Quick answer: The most famous Lakshmi temples in India are the Mahalakshmi (Ambabai) temple in Kolhapur, a Shakti Peeth; Mahalakshmi in Mumbai; the Sripuram Golden Temple near Vellore; Padmavathi Ammavari at Tiruchanur, Tirupati; the Ashtalakshmi temple in Chennai; the Laxminarayan (Birla) Mandir in Delhi; and Mahalakshmi in Ratlam, known for its Diwali decoration. Fridays, Navratri, Varalakshmi Vratam and Diwali are the most auspicious, and most crowded, days for darshan.
Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026).
Maa Lakshmi is worshipped across India as the giver of prosperity, health and harmony in the home. This guide covers the major Lakshmi temples you can actually plan a darshan around, what makes each one special, the best time to go and how to reach it.
Darshan timings change with festivals and temple decisions, so treat any hours given here as typical and confirm with the temple office before you travel.
Which are the most famous Lakshmi temples in India?
| Temple | Place | Known for | Best time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahalakshmi (Ambabai) Mandir | Kolhapur, Maharashtra | Shakti Peeth; Kirnotsav, when sun rays touch the deity | Navratri, Fridays, Kirnotsav days |
| Mahalakshmi Mandir | Mumbai, Maharashtra | Tridevi shrine by the sea, built 1831 | Navratri, Diwali, Fridays |
| Sri Lakshmi Narayani Golden Temple | Sripuram, Vellore, Tamil Nadu | Gold-covered vimanam, star-shaped path | Evenings, October to February |
| Padmavathi Ammavari Temple | Tiruchanur, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh | Consort of Lord Venkateswara | Karthika Brahmotsavam, Fridays |
| Ashtalakshmi Temple | Besant Nagar, Chennai | All eight forms of Lakshmi on four levels | Fridays, Varalakshmi Vratam |
| Laxminarayan (Birla) Mandir | New Delhi | Opened by Mahatma Gandhi, 1939 | Diwali, Janmashtami |
| Mahalakshmi Mandir | Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh | Decorated with devotees’ cash and jewellery at Diwali | Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj |
| Shree Mahalaxmi Temple | Bandivade (Bandora), Ponda, Goa | Idol saved from Colva during the Inquisition | Ram Navami, Navratri |
| Lakshmi Narayan Temple group | Chamba, Himachal Pradesh | Shikhara-style temples linked to Raja Sahil Varman | March to June, September to November |
| Lakshmi shrine, Jagannath temple | Puri, Odisha | Consort of Jagannath, central to temple rituals | October to February |
Why is the Kolhapur Mahalakshmi temple so important?
The Mahalakshmi temple of Kolhapur, called Ambabai by local devotees and Karvir Nivasini in prayer, is the best known Lakshmi temple in India. It is counted among the Shakti Peeths, and in Maharashtra it is one of the “three and a half” peeths along with Tuljapur, Mahur and Saptashrungi. Tradition dates the first shrine to the Chalukya period, around the 7th century.
The black stone murti wears a crown with a five-hooded serpent, and a stone lion, the Devi’s vahana, stands behind her. The temple is built in the Deccan’s Hemadpanti style, with shrines of Vishnu, Shiva and Ganesh within the complex.
The temple is famous for Kirnotsav, when the setting sun’s rays enter the sanctum and fall on the Devi for a few days each year, usually in late January to early February and again in November. Exact dates depend on the sun’s path and the temple announces them each year. Navratri, when the Devi is given a different alankar each day, is the biggest festival.
How to reach: The temple is near Mahadwar Road in old Kolhapur. Kolhapur’s Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus is the nearest railway station and Kolhapur has a small airport; Pune airport is the larger option, about 230 km by road. The Incredible India portal lists typical darshan from early morning to about 8:30 pm with a short midday break; confirm before you go.
Kolhapur Mahalakshmi is also part of the Shakti Peeth circuit. Our Shakti Peeth yatra guide explains how it fits with other peeths.
What is special about the Mahalakshmi temple in Mumbai?
Mumbai’s Mahalakshmi temple stands on Bhulabhai Desai Road near the sea at Mahalaxmi, close to Breach Candy. It was built in 1831 by the merchant Dhakji Dadaji. The sanctum holds three goddesses together, Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. Their murtis are richly dressed and ornamented.
