Author: Raghunathji K
Place: Mumbai
Publisher: Shri Phiroz Ranade & Shrimati Neelima Kulkarni
Year: 2004
Pages: 260
Subject: Bombay/ Mumbai
Sub-Subject: Bombay
Keyword: Hindu Temples of Bombay, Mumbai Temple History, Temple Consecration
Shelf: C9R5
Accession No: B1633
Abstract: *The Hindu Temples of Bombay*, originally compiled by K. Raghunathji (Krishnarao Raghunath Navalkar) in 1900, is a rare and invaluable sourcebook detailing 403 Hindu temples in Mumbai. Each temple entry includes its patron community, deity, date of consecration, and whether it is public or private. Although long forgotten, the book has resurfaced through the efforts of architect-historian Phiroz Ranade and Neelima Kulkarni, supported by the Titvala Devasthan. Raghunathji, an assistant to Sir James Campbell of *Bombay Gazetteer* fame, had originally intended to publish 100 such booklets but completed 80 before his death. The book’s rarity is partly due to its unique format—a collection of separately paginated booklets bound together. Not only is it a devotional treasure, but also a critical resource for historians, sociologists, and demographers. The book sheds light on 19th-century community-specific worship patterns in Mumbai, with temples built by diverse groups including Prabhus, Brahmins, and Kolis. Its republication may inspire further studies on internal migration and religious life in Mumbai through demographic mapping of temple construction. This revival honors both Hindu heritage and the scholarly dedication behind its preservation.