Pydhonie

Pydhonie. A name that whispers of ancient rituals. A place where weary travelers once washed the dust of their journeys from their feet. We stand at the edge of this historic neighborhood, in the heart of Mumbai. Pydhonie, a neighborhood in South Mumbai. Its name, a fusion of Marathi words “Py” (feet) and “dhone” (to wash), echoes a time when a small creek flowed here. This creek, appearing at high tide, flowed between the Great Breach and Umarkhadi. It marked the first land reclaimed from the sea in Mumbai. Pydhonie serves as a symbolic border, separating the predominantly Muslim eastern part of the inner city from the primarily Hindu western section. At its heart lies the Mumbadevi Temple, relocated from the Fort area in either 1737 or 1766. The temple, a beacon of faith, was funded by Pandurang Shivaji, a Prabhu goldsmith. Observe the architecture around you. Many of the older houses, adorned with murals, jharokhas, and ornate lintels, whisper tales of immigrants from Gujarat and Rajasthan. These architectural gems reflect the rich heritage of their builders. Pydhonie also holds a darker history. The Pydhonie police station, etched with the year 1860, stands as the oldest police station in Mumbai. This station played a significant role during the 1993 Bombay riots. It was near here that the first bullet was fired, and the first bus stoning took place, marking a turbulent chapter in the city’s history. The station, built just three years after the first mutiny of 1857, has a unique design, with offices located on the upper floors for the safety of the officers. It served as a central point in cases related to gang wars, smuggling, and communal tensions. As you leave Pydhonie, carry with you not just the scent of spices and the vibrant energy of the marketplace, but also the echoes of history, whispered in the name of this unique neighborhood. A place where feet were washed, and where history continues to unfold.