The temple was built in honour of the Goddess Mumbadevi, from whom the name of the city Mumbai is derived. Kolis (fisher folk) built the original temple. It was later demolished in the year 1737. A new temple was erected in its place at Bhuleshwar, which included a modern shrine with an image of the Goddess.

Getting there:

Nearest Railway Station: Marine Lines (Western Railway)

Situated on Walkeshwar Road, the Walkeshwar temple is one of the oldest in the region. As legend goes, Lord Rama and his brother Lakshman came to Bhuleshwar in search of Sita. Rama had vowed to worship the Shiva lingam (the symbol of Lord Shiva), which Lakshman brought for him from Benaras. One day, Lakshman was late in bringing the lingam, so Lord Rama made one out of sand. Years passed and a temple was erected above it, which came to be known as Walkeshwar (Sand God).

Getting there:

Nearest Railway Station: Marine Lines (Western Railway)

 Jain Temple 

Located on Ridge Road, Malabar Hill, the Jain temple is a 15-minute walk from Hanging Gardens. Built in marble in the year 1904, the inside of the temple depicts the lives of 24 Jain Tirthankars (prophets) through statues. The best feature of this temple is its architecture - intricately carved birds and beasts.

Getting there

Nearest Railway Station: Marine Lines (Western Railway)

Situated at the end of Marine Drive and south of Malabar Hill, Babulnath temple was built in the year 1780. In 1900s a tall spire was added to the original temple. This temple is renowned for the worship of a stone lingam of Lord Shiva. The main day for worshipping the deity is Monday.

Getting there

Nearest Railway Station: Marine Lines (Western Railway)

The Mahalaxmi Temple sits atop a long flight of steps that rise abruptly from the path. Dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, the temple comprises of images of Goddesses Mahalakshmi, Mahakali and Mahasaraswati. Since Mumbai is said to be the city of wealth, it isn’t surprising that the Goddess has a large following.

Getting there

Nearest station: Mahalaxmi (Western Railway)

 Siddhivinayak Temple 

The historic Shri Siddhivinayak Temple is nearly 200 years old with the idol of Lord Ganesh carved in black stone. The idol has a height of 30 inches and width of 24 inches. It is considered rare since its trunk is turned to the right. The speciality of the temple is that the idol is visible from any point in its premises.

Getting there

Nearest Station: Dadar (Western Railway)

Established in 1847, the Afghan Church is a befitting example of a war memorial, in honour of those who were killed in the first Afghan war. The names of the dead are inscribed on the epitaphs lined under the stained glass windows of the church. This impressive structure lined with ‘whispering’ banyan trees is situated near the Colaba Bus Depot.

Getting there

Nearest Railway Station: Churchgate (Western Railway)

The St Thomas Cathedral lies in the vicinity of Horniman Circle and is said to be the city’s premier Anglican Church. It was built in the year 1718, to improve the moral standards of the growing British settlement. The high box pews of the church, replaced now by more ordinary ones, were allotted to the people in order of social rank with the front row reserved for the Governor and the rear ones for ‘strangers’ and ‘inferior women’. Here, many Britishers were laid to rest under marbled tablets engraved with touching rhymes.

Getting there

Nearest station: Churchgate (Western Railway)

 Mount Mary Church 

The Mount Mary Church at Bandra is one of the most prominent churches in Mumbai and the venue for the popular weeklong Bandra Fair. People of all faiths come here to seek favours from Mother Mary. Opposite the church, stands a statue of Mother Mary where devotees light candles and seek blessings. One can get a breath-taking view of the Arabian Sea and the sunset from here.

Getting there

Nearest station: Bandra (Western Railway)

Jumma Masjid is tucked into the far end of Abdul Rehman Street near Crawford Market, one of the most important places of worship for Muslims in Mumbai. This is a small mosque with a cluster of white domes, which was built entirely out of marble in 1770. On Fridays, nearly 10,000 Muslims gather to offer namaz on the streets.

Getting there

Nearest station: Masjid (Central Railway)

Situated next to the Mahalaxmi temple, the Haji Ali Dargah is the tomb of a wealthy Mohammedan merchant who renounced worldly ways before embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca. Though the structure is only sixty years old, the tomb is said to be around for eight centuries. It is located in the middle of the sea and can be reached by a narrow path only during low tide.

Every year, the tomb is washed with fragrant rose water, which is then distributed among the ailing for its curative properties. The tomb is covered with a richly embroidered cloth where the devotees pay their respect by praying and touching their foreheads and lips to it. The dargah has a separate section for ladies to pray.

Getting there

Nearest station: Mahalaxmi (Western Railway)