Divine Vishwamohini Tripurasundari/Gajanan Maharaj Temple Siddharth Nagar, Goregaon (West), Mumbai

In the Shakta tradition, ten primary forms of the Goddess are recognized. Their names are Mahakali, Ugratara, Shodashi, Bhuvaneshwari, Chhinnamasta, Bhairavi, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi, and Kamala. In the Agama Shastras, they are known as Dashamahavidya, while in the Nigama, they are called Viratvidya. Another name for the Shodashi Goddess among these is Tripurasundari. She is also known as Lalita. The only famous temple of this Goddess in Mumbai is located in Goregaon. The idol of Saint Gajanan Maharaj is also enshrined in this very temple.

Tripurasundari is considered the presiding Goddess of divine beauty and the entire creation. There are many famous temples of this Goddess across the country. Among them, the Tripurasundari Temple in Udaipur, Gomati District, Tripura State, is considered one of the fifty-one Shakti Peethas. Similarly, the Lalita Devi Temple in Varanasi and the Tripurasundari Temple in Thiruvananthapuram are also particularly famous. According to the book ‘Dashamahavidya’ published by ‘Gita Press’, the Goddess Shodashi, who holds the fourth position among the Mahavidyas, is known by names such as Lalita, Rajarajeshwari, Mahatripurasundari, and Balapanchadashi. In Tantra Shastra, this Goddess is said to be Panchavaktra, meaning she has five faces. Of these, four faces represent the four directions, and one face is directed upwards. These faces are considered symbols of the five forms of Lord Shiva: Tatpurusha, Sadyojata, Vamadeva, Aghora, and Ishana.

The idol of this Goddess is depicted seated on a lotus flower in a four-armed form. She holds a flower, a bow, arrows, and a noose in her hands. Other Vidyas grant their devotees either worldly enjoyment or liberation, but the book ‘Dashamahavidya’ states that Shodashi, or Tripurasundari, grants her worshippers both worldly enjoyment (Bhukti) and liberation (Mukti). Adi Shankaracharya worshipped this very Goddess in the form of Sri Vidya. Therefore, in all Shankar Peethas, the Shodashi Tripurasundari Goddess is worshipped in the form of the Sri Yantra. In the Goregaon temple, along with the idol of the Goddess, she is also worshipped in the form of the Sri Yantra.

The history of the Tripurasundari and Gajanan Maharaj Temple in Goregaon is that it was established by Dr. Swaroop Pramanik, a dentist in this area. He is a devotee of Gajanan Maharaj of Shegaon. In the year ۱۹۹۳, he first established the temple of Gajanan Maharaj here. Dr. Pramanik and his wife Bhagyashree are also worshippers of Mother Tripurasundari. According to the information brochure placed in this temple, Bhagyashree Pramanik practiced the Sadhana of the Goddess for more than ۲۵ years. She is known as a practitioner of Sri Vidya. Out of this devotion to the Goddess, they decided to install the idol of Tripurasundari in this temple of Gajanan Maharaj. Accordingly, on ۲۸ March ۲۰۲۲, the beautiful idol of the Goddess was formally consecrated in this temple. The idol of the Goddess here was crafted by the renowned sculptor from Mysore, Arun Yogiraj, who also crafted the idol of Lord Shriram in the Shriram Temple at Ayodhya.

This temple is situated right by the roadside on Gajanan Maharaj Marg in Siddharth Nagar, Goregaon, which is well-known for the Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari (Film City) and the Aarey forest. The structure of this temple consists of a Sabha Mandap (assembly hall) and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). The Sabha Mandap of the temple is spacious and has marble flooring. The Sabha Mandap has three entrances: one main and two secondary. Upon entering through these arched gateways, the Garbhagriha of Saint Gajanan Maharaj is on the left side of the Sabha Mandap. The marble idol of Saint Gajanan Maharaj is enshrined on an ornate throne within an open-style Garbhagriha adorned with carved golden sheets. There is a silver umbrella above this idol, which is decorated with clothes and ornaments. To the right of this Garbhagriha, the idol of Shankar Maharaj is seated on a high pedestal. A short distance ahead is the Garbhagriha of Vishwamohini Tripurasundari. In this, the black-colored idol of Tripurasundari is seated on a high altar. This five-and-a-half-foot tall idol is carved from a single black stone. Here, Tripurasundari is seated upon Lord Shiva. This idol of the Goddess is in a four-armed form. In her lower left hand, she holds the Kodanda. This means the bow is made from sugarcane. Its string is made of honeybees. In the Goddess’s lower right hand are arrows. These arrows are made of flowers from the lotus, red water lily, kalhara, indivara, and mango trees. These weapons are considered to be providers of worldly enjoyment. The Goddess holds a noose in her upper left hand and a goad in her right hand. The Goddess wears a crown on her head, which features a crescent moon. During special festivals and occasions, this idol of the Goddess is adorned with gold ornaments. The Sri Yantra is placed in front of this idol of the Goddess. Next to this temple is a grand pavilion. There is a temple of the Serpent Deity there. In this temple, an embossed idol of the five-headed Serpent Deity is enshrined on a marble altar.

Devotees can benefit from the Darshan of the deities in this temple daily from ۷ AM to ۱۲ PM and from ۵ PM to ۹ PM. Gajanan Maharaj’s Prakat Din (Manifestation Day) is celebrated with great enthusiasm and religious programs on Magh Vadya Saptami. Similarly, festivals and occasions such as Rishi Panchami, Ram Janmotsav, Guru Purnima, and Akshaya Tritiya are celebrated here with various religious programs. Navratri is an important festival in this temple, celebrated with great fervor and various religious programs. During this time, various religious programs are organized here according to the Sri Vidya worship method.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

This sacred temple stands as a testament to deep spiritual devotion, ancient architectural grandeur, and rich local cultural traditions.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.

Sacred Darshan Gallery