Sri Mahalakshmi Temple

City: Panaji State: Goa Location: South West India Year of Construction: 1413 A.D. Constructed By: Gowda Saraswat Brahmins Type of Construction: Ancient Type of Building: Temple Dedicated To: Goddess Lakshmi Other Deities: Lord Vishnu Religion: Hinduism Importance: When Lord Parashuram had invited our forefathers from Trihotrapura, they had come down to Goa with their deities of daily worship, which later became the Kulaswamis Famous For: 18 wooden images of Lord Vishnu Festival: Navaratri and Chaitra Purnima Sri Mahalakshmi Temple : The temple tour can be resumed by offering prostrations unto Goddess Mahalakshmi, the presiding deity of Panaji, the capital of Goa. The main temple has been reconstructed recently. The main festivals at this temple are Navaratri and Chaitra Purnima.A kilometre away and perched on the Altinho hillock overlooking the Mandovi River is the temple of Sri Maruti, which is equally patronised by the city dwellers. The Maruti Zatra in the month of February draws large crowds of devotees from far and near. Located at the heart of the Panaji city, the Mahalaxmi temple is a sacred shrine for Hindu devotees. The Mahalaxmi temple enshrines the deity of Mahalaxmi, the Goddess of wealth. Mahalaxmi is also regarded the presiding deity of the Panaji city. The Mahalakshmi temple assumes significance for being the first Hindu temple to be built in Goa after the Portuguese invasion by Alfonse de Albuquerque. The temple was approved for construction in 1818, after the elapse of 300 years and inordinate delays by the Portuguese authorities. The original structure has undergone renovations many times, the latest being in 1983. The