Mahalakhsmi

City: Kolhapur
State: Maharashtra
Location: West India
Year of Construction: 600 to 700 A.D.
Constructed By: Chalukya reign
Type of Construction: Ancient
Type of Building: Temple
Managed By: Devasthan Management Committee
Dedicated To: Goddess Lakshmi

The Mahalaxmi Temple sits atop a long flight of steps on the edge of the Arabian Sea. It is devoted to Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth, and Lady Lucre to millions of adoring Indians. The shrine itself is quite characterless, but has a curious history. It is said that in the 1890s, when the adjoining causeway was being constructed by a British engineer, the project was always jinxed: every time the foundation was laid, the sea would rush in and destroy it. Then one night, a labourer dreamt of Goddess Laxmi who ordered him to dig out an idol from a spot under the causeway and build a shrine on it. This was done with due alacrity, and the causeway was ultimately completed.

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.

Famous For This is one of the six sites of the Shakti, where one can get both fulfillment of desires as well as salvation from them.

Festival 31st January, 1st February, 2nd February, 9th November, 10th November, 11th November

Best Time 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.

Pooja Schedule: 5 a.m. to 10.30 p.m.

Accesibility

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

Mahalakshmi Temple at Kolhapur in Maharashtra is a well visited shrine. The importance of this temple goes back to ancient times. The temple architecture is also magnificient. The Garuda Mandapam is built is Maratha style and it dates back to 18th century.

About Mahalakshami Temple in Kolhapur Maharashtra

The Shri Mahalakshmi Temple of Kolhapur in Maharashtra India is one of the Shakti Peethas listed in various puranas of Hinduism.

The temple belongs architecturally to the Chalukya empire and may have been first built circa 700 AD. Mounted on a stone platform the image of the four armed and crowned goddess is made of gemstone and weighs about 40 kilograms. A stone lion the vahana of the goddess stands behind the statue. The crown contains an image of the Sheshnag the serpent of Vishnu. In Her four hands the deity of Mahalakshmi holds objects of symbolic value.

Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple is surrounded by about 35 temples. Navratra is the grand annual festival of this temple. Devotees from all over the world visit the Kolhapur temple during this festival.