As Mumbai immerses itself in the Navratri 2025 festivities, mid-day.com takes you to Byculla’s revered goddess, also known as “Dagdi Chali Chi Aai Mauli”. The idol, one of the city’s most famous, is brought by gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli and his wife, Asha. This year’s Devi is a magnificent six-foot-tall standing representation of the four-armed goddess, crafted with incredible skill and adorned with ornate, traditional jewellery. (PICS/ ANUSHREE GAIKWAD)
Updated On: 2025-09-29 08:24 PM IST
Compiled by : Anushree Gaikwad
Beyond Navratri, the mandal also upholds a special post-festival tradition that reflects both devotion and community bonding. The saris offered to the goddess during the festival are auctioned on the first day of Diwali, a practice that has continued for many years
The auction is a lively and emotional event, often attended by devotees who believe that owning a sari offered to the goddess brings blessings and prosperity to their home
In addition to the idol, the mandal is known for its creative and thematic decorations
Dagdi Chawl’s Navratri is more than just a festival—it is a celebration of community, culture, and continuity
In a city that never sleeps, this corner of Byculla continues to light up every year with the same passion, dedication, and spiritual fervour that first inspired the founding members 52 years ago
