The Sri Lakshmi Temple in Ashland, MA offered special prayers to Dhanya Lakshmi  on Sunday 23rd of July 2006. Dhanya means grains and Hindus believe that it is with the grace of mother Dhanya Lakshmi that one gets all essential nutrients. Devotees brought bags of rice for the pooja. A tasty treat in the form of grilled spicy corn added to the festivities.

Dhanya Lakshmi is one of the eight (Ashta) Lakshmis.  Prayer to Dhanya Lakshmi is a offering of thanks for the bounty of grains and other food items that are required for sustenance.  In addition to the prayers, the Youth, Cultural and Educational Program committee also provided free grilled corn (Chat Phat Bhutta) to the devotees which added a wonderful touch to the event.

Lakshmi is symbolic of all the material wealth that is essential for the sustenance of life.  The eight aspects of wealth  is represented through  Ashtalakshmis. The eight Lakshmis are symbolic of what prosperity really means to an individual.

Adi Lakshmi (First Lakshmi) symbolizes our cultural heritage and traditions. Dhanya (grains) Lakshmi is a symbol the plant life needed for sustenance. Dhairya(courage)  Lakshmi symbolizes courage required to carry out any action. Gaja (elephant) Lakshmi is symbolic of animal life. Santana (progeny) Lakshmi symbolizes progeny or the future. Vijaya(victory) Lakshmi is symbolic of success and Vidya (education) Lakshmi is the symbol of education.  Dhana (money) Lakshmi is a symbol of money.

By attributing divinity to all aspects of prosperity, Hindus acknowledge the importance of the different aspects required for living a good life while at the same time understanding that the need for proper use of all these attributes. The Divine can only be used for the good of the world.

Annadanam or donation of rice to feed that poor is an important part of the Dhanya Lakshmi pooja.

The Hindu Swayamseval Sangh (HSS) had a wonderful exhibit at the temple detailing several aspects of Hinduism.  For further details about the exhibits, visit www.hssus.org.

During this month there are many events organized at the temple. For more information please check out http://www.srilakshmitemple.org.

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