Mumbai's Historical Churches (Self Guided), Mumbai
The seven islands that later formed Mumbai were originally inhabited by Marathi-speaking Koli fishing communities, whose primary religion was Hinduism. Over time, the city’s strategic coastal position attracted traders and settlers from across the Indian Ocean world. Muslim communities became established through maritime trade and later expanded during the period of Mughal influence. Today, roughly 20% of Mumbai’s population identifies as Muslim.
When the Portuguese took control of the region in 1534, they promoted Roman Catholicism and built churches throughout their territories. Later, under British rule, Christianity continued to spread as the city developed into a major colonial port. In the early 19th century, members of the Baghdadi Jewish community arrived in Bombay, many fleeing persecution and economic restrictions in Iraq. As a result of these historical waves of migration and rule, Mumbai today remains a city where many religions coexist side by side.
The ancient Mumba Devi Temple, dedicated to the city’s patron goddess after whom Mumbai takes its name, has long been an important center of worship. The Jumma Masjid is one of the city’s oldest mosques. Built around a central tank, the mosque’s elegant Mughal-influenced architecture and calm courtyard provide a peaceful setting for prayer amid the surrounding commercial district.
Meanwhile, Saint Thomas’ Cathedral is one of the oldest British buildings in the city. Completed in 1718, the cathedral serves as the seat of the Anglican Diocese of Mumbai. In the Kala Ghoda district stands the Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue, completed in 1884. Its blue façade and richly decorated interiors reflect the legacy of Mumbai’s Baghdadi Jewish community and remain an important symbol of the city’s Jewish heritage.
Another prominent Christian landmark is the Holy Name Cathedral in Colaba. Built between 1902 and 1905, this Romanesque Revival cathedral serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bombay and is known for its ornate interior and stained-glass windows.
Together, these sacred sites illustrate the remarkable religious diversity that has shaped Mumbai over centuries. Hindu temples, mosques, churches, and synagogues stand within the same cityscape, reflecting the layered cultural history of this dynamic Indian metropolis and offering visitors a glimpse into its enduring traditions of faith and coexistence.
When the Portuguese took control of the region in 1534, they promoted Roman Catholicism and built churches throughout their territories. Later, under British rule, Christianity continued to spread as the city developed into a major colonial port. In the early 19th century, members of the Baghdadi Jewish community arrived in Bombay, many fleeing persecution and economic restrictions in Iraq. As a result of these historical waves of migration and rule, Mumbai today remains a city where many religions coexist side by side.
The ancient Mumba Devi Temple, dedicated to the city’s patron goddess after whom Mumbai takes its name, has long been an important center of worship. The Jumma Masjid is one of the city’s oldest mosques. Built around a central tank, the mosque’s elegant Mughal-influenced architecture and calm courtyard provide a peaceful setting for prayer amid the surrounding commercial district.
Meanwhile, Saint Thomas’ Cathedral is one of the oldest British buildings in the city. Completed in 1718, the cathedral serves as the seat of the Anglican Diocese of Mumbai. In the Kala Ghoda district stands the Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue, completed in 1884. Its blue façade and richly decorated interiors reflect the legacy of Mumbai’s Baghdadi Jewish community and remain an important symbol of the city’s Jewish heritage.
Another prominent Christian landmark is the Holy Name Cathedral in Colaba. Built between 1902 and 1905, this Romanesque Revival cathedral serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bombay and is known for its ornate interior and stained-glass windows.
Together, these sacred sites illustrate the remarkable religious diversity that has shaped Mumbai over centuries. Hindu temples, mosques, churches, and synagogues stand within the same cityscape, reflecting the layered cultural history of this dynamic Indian metropolis and offering visitors a glimpse into its enduring traditions of faith and coexistence.
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Mumbai's Historical Churches Map
Guide Name: Mumbai's Historical Churches
Guide Location: India » Mumbai (See other walking tours in Mumbai)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 5
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Author: DanaOffice
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: India » Mumbai (See other walking tours in Mumbai)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 5
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Author: DanaOffice
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Mumba Devi Temple
- Jumma Masjid
- Saint Thomas' Cathedral
- Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue
- Holy Name Cathedral
1) Mumba Devi Temple
According to local tradition, the inhabitants of the area were once troubled by a powerful demon named Mumbaraka who terrorized the settlement. The villagers prayed to Lord Brahma, the creator deity in Hindu mythology, for protection. Their prayers were answered when an eight-armed goddess appeared and defeated the demon. In gratitude, the community built a shrine in her honor, and the goddess came to be known as Mumba Devi.
This legend forms the spiritual foundation of the Mumba Devi Temple, whose present structure is believed to date from around 1737. Inside the temple, the idol of the goddess is typically depicted with four arms and is notably without a mouth, a feature often interpreted as symbolizing her silent strength and quiet protection. Over the centuries, the temple has remained a powerful symbol of Mumbai’s origins and the enduring devotion of the communities who have lived here.
