Vidya Lakshmi (Knowledge Lakshmi) is the goddess and the bestower of knowledge of arts and sciences. She is dressed in a white saree and has a resemblance to the goddess Saraswati. She holds a book of vedas, a peacock feather as a pen, vard mudra and abhay mudra.[4]

Additional FormsIn some Ashta Lakshmi lists, other forms of Lakshmi are included,

The star is used in Hinduism to symbolize Ashtalakshmi, the eight forms of wealthThe rise in popularity of the Ashta Lakshmi can be linked with the rising popularity of the Ashta Lakshmi Strotam.

Around the 1970s, a leading Sri Vaishnava theologian, Sri U. Ve. Vidvan Mukkur Srinivasavaradacariyar Svamikal,[6] published a poem called Ashta Lakshmi Strotam dedicated to the eight Lakshmis. Narayanan comments,

“Although these attributes (which represent the wealths bestowed by the Ashta Lakshmi) of Sri (Lakshmi) can be found in traditional literature, the emergence of these eight (Ashta Lakshmi goddesses) in precisely this combination is, as far as I can discern, new.”[1]

The Ashta Lakshmi are now widely worshipped both by Sri Vaishnava and other Hindu communities in South India.[1] Occasionally, the Ashta Lakshmi are depicted together in shrines or in framing pictures within an overall design and are worshipped by votaries of Lakshmi who worship her in her various manifestations.[5] In addition to emergence of Ashta Lakshmi temples since the 1970s, traditional silver articles used in home worship as well as decorative jars ('Kumbha') now appear with the Ashta Lakshmi group molded on their sides.

Books, popular prayers manuals, pamphlets sold outside temples in South India; ritual worship and a burgeoning audiocassette market are also popularizing these eight forms of Lakshmi.[7]

Temples

Ashtalakshmi Kovil - Temple of Eight Lakshmi's, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.Ashtalakshmi Temple, Besant Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India: The Ashta Lakshmi Kovil, built in 1974, is the first shrine dedicated exclusively to the Ashta Lakshmi where Lakshmi is given greater importance than Vishnu.[8] It has eight small shrines arranged in clockwise direction, dedicated to the Ashta Lakshmi and then a ninth shrine dedicated to Vishnu and Lakshmi together, unlike the traditional separate shrines.[9]Ashtalakshmi Temple, Vasavi Colony, Dilsukh Nagar, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India[10]Sydney Durga Temple - The Hindu Temple, located in Regents Park, Sydney, Australia has 8 small sanctums dedicated to the Ashta Lakshmi.Ashtalakshmi Temple, Sugar Land, Houston, Texas, United States[11]Ashtalakshmi Temple, North Hollywood, California, United States[12]At the entrance - leading from Vittavasal Street to Meenakshi Temple, Madhurai, a mandapam (Hall) called Ashta Lakshmi Mandapam is dedicated to the Ashta Lakshmi, the statues of which support the roof on either side.Parashakthi Temple, Pontiac, Michigan has the deities installed there.[13]Asta Lakshmi Devasthanam, Fremont, California. Address incorrect, call to find out.[14]Sree Vasudevapuram Mahavishnu temple situated in Ernakulam district of Kerala India conducts the ASHTALAKSHMI THAMPOOLASAMRPANA MAHOTSAVAM every year starting on the eve of Akshaya Tritheye. The belief is that Maha Lakshmi gives darshan and shower blessings on devotees only on eight days in a year as Ashta Lakshmis. The most auspicious ritual of the temple known as ‘’Thampoolasamarpanam” is performed during the mahotsavam.See also