A day before my birthday, I wanted go visit ISCKON temple at Juhu, have a taste of South Indian dinner and return home. Being a week day, my husband said he would come straight from office to Juhu, while I was to reach juhu from Sakinaka. It took about an hour to reach JW Marriott -Juhu, and from there to explore the area I had decided to walk to the temple.
Walking about 15 minutes brought me to ISCKON temple. Since my husband hadn’t arrived yet, wondering where to wait, the temple SRI MUKTESHWAR DEVALAYA fell in my eyes. I got straight into the temple.
Mukteshwarar means - God of Relief or God of Salvation. Each temple of Lord Mukteshwarar has a story on it own. After slaying demon, Lord Shiva grants liberation thereby taking this form. Mukth means liberation from all sins and Ishwar is Lord Shiva Himself. Another myth story is Pandavas during their exile built Lord Shiva in Lingam form praying to help and protect them from sins.
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Caption 1# - Sri Mukteshwar temple
This temple is nearing 100 years old as per local people. Initially there was a small Lingam installed and worshipped. Slowly the temple expanded that today it is one of the landmark spot of Juhu facing ISCKON temple.
There is a chappal stand inside the temple. If you leave it on stand you have to pay if you leave it outside the stand then you are responsible.
Entering first, you get to worship Lord Krishna, Lord Ganesh, Lord Rama and Devi Mata following Sri Hanuman. Rounding brings you to the backside of the temple. There you would find temple staff near the lift that takes you up to 7th floor. Per head payment is Rs.10. The lift drops you at top floor from where floor by floor you get down. Each floor is spacious, round room filled with Gods and Goddess statues.
Starting with 7th floor-top floor, you get to worship 12 JYOTIRLINGAM. When a dispute arised between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva appeared as a huge pillar of light. He said the one who finds the end of light is considered as a supreme person. Lord Brahma said he saw the light first, thereby proving it wrong he received a curse. To understand the reality that supreme power from God has no beginning and end, Lord Shiva laid this competition. From this array of lights arised 12 Jyotirlingams.
Caption #2- Shiva lingam at 7th floor
Next below floor is devoted to ardent DEVOTEES of Gods and Goddess. You get to see Sri Meerabai, Sri Tukaram, Sri Soordas, Sri Annamacharya, Sri Narada and Sri Prahalada. Sri Meerabai is an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna. All her songs till date evoke Bhakthi and Madhuryabhava towards the Lord. A statue of her is seen in this floor.
Caption 3 #- Sri Meerabai statue
The next floor is full of SAGES AND RISHIS. Sage Agasthya is called as father of Siddha medicine, author of Rigveda born to one of the Rigveda Saptha Rishi’s. Lopamudra is his wife. In Maharashtra on the banks of river Godavari is the town Agastyapuri, which was his hermitage. A beautiful statue of Sage is seen in this floor, with a lovely painting backdrop.
(Mesmerised by inner happiness I forgot to click a picture in this floor).
Next below floor is completely devoted to GODDESS. Starting with Sri Lakshmi Devi, I got to see many forms of Her and Parvathi Devi. Last idol on the floor, is Sri Saraswathi Devi clad in white color saree holding Veena instrument in hand. She depicts Goddess of knowledge. She is also known as Vidhatri. Another name is Brahmani meaning Will of Lord Brahma.
Caption # 4- Statues of all Goddess
ASHTSVINAYAK covers next whole floor. Lord Ganesh takes 8 forms as a Swayambhu. Lord Ganapathi is extensively worshipped in Maharashtra. Saint Morya Gosavi who lived between 13th to 17th century in Maharashtra, considers Lord Ganesh as one of the supreme God. Belief is many say He is an incarnation of Lord Ganesh himself. Lord appeared in His dream telling Him to build temples. That’s how Asthavinayak arrived is the myth story.
Caption 5 # - Sri Ashtavinayak statues
When earth was threatened with imbalance, Lord a Vishnu incarnated in 10 avatar, which began from Sathya yuga. He incarnated in four avatars, then as three avatar in Tretayuga, two forms in Dwapara yuga and one avatar in Kali Yuga. This floor is completely devoted to Lord Vishnu where you get to see His DASAVATARAM from, He in Sri Venkatachalapathy form and Sri Padmavathi Thayar statue.
Caption 6 # - Dasavatharam statues of Lord Vishnu
Next below floor is the final floor of this part of the temple, for from here getting down you exit. Lot of items pertaining to Gods and Goddess is seen here, besides poojas items, spiritual books and Statues of Gods. Temple staff are present to show you around. This room was first constructed, shared the staff people, that slowly one by one floor above was built.
Caption # 7 - Full Temple View
As I exited the temple, a kind of peace set in me, for never once did I have an opportunity to see all Gods and Goddess at one place. Visiting this Temple gave me a complete feeling. An unexpected, surprising birthday gift that will be memorable for lifetime in me. A lovely, must visit temple in Juhu part of Mumbai.
Caption 8 # - Temple View
