Sri Maha Lakshmi Avataaram

During the dasara 'saranavaraatri' festivies 'panchami' of the month of 'aaSvayuja' Mother Durga is decorated in the form of 'Sri Maha Lakshmi Devi' MahaLakshmi is the manifestation of wealth and prosperity. In the history of 'Durgasaptasati', she takes in the forms of the ultimate power Mahakali, MahaLakshmi, MahaSaraswathi to destroy the evil deamons. One of the three powers(sakti) is Sri Maha Lakshmi. Displaying incredible valor she slayed the asura named 'Mahishudu' with ease and gained the name of 'Mahishamardhi'. It is with this manifestation that she is being decorated here in Vijayawada, in the temple, atop the 'Indrakeelaadri' hill.

dhanamagnirthanam suuryoarthasamvasu
rdhanamimdroa bRhaspatirvaruNam dhanamaSnutae

ani Sree suuktamloa cheppabaDimdi. Likewise in the book of 'Lakshmitamtra' it is said

raajyavidyaacha soubhaagya amRtakaamya paradikaah
satyabhoagayougalakshmyoa aahToucha prakiirtitaah

1. Satyalakshmi 2. Bhoagalakshmi 3. Raajyalakshmi 4. Yoagalakshmi 5. Vidyaalakshmi 6. Soubhaagyalakshmi 7. AmRtalakshmi 8. Kaamyalakshmiare the eight avataars in wich Mahaalakshmi devi is seen here
1. Dhanalakshmi 2. Dhaanyalakshmi 3. Dairyalakshmi 4. VijayaLakshmi5.Aadilakshmi 6. Vidyaalakshmi 7. Gajalakshmi 8. Samtaanalakshmiare the other eight avataars that became famous. Since the Mother Kanaka Durga is one of the forms of Mahalakshmi in the sakti trinity, the main temple is surrounded with the eigth forms of Astalakshmi's. During this 'saratnavaraatri' period Maha Lakshmi takes in the form of AstaLakshmi's and blesses us with prosperity. Sri Maha Lakshmi is depicted as having lotuses in her two hands, being praised by the 'Gajaraju' seated on the lotus itself. The prosperous form of Maha Lakshmi Devi is to be seen and While offering your obeisance to the Goddess recite the following chant:



simduuraabhaamcha padmasthaam padmapatramcha darpaNam
arGyapaatramcha dadhateem sadbhaara makuTaanvikaam
naanaadaaseeparivRtaam kaamchiikumDalamamDitaam
laavaNya bhuumikaam vamdae sumdaraamgada baahukaam

Sree mahaalakshmii daevataayai namah

Also see : SriMahaLakshmiAstottaram, SriMahaLakshmiSatanamavali