consecrated a silver-covered pillar in the temple premises. The makeover was started two months ago. "A group of devotees approached us to help give the temple a new look. I could not ignore their request. The work is almost over," said temple manager Sharad V Padhye.
One of Mumbai's most famous temples located within a stone's throw from Haji Ali Dargah, the temple was built in 1831 by Dhakji Dadaji, a Hindu merchant. It is visited by 10,000 devotees each day, and nearly 30,000 on Thursdays and Fridays -- considered auspicious by Hindus -- and Sundays, a holiday.