At first glance, the temple may appear modest compared with some of India’s more elaborate shrines. Yet its significance lies in the stories and traditions associated with it. Mumba Devi is believed to have been the guardian deity of the Koli fishing community. The original shrine is thought to have stood near the Bori Bunder area, close to where the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus stands today. In the 18th century, the temple was relocated to Bhuleshwar, an area that eventually developed into one of the city’s busiest commercial districts.
This legend forms the spiritual foundation of the Mumba Devi Temple, whose present structure is believed to date from around 1737. Inside the temple, the idol of the goddess is typically depicted with four arms and is notably without a mouth, a feature often interpreted as symbolizing her silent strength and quiet protection. Over the centuries, the temple has remained a powerful symbol of Mumbai’s origins and the enduring devotion of the communities who have lived here.
At first glance, the temple may appear modest compared with some of India’s more elaborate shrines. Yet its significance lies in the stories and traditions associated with it. Mumba Devi is believed to have been the guardian deity of the Koli fishing community. The original shrine is thought to have stood near the Bori Bunder area, close to where the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus stands today. In the 18th century, the temple was relocated to Bhuleshwar, an area that eventually developed into one of the city’s busiest commercial districts.
2) Jumma Masjid (must see)
Jumma Masjid is one of the city’s oldest surviving mosques, reflecting the early development of Mumbai itself. Construction at the present site began in 1775, after earlier structures were moved or demolished during the expansion of the British colonial fortifications. The building was finally completed in 1802. The name “Jumma” comes from an Arabic word referring to the congregational prayers held every Friday.
The mosque is arranged around a spacious rectangular courtyard. At the center stands a large stone tank, where worshipers wash before prayer. It contains gold and silver fish and turtles for ritual ablutions. Pigeons frequently gather along its edges, and tall trees rising from the courtyard provide welcome shade. The quiet atmosphere inside the enclosure contrasts with the busy streets and trading activity found just outside the mosque walls.
Architecturally, Jumma Masjid reflects a simple approach. The prayer hall is built largely from dark basalt stone, giving the structure a strong and grounded appearance. Inside, rows of arched colonnades and carved stone pillars support the roof, creating a calm and balanced interior space. Rather than relying on elaborate ornamentation, the design emphasizes symmetry and proportion.
A major renovation by the businessman Mohammed Ali Roghay in 1814 added the upper floor, which significantly defined the building's current silhouette. The sacred place houses a famous digitized library containing rare Islamic manuscripts, some dating back over a century. Today, the mosque is administered by the Kokni Muslim community of Mumbai and continues to serve religious purposes.
The mosque is arranged around a spacious rectangular courtyard. At the center stands a large stone tank, where worshipers wash before prayer. It contains gold and silver fish and turtles for ritual ablutions. Pigeons frequently gather along its edges, and tall trees rising from the courtyard provide welcome shade. The quiet atmosphere inside the enclosure contrasts with the busy streets and trading activity found just outside the mosque walls.
Architecturally, Jumma Masjid reflects a simple approach. The prayer hall is built largely from dark basalt stone, giving the structure a strong and grounded appearance. Inside, rows of arched colonnades and carved stone pillars support the roof, creating a calm and balanced interior space. Rather than relying on elaborate ornamentation, the design emphasizes symmetry and proportion.
A major renovation by the businessman Mohammed Ali Roghay in 1814 added the upper floor, which significantly defined the building's current silhouette. The sacred place houses a famous digitized library containing rare Islamic manuscripts, some dating back over a century. Today, the mosque is administered by the Kokni Muslim community of Mumbai and continues to serve religious purposes.
3) Saint Thomas' Cathedral
Saint Thomas’ Cathedral has stood for more than three centuries and is regarded as the oldest Anglican church in the city. It serves as the cathedral church of the Diocese of Mumbai within the Church of North India and was dedicated to Saint Thomas the Apostle, who is traditionally believed to have introduced Christianity to India. In 2004, the cathedral received the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for Culture Heritage Conservation.
The foundation stone of the church was laid in 1676, although the building was not completed and consecrated for divine service until Christmas Day in 1718. At the time, Bombay was a fortified British settlement. Over the centuries, it has remained an important landmark and continues to serve an active congregation. Historically, Saint Thomas’ Cathedral served as the "Zero Point" from which all distances in Bombay were measured. There is still a milestone within the cathedral grounds marking "0 miles".
The cathedral’s interior is often likened to a "Miniature Westminster Abbey" due to its extensive collection of intricate white marble memorials and monuments dedicated to the British officers, judges, and high-ranking administrators who governed and lived within the fortified settlement during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The cathedral also maintains a long association with the Cathedral and John Connon School, one of Mumbai’s oldest educational institutions. Established in 1860, the school was originally founded in part to provide choristers for the church. To this day, the cathedral hosts several school events, including the Founder’s Day Service on 14 November, the annual Christmas Carol Service.
