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Home / Mumbai / Mumbai News / Photos / IN PHOTOS: Arun Gawli’s Dagdi Chawl Devi celebrates 52 glorious years

IN PHOTOS: Arun Gawli’s Dagdi Chawl Devi celebrates 52 glorious years

Updated On: 29 September, 2025 08:24 PM IST | Anushree Gaikwad

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)

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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)

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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)
<p>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</p>

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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

<p>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</p>

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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

<p>In addition to the idol, the mandal is known for its creative and thematic decorations</p>

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In addition to the idol, the mandal is known for its creative and thematic decorations

<p>Dagdi Chawl&rsquo;s Navratri is more than just a festival&mdash;it is a celebration of community, culture, and continuity</p>

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Dagdi Chawl’s Navratri is more than just a festival—it is a celebration of community, culture, and continuity

<p>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</p>

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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

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