Diwali Special: 10 Famous Lakshmi Temples to Visit in India for Prosperity & Abundance

|| ॐ महालक्ष्मयै नमो नमः, विष्णुप्रियायै नमो नमः

ॐ धनप्रदायी नमो नमः, विश्वजननयी नमो नमः ||

The festival of lights is almost here, and the preparations for Diwali are in full swing; this Diwali, seek blessings from the goddess who grants wealth and prosperity to all. Visit India’s 10 popular temples of Lakshmi Maa, and worship her with diyas, kheer, batasha, and lotus flowers in your hand, and offer bhog to Mahalakshmi.

Check out India’s most beautiful temples of Mahalakshmi for Lakshmi Maa darshan and pujan:

Most Powerful Lakshmi Temples in India you should definitely visit on Diwali

Pack your bags and begin your Diwali temple tour, without any further delay, by visiting Mahalakshmi Temples during Diwali for good fortune and happiness:

1. Lakshmi Narayan Golden Temple, Tamil Nadu
2. Ashtalakshmi Temple, Tamil Nadu
3. Mahalakshmi Temple, Maharashtra
4. Chottanikara Temple, Kerala
5. Birla Temple, Delhi
6. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Andhra Pradesh
7. Padmavati Temple, Andhra Pradesh
8. Ashta Lakshmi Temple, Hyderabad
9. Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Temple, Andhra PradeshKarnataka
10. Goravanahalli Mahalakshmi Temple, Karanataka

1. Lakshmi Narayan Golden Temple, Tamil Nadu  

Sri Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Vellore, is stunningly gold-plated and dedicated to Sri Lakshmi Narayani, Lord Vishnu’s consort. An architectural wonder, this Lakshmi temple is famous for its striking golden-hued architecture, constructed on 40 acres of land.

Also Read: Dashavatars of Lord Vishnu

2. Ashtalakshmi Temple, Tamil Nadu

Situated near Elliot beach, Goddess Ashtalakshmi, the giver of eight wealths: prosperity, wealth, offspring, success, courage, bravery, food, and knowledge, is worshipped in this temple. Home to idols of the eight forms of Lakshmi, situated in nine different sanctums of the temple. The names of Ashtalakshmis are: Adi Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Santana Lakshmi, Veera Lakshmi, Vidya Lakshmi and Vijaya Lakshmi.

3. Mahalakshmi Temple, Maharashtra

Dedicated to Goddess Ambabai (Mahalakshmi), Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple is believed to grant moksha to ones who visit it after undertaking a pilgrimage to Venketeswara Tirumala Temple and Padmavathi Temple. The temple houses a 3-feet high, black stone idol of Maa Lakshmi, weighing 40 kgs, which is depicted holding matulinga fruit, mace, shield and panapatra.

4. Chottanikara Temple, Kerala

Built in a Kerala-style architecture, and 108 Abhimana Kshetrams (Lakshmi Vishnu temples), Mahalakshmi is worshipped as Bhagavathy Rajeshwari in Chottanikara Temple of Kerala; her three forms worshipped prominently here are: Saraswati (worshipped in the morning), Lakshmi (worshipped in the afternoon), and Mahakali (worshipped in the evening). However, Bhagwathy Chottanikara (Mahalakshmi) is worshipped here with her consort, Mahavishnu or Ammenarayana. 

5. Birla Temple, Delhi

Lakshmi Narayani Temple, also known as the ‘Birla Temple’, is another must-visit temple in Delhi, dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu. Built by the known industrialist, the Birla family and inaugurated by Mahatama Gandhi, it’s a three-storied temple, featuring Nagara-style architecture and a beautiful garden and fountain in the temple complex. Deities worshipped inside the temple are Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman, Maa Durga and Shri Krishna.

Also Read: Best places to visit during Diwali

6. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Andhra Pradesh

Located at the confluence of Bay of Bengal and Vashishta Godavari, the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple of Andhra Pradesh is dedicated to Goddess Rajgyalakshmi (Lakshmi Maa), who is worshipped here with his consort, Lord Narasimha (a half-man form of Vishnu). Since the temple is situated at the confluence of the sea and the river, it is also known as Dakshina Kashi. 

7. Padmavati Temple, Andhra Pradesh

The Padmavati Temple in Tirupati features impressive gopurams and exquisite Dravidian carvings, and it is said that the Hindu goddess Mahalakshmi took the form of Alamelu, the daughter of the local ruler Akasha Raja, later marrying Venkateswara after appearing to him on a lotus flower in Alamelu Mangapuram following his twelve years of penance.

8. Ashta Lakshmi Temple, Hyderabad

Ashta Lakshmi Temple of Hyderabad is a Hindu shrine dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, worshipped in her eight forms. The temple features a stunning Dravidian style of architecture, with the Mahagopuram that consists of 134 vigrahams (deities), and the gold-plated idols of Ashtalakshmi make it even more splendid.

9. Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Temple, Andhra Pradesh

Goddess Mahalakshmi, worshipped in the form of Kanaka Mahalakshmi at Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Temple in Visakhapatnam, where the temple’s gopuram is five-tiered and houses a self-manifested idol of Mahalakshmi with one arm missing. Locals believe Kanaka Mahalakshmi to be the guardian of Visakhapatnam. Moreover, she is said to be the bestower of wealth and abundance. 

10. Goravanahalli Mahalakshmi Temple, Karnataka

Goravanahalli is another Goddess Mahalakshmi Temple, which you should visit during Diwali. Here, Mahalakshmi is depicted with one hand in Abhaya Mudra (protection) and the other in Varada Mudra (boon-giving). You can spot beautifully designed multicoloured raja gopurams and Dravidian-style verandahs, and the temple houses a black-coloured idol of Goddess Mahalakshmi. 

In Hinduism, it is widely believed that without the blessings of Mahalakshmi, you can’t live a prosperous life. And so, Diwali is the most auspicious time to visit the divine abodes of Mahalakshmi to manifest continuous growth and bounty in life.