The temple is busy every day, but queues stretch along the road on Fridays, during Navratri and around Diwali, when many business families come for Lakshmi Puja blessings.
How to reach: Mahalaxmi station on the Western line is a short taxi ride away; Mumbai Central is also a few kilometres away.
Why is Sripuram called the Golden Temple of the South?
The Sri Lakshmi Narayani Golden Temple at Sripuram, Thirumalaikodi, in Vellore district was consecrated in August 2007. It was built by the Sri Narayani Peedam trust. The vimanam and ardha mandapam are covered in layers of gold foil fixed on worked copper plates; the total gold used is widely reported as around 1,500 kg.
Devotees walk a star-shaped path of more than 1.8 km through gardens, with spiritual messages along the way, before reaching the sanctum of Sri Lakshmi Narayani. The temple is most striking after dark, when the gold is lit up. Expect strict rules on dress, mobile phones and cameras, and check the current rules before your visit.
How to reach: Sripuram is about 145 km from Chennai. Katpadi Junction near Vellore is the nearest major railway station, and Chennai has the nearest international airport.
Why visit Padmavathi Ammavari temple at Tiruchanur?
Goddess Padmavathi, the consort of Lord Venkateswara, is worshipped at Tiruchanur (Tiruchanoor), within Tirupati city at the foot of Tirumala. The temple is managed by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). Tradition holds that a Tirupati yatra is complete only with darshan of Ammavaru as well as Srivari at Tirumala, so most families visit both.
The main festival is the Karthika Brahmotsavam (usually November to December), with vahana processions over several days. It ends with Panchami Theertham, the Chakra Snanam in the Padma Sarovaram tank, when huge crowds take a holy dip. Fridays and Varalakshmi Vratam also draw large numbers.
How to reach: Tiruchanur is about 5 km from Tirupati railway station. Tirupati airport at Renigunta is the nearest airport. Our Chennai Tirupati Divya Desham Yatra ends with darshan at Tirumala and of Padmavathi Thayar at Tiruchanur.
What is the Ashtalakshmi temple in Chennai?
The Ashtalakshmi temple on the shore at Besant Nagar, near Elliot’s Beach, was consecrated in 1976. It honours the eight forms of Lakshmi: Adi, Dhanya, Dhairya, Gaja, Santhana, Vijaya, Vidya and Dhana Lakshmi. The shrines are arranged over four levels so you climb from one form to the next, starting with Mahalakshmi and Maha Vishnu on the second level and ending with Dhanalakshmi alone at the top.
The stairs are narrow, so seniors should take them slowly. Fridays and Varalakshmi Vratam are the busiest days. The Ashtalakshmi temple is part of the Chennai day on our Chennai Tirupati yatra.
Which Lakshmi temple can you visit in Delhi?
The Laxminarayan Mandir on Mandir Marg, west of Connaught Place, is better known as Birla Mandir. It was built by Baldeo Das Birla and Jugal Kishore Birla between 1933 and 1939 and opened by Mahatma Gandhi, who agreed on the condition that the temple be open to people of all castes. Lakshmi and Narayan are the main deities, with shrines of Shiva, Krishna, Hanuman and Buddha in the complex.
Diwali and Janmashtami bring the biggest crowds. It is an easy darshan for yatris passing through Delhi; RK Ashram Marg metro station is the nearest on the Blue Line.
Why is Ratlam’s Mahalakshmi temple famous at Diwali?
The Mahalakshmi temple at Manak Chowk in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, is a small shrine with a very unusual custom. For the five days from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj, it is decorated not with flowers but with cash and gold and silver ornaments that devotees offer for the Devi’s shringar. Recent news reports put the value of the decoration in the hundreds of crores of rupees. After the festival, the offerings are returned to the devotees, who keep them as prasad and a blessing.
If you plan to go, expect heavy security and long queues around Diwali. Ratlam Junction is on the main Delhi–Mumbai rail line, and Indore airport is the nearest major airport.
Are there Lakshmi temples in Goa and the Himalaya?
Shree Mahalaxmi, Bandivade (Goa): About 22 km from Panaji off the Ponda road near Farmagudi, this temple holds two Mahalaxmi idols. One belonged to Bandivade itself; the other was carried in secret from Colva in Salcete during the 16th-century Inquisition by two devotees, Safto and Fato, whose images are also in the temple. The Colva Devi is taken out in a palanquin and chariot at Ram Navami. Navratri is also observed with devotion.
