If you stroll down the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road and glance across Powai Lake, you might miss the modest gateway of the Shree Suvarna Naga Temple. Yet for those who step inside, the place has an unmistakable pull. Locals also call it the Icha Puri Mandir, or the “wish-fulfillment shrine” because, they say, the goddess here listens carefully.
Shree Suvarna Naga Temple Powai: The Wish-Fulfillment Shrine Of Mumbai
The story of this temple goes back to 1957, when Shri Suvarna Baba first founded the temple, and by 1963, it had become a fully consecrated space that would slowly turn into one of Mumbai’s more unusual spiritual corners.
The heart of the shrine is Nag Devi, envisioned as a golden cobra coiled protectively around a lingam. But what surprises many first-time visitors is the breadth of devotion packed into this relatively small space.
Alongside the serpent goddess stand shrines to Lord Shiva, Hanuman, Shani Dev, Sai Baba, Balaji, Lakshmi Devi, Saraswati Devi, NavDurga, Navagraha, and, strikingly, Mother Mary. This eclectic mix is not accidental, it reflects Suvarna Baba’s vision of accessibility and unity, of a temple that could hold everyone.
Inside Mumbai’s Most Unique Spiritual Spot
Festivals give the place a completely different energy. On Nag Panchami, coconuts are cracked, their milk poured over the lingam to soothe Shiva, incense clouds thicken the air, and the chants rise in unison. On Saturdays, the crowds swell again, this time to honour Shani Dev and Hanuman, guardians for those seeking relief from obstacles and misfortune. The temple isn’t just about rituals; it has stories too. One visitor swears they saw a stray dog bowing in front of the shrine, and whether you believe it or not, such tales add to the temple’s aura.
Practical details matter for devotees planning a visit:
- The doors open every day at 6:00 a.m. and close at 9:00 p.m.
- Aartis marking the rhythm of the day at 6:30 a.m., noon, and 6:30 p.m.
- There are no cameras allowed inside.
- People are expected to come dressed in traditional or formal wear.
- Prasad is distributed regularly.
Planning A Visit To The Suvarna Naga Temple
The temple sits conveniently near a bus stop; for train travellers, Kanjurmarg station is just about two miles downhill. Auto rickshaws from Powai make the trip easy, and the temple’s position right across from the lake means you can’t really miss it.
Over time, what began as Suvarna Baba’s personal vision has turned into something larger than the founder himself, a space where unity feels tangible, where Mumbai’s noise recedes for a moment, and where people from across backgrounds show up with folded hands and whispered prayers.
Where: Shree Suvarna Naga Temple (Icha Puri Mandir), Opposite Powai Lake, Powai, Mumbai
When: 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Cost: Free Entry
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Some come seeking blessings, some out of curiosity, and others simply to sit in the cool shade of belief. Whatever the reason, the Suvarna Naga Temple continues to thrive as one of the city’s rarest spiritual blends: serpent worship entwined with wish-fulfillment, anchored in an ethos of openness that feels as relevant now as it did in the 1960s.
Cover Image Courtesy: suvarnanagatemple/Instagram
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