Goddess Harshat Mata is the name used to refer to Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Mahishasuramardini form of Goddess Durga. The most famous temple dedicated to Goddess Harshad Mata is located at Abhaneri In Rajasthan. The temple has a history of more than 1500 years. The original temple was an important center of Shakti worship with Goddess Harshat Mata in the Mahishasuramardini form. Later the temple was destroyed due to various reasons including abandonment and attacks. After several years another murti of Goddess was installed in the temple but it was stolen. Currently, the temple has an idol of Goddess Lakshmi. So nowadays Harshad Mata is another name for Goddess Lakshmi.
Goddess Lakshmi is widely revered in Hinduism as the goddess
of wealth, prosperity, and fortune. It seems that over the course of history
and due to various circumstances, the worship of Goddess Harshat Mata evolved
into the veneration of Goddess Lakshmi at the Abhaneri temple. Such
transformations in religious practices and beliefs are not uncommon, and they
often reflect the adaptability and resilience of religious traditions over
time.
The fact that the temple has stood for over 1500 years adds
to its historical and cultural significance. It serves as a testament to the
enduring spiritual importance of the site and the continuous efforts to
maintain its sanctity despite challenges. The blend of mythology, history, and
cultural evolution in this story makes the temple of Goddess Harshat Mata in
Abhaneri a noteworthy and dynamic religious site.