Aerial View of Mahalaxmi temple,Mumbai - EL DESPERTAR SAI

Lakshmi has 8 primary forms. These 8 forms are personified as Ashta Lakshmi (Ashtalakshmi). These eight forms are as follows:

(1) Adi Lakshmi:
Mother Lakshmi resides with Lord Narayana in Vaikuntha, the abode of
Lord Narayana. She is known as Rama, which means bringing happiness to
the mankind. She is also known as Indira (who holds lotus or purity). In
this form, Laxshmi is normally seen serving Sri Narayana. Lord Narayana
is omnipresent. Adi Lakshmi or Rama Lakshmi serving Sri Narayana is
symbolic of her serving the whole creation. Adi Lakshmi and Narayana are
not two different entities but one only. Lakshmi is Shakti. Lakshmi is
the Power of Narayana.

(2) Dhanya Lakshmi:
Dhanya means grains. Lakshmi is the Goddess of the Harvest and the Devi
who blesses with abundance and success in harvest. Harvest is a time of
abundance after a long period of patience and tending to fields. This
symbolizes the inner harvest, that, with patience and persistence, we
obtain the abundance of inner Joy through the blessing of Dhanya
Lakshmi.

(3) Dhairya Lakshmi:
This form of mother Lakshmi grants the boon of infinite courage and
strength. Those, who are in tune with infinite inner power, are always
bound to have victory. Those who worship mother Dhairya Lakshmi lead a
life with tremendous patience and inner stability.

(4) Gaja Lakshmi:
In the holy book of Srimad Bhagavata the story of the churning of the
ocean by Gods and demons is explained in detail. Sage Vyasa writes that
Lakshmi came out of the ocean during the churning of the ocean (Samudra
Manthan). So she is known as a daughter of the ocean. She came out of
the ocean sitting on a full-bloomed lotus and also having lotus flowers
in both hands with two elephants by her sides holding beautiful vessels.

(5) Santana Lakshmi:
In the family life, the children are the greatest treasure. Those who
worship this particular form of Sri Lakshmi, known as a Santana Lakshmi,
are bestowed with the grace of mother Lakshmi and have wealth in the
form of desirable children with good health and a long life.

(6) Vijaya Lakshmi:
Vijaya is victory. Vijaya is to get success in all undertakings and all
different facets of life. Vijaya is to conquer the lower nature. Hence
those, with grace of mother Vijaya Lakshmi, have victory everywhere, at
all time, in all conditions. Victory to Vijaya Lakshmi!

(7) Dhana Lakshmi:
Dhana is wealth. Wealth comes in many forms: Nature, Love, Peace,
Health, Prosperity, Luck, Virtues, Family, Food, Land, Water, Will
Power, Intellect, Character, etc. With the grace of mother Dhana Lakshmi
we will get all these in abundance.

(8) Vidya Lakshmi:
Vidya is education. Serenity, Regularity, Absence of Vanity, Sincerity,
Simplicity, Veracity, Equanimity, Fixity, Non-irritability,
Adaptability Humility, Tenacity, Integrity, Nobility, Magnanimity,
Charity, Generosity and Purity are the eighteen qualities imbibed
through proper education that only can give immortality.

This wonderful idol of Laxmi Maata is at Laxmi Bazar, Angul -Orissa

This blissful murti of Laxmi murti is at Ashram Chhak, Angul in Orissa

The below pictures are of the sacred Mahalaxmi Temple in Mumbai..

Mahalaxmi
Temple is one of the popular Hindu Temples in Mumbai, dedicated to the
three shaktis - Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswathi and Goddess Kali. It
is situated on the Bhulabhai Desai Road, on the northern side of the
Malabar Hills. The picturesque location of the temple, along with the
reverence attached to it, lures devotees from far and wide. Locals as
well as tourists throng the Mahalaxmi Temple of Bombay in large numbers,
bowing before the deities and praying for happiness and prosperity.

History:An
ancient temple dedicated to Mahalaxmi is known to have stood on a
headland of Malabar hill until it was destroyed by Muslim invaders.
According to a local legend, the Muslims threw an icon of the Goddess
into the sea. When the British were constructing the sea wall joining
Malabar hill and Worli island in 1785, the local Hindu contractor
claimed the Goddess appeared to him in a dream and told him that while
several previous attempts to built a dike had failed, his construction
would be successful if he promised to rebuilt the temple.

Amazingly, a statue of the Goddess was unearthed during construction of
the wall. Upon the wall's completion, the contractor was granted land
nearby where he built the temple of Goddess Mahalaxmi which stands
today.

The gate of the temple has been adorned with elaborate embellishments
and beyond it is the sanctum that enshrines Lakshmi, the Goddess of
Wealth.

The
Mahalakshmi Temple in Breach Candy is one of the most popular temples
in the city and during Navarathi celebrations devotees stand for hours
in long queues awaiting their turn to worship. It is located in Breach
Candy. It is adjacent to the American consulate.

Known
for uniqueness, and piety, the temple dwells on the western coast. The
waves of the Arabian sea form a gorgeous backdrop to the glorious
temple.
The main shrine comprises the images of Goddess
Mahalakshmi, Mahakali and Mahasaraswati. Nonetheless, the principal
deity is Goddess Lakshmi, after whom the temple is named.One of its most
fascinating features is its grain-strewn courtyard, where one can see
flocks of pecking grey pigeons.

Each and every image is bejeweled with nose rings, gold bangles and
pearl necklaces. The celestial appearance of these images, enhance the
spiritual aura of the temple. It is regarded that the Goddess fulfills
all the wishes of her true devotees. People with their firm conviction,
come to the holy shrine of Mahalakshmi, to seek blessings from the
Goddess.

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Click
to the below link to watch this wonderful video--This is a wonderful
Shirdi Sai baba Chant [Dhun] which is very close to my heart and I just
can't stop singing it over and over and over..It was submitted to me by
Sai devotee Sai Vishnu..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1WIQ-lh_r8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1WIQ-lh_r8 -

Hey Sai Ram hey Sai Ram Hare hare Krishna Radhe Radhe Shyam

Message from the teachings of Saibaba for 22nd September

One can enjoy Perfect Health by Baba's Grace
It
is said that the lives of theists are devoid of any problems.
Sometimes, in spite of the faith in God, one may face hardships as a
result of the accumulated sins committed in the past. But, we can
understand the acts of God only by firm faith. In fact, 'adversity'
provides an opportunity to come more closer to God. While some problems
disturb the mind, others harm the body in the form of disease. If you
think, "Baba's blessings are there, why should I fear" and sincerely
offer prayers, you will be blessed with good health in return. Baba kept
the mentally disturbed Nulkar in Macchindraghad and blessed him with
the much sought solace. Tumours on the body, plague and other chronic
diseases were cured by Baba's sacred ash.It is no ordinary boon to be in
the presence of Baba. For this, a devotee's heart must be soaked in
devotion. The minor irritants are only tests that Baba conducts to mend
our ways and turn His believers as ardent devotees. With little
provocations Baba will scare obedient devotees. Won't children run to
the mother and embrace her in fear? Likewise, when devotees seek shelter
at Baba's feet, He would hug them, drive their fears away and gives
them good health. Hence, the feeling of 'I' should be given up and all
our burdens must be placed on His shoulders. Baba, the Compassionate
Mother, grants us everlasting peace and joy.

Shri Shirdi Sai speaks-22nd Sept/Aerial View of Mahalaxmi temple,Mumbai