Mumba Devi Ready For Gudi Padwa

IMAGE: A 20 feet tall idol of Mumba Devi being readied for Gudi Padwa, the Maharashtrian New Year, in Girgaum, south Mumbai. All photographs: Arun Patil

IMAGE: Mumba Devi, Wikipedia notes, 'was patron of the Marathi-speaking agris (salt collectors) and kolis (fisherfolk), the original inhabitants of the Seven Islands of Bombay. She is depicted as a black stone sculpture.'
Legend has it that 'Mumbadevi, an eight-armed Goddess, was sent by Lord Brahma to vanquish an evil demon known as Mumbaraka, who terrorized the locals. After his defeat, Mumbaraka fell on his knees and begged the Goddess to take his name.'