Goddess Shri Mahalaxmi - The Mahalaxmi temple, an ancient temple in kolhapur, is dedicated to the Goddess of prosperity and peace. Shri Mahalaxmi locally known as Goddess Ambabai .
The Shri Mahalakshmi Temple of Kolhapur in Maharashtra, India, is one of the Shakti Peethas listed in various puranas of Hinduism. According to these writings, a Shakti Peetha is a place associated with Shakti, the goddess of power. The Kolhapur Shakti Peetha is of special religious significance being one of the six places where it is believed that one can either obtain salvation from desires or have them fulfilled. The temple takes its name from Mahalakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, and it is believed that the divine couple reside in the area.
The temple was constructed during the region of king karandev of chalukya dynasty in 7th Century AD. Construction and development of this temple continued during kingdoms Chalukya for next two centuries. Temple has faced major earth quake during the period of 8 - 9th century, then afterwards reconstruction work has been done by kingdom of Rashtrakut. In 12th century kolhapur is a capital city of king Shilahar . The maximum construction of this temple is been built by king Shilahar during 12th century.
The idol of mahalaxmi is very unique weighing 40 kg , made as a monolithic structure embedded with precious stones and diamonds.
The image of Mahalakshmi carved in black stone is 3 feet in height. The Shri Yantra is carved on one of the walls in the temple. 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. The lower right hand holds a mhalunga (a citrus fruit), in the upper right, a large mace (kaumodaki) with its head touching the ground, in the upper left a shield (khetaka), and in the lower left, a bowl (panpatra). Unlike most Hindu sacred images, which face north or east, the image of this deity looks west (Pashchim). There is a small open window on the western wall, through which the light of the setting sun falls on the face of the image for three days around the 21st of each March and September. There are a number of other shrines in the courtyard to the Navagrahas, Surya, Mahishasuramardini, Vitthal-Rakhmai, Shiva, Vishnu, Tulja Bhavani and others. Some of these images date back to the 11th century, while some are of recent origin. Also located in the courtyard is the temple tank Manikarnika Kund, on whose bank is a shrine to Visweshwar Mahadev.
Navaratri is the most famous festival here. Another major attraction of devotees is in days of Kiranotsav (The rays of setting Sun light crosses the main area of temple, hall and entered in to the area of idol Goddess Shri Mahalaxmi ) It is celebrated for three days from January 31 every year.
Jyotiba, Panhala, Narsinhwadi (Narsobachi Wadi), Bahubali of Kumbhojgiri, Vishalgad, Amboli, Gokak Falls, Radhanagari Dam, Mahabaleshwar are main places near this temple to visit.
Further details such as accommodation and how to reach are available at http://mandirinfo.com/TempleDetails.aspx?HID=206
The Shri Mahalakshmi Temple of Kolhapur in Maharashtra, India, is one of the Shakti Peethas listed in various puranas of Hinduism. According to these writings, a Shakti Peetha is a place associated with Shakti, the goddess of power. The Kolhapur Shakti Peetha is of special religious significance being one of the six places where it is believed that one can either obtain salvation from desires or have them fulfilled. The temple takes its name from Mahalakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, and it is believed that the divine couple reside in the area.
The temple was constructed during the region of king karandev of chalukya dynasty in 7th Century AD. Construction and development of this temple continued during kingdoms Chalukya for next two centuries. Temple has faced major earth quake during the period of 8 - 9th century, then afterwards reconstruction work has been done by kingdom of Rashtrakut. In 12th century kolhapur is a capital city of king Shilahar . The maximum construction of this temple is been built by king Shilahar during 12th century.
The idol of mahalaxmi is very unique weighing 40 kg , made as a monolithic structure embedded with precious stones and diamonds.
The image of Mahalakshmi carved in black stone is 3 feet in height. The Shri Yantra is carved on one of the walls in the temple. 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. The lower right hand holds a mhalunga (a citrus fruit), in the upper right, a large mace (kaumodaki) with its head touching the ground, in the upper left a shield (khetaka), and in the lower left, a bowl (panpatra). Unlike most Hindu sacred images, which face north or east, the image of this deity looks west (Pashchim). There is a small open window on the western wall, through which the light of the setting sun falls on the face of the image for three days around the 21st of each March and September. There are a number of other shrines in the courtyard to the Navagrahas, Surya, Mahishasuramardini, Vitthal-Rakhmai, Shiva, Vishnu, Tulja Bhavani and others. Some of these images date back to the 11th century, while some are of recent origin. Also located in the courtyard is the temple tank Manikarnika Kund, on whose bank is a shrine to Visweshwar Mahadev.
Navaratri is the most famous festival here. Another major attraction of devotees is in days of Kiranotsav (The rays of setting Sun light crosses the main area of temple, hall and entered in to the area of idol Goddess Shri Mahalaxmi ) It is celebrated for three days from January 31 every year.
Jyotiba, Panhala, Narsinhwadi (Narsobachi Wadi), Bahubali of Kumbhojgiri, Vishalgad, Amboli, Gokak Falls, Radhanagari Dam, Mahabaleshwar are main places near this temple to visit.
Further details such as accommodation and how to reach are available at http://mandirinfo.com/TempleDetails.aspx?HID=206
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