History, Importance, Timings, Architecture, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India
One of the most famed and prominent Temple of Hinduism in Maharashtra state is the Shri Mahalakshmi Temple which is located at the Kolhapur in Maharashtra India. It is also famous as the Shree Ambabai Temple. Mahalakshmi temple is one of the 52 Shaktipeetha temple, one of the 18 Mahashaktipeeths and one of the 3½ Shaktipeeths of Maharashtra which is located on bank of river Panchganga near Kolhapur and around 230 kilometre south of Pune. Previously this region was popular as Karveer region thus Goddess Mahalakshmi is also known as Karveer Nivasi Mahalakshmi Ma. It is said the eye of the Ma Devi Sati was fallen down here where the present temple campus was built. As per the local belief that individual can attain salvation here and also goddess fulfil all desire. Thus it is also called as Dakshin Kashi. Kolhapur town was named after demon Kolhasur who was killed by the goddess here and the last wish of demon was to name the city after his name.
The temple was initially found by Konkan king Karnadeo in 109 A.D by clearing the forest in surrounding areas. Then several dynasties like Chalukya, Silhar, Yadavas, Chatrapathi Shivaji and Sambhaji also helped in renovating the temple. It is said that Jagadguru Adishankaracharya also visited this temple. It is said that in the period of of Chalukya reign the present temple of goddess ambabai had been built by king Karndev in 7th century. The Statue of the goddess is produced from the gemstone and its weighs is approximately 40 kilograms. The Statue of Mahalaxmi is is approximately 3 feet in height and this is sculptured in black stone. The carrier of the goddess is a lion situated at the back side of the statue and it is carved in a stone. There is an image of The Serpent of Vishnu and Sheshnag as well on the Crown of goddess. Shri yantra is cultured on one of the walls in the temple and Haldi, Kumkum, and flowers are offered to it just as they are offered to the main deity.
The divinity of Mahalaxmi holds objects, the value of allusive in the four hands. The upper right hand holds a large mace of the Vishnu and its head is touching the ground and in the lower right hand she holds mhalunga which is a type of citrus fruit. In the lower left hand she holds a bowl and in the upper left hand she holds a shield. The divinity places in west side but most Hindu Holi images are there, which faces North or East. On the face of the image the light Falls of the setting sun which comes from the small open window on the Western Wall and it is said that this light falls twice days approximately 21st of each March and September.
Navaratri is the major festival celebrated here with devotion and zeal. The Palki procession takes place every evening in temple campus. Kirnotsav is another important festival celebrated in the Mahalakshmi Temple when the rays of the sun fall directly on the deity at the time of sunrise
In the period of 1712-1792 Narhar Bhat told to Sambhajee that he had a dream in that he told, In Mughal Sovereignty to protect the Idol worshippers had hidden that Idol. Sambhajee had believed that dream and started to search that Idol and that had been found in a house in Kapila teertha market in the City. On 26th September 1712 Idol was again placed and it was the Ashwin Vijaya Dashami. The Devi became the deity of the Maharashtra state as the number of devotees gradually increased.
In the centre of the upper Temple there is the Idol Sporting kirtimukha and behind that there is statue of Ganpati with an embellish stone frame. There is a rectangular shivalinga in front of the Ganpati statue it is also known as the matulinga and a bull who is the the carrier of the Shiva lies outside of the chamber. At the left side of goddess Mahalaxmi sanctum there is a staircase which leads to this story of the temple. In the 12th century, In yadava’s period, it is said that Mutulinga was placed because the zealots were not able to catch sight of Shivling which was sculptured on the Crown of goddess. Zealots could Glory this mutulinga as the supreme from of commencement.
How to Reach Mahalakshmi Temple or Ambabai temple, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India
Kolhapur is district place and major tourist destination of Maharashtra thus it is very well connected by road, rail and air network. Kolhapur is at distance of 375 km from Mumbai, 230 km from Pune, 20 km from Kagal, 220 km from Goa, 132 km from Ratnagiri, 153 km from Ganpatipule, 50 km from Sangli, 122 km from Satara. The nearest airport from Kolhapur is in Belgaum at a distance of 101kms, Lohegaon Airport at 250. Kolhapur has also small airport at just 9 km at Ujlaiwadi where major expansion is going on. Kolhapur has major railway junction from where you can easily get regular trains to all major cities of the India.
