Lakshmi Kubera temple

[Dipika]

Whoever hears the name Kubera will remember Lord Venkateswara, because, according to Hindu mythology, Lord Venkateswara borrowed money from Kubera for his marriage and is still paying only the interest.

Rajalakshmi Kubera Trust has constructed a temple for Lord Kubera at Ratnamangalam, near Chennai. The temple is built on 4,000 sq ft and has a five-tier gopuram. Lakshmi Kubera is the main deity in this temple. The total cost of the project is nearly Rs 30 lakh.

M Krishnan, founder-trustee of the temple, said, "Apart from Lakshmi Kubera, Lakshmi Ganapathy, Selva Muthu Kumaran, Yoga Anjaneya, Navagrahas, with their consorts, are installed at the temple. Each deity has a separate shrine."

When Kubera went to Kailasam once to have a darshan of Lord Shiva, he found Him with Goddess Parvathi. Kubera was stunned to see the splendour and beauty of Goddess Parvathi. He felt sorry that he had not worshipped such a fine goddess for so long and one of his eyes shut itself.

Goddess Parvathi got angry that Kubera was winking at Her, and looking at Her with evil intention. She made his eye burst. Kubera lost sight in one eye and was also cursed that he would always look ugly. Lord Kubera pleaded with Lord Siva to forgive him and explained that he had not seen the Goddess with any evil intention. Lord Siva left the choice to His consort. Goddess Parvathi forgave Kubera and let the eye grow back, but it was smaller than the other one.

So one eye of Kubera is smaller than the other. Kubera was rewarded by Lord Siva with the post of being one of the guards of the eight directions - the North. The Goddess made him the lord of wealth and material.

As the God of wealth and material, his responsibilities are to distribute them while creating wealth is with Goddess Lakshmi. Kubera is mostly painted with his family and seen showering gold coins and navaratnas.

Performing pooja to Lord Kubera is believed to enrich one's life. To have a wealthy and comfortable life, one has to perform Sri Lakshmi Kubera Pooja. There are separate mantras and rituals for the pooja. Poojas performed on Full Moon Day and half-moon days in November are supposed to bring good results.

The auspicious date to worship Kubera is between October 15 and November 15 (Tamil month Aippasi). Thursday is the most auspicious day for Kubera. Anyone who wants to achieve his/her goal should worship Kubera for 48 days by chanting the Kubera sloka 108 times a day.

http://www.chennaionline.com/hotelsandtours/placesofworship/08temple17.asp

Sai baba let your holy lotus feet be our sole refuge.OMSAIRAM

dipika duggal

[Dipika]

Lakshmi is revered as the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. Lakshmi is worshipped as the consort of Vishnu the protector. Lakshmi is said to represent everything that is beautiful and bountiful in nature and is the source of power, pleasure and prosperity.

It is believed that prosperity and well being are symbolic of Lakshmi's presence.

Mythology is full of narratives regarding the perpetual feuds between the forces of good, the Devas and those of the titans the Asuras. One of these legends is centered around the churning of the milky ocean and Lakshmi features as one of the central characters in this legend.

Legend has it that Lakshmi symbolically left the Devas, chastising them for their over indulgence in material pleasures and their shirking of their responsibilities. As a result gloom descended both upon the earth and the heavens. It was realized that she could be brought back through a penance involving the churning of the milky ocean.

The legend of the churning of the milky ocean is also alluded to in this website in the section Beliefs Legends in the context of Saivism, and in the context of Rahu and Ketu and in the context of the avatars of Vishnu.

Needless to say, phenomenal effort was needed to regain Lakshmi metaphorically. It was using the combined might of the Suras and the Asuraas, and the support of Vishnu in the form of a giant turtle, and mighty mount as the spindle and the celestial snake Vaasuki as the churning rope.

The combined efforts to regain the lost prosperity was rewarded and Lakshmi emerged from the ocean to bring back life to the universe.

Also with Lakshmi emerged Kaamadhenu the celestial cow and the Kalpaka Vriksha and Chintaamani gem capable of granting everything that one may desire.

The Airaavata elephant that emerged along with Lakshmi was given to Indra the king of the Gods. Other symbols of royalty such as a conch and a bow were given to Maha Vishnu, whom she garlanded with the Vyjayanti garland of victory.

Kubera, the head of the mythical yakshas is also regarded as a keeper of wealth. It is believed that Lakshmi granted Kubera knowledge regarding the earth's precious resources.

Lakshmi is enshrined as Vishnu's consort in the main sanctum of most Vaishnavite temples all over India. In some temples there is a separate shrine for Lakshmi alone. Lakshmi is also enshrined symbolically in the chest of Vishnu's image in the sancta of most South Indian Vaishnavite temples and a sandal paste impression of Lakshmi's image is offered to devotees upon request.

Shrines to Mahalakshmi are also seen in most Saivite temples in south India, in association with shrines to Parvati.

The Mahalakshmi temple in Maharashtra, and the more popular Mahalakshmi temple in Mumbai and the Ashtalakshmi temple in Chennai are some of the most popular stand alone temples dedicated to Lakshmi.

http://www.templenet.com/beliefs/lakshmi.htm


Sai baba let your holy lotus feet be our sole refuge.OMSAIRAM

dipika duggal