The festival of Navaratri is scheduled to start on October 3, 2024 and end on October 12, 2024.The date of Vidyarambham (Vijaya Dasmi) is October 13, 2024. Devotees can book special offerings at temple counter or by paying NEFT facility.
The Ashika Samaj, Matunga, is gearing up to perform the grand religious ceremony in accordance with Vaikhanasa Agama Shastra, known as Ashtabhandhana Maha Kumbhabhishekam. There will be three different stages, and beginning with the first stage, the religious ceremony will be held for Mahaganapati, Sri Subramania Swamy, Lord Shiva, and Navagraha Devatas.
The elaborated rituals of Ashtabhandhana Maha Kumbhabhishekam is scheduled as a seven-day religious event beginning January 27th, 2025, with the final grand event culminating on February, 2nd , 2025.
The Asthika Samaj was set up as a place of public worship in Matunga, Mumbai, India, in the year 1923 by adorning the sacred hall with a portrait of Lord Sree Ramachandra. Eventually, in 1953 with the blessings of His Holiness Jagadguru Sree Sankaracharya Swamigal of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, the Temple attained full-fledged status by installation of idols of Lord Sree Ramachandra, Sitadevi, Lakshmanan and Hanuman in a specially created Garbhagriha.
The historical importance of the place can be traced from that the place, now known as Matunga, was previously the abode of Mathangarishi who, after performing the Mahayagnas on the banks of Pumpa acquired the coveted status of Maharishi. As a vestige of the ancient past, the banyan tree exists even to this date fulfilling the desires of thousands of devotees. The spiritual growth of the Samaj over the years, coupled with the full support of the devotees enabled the installation of other deities - Lord Karthikeyan (1965) Navagraha Idols (1967) Lord Kochu Guruvayurappan (1974) and Swamy Ayyappan (1978). The religious festivals are held throughout the year. The daily poojas are conducted strictly by Vedic, Tantric and Agama scriptures.
The Samaj has also a Kalyana Mandapam within the premises with modern facilities in the name of Sree Sita Rama Kalyana Mandapam which is one of the best facility to devotees and the general public for conducting marriages, Upanayanam and any religious or social functions.
Today, The Asthika Samaj, Matunga is established center of the religious and cultural life of Mumbai. The Samaj owes its present status to the loyal support of the members, devotees and the public at large.
