Mahalaxmi - Kolhapur, Maharashtra.

The puranas, have listed 108 sites where Shakti (the goddess of power) is manifested. Amongst these, the Karveer area (the area where the present town of Kolhapur is located), is of special significance. This is one of the six abodes of Shakti, where one can achieve both fulfillment of desires as well as salvation from them. It is therefore considered to be of greater significance than Uttar Kashi. Shri Mahalakshmi is the consort of Shri Vishnu and it is said that they both reside in the Karveer area.


History of the Temple

The architectural structure of the temple, shows that it may have been built during the Chalukya reign i.e. around 600 to 700 A.D.

Description of the Statue

The idol of the goddess is made of gemstone. It weighs about 40 kilos. A stone lion stands behind the statue. The goddess has four limbs. The head has a crown and the Sheshnag (the mythical serpent of Shri Vishnu)is on it

Temples Design & Deity

The statue of the Goddess is made of gemstone and is considered to be at least 5000 to 6000 years old. It weighs about 40 kilos. The precious stones that adorn the deity indicate the antiquity of the idol.

The platform of the Goddess is made of stone. The statue of the Goddess has four arms. In the lower right hand she holds the matulinga, (a fruit similar to and 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 and a Shiva-ling with a Yoni around it. Standing behind is the Goddess' vahana-a lion.

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

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.

Daily Schedule

Ghantanaad -ringing of the temple bells Daily 4 a.m., 8.30 a.m., 11.30 a.m. and 7.30 p.m., 9.30 p.m.

Ghantanaad in the month of Kartik 2 a.m.

Ghantanaad on Tripuri Pournima Day 2.30am

Daily Opening of the temple 5 a.m.

Daily Closing of the temple 10.30p.m.

Daily closing of the outer doors of temple 11 p.m.

Opening of the temple in Kartik month and on Tripuri Pournima 2.45 a.m.

Closing of the temple in Kartik month andon Tripuri Pournima 10.30p.m.

Closing of the outer doors of temple in Kartik month and on Tripuri Pournima 11.30 p.m.

Daily Puja Schedule

In the morning at 5 a.m, the following puja-s are carried out

Mukhmarjan Puja

Padya Puja

Ekarti

At 8.30a.m. and then at 11.30 a.m. the Pancamrit Abhishek (anointing the feet with curd, milk, honey and sugar) is carried out

Note: In the month of Kartik and on Tripuri Pournima the time of the above puja changes to 5 a.m. and 11.30 a.m.

From 9.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. the Kumkumarchan, Padhyapuja is offered. The timing of this puja remains same even during the month of Kartik and on Tripuri Pournima.

[The above timings are subject to change on special dates especially the lunar and solar eclipse