Baradevi Temple Parel: A Sacred Unknown Gem in Mumbai

Nestled quietly in one of Mumbai’s busiest neighbourhoods, the Baradevi Temple in Parel stands as a gentle reminder of the city’s deeply rooted spiritual and cultural past. While the world around it has changed, from cotton mills to glass towers, the temple has remained a calm, steady presence. In this article, we discover the historical and cultural significance behind this hidden gem in the heart of Mumbai. 

A Glimpse into the Past

The exact origins of the Baradevi Temple in Parel are not widely documented, but local residents believe the temple is over two centuries old. The name ‘Baradevi’ is derived from Marathi, meaning “Great Goddess”, and she is considered a powerful guardian and motherly figure in this part of the city. Over the decades, generations of families have offered their prayers to Baradevi, tying their lives to her presence through simple rituals. Before Parel became a concrete jungle filled with high-rise buildings and corporate offices, it was a quiet suburb filled with chawls and textile mills. In those days, the temple was a central part of everyday life. What makes the Baradevi Temple special is not just its age, but also its role as a cultural anchor. It holds deep importance during Navratri, when the temple comes alive with lights, flowers, music, and the energy of celebration. Devotees offer coconuts, bangles, and sweets. Over the years, this temple has quietly held together the emotional and spiritual threads of the neighbourhood as Parel has seen a massive transformation over the past few decades. 

The Need to Conserve Our Heritage

In a city like Mumbai, where the skyline changes every few years, it becomes even more important to protect places like the Baradevi Temple, not just as sites of religious value, but as living pieces of our cultural identity. These are not just old structures; they are storytellers of time. As development continues, many such heritage sites quietly disappear, replaced by newer constructions that lack emotional and historical depth. Conserving the Baradevi Temple is about safeguarding a way of life, a sense of belonging, and a community’s bond with its past. Restoration, documentation, and community-led upkeep are essential steps to ensure that future generations can still experience these places.

Story Behind the Sculpture 

One of the most fascinating aspects of Baradevi Temple is the ancient sculpture housed beside the sanctum, a remarkable stone relief dating back to the 5th or 6th century. Carved from a single piece of granite, this sculpture is a rare representation of Lord Shiva in his seven-fold form. The central figure of Lprd Shiva stands tall with a serene expression and two arms, flanked by six other forms of himself, each in a unique posture. These overlapping forms are full of grace, with some holding mudras (hand gestures) that symbolise protection, wisdom, and cosmic balance. Below the main figures are five smaller attendants, or ganas, playing musical instruments, adding a sense of life and rhythm to the stone composition. One of the Shiva forms even has ten arms, reflecting the complex and multi-dimensional nature of the deity. Discovered accidentally during a road excavation in 1931, this sculpture was originally intended to be shifted to a museum. However, the local community insisted that it remain in Parel, close to where it was found and where it had long been venerated.

Today, it sits quietly within the temple grounds, protected behind an iron enclosure. While a replica exists in a city museum, the original continues to draw devotees and art lovers alike.

Where: 401, Mukunj Jadhav Marg, Parel Village, Parmanand Wadi, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra