Mumbradevi Temple in Mumbra

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Mumbra Devi Temple is built on the Parsik Hills. The temple can be accessed via the National Highway 4 (NH4) or via the Mumbra Railway station located on the Central railway line. 

Mumbra Devi Temple atop Prasik Hills

We had visited the Shiva Temple at Ambernath and Kondana Caves in Karjat and had planned to visit Mumbra Devi Temple and Lonad Caves today. 

As decided we boarded the 7:32 AM fast train for Asangaon from Dadar railway station on the central line. We alighted at Mumbra railway station at 8:09 AM. The Mumbra Devi temple can be seen from the railway station. 

View from atop Mumbra Devi Temple

We had tea and asked for directions and then started our climb to the top.  As the temple is visited by devotees throughout the year,  steps have been made right till the top.  

I didn't count  no. of steps but it should be around 300 plus. Though there are steps the climb is difficult and will put pressure on your knee's and calves. The climb is very similar to Gilbert Hill. Though Mumbra Devi temple is on a higher altitude in comparison to Gilbert hill.  

Steps leading to the top

NH4 is located very close to the foothill.  

As we kept climbing up the stairs the sound of the trains and vehicles plying on NH4 started reducing. We could hear the chirping of the birds.  The sun was shinning softly on us.  It was a bit hazy outside,  we were hoping that it gets better as we reach the top. 

It took us 35 minutes to reach the top with plenty of intervals. There are plenty of people who come here for their morning walks. They were so fast in the ascend and descend. 

Strings (people wishes) tied to the tree

The view from up here is amazing.  It offers a beautiful view of the sunrise if you come early in the morning,  the creek surrounded by mangroves,  the central railway line and offcourse winding NH4. Apart from the residential buildings around. This place should be a watchtower as it offers a great view of the surrounding. 

As the devotees offered prayers I took photos up here. Photography of the temples is not allowed.  

Breakfast at Mumbra

It took us 15 minutes to descend the hill.  

Had breakfast in the form of omelette and scrambled eggs and Lassi for drinks.  

Shiv Mandir at Ambernath

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Prachin Shiv Mandir or Ambreshwar Shiv Temple, I located a a distance of 2 KM away from the Ambernath railway station (east) on the central railway line. History states that the Shilahara king Chhittaraja had constructed it in 1060 AD,  which was later rebuilt by Mummini (son of Chhittaraja) 

Shiv Mandir or Ambreshwar Shiv Temple at Ambernath

Mike and I had planned to do Shiv Mandir in Ambernath and Kondana Caves in Karjat today and Mumbra Devi Temple in Mumbra and Lonad Caves in Kalyan tomorrow. Remember him, he had accompanied me to Elephanta Caves. :)

As decided Mike and I met at Dadar railway station on the central railway line to board the 7:38 AM,  fast train to Badlapur to alight at Ambernath.  The train was late and we alighted at Ambernath at 8:44 AM.  There was a mad rush on the platforms here. So I understood that the trains were late and hence the crowd is ever increasing on the platforms.  

We exited the Ambernath railway station on the eastern side, followed the instructions provided on the roads to walk to the Shiva Temple. In around 20 minutes we were at the entrance of the temple.  

Shiv Mandir or Ambreshwar Shiv Temple at Ambernath

The stone carved temple looked amazing.  The detailing of the carvings was just too good. It might have taken them years to built this temple.  There are two entrances and a exit to the temple.  There are steps in the temple which lead you down,  where the main shivling is located.  Due to low light and large crowd,  got blurry photos here.  When taking photos in  temple premises be ready to be greeted with raised eyebrows. lol. 

One of the devotee informed me that during Mahashivratri,  the temple is over crowded with people.  There is also a fair which is held then.  It continues for 3 to 4 days.  

Sculpture on the walls

It was a Monday.  There was crowd within the temple premises.  

We then headed off to see,  Kondana Caves in Karjat.