A 32-Year-Old Symbol Of Hindu-Muslim Unity In The Heart Of Mumbai – Shri Omkareshwar Sai Mandir, Dahisar
Mumbai: In a city that thrives on unity in diversity, Shri Omkareshwar Sai Mandir at Shivaji Nagar, Chhatrapati Shivaji Road, Dahisar (East), stands as a shining example of Hindu-Muslim brotherhood for the last 32 years.
The foundation stone of this temple was laid in 1998 by noted film activist and social worker Mr. Ashfaque Khopekar on his own land, at the request of his late friend Shri Manohar Swami. Shri Swami managed the temple in its initial years. After his untimely demise, Mr. Khopekar took over the complete responsibility.
What makes this temple unique is that for the last 32 years, not a single rupee of donation has been taken from anyone. The entire maintenance, care and renovation – which has been done two to three times – is borne personally by Mr. Ashfaque Khopekar.
The temple houses a sacred Shivling along with duly consecrated idols of Sai Baba, Lord Hanuman (Sankatmochan), Goddess Durga, Shitla Mata and Lord Ganesha.
Every year on the occasion of Maha Shivratri, the temple organizes a grand two-day Shiv-Sai Mahabhandara, Satyanarayan Mahapuja and cultural programs. The entire locality, both Hindus and Muslims, celebrate this festival together with great enthusiasm and devotion – a tradition that has continued uninterrupted for 32 years.
The entire management of the temple is looked after by the Khopekar Education & Welfare Trust. Mr. Khopekar personally supervises all activities. Interestingly, the same Trust also runs “Madrasa Jamiatul Azhar” in Borivali, near Dahisar, where around 50 orphan and underprivileged children are provided education, food and shelter – a true reflection of the Trust’s secular spirit.
Mr. Ashfaque Khopekar is a prominent name in the Indian film industry. He is the President of the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Film Foundation Awards and President of the Screen Writers Guild of India. In 2024, he was honoured with the Bollywood Best Activist Award by the then Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra and now Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan.
The temple’s programs have been graced by eminent personalities from the film industry like Sudesh Berry, Charlie, Zakir Khan and from the political arena like Shri Vinod Ghosalkar, Late Shri Abhishek Ghosalkar, Ms. Tejaswi Ghosalkar, Smt. Manisha Tai Chaudhari, Shri Piyush Goyal and many others, witnessing the true spirit of Hindu-Muslim unity.
The temple has also been blessed by the presence of great saints from India and abroad, including Pilot Baba, K.K. Aikawa Mata (Japan), Mahamandaleshwar Sanjay Giri, Swarganand Maharaj, Rameshanand Giri and many other revered saints.
A 32-Year-Old Symbol Of Hindu-Muslim Unity In The Heart Of Mumbai – Shri Omkareshwar Sai Mandir, Dahisar
