The Mahalaxmi Temple on Bhulabhai Desai Road in south Mumbai is a shrine of the goddess in three forms, Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati, built in 1831 according to Wikipedia. It is not the Mahalakshmi temple of Kolhapur or Dahanu. This guide gives the timings published by the temple trust, the aarti breaks, the visitor rules, the queues and how to plan the journey from Navi Mumbai, including a combined visit with Haji Ali.
Timings and arrangements are set by the temple trust and change at festivals, especially Navratri. Check the trust’s darshan page or call the office before you travel. This guide is independent and is not run by the trust.
Mahalaxmi Temple at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where is it? | Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mahalaxmi West, Mumbai 400026. |
| Run by | Shri Mahalakshmi Temple Trust, Mumbai, according to its website. |
| Phone | 022 2351 4732, as listed on the trust’s darshan page. |
| Entry | Free, according to the trust. |
| Festivals | Lakshmi puja, Navratri, Diwali and Gudi Padwa (Wikipedia). |
Darshan and aarti timings
The trust lists darshan from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, seven days a week. Darshan is paused during the aarti and the offering of food:
| Ritual | Time |
|---|---|
| Morning aarti | 6:45 to 7:30 am |
| Naivedya | 11:45 am to 12:20 pm |
| Dhoop aarti | 6:15 to 6:40 pm |
| Evening aarti | 7:20 to 7:45 pm |
During Sharad Navratri the temple may stay open until midnight, with special aarti and abhishek, separate queues and longer waits. The trust describes waits of three to five hours then. Check the trust’s notice for the year.
Queues
The trust gives rough waiting times: about 15 to 45 minutes on weekdays, one to two hours at weekends and holidays, and two to three hours or more on festival days. The least crowded time is the first hour after opening, from 6:00 to 6:45 am. These are estimates and the page itself is not consistent about some days.
Visitor rules
- Remove your footwear at the entrance and keep the token from the shoe counter.
- Phones may be carried, but photography is not allowed near the deity or in the sanctum.
- Bags and large items go to the designated counters.
- The trust says it makes provision for elderly and differently abled devotees, and that the main entrance is relatively flat. Volunteers help at busy times, and wheelchair access may be limited in some inner areas.
How to reach Mahalaxmi from Navi Mumbai
The temple is in south Mumbai, so the journey from Navi Mumbai involves a change of line or a taxi for part of the way. See the Mumbai local train guide for the lines and check live timings before you leave. The trust’s how to reach page gives the local details.
| Option | How it works |
|---|---|
| Western line | Mahalaxmi station is about 1 to 1.2 km from the temple, a walk of around 15 minutes, or a short auto or taxi ride. From Navi Mumbai, take the Harbour line to a station where you can change to the Western line. |
| BEST bus | The trust lists routes 63, 83 and 132, with a Mahalaxmi Temple stop near the entrance. Confirm the routes on the BEST app. |
| Mumbai Darshan | The Mumbai Darshan bus guide covers sightseeing buses that include the temple. |
| Taxi or cab | The simplest option for elders. Allow for traffic on Bhulabhai Desai Road. |
A combined visit with Haji Ali
The trust gives the distance from the temple to Haji Ali Dargah as under a kilometre, about 750 m. A short taxi ride links the two, so many visitors combine them. Read the Haji Ali Dargah guide first, since the causeway depends on the tide. For other temples in south Mumbai, see the Siddhivinayak Temple guide and the Babulnath Temple guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Mahalaxmi Temple timings?
The trust lists darshan from 6 am to 10 pm daily, with pauses for the morning aarti, naivedya, dhoop aarti and evening aarti.
Is there an entry fee at Mahalaxmi Temple?
No. The trust says entry is free.
Which station is nearest to Mahalaxmi Temple?
Mahalaxmi station on the Western line, about 1 to 1.2 km from the temple.
Can I take photographs inside Mahalaxmi Temple?
Not near the deity or in the sanctum. Phones may be carried.
How crowded is Mahalaxmi Temple?
Weekday queues of 15 to 45 minutes, longer at weekends and festivals, and the longest waits at Navratri.
Is Mahalaxmi Temple close to Haji Ali?
Yes, under a kilometre apart, so the two are easy to combine in one trip.
Sources and a note on accuracy
- Trust darshan page and how to reach page, checked 23 October 2026, for the timings, rules and local transport.
- Wikipedia: Mahalakshmi Temple, Mumbai for the history and the festivals.
The Navi Mumbai route is general guidance, and no travel time is given. Timings, queues and rules change, so confirm them with the trust.
Featured photo: Mahalaxmi temple main entrance by Karthik Nadar, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons, cropped and resized.
NaviMumbai.com is an independent information site and is not affiliated with the Mahalakshmi Temple Trust.
