Mahalakshmi Shakti Peeth Temple - Kolhapur, Maharashtra

Mahalakshmi Shakti Peeth Temple

Have been visiting many temples of which Mahalakshmi Shakti Peeth Temple is my first Shakti Peeth darshan during the year 2000 – 2004 when I was doing my Engineering in Belgaum (Dist.)..Infact this was together with my younger brother who also Engineered in the same college during 2001 - 2005. We have visited this temple with our parents as well when they came to see us during leisure times…The other Shakti Peeth’s I’ve visited are: Basara saraswathi mata temple, Chamundeswari mata temple mysore and Bramarambika mata srisailam..Have not written about these places earlier except in my trip to Mysore post…Will try to write about my trips to the Basara saraswathi mata temple and Bramarambika mata temple srisailam soon….

Mahalakshmi Temple, an ancient temple in Kolhapur, is dedicated to the Goddess of prosperity Mahalaxmi, locally known as Goddess Amba Bai. This temple had been under the patronage of all the major dynasties who ruled the region and temple is revered by all the royal family members as well as populace of the region. The temple was constructed during the reign of King Karandev of Chalukya dynasty in 7th century AD i.e. around 600 to 700 A.D.

The Shri Mahalakshmi Temple of Kolhapur is one of the Shakti peetha located in Maharashtra. The various puranas of ancient India, have listed 108 shaktipeethas where Shakti (the goddess of power) is manifested.

Amongst these Shri Mahalakshmi of the Karveer area (the area where the present town of Kolhapur is located), is of special significance and significant city lying in the ancient Karveer region which is a treasure trove of ancient religious monuments in Western Maharashtra.

This is one of the six sites of the Shakti, where one can get both fulfillments of desires as well as salvation from them. It is therefore considered of even greater significance than Uttar Kashi, the place where one prays for salvation to Shri Mahalakshmi the consort of Shri Vishnu.

It is said that both Shri Lakshmi and Shri Vishnu reside in the Karveer area eternally and shall not leave even at the time of Mahaprayakala. This region is therefore also referred to as a avimuktakshetra.

Karveer region is eternally blessed and is believed to be held by Mother Jagdambe in her right hand, and so this region is protected from all destruction.

The temple is a marvelous example of architectural style known as ‘Hemandpanthi’ in ancient India. The walls of the temple complex are adorned with exquisite carvings and many sculptures. The temple complex consists of five towers and a main hall. The idol of Mahalaxmi is very unique, weighing 40 kg, made as a monolithic stone structure embedded with precious stones and diamonds. The precious stones that adorn the deity indicate the antiquity of the idol.

The statue of the Goddess has four arms. In the lower right hand she holds the matulinga, (a fruit similar to an ordinary lemon but much larger in size). In the upper right hand she holds large mace, kaumodaks, its head touching the ground. In the upper left hand she holds the shield or khetaka, and while in the the lower one she holds a bowl, panpatra.

On the crown of the Goddess are a cobra-hood (the mythical serpent of Shri Vishnu) and a Shiva-ling with a Yoni around it. Standing behind is the Goddess' vahana - a lion.

Almost all the idols of the God in the Temple face the north or the east directions, whereas here the Idol faces the west.

Lord Vishnu himself adores this region more than Vaikuntha or the Kshirsagar since it is the home of his consort Lakshmi. The greatness of this region has therefore attracted many sages and devotees, the blessings and affections showered by this region on its devotees are immeasurable.

It is believed that Prabhu Shri Dattatreya still comes here every noon to seek alms.

Kolhapur is well connected by rail and road with the major cities of India. Trains ply between Kolhapur and Mumbai, Bangalore, New Delhi and other important cities of Maharashtra like Pune, Sangli, Miraj. The city is also well connected by a road network.

Within the city too public transport is conveniently available to and from the temple

The temple witnesses a heavy inflow of devotees on all occasions. Major festivals celebrated here with much enthusiasm and festivities are Kiranotsav, celebrated for three days from January 31 every year and Navarathri during October.

Kiranotsav: The small window on the western wall which is open. Once a year, the rays of the Sun during sunset falls on the face of the image through this window. This period lasts for three days, each time, the 21st, of the months of March and September. This period is considered extremely auspicious, the Devotees throng the temple on all the three evenings the temple for a glimpse of the beautiful image bathing in the golden rays of the setting sun.

It is not surprising that even the rays of a setting sun pay homage to Goddess Mahalakshmi as the life of human being revolves around illumination and prosperity. But it is the wonder of wise architects who built the temple of Mahalakshmi at kolhapur that the rays of the setting Sun, bow at the feet of the Goddess through a window, for a while before vanishing. This special event is celebrated by thousands of people as ‘KiranUtsav’. Every year this festival is celebrated on the following days at evening: 31 January 1 February 2 February 9 November 10 November 11 November.

It is said that Sun god gives respect to Mahalaxmi for three days in a year. This will be on the occasion of RathaSaptami (which will be somewhere in January every year). This will be for 3 days. The first day, ray falls on the feet, on second day, on the middle portion of the deity and on the third day on the face. It’s the architect's excellence, which is been done more than 1000 years ago, can still be observed. Later during the time of Peshwas, the temple was repaired. Though, many invasions over this part of India have caused some damages of the beautiful idols, which are all around the temple.

Places Nearby:

Kotiteertha: Also called 'Pushkareshwar Teerth', Kotiteertha is about 4 km from the Mahalakshmi Temple. It is said that the Gods bathed in this tank after defeating the demons or rakshas. It is customary for pilgrims to first bathe in the tank and then have Darshan of the 'Pindi' at the temple.

The Jyotiba's Temple: The Jyotiba Temple is said to be built in 1730 by Navajisaya Jyotiba and is located 17 km from Kolhapur. Jyotiba is supposed to be an incarnation of three gods -- Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh and the seer Jamadagni.

Narasimha Wadi: Situated on the confluence of the rivers Krishna and Panchaganga, Narasimha Wadi is well known for the holy padukas or slippers of Dattaguru (an incarnation of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh). It is located 45 km from Kolhapur.

Siddhagiri Gramjivan Wax Museum (Kaneri Math) at Kaneri near Kolhapur, Maharashtra is a unique wax museum, probably the only one of its kind in India. The museum is called ‘Siddhagiri Gramjivan (Village life) Museum’. This unique project is the only of its kind in India and situated at Shri Kshetra Siddhagiri Math. Many people know about Kaneri Math but very few know about this museum.

Other important places near Kolhapur include Panhala, 20 km from Kolhapur - a popular hill station; Vishalgad Fort located 18 km south from Kolhapur is deeply rooted in Maratha history. For those interested in wildlife can visit Dajipur Bison Sanctuary located on the border of Kolhapur. The sanctuary is home to the” Gava" buffalo, bison, wild deer, chital etc.