Sri Mahalakshmi of Goravanahalli

Third Party Video

Sri Mahalakshmi of Goravanahalli
The rich and famous temples are well known and records of their history is available to read.

But what of the little known shrines located in small villages. These temples have stories that sometimes make us wonder how deep and complex is our religion. How the faith of a few inspire others to live a righteous life.

This true story will show how God herself finds her devotees and gives them an opportunity to serve her.

In the small village of Goravanahalli, near Bangalore, in Karnataka, a story of pure magic unfolded.

Abbayya a villager and his family had undertaken to build a tank in the village. One day as the tank work was in progress Abbayya heard a female voice calling to him. Abbayya at first ignored the voice. But the voice continued and asked Abbayya to take ther to his home.

Abbayya was scared and confused. He asked his mother what he should do. His mother told him to tell the voice that he can take her home only if she was a Goddess. The voice replied that she was Goddess Mahalakshmi.

Pleased by this, Abbayya spread his "angavastram" (upper body cloth) for the Goddess to step on. He then heard a sound come from the water in the tank. Soon there appeared the most beautiful idol of Mahalakshmi adorned with Shanka, Chakra and Nama and She had one hand raised in Abhaya Hasta or the blessing pose.

Abbayya ran home with the idol and showed it to his mother. The family installed the idol at home and performed pujas. Mahalakshmi blessed them with health and prosperity.

Over a period of time, the family decided to install the idol in a separate structure and build a temple. It is interesting to note that this sanctum is still in use for the Goddess.

The traditional way of worship at the temple is to keep a fist full of rice and a coin every day during puja at home. It is good to do this for 48 days or 108 days. At the end of this period the devotee should take the rice and coins and offer it to the Goddess. This seva will fulfill the desires of the devotee. The Goddess some times will appear in their dreams and bless them.

This temple is popular with many devotees and the temple has grown to house many other deities like Sri. Lakshmi Narasimhar, Ganesha, Siva and Parvathi, Sri Hanuman, Ragavendra Swamy and  Ugra Narasimhar.

The family still takes care of the temple and provides support to the many devotees.

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