ASTHALAKSHMI TEMPLE HYDERBAD

Asthalakshmi Temple:

Location : Vasavi Colony ,Dilsukh Nagar, Hyderabad 

Best time to visit : During Varalaxmi pooja and diwali.

Timings : 

All days - 6:00 AM to 12:00 Noon & 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM 

Fridays - 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM 

Sundays - 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM 

Fee : No Entry Fee

It is about 12 kms from the Nampally, stands distinctly on the outskirts of the city of Hyderabad in Vasavi Nagar, Dilshukhnagar.

 The temple is popular for the Goddess"Laxmi" constructed of sand and cement, its consecration by Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swami, the Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, in April 1996 and is one of its kind in the state of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the two Ashta Lakshmi temples in the country, the other being in Chennai.

 The well-known architect, Ganapati Sthapathi, conceived the structure and design of the temple. The idols of Ashtalakshmi, Sriman Narayana, Sri Ganapathi and Sri Garuda were designed by Subbaiah Sthapathi. 

Ashtalakshmi stands for the eight manifestations of Mahalakshmi: Santaana Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Dhaanya Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, Dhairya Lakshmi, Adi Lakshmi and Vidya Lakshmi.

 The temple has now become the hub of spiritual and religious activities. There is a mahagopuram, which is decorated by about 134 vigrahams (idols). 

Watching it from a distance, the temple looks like one made from marble.