The foundation stone of the church was laid in 1676, although the building was not completed and consecrated for divine service until Christmas Day in 1718. At the time, Bombay was a fortified British settlement. Over the centuries, it has remained an important landmark and continues to serve an active congregation. Historically, Saint Thomas’ Cathedral served as the "Zero Point" from which all distances in Bombay were measured. There is still a milestone within the cathedral grounds marking "0 miles".
The cathedral’s interior is often likened to a "Miniature Westminster Abbey" due to its extensive collection of intricate white marble memorials and monuments dedicated to the British officers, judges, and high-ranking administrators who governed and lived within the fortified settlement during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The cathedral also maintains a long association with the Cathedral and John Connon School, one of Mumbai’s oldest educational institutions. Established in 1860, the school was originally founded in part to provide choristers for the church. To this day, the cathedral hosts several school events, including the Founder’s Day Service on 14 November, the annual Christmas Carol Service.
4) Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue
The Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue is a historic synagogue associated with Orthodox Judaism. Completed in 1884, it is the second-oldest Baghdadi Jewish synagogue in the city. The building was commissioned by Jacob Elias Sassoon, the grandson of David Sassoon, a prominent Jewish merchant and philanthropist who had settled in Bombay after leaving Baghdad in the early 19th century.
The structure features a stone masonry base with a brick masonry superstructure. Although long known as the “Blue Synagogue of Mumbai” because of its bright exterior, a major restoration carried out from 2018 to 2019 revealed that the synagogue’s original appearance was off-white with indigo borders. The building was subsequently restored to this historic color scheme, while the well-known nickname has remained in use.
Inside, the synagogue displays finely ornamented pillars and elegant decorative details. The sanctuary faces west toward Jerusalem, and the bimah, used for the reading of the Torah, is positioned at the center of the prayer hall. A tall stained-glass arch rises above the sacred space. As in many traditional synagogues, a gallery on the upper level provides seating for female worshipers. The synagogue houses Torah scrolls and other religious objects associated with the Sassoon family, as well as rooms used for community gatherings and education.
The structure features a stone masonry base with a brick masonry superstructure. Although long known as the “Blue Synagogue of Mumbai” because of its bright exterior, a major restoration carried out from 2018 to 2019 revealed that the synagogue’s original appearance was off-white with indigo borders. The building was subsequently restored to this historic color scheme, while the well-known nickname has remained in use.
Inside, the synagogue displays finely ornamented pillars and elegant decorative details. The sanctuary faces west toward Jerusalem, and the bimah, used for the reading of the Torah, is positioned at the center of the prayer hall. A tall stained-glass arch rises above the sacred space. As in many traditional synagogues, a gallery on the upper level provides seating for female worshipers. The synagogue houses Torah scrolls and other religious objects associated with the Sassoon family, as well as rooms used for community gatherings and education.
5) Holy Name Cathedral
The Holy Name Cathedral serves as the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bombay and the seat of the Archbishop of Bombay. Constructed between 1902 and 1905, the cathedral is designed primarily in the Neo-Gothic style. Its architecture features pointed arches, ribbed vaults, large stained-glass windows, twin towers and spires rising to approximately 130 feet.
Inside the bell tower hang three large bells cast in Stuttgart, Germany, dedicated to the Holy Name, the Virgin Mary, and Saint Joseph. In recognition of its historical and architectural importance, Holy Name Cathedral was declared a heritage building in 1998. The marble high altar holds a life-sized statue of Jesus Christ accompanied by an image of the Virgin Mary. The richly decorated interior also includes painted ceilings and frescoes created by the Italian artist Antonio Moscheni and his assistants, whose work is considered among the finest examples of ecclesiastical painting in Mumbai.
The cathedral has also witnessed important moments in the history of the Catholic Church in India. It was visited by Pope Paul VI in 1964 and later by Pope John Paul II in 1986. Today, the cathedral remains an active place of worship and continues to serve the Catholic community of Mumbai.
Inside the bell tower hang three large bells cast in Stuttgart, Germany, dedicated to the Holy Name, the Virgin Mary, and Saint Joseph. In recognition of its historical and architectural importance, Holy Name Cathedral was declared a heritage building in 1998. The marble high altar holds a life-sized statue of Jesus Christ accompanied by an image of the Virgin Mary. The richly decorated interior also includes painted ceilings and frescoes created by the Italian artist Antonio Moscheni and his assistants, whose work is considered among the finest examples of ecclesiastical painting in Mumbai.
The cathedral has also witnessed important moments in the history of the Catholic Church in India. It was visited by Pope Paul VI in 1964 and later by Pope John Paul II in 1986. Today, the cathedral remains an active place of worship and continues to serve the Catholic community of Mumbai.
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