The iconic Shree Mahalaxmi Temple, located centrally in the ancient Newar town of Lubhu within Ward No. 8 of Mahalaxmi Municipality, Lalitpur, is a highly revered shrine of immense historical, religious, and architectural significance that serves as the very namesake and cultural heart of the entire municipality. Representing one of the celebrated nine heavenly power centers (Shakti Peeths) of the Kathmandu Valley, this magnificent multi-roofed, pagoda-style structure is primarily dedicated to Goddess Mahalaxmi—the divine symbol of wealth, affluence, and prosperity—alongside her divine consort, Shree Akash Bhairab. The temple’s history is deeply intertwined with local folklore and the Malla era, verified by a sacred copper inscription inside the premises dating back to Nepal Sambat 847 (mid-18th century), which highlights its prominence during that golden age of Newar craftsmanship. Local legends trace its divine origin to ancient times when grass cutters at the nearby Devisthan Chaur witnessed a celestial gathering of gods and goddesses dancing in a row, who instantly transformed into stone idols upon being discovered by the villagers, leading to their formal consecration. Structurally, the temple showcases exquisite woodcarvings, ornate metalwork, and a beautifully gilded roof, mirroring Lubhu's historic moniker Swarna Chhatrapur (The Golden Plate City), a title earned when Queen Ganga Rani, wife of King Shiva Singh Malla, sold her own gold plate to build a massive pandal to care for the sick under the goddess's watchful gaze. Today, the temple remains the focal point of the spectacular annual Mahalaxmi Jatra celebrated with grand chariot processions, traditional Newari music, and elaborate Tantric rituals performed by native priests, drawing thousands of devotees who flock to this sacred sanctuary seeking blessings for spiritual well-being, material abundance, and communal protection.
About Mahalaxmi Temple
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