Goddess Mahalakshmi Adorned with Rs 5 Crore, Gold and Silver at Visakhapatnam Temple

The 148-year-old Kanyaka Parameshwari Ammavari temple in Visakhapatnam’s Old Town drew thousands of devotees on Tuesday. The presiding deity was decorated with seven kilograms of gold ornaments and biscuits, 12 kilograms of silver, and Indian currency notes worth Rs 5 crore.

The temple committee organised the special alankaram on the ninth day of Sharannavaratri. The goddess appeared in the Mahalakshmi avatar. Around 250 women performed Kotikumkumarchana. Their prayers filled the temple with devotion and colour.

The day began with a sacred abhishekam. Priests used 108 ingredients, including milk, curd, honey, sandalwood, and fruit juices. The rituals moved step by step, each one adding meaning to the celebration.

After the abhishekam, the deity was covered with flowers. Among them were 108 golden blossoms. The priests then placed jewellery and currency notes on the goddess. The glitter of ornaments and the stacks of notes created a striking sight.

The temple president, Arisetty Dinakar, and secretary, P. Kamaraju, said the tradition has continued for 23 years. Each year during Navaratri, the goddess is decorated in different forms. On the ninth day, she is worshipped as Mahalakshmi, who represents wealth and well-being.

Devotional songs and cultural programmes took place in the temple precincts. Families from across the city joined the celebrations. Traders and residents of Old Town also supported the arrangements.

This annual tradition links faith with community life. The offering of gold, silver, and currency at the goddess’s feet shows devotion. It also reminds devotees that true prosperity comes from blessings shared with all.