Mumbai is home to several ancient temples that have silently witnessed the city’s transformation over centuries. Among them, the Prabhadevi Temple occupies a special place in the hearts of devotees. The temple is dedicated to Prabhadevi, who is revered by many traditions as a manifestation of Maa Shakambari Devi, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. She is worshipped as the Divine Mother who nourishes all beings, protects nature, and blesses humanity with food, prosperity, health, and abundance. For centuries, she has also been the revered as the Kuldevi of the Pathare Prabhu community, one of Mumbai’s oldest native communities.
The name Shakambari is derived from the Sanskrit words “Shaka” (vegetation, herbs, and greens) and “Ambari” (the one who bears or nourishes). Thus, Shakambari Devi literally means “She who nourishes the world through vegetation and nature.” She represents the Divine Mother’s unconditional compassion, ensuring that every living being receives nourishment from the earth.
According to the Devi Bhagavata Purana, there was once a devastating famine that lasted for many years because the demon Durgama had stolen the sacred Vedas, disrupting the performance of yajnas and the natural balance of the universe. Rivers dried up, crops failed, forests withered, and countless beings suffered from hunger. Seeing the misery of creation, the Divine Mother manifested as Shakambari Devi.
The scriptures beautifully describe how vegetables, fruits, herbs, grains, flowers, and medicinal plants emerged from her divine body, feeding humanity and restoring life to the earth. After nourishing creation, she defeated Durgama and restored the Vedas, re-establishing cosmic order and dharma. Because she sustained the entire world through nature’s abundance, she came to be known as Shakambari Devi, the Mother who feeds all creation without discrimination.
The idol of Prabhadevi reflects profound spiritual symbolism. She is traditionally depicted with four arms, each conveying an important spiritual message. One hand holds a Padmam (lotus), symbolising purity, spiritual awakening, and divine consciousness that remains untouched by worldly impurities. Another hand carries a Japamālā (rosary), representing meditation, mantra japa, self-discipline, and the continuous remembrance of the Divine. Her Varada Hasta grants blessings, prosperity, nourishment, and the fulfilment of righteous desires, while her Abhaya Hasta assures devotees of fearlessness, protection, and divine grace during life’s uncertainties. Spiritually, Maa Shakambari teaches that true prosperity is not measured only through wealth but through the availability of food, good health, fertile land, clean water, and harmony with nature. In today’s world, where environmental imbalance and food insecurity are becoming global concerns, her message is remarkably relevant. She reminds humanity that the earth itself is sacred and that protecting forests, rivers, agriculture, and biodiversity is also an act of worship. For the Pathare Prabhu community, Maa Prabhadevi continues to be an important Kuldevi whose blessings are sought during marriages, childbirth, new beginnings, and family celebrations. Devotees from all communities visit the temple to pray for health, prosperity, successful livelihoods, family harmony, and protection from adversity. Special celebrations during Navratri draw thousands of devotees who worship the Divine Mother through devotional songs, rituals, and offerings.