Ashtalakshmi Temple

Located near Elliot’s Beach, Ashtalakshmi Temple in Chennai is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and her eight forms. Ashtalakshmi is considered as the giver of wealth, success, knowledge, prosperity, courage and food. The shrine was built on the wishes of Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati Swamigal of Kanchi Mutt and the sanctification of the temple happened in 1976. The architecture of the shrine is inspired from Sundhararaja Perumal Temple in Uthiramerur.

In the temple, visitors can see the eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi installed in different sanctums at four levels. Apart from Goddess Lakshmi, there are idols of Dashavatara (10 forms or avatars of Lord Vishnu) along with Guruvayoorappan, Ganesha and others. One of the special features of the temple is that it is constructed in the shape of Om, which is the first Vedic mantra. A large number of devotees can be seen here during Hindu festivals like Navratri, Gokulashtami, Deepavali and Pongal. Moreover, the pooja that is held in the evening is worth watching.