When it comes to pilgrimage destinations in Mumbai or Bombay, the first place
that comes to mind is the Siddhi Vinayak Temple at Prabhadevi. Usually in most
religious depictions, the elephant headed God Ganesha also known as Ganpati
in Maharashtra has his trunk curled to his left. But in this temple, he is depicted
with his trunk pointing to the right. He stands strong with four arms, one bearing
a lotus, the other an axe, the third a modak, a traditional Indian sweet which
Ganpati is said to have a weakness for and in the fourth a garland of beads.
He is flanked on either side by his two wives Riddhi and Siddhi. The temple
is the most crowded during Angaraki and Sankashti Chaturthi days, which are
considered holy days according to the Hindu calendar.
Haji Ali - An integral part of the multicultural and multi ethnic diversity
of Mumbai, Haji Ali Mosque is one of the major pilgrimage spots in Mumbai. Not
surprisingly there are as many Hindus as there are Muslims that visit the mosque
for wish fulfillment. The mosque is built in the middle of the sea with a narrow
strip of land leading to it. Set about 500 yards into the sea, it can be reached
only at low tide. According to folklore, Haji Ali was a wealthy businessman
who died on a pilgrimage to Mecca. It is said that the casket carrying his body
floated all the way back to the site where the mosque now stands. Built in the
19th century the mosque gives the impression that it is floating on the sea,
especially during high tide. As per Islamic laws there are separate prayer rooms
for men and women. Throngs of people come to bow their heads on the red and
green brocade sheet covering the tomb and pray for the realization of their
dreams.
Shirdi - Located about 296 kms from Mumbai, Shirdi is a popular pilgrimage
destination for the followers of Shirdi Sai Baba. The headquarters of the Shri
Sai Baba Sansthan are located here. The Sansthan does a lot of welfare work
including having built a Sai Baba Bhakti Niwas to accommodate about 3500 devotees,
a Shri Sainath Hospital which is well equipped with the latest equipment and
provides free treatment and a Prasadalaya which provides hygienic prasada to
1000 devotees at a time.
The nearest railway station which connects Shirdi is Korpargaon, 15 kms on
the Manmad-Daund section of the Central Railways.
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