Ashtalakshmi temple consecrated in Chennai

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The mahasamprokshanam of the unique and only temple dedicated to Goddess Ashtalakshmi in the city, on the shores of the Bay of Bengal at Besant Nagar, was performed on Friday morning amidst the chanting of Vedic hymns.

The temple is an architectural marvel where Goddess Lakshmi (giver of all eight forms of wealth) is depicted on a multi-tier complex and the devotees could visit all the shrines without stepping over any of the sanctorums.

All the eight Lakshmis are manifested in the form of imposing Mahalakshmi who graces along with Lord Vishnu in the sanctum sanctorum.

The deities are installed in four levels facing the eastern horizon overlooking the sea. Walking up the stairs to the third tier, the path leads to the shrine of Santaana Lakshmi (bestower of offspring) facing south.

Next we get the darshan of Vijayalakshmi (bestower of success in all ventures, vijaya - success), on the western side on the third tier.

Vidyalakshmi (associated with learning & wisdom) sits facing the northern side and the shrine of Gajalaskhmi (bestower of all round prosperity) is located facing the eastern side on the 3rd tier.

A flight of few steps above leads one to the 4th tier, where the Dhanalakshmi (Goddess of wealth) shrine is located facing eastward.

Her’s is the only shrine on the 4th level. Exiting the main shrine — the principal deities of Goddess Mahalakshmi and Lord Mahavishnu, at the ground level on the southern flank of the gopuram is the shrine for Aadhi Lakshmi.

On the western side is the shrine dedicated for Dhaanya Lakshmi (Goddess of food grains). Dhairiya Lakshmi’s (the Goddess of courage & strength) shrine is situated on the northern side.

There is a huge hundi for Venkataachalapathi within the complex. The separate sannadhis for the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnnu, Tumbikai Aazhwar (Ganesha), Guruvaayurappan, Chakrathaazhwarand Narasimhar, Aanjaneyar and Dhanvantri.

The entire temple has been renovated at the cost of `70 lakh and another Rs 16 lakh was spent on conducting the Jeernotharana Ashtabandana mahakumbhabhishekam.

All the 32 kalasams in the temple including the gold-plated five-and-a-half feet high kalasam atop the sanctum sanctorum were newly laid.

The festivities connected with the mahasamprokshanam commenced on May 27. Ve-dic scholars who performed the mahasaprokshanam sprinkled the holy water on a large number of devotees who had gathered.

Chennai Mayor Saidai Duraisamy, joint commissioner of Hindu religious and charitable endowment department P. Vasunathan, assistant commissioners of HR & CE C.

Siva Kumar, R. Raghunathan, temple’s executive officer N. Banasubramanian and temple’s deputy commissioner, fit person R. Vanmathy were among the those who participated in the function.