Information of Shri Swaminarayan Temple, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Shri Swaminarayan temple of Mumbai is regarded as one of most significant religious places of Maharashtra. Though the temple is resided at many other places in India but, the temple of Mumbai is considered as the prime one. The main significance of this Hindu temple is not about gods but the worship of a great man called as Shri Swaminarayan. Sahajanand Swami was the actual name of Shri Swaminarayan. He acted as the vital figure for the Indians. The temple is created in the Bhuleshwar area of Dadar in Mumbai.

Shri Swaminarayan Temple Religious Significance

Shri Swaminarayan was a great human being who helped people in minimizing their social, financial crisis and problems relating to their health. For these reasons, devotees in uncountable numbers offer prayers and worship his deity placed inside the temple. Swaminarayan was strictly against all the religious boundaries created by the humans. So, his religious views are not only for Hindus but for all the people of different religions. That is why people relating to Muslim and Parsee community also visit here to make a glimpse of the idol of Swaminarayan. All his views related to social and practical life of human being are encrypted in a sacred document known as the Vachanmrut. It was created by storing all his dialogues and discussions about the above noted topics by his five trusted followers.

It was due to the demand of his supporters and devotees that Phool Gali (flower market) was established just in front of this temple. Swaminarayan Jayanti or the birthday of Shri Swaminarayan is greatly observed in this temple. Other than that, Maha Shivaratri, Ganesh Chaturthi, Janmasthami and many more Hindu festivals are also observed in this religious place.

Shri Swaminarayan Temple Mythology & History

Shri Swaminarayan was believed as the form of Lord Purushottama by his devotees. He was born in a small village in Uttar Pradesh near the religious place of Ayodha. He was born on the auspicious day of Ram Navami (birth day of Lord Rama). So, Ram Navami and Swaminarayan Jayanti are jointly celebrated here. Through his lifetime, Swaminarayan was awarded with different names like Ghanshyam Pande in childhood, Nilkanth Varni during his travelling in all parts of India and Sahajanand Swami during his days of leadership. It was only after his death that the name Shri Swaminarayan was honored as his name.

After his parents death he left his home in search of different troubles of people to solve them. In this way he became a significant iconic figure for the inhabitants of India. He along with his followers fought against the cruel rules against women and underprivileged citizens. He was strictly against the law of animal sacrifices in different worshipping by the Hindus. So, he decided to form a separate Hindu group named as the Swaminarayan Hinduism. This group strictly neglects the above cruel acts. According to him, each and every individual is equal in the eye of God and they have the equal right to live in this world through peace.

Shri Swaminarayan Temple Architectural Significance

Though the surrounding is not at all convincing for the Swaminarayan temple still it has a lot of architectural attraction for the visitors. After crossing the 25 steps at the entrance door, the audience hall appear. It is a beautifully decorated room having three different shrines on different corner of the hall. Structures of Hare Krishna Maharaj, Ghanshyam Maharaj, Hanuman, Ganesha and many other gods are among the shrines placed here. Above this hall there is a dome encrypted with pictures of Krishna's childhood and supported by 54 pillars. Moreover, there is an audience hall, which discusses about the religious preaching for the devotees visiting there.