Shri Mahalakshmi Panchayat Temple (commonly known as Lakshmi Gudi) is situated in the heart of Vijayapura (Bijapur), Karnataka.The temple is dedicated to Goddess Mahalakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and well-being. The idol of the goddess is crafted from marble, radiating purity and divine energy. Devotees believe that worshipping her here brings material prosperity and spiritual blessings to families.
The temple follows the Maharashtrian architectural style, featuring vaulted ceilings (attas) inside the sanctum. It adheres to the Panchayat system of worship initiated by Shankaracharya, where rituals are performed collectively according to traditional guidelines. The structure is simple yet elegant, creating a spiritually uplifting atmosphere for devotees.
The temple was established in the early 20th century by the Desai family, originally from Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra. Pandurangrao Desai, a respected lawyer and civic leader in Vijayapura, constructed the temple in front of his residence to fulfill his mother’s wish. She was a devoted follower of Goddess Mahalakshmi of Kolhapur. The construction began in 1909 and was completed in 1915. Pandurangrao Desai also founded the DCC Bank in Vijayapura and served as its first chairman, contributing significantly to the city’s development.
The story of this temple begins over a century ago with the Desai family, originally from the lush landscapes of Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra. Among them, Pandurangrao Desai, a learned lawyer and respected citizen of Vijayapura, was a man deeply devoted to his mother and her spiritual inclinations.
Pandurangrao’s mother was a devout follower of Goddess Mahalakshmi of Kolhapur. She would often recount tales of the goddess’s blessings—how she ensured prosperity, well-being, and protection for her devotees. Inspired by her devotion and driven by love and reverence, Pandurangrao resolved to build a temple dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi right in front of their home, so that his mother and the community could have a sacred space to worship the divine mother. Pandurangrao Desai initiated the construction of the temple in 1909, which was completed in 1915.
Shri Mahalakshmi Panchayat Temple celebrates several festivals with devotion and grandeur, the most prominent being Varamahalakshmi Vrata, dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. During this festival, special poojas, rituals, and community prayers are conducted, seeking the goddess’s blessings for wealth, prosperity, and well-being.
