Most of us know that India is home to the world’s largest golden temple. What some of us don’t know is that the largest golden temple in India is not the Temple of Amritsar, but the temple of Sripuram in Tamil Nadu. Popularly known as Sri Lakshmi Narayani Golden Temple of Sripuram, it is a divine seat of the goddess of wealth, surrounded by the blissful landscape of lush greenery at the foot of hills in Thirumalaikodi near Vellore.

Sri Lakshmi Narayani Temple

Sripuram, The Golden Temple is a spiritual oasis and an architectural marvel. The implementation of this divine project had basis in Amma's divine vision, which was created for humankind, irrespective of race, religion, caste or creed. The breathtaking landscape in which Sripuram is situated is completely organic, with varity of flora and fauna, creating a serene ambience and a natural ecosystem. Holy water from all the major rivers of the country was brought together into one holy pond called 'Sarvatheertham,' as a major source of evolution. The Golden Temple is situated in a 100-acre lush green landscape in the middle of a star-shaped path, such that it absorbs maximum energy from the nature, which creates enormous peace and brings relaxation to the devotees who walk through the starpath. With over 1500 kg of gold used in 15 layers, mounted on hand-etched copper plates, to create a traditional, Vedic-style temple architecture, 'Sri Lakshmi Narayani Golden Temple' is the world's largest Golden Temple and is one of the most visited holy shrines in the world.

The layers of pure gold were made and mounted on copper plates by a group of artisans having excellence in the art of using gold. Both the inside and the outside of the vimanam (dome) and the ardha mandapam of Mahalakshmi Temple, in the middle of the Sripuram spiritual park, are covered with pure gold. Each single intricate detail of the gold work was manually created. The entire complex is lit is such a way that the temple glitters even in the dead of night.

Located at 145 kms from Chennai, the Golden Temple of Sripuram is built in the Vedic style of architecture. The stellar attraction of the Sripuram Temple complex is a star-shaped pathway (modeled on Lord Vishnu’s Sudarshan Chakra) sprawling over 1.8 km. The main shrine of Goddess Lakshmi Narayani is located at the center of the star-shaped path. While traversing the starpath, devotees come across various Vedic verses, spiritual messages and lessons on human virtues along the way.

Walking the starpath to the Mahalakshmi Shrine at the Sripuram Golden Temple is experiencing an altogether different world of peace and bliss, far away from the worries and cares of mundane life.

Sri Swarna Lakshmi

Sripuram is aptly termed as ‘The Spiritual Oasis’, attracting people from different races, religions and all walks of life, from across the globe, creating peace and joy.

One of the important missions of Sri Sakthi Amma is to bring people closer to the divine.

Amma always says 'Pooja' or worship is an expression of love. Worship is not only for priests. Pooja can be done by anyone. Infact everyone must perform Pooja.

In harmony with the gold work, a 70-kg idol of Mahalakshmi in pure gold has been consecrated at the Golden Temple of Sripuram, Tamil Nadu. The presiding deity is addressed and worshiped as Sri Swarna Lakshmi here. Devotees are allowed to perform abhishekam to the idol here. The temple complex is meticulously adorned with man-made, beautiful sculptures which evoke wonder in visitors. The pillars and ceiling are ornately decorated.

Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple

Sri Sakthi Amma consecrated the temple of Sri Srinivasa at Sripuram on the 9th of December 2016, and aptly named it as ‘Sri Sripuram Srinivasa’. Now, that Sri Srinivasa has arrived at Sripuram the abode of Sri Mahalakshmi, the sankalpa of Sri Sakthi Amma has been realised.

This unique temple of Sri Srinivasa was built in a short span of two years by artisans as per the vedic architecture. The Sanctum Sanctorum of the temple houses the main idol of Sri Srinivasa, which stands at 10 ft in height,with four hands, viz., Abhaya Hastha, Varadha Hastha, Shanku (conch in one hand) and Chakra (Wheel) in the other hand. The gracious face of Sripuram Srinivasa idol adorns a mystical smile radiating love and peace to the devotees who visit the temple. All the Upacharas, that is poojas/ sevas that are being performed to Sripuram Srinivasa is similar to the ones being performed at Tirumala, as per the traditions being followed since ancient times.

Every Saturday, the sacred abhishekam is performed to the idol of Sri Srinivasa Perumal from 12:00 noon to 3 PM, witnessed by a large gathering of devotees. Devotees who wish to perform the abhishekam seva and witness the pooja along with family members, can make a prior booking using the facility in the application or contact the PRO at Sripuram.

