Ashtalakshmi Temple, Chennai (Madras)

Ashtalakshmi temple is situated near the Elliots beach in Beasant Nagar. This temple was constructed on the wishes of Sri Mahaa Periyavaal of Kanchi Mutt, Sri Chandrasekara Saraswati Swamigal. This temple is in 4 levels and the 8 manifestations of goddess lakshmi is installed here. The idols are big, some bigger than life size.

This picturesque temple on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, though only a few decades old, is renowned for its shrines to the goddess Lakshmi and all her eight incarnations, as well as to Lord Vishnu and his incarnations. You start at the bottom level of the main temple with the shrine to Lakshmi and Vishnu. Then you ascend stairs up four levels, each containing different incarnations of Lackshmi: Aadhi Lakshmi the goddess of health, Dhanya Lakshmi the goddess of food, Dhairya Lakshmi the goddess of courage, Gaja Lakshmi the goddess of luck, Santhana Lakshmi the goddess of children, Dhana Lakshmi the goddess of wealth, Vijaya Lakshmi the goddess of victory, and Vidya Lakshmi the goddess of education. The temple priests will perform a blessing on you at each Lakshmi and in return you offer them a few rupees. There is a great view out over the Bay of Bengal from the top level.