Sri Mahalakshmi Temple in Goravanahalli

Goddess Mahalakshmi

If there is one thing that sustains living on this planet and makes life worth living, it is undoubtedly money. And naturally, the divinity that stands for wealth remains one of the most revered and widely worshiped by devotees. Lakshmi or Mahalakshmi is that Supreme Goddess of Wealth and the Divine Mother, who can also bestow blessings like prosperity, fertility, power, fortune, and beauty.

As per legends, she emerged from the depths of the vast ocean of milk when the celestials and demons churned it to obtain, Amrut, the Divine elixir of life. Choosing Lord Vishnu, the Supreme God of Protection and Sustenance, as her partner, she became his consort and lives with him in their celestial abode of Vaikunta.

While we can worship Goddess Mahalakshmi in all Vishnu Temples under various names, Temples have also come up dedicated exclusively to her. One of them is the Goravanahalli Mahalakshmi Temple or Goravanahalli Lakshmi Temple. It is in the state of Karnataka, known for its architecturally and sculpturally rich and artistically well-designed Temples.

Goravanahalli Mahalakshmi or Goravanahalli Lakshmi Temple History

The Goravanahalli Mahalakshmi Temple is about a century old. It is believed that the idol of the principal deity here is a Swayambhu, a self-manifested one and not man-made. As per local history and legends, the statue was in the possession of Abbayya, a villager, sometime during the beginning of the 20th century. He is said to have maintained the idol at home and worshiped it regularly, and thanks to the Goddess's blessings, Abbayya became rich and prosperous soon. With his wealth obtained through Divine grace, he also started doing charity, which made the Goddess and her devotee famous, and his house itself soon earned the name 'Lakshmi Nivas.'

This Abbayya had a brother Thotadappa who worked with him and also worshiped the Goddess sincerely at Abbayya's house. It is said that one night, Goddess Mahalakshmi appeared in his dream and directed him to build her a Temple. Thotadappa carried out the Divine command and erected a Temple for her there itself, which now remains the well-known Goravanahalli Mahalakshmi or Goravanahalli Lakshmi Temple.

While the descendants of Abbayya and Thotadappa continued with the Temple worship for some time, it somehow fell into disuse for about 15 years, from around 1910. And it was left to another pious devotee Kamalamma, who came to Goravanahalli in 1925 to revive its fortunes. She cleaned and revamped the virtually deserted Temple, put its activities in order, and started the daily Poojas and other worships. But something moved her away from that place just in about a year, and it took nothing less than 26 years for the Goddess to call her chosen devotee back to her service. And once Kamalamma returned in 1952, there was no looking back, and the Temple grew into a much-revered center of pilgrimage for Lakshmi devotees. And Goravanahalli Lakshmi Temple started attaining prominence, not merely in that area but throughout the state.

Temple Structure

Goravanahalli Mahalakshmi Temple stands as a beautiful testimony to the unique South Indian style of architecture prevalent in the early 20th century. It has a large and colorful main tower with small arches on either side. The verandas inside lead to the sanctum sanctorum, where Goddess Mahalakshmi, the presiding deity, is enshrined in her radiant glory. While she holds flowers in her upper hands, she blesses her devotees with her lower right hand holding the protective Abhaya Mudra and the left holding the boon-bestowing Varada Mudra. The deities Marikamba and Naga Dev are also housed and worshiped in this Temple.

Worship

Many devotees visit the Goravanahalli Lakshmi Temple, which is open to the public throughout the year. Big crowds can be seen here, especially on Tuesdays and Fridays, considered auspicious and Sacred for Mahalakshmi worship. Apart from regular Darshan, special worships like Poojas, Abishekam and Kumkuma Archane are done between 0800 and 0930 in the mornings, while they perform Maha Mangala Aarti at morning 0930, afternoon at 1230, and evening 0730. Lakshadeepotsava, when they light one lakh traditional oil lamps, can be regarded as the biggest festival in this Temple, celebrated with much religious fervor.