Shree Mahalaxmi Kolhapur Temple

Shree Mahalaxmi Temple Kolhapur

Ambabai Temple (also known as Mahalakshmi Mandir) is an important Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, who resides as the Supreme Mother Mahalakshmi and is worshiped as Ambabai by locals.  Goddess Mahalakshmi is the consort of Lord Vishnu and it is customary for Hindus to visit the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple and Padmavati Temple as yatras (pilgrimages).  Visiting these temples as a pilgrimage is believed to help in attaining moksha (salvation).

The temple architecturally belongs to the Chalukya Empire and was first built in the 7th century.   The temple is mentioned in many Puranas.  There is evidence that Konkan king Kamadeva, Chalukyas, Shilaharas, Yadas of Devgiri dynasty visited this city.  Adi Shankaracharya also visited.  Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj ruled the region and they visited the temple regularly.

The central icon of the goddess

 In 109 CE, Carnadio cut down the forest and brought the temple to light.  According to Bhandarkar and Khare the existence goes back to the 8th century.  [ Who?  ] The Itisha Chakra indicates that the temple dates back to the Mahajanapada period.  In the 8th century, the temple was submerged due to an earthquake.  In the 9th century, the Gandhavadiks (kings) expanded the temple by building the Mahakali Mandir.  During the period 1178-1209, during the reign of Raja Jayasingh and Sindhav, the Dakshina Dwar and the Atibaleshwar Temple were built.  In 1218, the Yadava king Tolam built the Mahadwara and offered jewels to the goddess.  Next, the Shilaharas built the Maha Saraswati Mandir.  As he was a Jain, 64 idols were carved.  It is possible that a new idol called Padmavati was installed at that time. Historian Paul Dundas mentions in his book The Jains [6] that the Mahalakshmi temple at Kolhapur was a Jain temple.  The recumbent Vishnu, an octagonal structure near the eastern entrance, has a panel of carvings of 60 Jain tirthankaras.   Jains worship the idol in the temple as the abode of Padmalaya or Padma or Padmavati, an epithet of Goddess Lakshmi.  Later, during the Chalukya period, Ganapati was installed before the temple.  In the 13th century, Shankaracharya built the Nagar Khana and Kacheri, Deepamalas.

The temple was later repaired during the Maratha Empire.  Many invasions of this part of India have caused some damage to the beautiful idols around the temple.

 During Mughal rule, worshipers hid the idol for protection.  (During the reign of Chhatrapati Sambhaji II, Narahar Bhat Shastri had a dream in which Goddess Mahalakshmi revealed her location, which he informed Chhatrapati. [ citation needed ] . Believing Sangavakar's dream, Chhatrapati Sambhaji began a search. The idol was found. House in Kapila Tirtha Market, Chhatrapati  According to Sambhaji's letter dated 8 November 1723, Sindhoji Hindurao Ghorpade of Panhala restored the idol on 26 September 1712 (Monday, Ashwin Vijaya Dashami). In course of time, the goddess became the presiding deity of Maharashtra. Due to the anointings, the deity became defiant. So the then Shankaracharya Sankeshwara repaired it. After Vajralep and sacrifices,  It was founded again in 1954 by Shahji Raje of Kolhapur. Now there are 5 main shrines and 7 lampstands. There are about 35 shrines of various sizes and 20 shops. There are 5 Hemad style tops and a garuda mantapa. The Seshashaye Vishnu, an octagonal structure near the east gate, has a panel of carvings of 60 Jain Tirthankaras.

 Kolhapur is famous as a divine place - the abode of Sri Mahalakshmi (Ambabai).  Kolhapur, one of the 'Shaktipeeths', attracts pilgrims from around the world.  He visits Kolhapur to pray to Goddess Ambabai (Mahalakshmi) for a peaceful and healthy life.  Considered as the darshan of Shri.  Balaji of Tirumala is incomplete without visiting Goddess Mahalakshmi of Kolhapur.

 The first temple of Goddess Mahalakshmi was built in Kolhapur during the Chalukya period (550 AD to 660 AD).  This is evident from the sculptural style of the idol.  Also, some historians say that Goddess Mahalakshmi was enshrined in the Kolhapur temple in the form of an idol during the reign of King Manglesha of the Chalukya dynasty.

 However, the ancient temple was destroyed by an earthquake in the 8th century AD but several remains of the first structure can be seen today in various parts of the present temple.

The platform of Goddess Mahalakshmi is made of stone. The idol of Maa Lakshmi has four arms. In the lower right hand she holds a mahalunga, (similar to common lemons but much larger in size). In the upper right hand she holds a large mace, Kaumodaki, with its head touching the ground. In the upper left hand she holds a shield or khetaka and in the lower she holds a cup.

 Goddess Mahalakshmi is crowned with a Shivalinga facing north surrounded by a yoni and held by a Nagara hood and behind the idol stands the vehicle of the goddess.

 The idol of the goddess is facing west.

 Mahalakshmi Temple in Kolhapur is one of the six places of Goddess Shakti where one can seek fulfillment of desires and salvation. 

Shared route

From Gokak to Kolhapur via Gokak - Hukkeri - Sankeshwar Rd and NH 48. 110km

Pune to Kolhapur 234km

Benglore to Kolhapur 614km

Hubbali to Kolhapur 201km

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Written by Santosh BM