Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple- Chennai

Address

Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple- Beach Rd, Elliots Beach, Besant Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600090

Diety

Mahavishnu Amman: Adhi Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Dhairya Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Santhana Lakshmi, Vij

Introduction

The Ashtalakshmi Kovil is a amman temple, which lies on the shorelines near the Elliot’s beach, in Chennai, India. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi, and her eight primary forms – the Ashtalakshmi – the giver of all eight forms of wealth, namely, offspring, success, prosperity, wealth, courage, bravery, food, and knowledge. The sanctorum are depicted on a multi-tier complex in such a way that visitors could visit all the shrines without stepping over any of the sanctorums. This is the only temple dedicated to Sri Mahalaksahmi, the Consort of Sriman Narayanan (Sri Mahavishnu), on the east coast in Tamil Nadu. It is noteworthy that the Aarukala Puja system (six pujas a day) is strictly followed in the temple as per Vedic rules. Only ghee is used for lighting lamps.

Puranic Significance

The temple was constructed on the wishes of Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati swamigal of Kanchi Mutt. Sri Mukkur Srinivasa Varadhachariar was the Mahatma instrumental behind fulfilling the wishes of Kanchi Periyava. The consecration of the temple took place on 5 April 1976 in the presence of the 44th guru of the Ahobila Mutt Vedhantha Dhesika Yatheendhra Mahadhesikan Swami. Every sculpture tells stories of divine beauty. In this temple, the Ashtalakshmi, the eight forms of goddess Lakshmi, are present in four levels in nine separate sanctums. The shrine of Lakshmi and her consort Vishnu is in level two. One starts the worship from here. Taking the stairs, the path leads to the third floor, which has the shrines of Santhanalakshmi, Vijayalakshmi, Vidyalakshmi and Gajalakshmi. Further few steps would lead to the shrine of Dhanalakshmi, which is the only shrine on the fourth floor. Exiting the main shrine, in the first level, there are shrines for Aadilakshmi, Dhaanya lakshmi and Dharyalakshmi. The temple also has Dashavatara (avatars of Vishnu), Guruvayoorappan, Ganesha, Dhanwanthari and Anjaneyar deities.

Beliefs

Mother Mahalakshmi ensures a happy and prosperous life to Her devotees. Each Lakshmi has her own special blessings. Mother Adi Lakshmi grants health, Dhanya Lakshmi freedom from hunger, Dhairya Lakshmi courage and self-confidence, Gajalakshmi all prosperities, Santhana Lakshmi Child boon, Vijaya Lakshmi victory in all endeavours, Vidya Lakshmi knowledge and wisdom and DhanaLakshmi wealth. Devotees perform abishek, offer vastras to Lord and Mother and distribute nivedhanas to other devotees visiting the temple

Special Features

The temple is constructed with Ashtanga Vimana in the tower in the Omkara design. The shadow of the tower does not fall on the ground. The design is similar to the Big Temple in Thanjavur.

Festivals

10 day Purattasi Navarathri festival is celebrated with 10 different Alankaras (dressings) to Lord and Mother in a very grand style drawing huge crowd of devotees. Deepavali Lakshmi Puja, special pujas during Thai Fridays in January, February, Aadi Fridays in July-August is performed in the temple.