Ashtalakshmi
temple is in a very picturesque location
- in the coast of Bay of Bengal. It is a
famous temple that the eight forms of Mahalakshmi
and hence called Ashtalakshmi. Mahavishnu
and his consort Mahalakshmi are the main
deities here in the Ashtalakshmi temple
in Chennai. Lord in the form of Srinivasa
and Goddess Padmavathy are the festival
deities worshipped here.
The eight forms
of Lakshmi in the temple are Dhana Lakshmi,
Vidya Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Veera Lakshmi,
Sowbhagya Lakshmi, Santhan Lakshmi, Karunya
Lakshmi and Mahalakshmi. The Goddess Andal
is also there. The Vimanam is the Ashtanga
Vimana. A unique feature of this temple
is that the sea is considered as the temple
tank. There are a flight of steep stairs
leading to the different shrines of the
temple. The temple is also home to shrines
of Ganesha, Ayyappa and Anjaneya.Apart
from the above stated forms of Mahalakshmi,
there are other forms also found here
which include Adhilakshmi, Dhanalakshmi
and Vijayalakshmi. The physical appearance
of the temple is itself extremely beautiful
and glorious. Ashtalakshmi temple is one
of the prides of Chennai.
The temple is situated
alongside the famous Besant Nagar beach.
The temple is easily accessible from the
city as this area is well connected with
buses and other modes of transport.