Golden Temple

Sripuram The Golden Temple was built in a short span of SEVEN years. It was inaugurated on August 24, 2007. The consecration ceremony was witnessed by thousands of devotees. Since then, the temple has attracted hundreds of thousands of devotees; often breaching the 1 lakh mark on special occasions. The temple has also changed the face of Thiruamalaikodi village and the nearby town - Vellore. In the coming years, the temple envisages to create a positive influence on the society and ultimately bring about a drastic change.

Star Path

The star-shaped path with twelve ‘auspicious’ vertices creates a divine energy form on the Earth, akin to the sacred Srichakra.

Messages of truth and righteousness are posted on both sides of the pathway to encourage people to read them and imbibe their meaning as they walk slowly towards the Temple. These messages will cover topics such as the purpose of human birth and human life, the things we should and we should not do, the need for devotion and many more.

Walking through the starpath, laid with these messages, creates a rejuvenating spiritual experience and reminds oneself of the original purpose of life and true nature of the world.

Guru Peedam

Sri Sakthi Amma, Spiritual Guru stays at the Sri Narayani Peedam, an institution that sits at the edge of a mountain named Kailasha Giri. It is located in Thirumalaikodi (or Malaikodi), a small village near Vellore in South India. It is surrounded by mountains and lush, scenic beauty. Thirumalaikodi is located 150 km from Chennai and is equidistant from the two other very well known pilgrimage towns of Tirupathi and Tiruvannamalai. When linked by straight lines the three towns form a triangle.

In Thirumalaikodi several centuries ago, saints and sages performed intense penance for many years to the Universal Mother. They prayed for the Universal Mother to descend on the Earth to protect creation from the afflictions of the Dark Age (Kaliyuga). The selfless prayers of the sages were received by the Mother who consented to incarnate in human form on Earth.

It is Sri Sakthi Amma’s purpose to bring happiness and prosperity on Earth. Amma’s mission is to bring back righteousness and truthfulness in humankind. This will ensure that humans become more loving and tolerant towards their environment and other people. Amma once said - “Whenever Dharma declines and Adharma rises, I take birth in the world. Now I am born here as Narayani. My Name is Sakthi Amma." This summarizes the essence of Amma’s incarnation.

Amma’s mission lies in promoting Satyam (Truth) and Dharmam (Righteousness) by instructing devotees on the importance of leading a spiritual life. Amma is of the view that we can secure lasting peace in our lives through sustained worship and prayer. As Amma says: “The only true treasure in this life is the Divine. Place your heart and trust in this treasure.” It is with such Divine Wisdom, Guru’s Peedam has been established at Sripuram.

Beloved Sri Sakthi Amma’s Words of Spiritual Wisdom on the Role of a Guru

“Guru is the combination of mother, father, and teacher and also God. From the mother we get love, from the father we get guidance, from the teacher we get knowledge, and from the Divine we get grace. The Guru will have the love of the mother, and also the concern and care of a father. In addition to that, the Guru will teach from their own lives. The Guru will teach things that don’t even exist in books! Finally, the grace of the Divine will also come in the form of that Guru. Unconditional Love, mercy and peace – these things are all the grace of the Divine. So the Guru is a combination of all these four: Guru is mother, Guru is father, Guru is teacher, and Guru is God.” -SRI SAKTHI AMMA

Sri Kamadhenu - Silver Gau Mata

Even though a human mother provides milk for the first few months of her child's life, it is the Cow that provides milk to humans, for their entire lifetime. No other animal can be compared in that regard when it comes to the way a Cow provides for humanity. Known as panchagavya, the five substances harmlessly obtained from the cow are milk, ghee, curd, urine and dung. For thousands of years, these have traditionally been used by humans for health and wellbeing. In order to create awareness and to provide an opportunity for people to pay respects to the divine mother, Sri Sakthi Amma has consecrated a cow made of Silver just outside the Maha mandapam, facing Sri Lakshmi Narayani.

Everyday Gho Pooja is performed within the precincts of Sripuram at 5:30 PM, witnessed by hundreds of devotees. Devotees who wish to perform the Gho Pooja seva can make a prior booking using the facility in the application or contact the PRO at Sripuram.

