Blessed by Moolsthan Deity Shree Durga Honnamma in Siddapur, Kundapur Taluka.Udipi District., Karnataka, our Samiti is registered as a Charitable Trust with two fold objects:

 

1. To build a temple of Adishakti Jagatjanani Bhadrakali Mahalaxmi Durga Honnamma in Mumbai &
2. To carry out social, cultural, charitable & religious activities for all round development of Society.

 

Our Samiti was formed in 1987 when a small group of people having unflinching faith and devotion in Goddesses Bhadrakali Mahalaxmi Durga Honnamma decided to institutionalize worship of the Goddess and expand the fold of her devotees under the banner of a society. The current registered office of the Samiti was acquired and an image of the deity was installed on Duvadashi day of Krishnapaksha of Ashadh month. Thus started the journey of the Samiti with a small beginning which has now grown into a big river with thousands of devotees joining the flow. Every year has seen the Samiti crossing a new milestone.

 

The routine of daily poojas at the registered office resembles that of a temple. The poojas were performed regularly by late Shri Ramdas A Nayak from 1987 till his expiry in December 2003. He was also Darshan patri at monthly and special poojas dispensing divine advice to devotees. Since 2003, the regular poojas are performed by Shri Devdas N Nayak while duties of Darshan patri are performed by Shri Balraj N Nayak. There are innumerable examples of devotees getting their wishes fulfilled by following the divine advice.

The Samiti has identified a plot of land at Bandra (East), Mumbai for construction of temple of Goddess and is making efforts since 1990 to acquire the said plot. However, the land being under Development Plan reservation for other purpose, the progress is very slow. However, the Samiti is confident that with blessings of Goddess, its efforts will definitely find success soon.

The most significant annual event of the Samiti is GSB Sarvajanik Navaratriutsav Celebrations. From 1987 till 1995, these celebrations were conducted at the registered office of the Samiti with daily Darshan Seva. A Sarvajanik Navchandika Havana was performed on eighth day (Durgaasthami) of the celebrations by digging a temporary Havana kund near the registered office. Due to proliferation of small houses near the registered office, the Samiti found it very difficult to conduct the Navchandika Havana from 1992 onwards. However, the tradition was continued despite space constraints.

In 1996, the Samiti took a leap by shifting the Navaratriutsav celebrations to a bigger venue at Shree Dandeshwar Mandir Sabhagruha, Dandeshwar Mandir Compound, Khar Danda, Mumbai – 400052. This facilitated the Samiti to provide opportunity to individual devotees to offer Navachandika Havana on daily basis during Navratri festival. The celebrations acquired a new dimension giving distinct identity to the Samiti in the metropolis of Mumbai. Our Samiti has set up a record of performing 165 Chandika Havanas till date. The bigger venue also enabled the Samiti to organize several cultural programmes like Konkani dramas, devotional music concerts, Yakshagana Bayalata, etc as also contests like bhajan singing, elocution, fancy dress and dance competitions. The celebrations has provided opportunity to various GSB artistes to showcase their skills by invoking blessings of Goddess and performing before GSB Samaj.

The Samiti was blessed by visits by Mathadipatis of Shree Kavale, Kashi and Gokarn Mutt Samsthans. H.H. Shrimad Goudapadacharya Shivanand Saraswati Swamiji of Shree Saunsthan Kavale Math visited our Navaratri celebrations in 2010 and also our first Murthy Pratishtavardhanti celebrations in May 2011. H.H. Shreemad Vidhyadhiraj Teerth Shripad Vader Swamiji of Shree Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Mutt visited our Navaratri celebrations in 1997 and 2011. H.H. Shrimad Sudhindra Teerth Swamiji of Shree Kashi Math Samsthan visited our Navaratri celebrations in 1997.

In June 2010, the photograph of the deity was replaced by Panchloha idol on Navami day of Shuklapaksh of Jyestha month. This day is celebrated as Murthy Pratishtavardhanti day every year. Daily poojas are now offered to the idol.
The Samiti conducts various celebrations and programmes throughout the year. In manifestation of its social objectives, the Samiti has started organizing voluntary blood donation camp during Navaratriutsav celebrations. It also distributes free notebooks to school children on the occasion of Murthy Pratishtavardhanti celebrations. The Samiti has also recently conducted free eye cataract surgeries for needy patients.

The Samiti also staged free performance of Konkani dramas ‘Sarvejanaha Kanchanam Aashrayente’ and ‘Lagna Pisshe’ at Karnataka Sangha, Matunga to encourage GSB artistes and aid cultural development of the society.
The Samiti remains committed to its objectives under its current managing committee ably led by Shri N. S. Kamath. In 2012, the Samiti is celebrating its Silver Jubilee year having completed 25 years of its existence and it plans to reach out to wider sections of the society with the message of faith in Goddess and all round development of the society.