Sri Lakshmi Ganpati Temple

Beautiful temple out of nowhere ! Feels like a temple out of the box because of the location. The interiors are great and you can feel the positive vibes once you get inside. It’s a very peaceful place. There are more than one deities and gods inside which is a big plus and it’s not just a Ganapathi Temple. I did not buy anything nor had a Pooja done, so that’s something I won’t be able to comment on but the place is very clean and one would love to feel the ambience within. The only con I felt was about sticking to the opening timing - it may have been one off, which I wouldn’t know but they did not open at the mentioned opening time.

I went to this temple recently and was impressed by the deities and their beautiful decor! The temple was clean. The priests were a different matter! They were dour and when we told them we would like to light a small lamp (agal vilakku) which we had brought with us, along with the wick, oil, etc. they charged $11 which was fine even though I thought it was a bit pricey! But neither one of the 2 priests offered any kumkum, nuts, or even a banana as prasadham! The temple doesn’t have the aesthetic or divine vibe! Those two were more interested in checking if my amount got zelled to their account!! I usually go to Shri Lalitha Peetham where the temple has positive energy! I don’t know why I went to this temple that day! Never again!

Very commercial temple. Went to light two diyas at temple which I took from home and the manager said its 11$ each to just light inside the temple. Did not use any resource from temple and yet had to pay22$ for nothing. After lighting them asked where I can pay and if I can get a receipt. The manager just took the cash said there is no receipt. Nothing was given in exchange and she just kept the cash. If I had the sincerity to pay for it after my job is done, I wish they have a little more dignity. I don’t even know who this cash is going to since it is not even recorded anywhere. Don’t go there thinking you are doing a divine thing. Light things at home and give cash to charity instead.

The 24-hour Maha Shivarathri Spiritual Retreat in SLGT I only write when something affects me emotionally. The Maha Shivarathri experience on February 18th, Saturday was beyond ecstasy for me. This is the best Shivarathri I have experienced so far. I know it is already 4 days but I had to properly organize the emotions that were pouring out. Going by the adage "Well Begun is half done" starting the festivities at 6 AM promptly really gave a great jump start. The temple was donned bright and beautiful at the dawn on that day. Starting with Thaila Abhishekam going on till late afternoon, followed by Rudra Abhishekam, Homam, and concluding with Shiva Parvathi Kalyanam in the late night there was never a dearth of offerings. With the non-stop chanting of Rudram and Chamakam happening all along. Devotees started flocking pretty early in the morning and there was not a single lull moment during the whole event. Wish we had a way to measure the foot traffic. Hats off to all the ladies who prepped and cooked the plethora of steaming varieties of sumptuous Prasadams and kept sending in what looked like the Akshaya patrams of SLGT. It was a great opportunity for the SLGT family to reunite. Though fasting and observing Jaagran no one showed a single trace of tiredness, kept running around and performing all the seva that they could. I was amazed by the hidden talents of our volunteers and devotees in garland making (Vivek Flowers be aware :)), fruit carving, singing bhajans and so on. We all know that Shiva is Abhisheka Priyan (lover of Abhishekams) and Balaji is Alankara Priyan (lover of decorations). With the amazing decorations that were done that day I am sure we would have converted Shiva as Alankara Priyan too. The alankarams were beyond description. Every time the priests were pulling the curtains and getting ready to remove a decoration and prepping for the next abhishekam our hearts were bleeding and had to literally beg to keep the decoration on for a few more minutes so we could enthrall for a little longer. Thanks to our new priests Vishnu and Uday swamis’ enthusiasm and dedication. Some of my friends had come to this event for the first time this year and got convinced that they will never miss this for anything in the coming years. Also, there were a bunch of temple hoppers throughout the night but eventually, everybody came back to SLGT for the conclusion. More people wanted to stay longer during the entire event too but had to leave due to space restrictions. We need more space Kameshwar Swami :). The event just concluded 4 days back but we are all looking forward to the next year's event already. Having stayed for the whole event will I be blessed more by Lord Shiva? Of course, I am already. Firstly by being given the opportunity by Kameshwar Swami and Anusha to participate in this great occasion. And above and beyond, being shown love and affection by my extended SLGT family, ensuring that I got enough fruits, coffee, tea, and rest to keep me going. Not a single moment I felt hungry, sleepy, or tired. What more can I ask for? Last but not the least, my sincere apologies to any devotee if I was harsh whenever I asked not to block the Prasadam line or not eat inside the temple. With the mission well accomplished despite Kameshwar Swami's absence, I am sure Anusha would have slept well in the last few days! Great job all. Love