Lakshmi Narayan temples, Chamba (Himachal): This group of stone temples is linked to Raja Sahil Varman, traditionally the founder of Chamba town in the 10th century. Chamba is best visited from March to June and September to November; Pathankot is the nearest railhead.
Lakshmi at Puri: Inside the Jagannath temple complex there is a shrine of Lakshmi, Jagannath’s consort, which plays an important part in the temple’s festivals. Our guide to temples in Puri covers it with the other shrines of the dham.
When is the best time to visit a Lakshmi temple?
- Fridays: Friday (Shukravar) is Lakshmi’s day. Every major Lakshmi temple is busier on Fridays.
- Varalakshmi Vratam: Observed on the Friday before Shravana Purnima, mainly in South India. Panchangs give 13 August 2027; confirm with your local calendar.
- Sharad Navratri: Expected to begin around 30 September to 1 October 2027, depending on the region. This is peak season at Kolhapur and Mumbai.
- Sharad Purnima (Kojagiri): Around 14 October 2027, when many families keep a night vigil for Lakshmi.
- Diwali: Published panchangs give Dhanteras on 27 October 2027 and Lakshmi Puja on 29 October 2027. Confirm the muhurat with your pandit.
How can you plan a Lakshmi temple yatra?
Most Lakshmi temples sit in regional clusters, so plan by region rather than trying to cover all of India at once:
- South India (4–6 days): Chennai (Ashtalakshmi) – Sripuram (Vellore) – Tirupati (Tirumala and Tiruchanur).
- Maharashtra and Goa: Mumbai Mahalakshmi – Kolhapur Ambabai – Bandivade, Goa.
- North India: Delhi Birla Mandir with a Braj or Rajasthan yatra; Chamba with a Himachal Devi darshan.
Our team can build the South India circuit around our Divya Desham yatras or the wider South India yatras, and Kolhapur can be added to a Shakti Peeth yatra. For dates and a plan for your family, use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
Frequently asked questions
Which is the most famous Lakshmi temple in India?
The Mahalakshmi (Ambabai) temple in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, is the most famous. It is counted among the Shakti Peeths and dates its first shrine to around the 7th century. Other very popular Lakshmi temples are Mahalakshmi in Mumbai, the Sripuram Golden Temple near Vellore and Padmavathi Ammavari at Tiruchanur in Tirupati, which TTD manages.
Is Kolhapur Mahalakshmi a Shakti Peeth?
Yes. Kolhapur Mahalakshmi is counted among the Shakti Peeths and is one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peeths in the Ashtadasha tradition. In Maharashtra it is one of the “three and a half” Shakti Peeths with Tuljapur Bhavani, Mahur Renuka and Saptashrungi, the last counted as the half peeth.
Which day is best for Lakshmi temple darshan?
Friday is traditionally Lakshmi’s day, so it is the most auspicious and also the most crowded. Navratri, Varalakshmi Vratam, Sharad Purnima and Diwali are special occasions. If you prefer a calmer darshan, go early on a weekday morning outside festival weeks and keep Friday for the puja at home.
Is the Sripuram Golden Temple made of real gold?
Yes. The vimanam and ardha mandapam are covered in several layers of gold foil fixed on etched copper plates. The total gold used is widely reported as around 1,500 kg, though the trust’s exact figure should be checked. The temple was consecrated in August 2007 and is about 145 km from Chennai.
Do I need to visit Tiruchanur after Tirumala?
Tradition says a Tirupati yatra is complete only with darshan of Goddess Padmavathi at Tiruchanur, the consort of Lord Venkateswara. Families visit her either before or after going up to Tirumala, depending on the darshan slot. Tiruchanur is about 5 km from Tirupati railway station, so it fits easily into the same day.
What happens at Ratlam Mahalakshmi temple during Diwali?
From Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj, the Manak Chowk Mahalakshmi temple in Ratlam is decorated with cash and gold and silver ornaments offered by devotees. After the festival, the items are returned to the devotees as prasad. Security is tight and queues are long, so plan for waiting time and keep valuables safe.
