Of age-old beliefs and practices

Any city bred child would tell you that the city derives its name from Hindu goddess Mumba Devi. And like any other city in the world, Mumbai, too, has its share of interesting tales about its origin and name.

While historians and architects root for the name Mumbai, they are quick to dismiss the saffron brigade’s renaming agenda as ‘political gimmickry’.

Aroon Tikekar, who has historically researched the city, says, “I agree that in most cases, the word ‘Mumbai’ should be used. But, I do not favour the politics by the Shiv Sena and the MNS to force institutions to drop ‘Bombay’ from their names. For instance, take the case of the Bombay Scottish School. It’s  a registered name. It’s not right to force the institution to change its title.”

Explaining the history behind city’s various names, he says: “The metropolis is named after the Hindu goddess Mumba Devi, who was worshipped by the original inhabitants — kolis (fisherfolk). The city was called Mumbaai, meaning Mumba Aai [Mother Mumba]. Mumbai’s former name, Bombai, came from the Portuguese who arrived in the 16th Century. Bombai meant good bay. The British referred to the city as Bombay.”
Seven islands were united to form the city of Mumbai: Isle of Bombay, Colaba, Old Woman's Island (Little Colaba), Mahim, Mazagaon, Parel and Worli. The nearby islands of Trombay and Salsette were also merged to form the Greater Bombay.

There are several versions about the evolution of the seven islands, which date back to 12 and 16th Centuries. Conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah says, “Ultimately, it is just a matter of conjecture. But there is no denying that a cluster of kolis existed on the seven islands. And the fact that the Portuguese called the city Bombai cannot be disputed.”

There are several versions about the origin of the Mumba Devi Temple. One theory is that in 1675, a Hindu fisherwoman,  Mumba, installed the goddess at the Bori Bunder Creek (VT) in a makeshift temple. It is said that the statue of the goddess was found by the fishermen in the sea.

Another mythological interpretation is that the city was once captured by a demon named Mumbaraka. Troubled by him, the kolis prayed to Lord Brahma to help them. Lord Brahma then created an eight-armed goddess to kill the demon. The goddess was named Mumba.

A section of people also believe that the goddess Mumba is the aunt of demon king Ravana. Devotees from the south and northern parts of the country vouch for this.
But origins aside, Mumba Devi continues to touch the hearts and souls of millions of
people not just in the city, but all over the country.