Thursday, October 16, 2008

Chennai Ashtalakshmi.

Ashtalakshmi Temple is a highly revered shrine situated in Besant Nagar, on the shores of Bay of Bengal. The architecture of the temple is unique, with the deities installed in four levels.

It looks different than the other South Indian temples as it a modern construction, less than 25 years old. The temple enshrines Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth and Lord Vishnu as the principal deities.

The temple has separate shrine for the Ashtalakshmi forms of Goddess Lakshmi. Ashtalakshmi Temple has a shrine for the Dasavathars (the 10 incarnations) of Lord Vishnu.

Other deities worshipped here include Tumbikai Aazhwar (Lord Ganesha), Guruvaayurappan (Lord Krishna), Chakrathaazhwar and Narasimha (on either side of the same idol), Anjaneyar (Lord Hanuman) and Dhanvantri.

Visit to this temple brings the well being for the devoteesThe number 8 has a unique speciality within itself. If we say the number 1, it is automatically denotes that there is only 1 god. If we say 12, it denotes the 12 great thiru Naamams of Sriman Narayanan.

If we say 8, its speciality is unique. The "Ashtakashara Manthram" - Om Namo Narayanaya Nama: This was the main mantram which converted Thirumangai mannan from a king / thief to one among the great 12 Alwars as Thirumangai alwar.

And like this, another speciality is about the 8 form of Sri Lakshmi collectively termed as "Sri Ashta Lakshmi". Sri Lakshmi is the Adhi Devatha for wealth and not only for this alone but give a good birth of a child, to give courage, to give us good thought, etc.

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