Ekvira Mata Temple is located in Patlipada Village, Thane West, along Ghodbunder Road, Maharashtra.The presiding deity of the temple is Goddess Ekvira Mata, a powerful form of Adi Shakti (Durga/Parvati). She is widely worshipped as the protector of fishermen and seafaring communities.
The temple follows a simple Maharashtrian village-style architecture. The sanctum is small and houses the stone idol of the goddess. A deepastambha (lamp pillar) is installed in front of the temple. The shrine has tiled roofing and wooden pillars, giving it a traditional charm. Though modest in size compared to larger temples, the temple radiates a strong spiritual presence and maintains its identity as a local guardian shrine amidst the modern city surroundings.
The worship of Ekvira Mata in Patlipada is believed to be several centuries old, introduced by the Koli fishing community who settled near Thane Creek and Ghodbunder Road. The villagers installed the goddess here as their grama devata (village goddess) for protection from wild animals, floods, and dangers of the sea. Over the years, the temple grew as a central place of faith for local families. While the famous Karla Caves Ekvira Temple near Lonavala is considered the origin of Ekvira worship, this temple in Thane preserves the same tradition at a local level.
Many centuries ago, the Koli fishermen and Agri farmers lived around Patlipada village in Thane. Their life was difficult, as they depended on the sea and rivers for fishing and on the forests for survival. They faced constant challenges from storms, floods, wild animals, and uncertain harvests. The people prayed to the Supreme Mother Goddess (Adi Shakti) to protect them and guide them in their struggles.
It is believed that the goddess appeared in the form of Ekvira Mata and gave her word to the villagers. She assured them that she would stay with them always, as their guardian mother and village goddess (Grama Devata). She promised that she would protect them from natural calamities, bless them with prosperity in fishing and farming, and take care of their families. In return, she asked them to worship her with devotion. From that time onwards, the people of Patlipada accepted Ekvira Mata as their Kuladevata (family deity).
The worship of Ekvira Mata is linked to the famous Ekvira temple at Karla Caves near Lonavala. According to legend, during their exile, the Pandavas worshipped the goddess here and received her blessings for strength and success. From then onwards, the goddess became known as Ekvira Devi, the one who grants courage and victory. The Koli community, who lived along the Konkan coast, accepted her as their protector and carried her worship wherever they settled.
Local stories tell that a Koli elder once had a dream vision of the goddess. In the dream, Ekvira Mata instructed him to build a shrine in Patlipada so that she could live there and protect the village. When the shrine was built, the villagers began offering coconuts, sarees, bangles, and flowers to the goddess. This became the sacred duty of families, and the temple grew as the heart of the community.
Another legend says that Ekvira Mata is the protector of fishermen and their boats. Before going out into the sea or creek, fishermen would pray at the temple for safety and a good catch. If they neglected to do so, it was believed that they might face accidents or return empty-handed. This strong faith made the goddess the central power of their livelihood.
At Ekvira Mata Temple, the major festivals are Navratri (celebrated twice a year in Chaitra and Ashwin) with special poojas and decorations, while Amavasya days are also considered sacred. The Koli community particularly worships the Goddess during their fishing season rituals, seeking blessings for safety and prosperity.
