Sri Lakshmi Temple, Ashland
Sri Mahalakshmi temple · Ashland, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States
Photo: Tshiv · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Sri Lakshmi Temple is a Hindu temple at 117 Waverly Street in Ashland, Massachusetts, run by New England Hindu Temple, Inc. Its presiding deity is Sri Mahalakshmi, and its sanctums also hold Maha Ganapathi and Balaji (Venkateswara), with further shrines for Nataraja, Subramanya, Hariharaputra, the Navagrahas and Garuda (Sri Lakshmi Temple).
A Boston Globe report in 2007 called it the largest Hindu temple in the area, though little known to the wider town (The Boston Globe).
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Sri Lakshmi Temple, Ashland
The temple says its founders chose Goddess Lakshmi as presiding deity because many of them had come to the United States in search of prosperity and happiness, which they attributed to Mahalakshmi's grace (Sri Lakshmi Temple, History).
Hindus from across Greater Boston travel there for major festivals, because celebrations are larger than at smaller temples, as interviewees told the Globe in 2007. The temple also hosts classical music and dance concerts and cultural programmes (The Boston Globe; Sri Lakshmi Temple, History).
Heritage
History of Sri Lakshmi Temple, Ashland
According to the temple, the idea began in 1978, when an ad hoc committee formed in March. On 12 August 1978 it decided to dedicate the temple to Sri Lakshmi, and the new body's inaugural function, a Mahalakshmi puja with Diwali celebrations, was held in Melrose on 28 October 1978 (Sri Lakshmi Temple, History).
About twelve acres in Ashland were bought in summer 1981. Ganapathy Sthapathy of the Institute of Architecture and Sculpture in Tamil Nadu designed the temple according to the Agama shastras. Ground was broken on 19 June 1984, and a grand opening ceremony was held on 6 September 1986 (Sri Lakshmi Temple, History).
Sanctums for Ganesha, Mahalakshmi and Venkateswara were built from 1987, with artisans from India arriving in 1989 to carve the vimana gopurams. The temple records a Kumbhabhishekam led by chief priests Sri Sampathkumar Bhattacharlar of Bangalore and Sri Sambamoorthy Sivachariar of Madras, and says the concept of 1978 took twelve years to complete (Sri Lakshmi Temple, History). Hinduism Today reported in 2004 that a further Kumbhabhishekam was being planned for summer 2005 (Hinduism Today).
Architecture and sacred features
The temple follows the South Indian (Dravidian) tradition, with a sculpted vimana gopuram over the sanctums. The granite principal images and bronze festival images were designed by Sthapathys from the Institute of Architecture and Sculpture, Tamil Nadu, and the ornamental work was executed by artisans from India, according to the temple (Sri Lakshmi Temple, History).
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
As listed by the temple (checked October 2026): Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm; Saturday, Sunday and holidays 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. Daily, weekly and monthly services are on the temple's calendar. Confirm before visiting.
Private pujas, including vahana puja, are requested through the temple's website.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with New England Hindu Temple, Inc. (official website) before travelling. Last reviewed 30 October 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Sri Lakshmi Temple, Ashland
Navaratri
The temple's home page (checked October 2026) lists Navaratri celebrations, including a Dandiya Night on 30 October 2026.
Diwali
The temple's founding function in 1978 combined Mahalakshmi puja with Diwali; its November 2026 calendar is published on its website.
Location
How to Reach Sri Lakshmi Temple, Ashland
The temple is at 117 Waverly Street, Ashland, MA 01721 (Sri Lakshmi Temple). Boston Logan International Airport is the usual major airport for the region.
Most visitors drive. The temple's website has a Directions page; check it and local MBTA Commuter Rail information before travelling.
Location: Ashland, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States
Nearest airport: Boston Logan International Airport
More in Hindu temples in Massachusetts · Sri Mahalakshmi temples
Questions
Sri Lakshmi Temple, Ashland: Frequently Asked Questions
Which deity presides at Sri Lakshmi Temple, Ashland?
Sri Mahalakshmi. The founding committee chose to dedicate the temple to her on 12 August 1978.
Where is it?
At 117 Waverly Street, Ashland, Massachusetts 01721.
When did it open?
The temple records a grand opening ceremony on 6 September 1986, after the land was bought in 1981 and ground broken in 1984.
Who designed it?
Ganapathy Sthapathy of the Institute of Architecture and Sculpture in Tamil Nadu, according to the temple.
What are the temple hours?
As listed by the temple (checked October 2026): Monday to Friday 9 am to 12 pm and 5:30 pm to 9 pm; weekends and holidays 9 am to 9 pm. Confirm before visiting.
Which other deities are in the temple?
Maha Ganapathi, Balaji, Nataraja, Subramanya, Hariharaputra, the Navagrahas and Garuda, per the temple's website.
Sources and attribution
- Sri Lakshmi Temple — Sri Lakshmi Temple Ashland - home page, deities, timings
- Sri Lakshmi Temple — History
- The Boston Globe — A hidden temple grows in Ashland
- Hinduism Today — Massachusetts Sri Lakshmi Temple Board Forges Ahead with Plans for the Future
- Boston College, Global Boston — South Asians (Global Boston)
- Wikipedia — Sri Lakshmi Temple, Ashland, Massachusetts (coordinates)
- Wikimedia Commons — File:SriLakshmiTemple-pic1.jpg
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