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The Shri Mahalakshmi Temple of Kolhapur is in Maharashtra, India. It is well known among all other temples across India. It is the Shakti Peetha which is also called Dakshin Kashi and is listed in various Puranas of Hinduism. Puranas are the sacred writings which tell us about the stories of Deities and as per these writings, a shakti peetha is a place related to Shakti, the goddess of power.

This is the Kolhapur shakti peetha which is of special spiritual significance. It is known as one of the six places where it is supposed to obtain either salvation from desires or fulfil them. This temple takes has taken its name from Mahalakshmi, the spouse of Vishnu, and is assumed that the heavenly couple to be present in the area.

The architecture of Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur

Architecturally, this temple belongs to the Kannada Chalukya Empire. The shrine of the goddess is constructed of gemstone with a weight of 40 kilograms. It is mounted on a stone platform with an appearance having four arms and crown. The shrine of Mahalakshmi is engraved in black stone with 3 feet height. There is a Shri yantra engraved on one of the walls inside the temple.

You will see a mesmerizing statue of a lion made of stone that is the vahana of the goddess,

stands behind the goddess statue.

The entrance:

The main entrance is called as Mahadwara of the temple is in the west. After you enter the Mahadwara you will be confronted with several deepamaalas on either side. Then you will enter the Garuda mandap with square pillars and foliated curvatures of wood. These are usually the basic characteristic of Maratha temples. This mandap is very old as it belongs to the 18th century.

An image of garuda and another stone mandap also faces the temple on a raised platform enshrining Ganesh. Following thems is the third mandap with three monuments facing west. The central one is that of Mahalakshmi. It is surrounded with shrines on either side is of Mahakali and Mahasaraswathi.

The temple complex displays mortarless structure echoing the elegance of the early Deccan temples. Also here are the horizontal mouldings and the perpendicular equalizers which generate a rich light and shade decoration. A rich display of sculpture of figurines in dancing poses, artistes, gods and goddesses are also seen in this temple. The three shrines have rather simple shikharas of brick and mortar age-old back from the 19th century.

Above the Mahalakshmi temple, there is a temple with Shivalingam and a Nandi. facing the north, east and the south are The devakoshtas houses Venkatesha, Katyayani and Gowri Shankar.

There are several subordinate memorials in the enclosure are of

• Navagrahas,

• Surya,

• Mahishasuramardini,

• Vitthal-Rakhmai,

• Shiva,

• Vishnu,

• Tulja Bhavani and more

Timings of Pooja

Five worship services are presented to the Devi each day here. Time of Pooja: 5 A.M. to 11.00 A.M

The first one starts at 5 am, involving the awakening of the goddess with a Kakada – torch, to the

supplement of chants and choruses.

The second worship service starts at 8 am involving the offerings of the Shodashopachara pooja which includes 16 elements.

The afternoon, evening and Sheja-arati pooja make the three other services offered to the goddess.

Festival celebrated

Kartik festival is celebrated with huge enthusiasm. This festival starts at Narak Chaturdashi to Kartik Poornima. During this period the Temple is opened early at 2.00 a.m. and Kakada Aarati is performed at that time.

Best time to Visit Mahalaxmi temple

People should visit the temple during festivals like Kartik festival and Kirnostav.

Kirnotsav is the festival celebrated when the rays of Sun fall on the idol of Mahalaxmi during Sunset.

It is celebrated on

November – 9, 10,

11 January to 31 January

February 1 and 2

Places to visit near Mahalaxmi Temple, Kolhapur

1. Radhanagari Dam

2. Chandrakant Mandare art gallery

3. Narsobawadi

4. Khidrapur

5. Khasbag maidan

6. Rankala Lake

7. Jotiba temple

8. Siddhagiri museum

9. New palace

10. Bhavani mandap

11. Vishalgad fort

Things to do in Kolhapur

• Boating at Rankala Lake

• Watch wrestling battle at Khasbag maidan

• Enjoy stage performances, plays & Lavani at Keshavrao Bhosale & Shahu Smarak Hall

• Get funfilled at Mohite’s racing track - a national grade go-kart racing track over the carts available.

• Watch movies at the only multiplex with 3 wide screens

• Dreamworld water park is a treat for water game lovers.

• Perfect venue for a family treat is Gandharva resort

• Get a taste of spine-chilling experiences in snow games at Kent Club’s Horror World.

How to reach Mahalaxmi temple in Kolhapur?

Kolhapur is around 45- km to the south of Mumbai. It is well connected to other adjacent places. You will take 8-10 hours to travel to this place from Mumbai or Bangalore. MSTC provides regular service on this route. So you can easily travel by road in semi-luxury and regular buses.

Local transport is available at the station and bus stop like auto-rickshaw and taxis to take you to the temple.

Check the temperature and season before booking your tickets. The rainy season is usually not a good season to plan a visit due to heavy rain. Winters are preferably the best due to a nominal coolness.

Planning before time could get you several lucrative deals available in packages. For that, you need to explore various travel websites offering tour package to Kolhapur.