Indian Flag

As per Sri Sakthi Amma's guidance, inside the Sripuram campus, at the entrance gate a mega flagpole was erected to hoist the Indian National Flag.Amma says, the purpose of hosting the Indian National Flag was to remind people of the mother earth and the land that gave us the opportunity to be born in this land to perform our tasks,express our creativity and realise the purpose of our life. Every day at 6:00 AM the National Flag is hoisted with full honours, with the staff singing the National Anthem and at 6:00 PM everyday it respectfully brought down. Everyday 15,000 people view the flag and their patriotism is awakened by this sight. On Independence Day and Republic Day the National Flag is hoisted with special celebration.

Landscape

The landscape of Sripuram is completely natural, created and managed using organic manure. One feels closest to one's true self in this serene ambience. Water from all the major rivers of the country were brought to create the Ecopond - ''Sarvatheertham''. The creation of this pond has resulted in a wonderful ecosystem for birds and insects, complemented by over 20,000 saplings of various species.

The entire premises has been equipped with rain water harvesting systems in order, water recycling, sewage recycling and sprinkler systems in order to efficiently manage the natural resources.

Purpose

The Golden Temple is situated in a 100 acre lush green landscape in the middle of a star-shaped path, such that it absorbs maximum energy from nature, which creates enormous peace and brings relaxation to the devotees who walk through the starpath. Devotees walking through the starpath are blessed to read messages of truth and righteousness that enables them to realize themselves and transform into powerful beings. The ultimate purpose of the Golden Temple is to create righteousness and transformation in human beings.

Inimitable Facts

The entire temple was designed by Amma, as conceived through the divine vision.

All parts of the main temple are covered completely in gold.

The temple has nine to fifteen manually prepared layers of gold foil.

The temple is adorned with man-made sculptures, ornately decorated pillars and roof.

Darshan Timing and Facilities

Following Covid 19 Pandemic Protocol and per Govt. of Tamil Nadu Guidelines

Morning Darshan: From 08.00 AM to 12 Noon

Evening Darshan: From 3.00 PM TO 7.30 PM

The facilities include guesthouses, dormitory, dining hall, helipads, waiting areas, prasadam counter, parking, medical aid, cloakroom, restrooms and souvenir showroom. The guesthouses, both A/c and non A/c, provide decent accommodation. The dormitory with toilet facilities is available for free. There is also a paid dormitory. The parking lot is spacious enough to accommodate over 500 cars, 100 buses and more than 1500 two wheelers.

The Annapoorani Mandapam or dining hall is where about 10,000 devotees are served delicious vegetarian meals on fresh banana leaves at the Golden Temple of Sripuram. The holy kitchen adjoined to the dining hall is equipped with state-of-the-art cooking facilities. There are multiple rows of dining tables for comfortable seating. Outside the temple premises is Sri Narayani Bhavan, a multi-cuisine restaurant serving vegetarian delicacies at nominal prices. Adequate drinking water is available throughout the premises.

Unique to the Sripuram Golden Temple facilities is the Queue Complex or waiting area with adequate ventilation and comfortable seating arrangement. There are stalls in the Queue Complex where milk, fruit juices, snacks and other refreshments are available for devotees. The best thing is that the temple complex is disabled-friendly. Wheelchairs are available for the convenience of senior citizens with difficult movement and the physically disabled people, facilitating their access to the deity. Alongside wheelchairs, escort service is available at a very nominal fee.

Tamil Nadu’s Sripuram Golden Temple runs several projects for social welfare, including zero-waste management program, free public distribution of drinking water, blood donation camps, free coaching classes to the poor students, scholarship program, tribal community education, Sri Narayani Vidyalaya, and Sri Narayani Hospital and Research Center. Among the projects, Sri Narayani Kala Peedam provides the platform to promote different cultural forms including art, music and dance. Various cultural programs and spiritual concerts are organized here on a regular basis, aiming to encourage performers and entertain devotees.

Dress Code

Devotees are requested to dress appropriately and avoid Short pants, Nighties, Lungies, Midi and Bermudas.

Tobacco, Chewing gums, Cameras, Mobiles Phones & other Electronic items, Liquor and Inflammable items will be restricted on entry. Devotees are requested to kindly adhere to the rules and regulations for maintaining the sanctity of the Temple.

Do's and Dont's

Devotees are requested to dress appropriately and avoid Short pants, Nighties, Lungies, Midi and Bermudas.Tobacco, Chewing gums, Cameras, Mobiles Phones and other Electronic items, Liquor and Inflammable items will be restricted on entry. You are requested to kindly adhere to the rules.