Chinese New Year 2026: Inside Mumbai's Kwang Kung Temple in Mazgaon

As the last days of the lunar year slip away the incense inside Kwan Kung Temple lingers in the air a little longer Red paper charms flutter at the entrance brass urns gleam after a careful polish and anticipation builds for a dragon dance that will wind through the narrow lane about half an hour before the clock strikes 12 to welcome the Year of the Crimson HorseGoldcoloured statues of animals from the Chinese zodiac calendarLong before Indiarsquos Independence Chinese workers arrived at the dockyards of old Calcutta and Bombay in India laying down roots that would hold firm for generations In Mazgaon amid a neighbourhood that has steadily transformed this Chinese temple now rests in the hands of one family With the original caretakers gone stewardship has passed to Wing Tung Tan his wife Marina Tan and their daughter Marilyn TanTogether they serve as the templersquos official custodians mdash a secondgeneration family preserving both ritual and memory Marilyn elaborates about the celebrations ldquoThis year is about the horse it ranks seventh of the 12 animals in the traditional Chinese zodiac symbolising vitality speed independence and an unrestrained spirit for the new yearrdquoThe altar of the templeInside the temple she gestures towards the main altar Offerings sit neatly beside the statue of Guan Yu mdash known in many temples as General Kwan mdash revered as a symbol of loyalty and righteousness Fruits are arranged with care animal motifs are placed with intention soft music plays in the background Every detail carries meaningThe community around the temple has thinned over time ldquoThere were roughly 200 to 250 Chinese residents in the area almost a decade ago Today two or three nuclear families remainrdquo Marilyn shares with usFrom left to right Marina Tan Wing Tung Tan Marilyn TanYet the spirit of the festival endures ldquoDevotees pray for courage financial stability and health aligning personal hopes with the horsersquos energetic symbolismrdquo At home celebration takes on a more intimate rhythmTaste festgtgt Indulge in dishes including Steamed Leek and Corn Rolls in Sweet Black Pepper Sauce Steamed Shrimp Carrot Dumplings left and Crispy Golden Chicken RollsAt Yauatcha Raheja Tower Bandra Kurla ComplexCall 9222222800gtgt Savour a menu where you can pick from Seafood Fortune golden money bags below Chilean Sea Bass in Calamansi Soy and WokFried PrawnsAt Hakkasan Waterfield Road Bandra WestCall 8355877777gtgt Binge on Exotic Mushroom and Truffle Fried Rice Sushi and Sashimi finished with Edible Gold and delicately folded dim sumsAt Baglami Ins Tower Bandra Kurla ComplexCall 9833250644gtgt Rooted in Cantonese and Szechuan cuisine choose from classics like Honey Glazed Spare Ribs Salt amp Pepper Prawns and Whole Crispy Sesame Spinach Seafood with Lobster and Crab ClawsAt Lingrsquos Pavilion near Regal Cinema ColabaCall 22850023