The Ashtalakshmi Temple in Chennai – A Must Visit Temple on this Day of Akshaya Tritiya !!

Akshaya Tritiya is considered to be as auspicious as any other Hindu festival in India. The word “Akshaya” means eternal or never diminishing. Tritiya means the third day. Akshaya Tritiya is normally celebrated on the third Lunar day in the month of April/May (Chithirai ). There are many popular beliefs related to Akshaya Tritiya Day. Few are listed below:

• Sri Veda Vyasa started the recitation of the great Epic Mahabharata before Lord Ganesha on this day.
• Lord Krishna visited Pandavas and blessed Draupathi with the Akshaya Paathira.
• Sudama (Kuchela) visited Lord Krishna with a handful of Aval (Poha) on this day and he was blessed with wealth by Krishna in return.
• Lord Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu was born on this day.
• The Kubera who is considered as the treasurer in Heaven received His wealth from Lord Shiva on this day.
• Saint Adi Sankara wrote the Kanakadhara Stotram on this day

It is strongly believed that it is an auspicious day for starting any new ventures like starting a business, starting a construction or even getting married. Any venture that is initiated on this day will grow and bring wealth and prosperity.  Some of them also believe that it would be auspicious to buy gold on this day.

It is considered to be so auspicious to perform special poojas to Lord Vishnu, His consort Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera (The God of Wealth) on this day. It is a strong belief among the devotees that this would ensure them the bestowal of wealth and prosperity. One of the most important and a Must Visit temple on this day of Akshaya Tritiya is The Ashtalakshmi Temple in Chennai.

As we all know, the Goddess Mahalakshmi ensures a happy and prosperous life for all Her devotees. Ashtalakshmi is considered as the 8 primary forms of Goddess Mahalakshmi and each form of Lakshmi has Her own special blessings. The Ashtalakshmi Temple located towards the southern end of Elliot’s Beach (Bay of Bengal) in Chennai is considered as the only temple featuring these eight manifestations of the Goddess Mahalakshmi.

The Ashtalakshmi temple was constructed on the wishes of Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati Swamigal of Kanchi Mutt. Based on His wishes, the temple was then constructed by the efforts taken by the devotees under the guidance of the knowledgeable Scholar Mukkur Srinivasa Vardachariyar and others. The foundation was laid in the year 1974.The first Kumbhabhishekam was done on 5th April 1976.

The temple’s architecture is very unique. The deities are installed on four levels. The main shrines of Mahalakshmi and Her Consort Mahavishnu are in level two. Both these deities bestow their blessings to the devotees in a Standing posture. We have to start our worship from here. Then, we have to take up the stairs and the path that leads to the third floor which has the shrines of Santhanalakshmi (Goddess for Offspring), Vijayalakshmi (Goddess for Success), Vidyalakshmi (Goddess for knowledge), and Gajalakshmi (Goddess for Prosperity). Then again take a few steps and we reach the shrine of Dhanalakshmi (Goddess for Wealth), which is the only shrine on the fourth floor. Exiting the main shrine, in the first level, there are shrines for Aadilakshmi (Goddess for Good fortune and health) Dhaanyalakshmi (Goddess for Food), and Dhairyalakshmi (Goddess for Courage).

Another unique feature of this temple is that the all the sanctums are constructed on a multi-tier complex in such a way that one could visit all the shrines without stepping over any of the other sanctums. It is said that the temple is constructed in the model of Ashtanga Vimana (Eight Parts) style. This is one of the very ancient styles of temple construction. Apart from this, the temple was designed in the shape of ‘AUM’, the First Vedic Pranava Mantra. Because of this, it is also known as the Omkharakshetra.

This is one of the beautiful temple located on the seashore where Lord Vishnu graces in the wedding form with His consort Goddess Mahalakshmi majestically in a standing posture. The whole structure of the temple is painted with a multitude of colors. With the sea in the background, Ashtalakshmi temple looks simply superb and it is worth visiting this temple and get the grace of Goddess Lakshmi on this auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya.