Why devotees come here
The Ashtalakshmi Temple in Besant Nagar, Chennai, is dedicated to Lakshmi in her eight forms. It stands on the shoreline near Elliot's Beach, and idols of all eight forms are housed under one complex.
The temple is dedicated to Lakshmi, worshipped here as the Ashtalakshmi, her eight forms. Legend says the eight forms give eight kinds of wealth: offspring, success, prosperity, wealth, courage, bravery, food and knowledge. Devotees can pray to all eight forms in one place. The government tourism page describes it as one of the few temples in India that houses idols of all eight forms.
The foundation was laid in January 1974, with public participation. On 5 April 1976 the temple was consecrated, with the 44th guru of the Ahobila Mutt present. It was built on the wishes of Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati swamigal of Kanchi Mutt.
The Ashtalakshmis sit in four levels in nine separate sanctums. The complex measures 65 ft by 45 ft and is modelled after the Sundara Varadaraja Perumal temple in Uthiramerur. It was renovated in 2012 at a cost of 7 million rupees. The renovation laid 32 new kalasams, including a gold-plated one atop the main sanctum.The sanctums are arranged over several tiers, so visitors can see every shrine without stepping over a sanctum. Other shrines here are to Dashavatara (the avatars of Vishnu), Guruvayoorappan, Ganesha, Dhanvanthari and Anjaneyar.
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