Dadar-History
During the Portuguese period, seven islands constituted ‘Mumbai’ of which ‘Bombay’
was one of the Important Islands. the present Dadar was a part of another island
called ‘The Island of Mahim’. Over the period during the late 19th century, Dadar
became an important place once it was connected by suburban Railways. Citizens of
this place made important contributions during the freedom struggle and also towards
social reforms. Leaders like PK Atre, Senapati Bapat, SA Dange, and Prabodhankar
Thackeray were one of the few residents of Dadar. Dadar is also home to Chaitya
Bhoomi, where the last rites of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar were performed.
Today Dadar is in the heart of expanded Mumbai and the Dadar station is the only railway station that is common to both Central and Western lines, making it a transit point for lakhs of passengers using suburban railway. Dadar is divided into East and West by the railway line. Dadar East is popularly called Dadar Central or Dadar T.T. because the formerly Dadar Tram Terminus was located here.
Prabodhankar Thackeray
Sri Keshav Sitaram Thackeray was a social activist and a prolific writer. The learned took note of him for his progressive ideas about the empowerment of women and his strident opposition to the caste system. Sri Keshav Sitaram Thackeray was known as Prabodhankar Thackeray because of his articles in his fortnightly magazine named ‘Prabodhan’. The late Sri Probodhankar Thackeray was the father of Sri Bal Thackeray of Shiv Sena.
Though banyan and peepal trees had their place in the minds of people, this particular tree had drawn the attention of many of the prominent members of the society of that time. The sanctity of the place felt by the leaders prompted them to have a temple for Sri Maruti built under the banyan tree.
Dadar West
Today Dadar West market is a very popular shopping destination for residents of central Mumbai, the suburbs, and distant satellite towns. The ‘Kabutarkahana’ is another place which is famous in this area. People come here to feed thousands of pigeons, a practice that has been in existence for over a hundred years. This place is also renowned for the Sri Maruti temple near ‘Kabutarkahana’.
Legend
Till fifty years back banyan trees used to line on either side of the present
Bhavani Shankar Road. Especially the areas from kabutarkahana towards SK Bole Road
used to have banyan and pipal trees lineup closely. Maybe it is one reason pigeons
were seen in large numbers. The biggest banyan tree was at the next junction of
present Bole Road and NC Kalkar Road. Though banyan and pipal trees had their place
in the minds of people, this particular tree had drawn the attention of many of the
prominent members of the society of that time. The sanctity of the place felt by the
leaders prompted them to have a temple for Sri Maruti built under the banyan tree.
Vada vrikshak Sri Maruti Mandir
Accordingly under the initiative of Probodhankar Thackeray the temple for Sri Maruti was built during the year 1920. A small Sri Maruti murtam was installed under the banyan tree and the temple was built. The lord, Sri Maruti could be seen from the entrance itself. One can see people traveling in the bus peeping through the windows to have the darshan of Sri Maruti. This temple of lord Maruti attracts a large crowd on Tuesdays and Saturdays. People from all walks of life and far-off places make it a point to visit this temple and have a darshan of Sri Maruti who weed away their worries. Today the temple is managed by the trust which was registered in the year 1952.
Location of the temple: "Vada vrikshak Sri Maruti Mandir, Mumbai"
Experience
Visit this temple and have the darshan of Sri Maruti, get rid of all your worries.
SRI HANUMAN THINKS DIFFERENTLY, THINKS FAST
THINKS AHEAD AND ACTS FOR SURE
Ed [November 2012]
Updates: [Jan 2025]