Sri Mahalakshmi Kovil

Mahalakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity is worshipped as the wife of Lord Maha Vishnu. The concept of worshipping Maha Lakshmi as the consort of Vishnu, emphasizes the importance of woman in man’s life. The Gauda Saraswat Brahmins believe that the worship of Lord Vishnu will be complete only with offerings to Lakshmi. This temple is situated at the north west corner of the main temple facing the east. This temple had a separate idol of goddess Lakshmi which along with the idol of Lord Venkatesvara was taken to Alleppey in 1791 A.D. Afterwards the community members could bring back only the idol of Lord Venkatesvara and the Maha Lakshmi idol is still at Alleppey temple. During the Third Pratistha of the Lord at Cochin in the year 1881, under the guidance of Swami Varadendra Thirtha, the eighteenth pontiff of Sree Kashi Mutt Samsthan, a golden plate with Mahalakshmi Yantra was consecrated here. However during the occasion of the centenary celebrations of Third Pratishtha in the year 1981, a Maha Lakshmi Kavacham made of gold was installed at the temple by Swami Sudheendra Thirtha, the present Mathadhipati of Sree Kasi Mutt Samsthan. This nine inch tall Kavacham, weighing 20 sovereigns (160gms) depicts the image of goddess Maha Lakshmi seated on a blossomed lotus.