Shri Mahalakshmi temple is in Kolhapur, Maharashtra is one of the Shakti Peethas in India. Mahalaxmi Temple is also called Dakshin Kashi, which is listed in several Hindu Puranas. According to these writings, a Shakti Pitha is a place associated with the Goddess Shakti, the goddess of power. The Kolhapur peetha has a special religious significance because it is one of the six places where one can obtain the salvation of desires or realize them. The temple takes its name from Mahalakshmi, the wife of Sri Maha Vishnu, and the divine couple resides in the region.
The temple Architecture belongs to the Kannada 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 kg. The Mahalakshmi idol is carved in a black stone, which is 3 feet in height. The Shri yantra is carved on one of the walls inside the temple. The lion vahana stands behind the goddess Idol.

The crown contains a Sheshnag, the serpent of Sri Vishnu. In her four hands, the objects of symbolic value. The hand in the lower right holds a mhalunga (a citrus fruit), in the upper right, a large mass (kaumodaki) with the head touching the ground, in the upper left a shield (khetaka), and in the lower left, a bowl (panpatra)

Unlike most of the sacred Hindu images, which face north or east, this deity is seen in the west (Pashchim). There is a small open window in the west wall, through which the light of the setting sun falls on the idol for three days around the 21st of March and September.

Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple Daily Programmes:

4:00 AM to 4:30 AM – Ghantanaad (Ringing of bells)
4:45 AM – Door Opening Time
5:30 AM – Padya Pooja Abhishekam
5:45 AM – Kakad Arti
5:30 AM to 11:30 AM – Poojas of Devotee
8:30 AM – Ghantanaad, Mahapuja, Arti
9:30 AM to 10:15 AM – Arti, Shankhatirth
11:30 AM – Ghantanaad, Puja, Abhishek
12:30 AM – Holy Food, Arti, Shankhatirth
1:00 PM – Jewellery Puja
7:30 PM to 8:30 PM – Ghat Arti, Shankhatirth, Daivya Tirth Mantra Pushpa, Mata Tirtha Mantra
10:00 PM to 10:15 PM – Ghantanaad, Shej
10:15 PM – Close The Temple Door

Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple History:

Ambabai is mentioned in many Puranas. The idol of the Devi is made of precious stone, weighing about 40 Kgs. It contains mater mixed with Hirak bits. This throws light on its ancientness. The form resembles the outside of Shiva-Ling. It is standing on a stone square, in which Hirak & Sand are found. A lion stands behind. In the middle, there is a natural Mandir.

Since 1000 B.C. the Mouryas ruled, since 30 A.D. Shaliwahan ruled, when in 109 A. D. Raja Karnadeo came from Konkan to Kolhapur, this idol was in a small temple. Karnedeo cut down the surrounding forest and brought it to the light. The idol is placed in a smell about dwelling After the 17th Century, great persons visited the temple and day by day the Goddess became the Deity of Maharashtra Roundabout there are 35 small or big temples and 20 shops. The Mandir which is built after Hemandpanthi style has 5 tops. Attached to the original Mandir is a pendal called Garud-Pendal.

Places to Visit in Kolhapur:

Paijarwadi Kasav Mandir Tortoise Temple
Bahubali
Khidrapur
Narsobawadi
Bhavani Mandap
Jyotiba Temple
Siddhagiri Museum
Sagareshwar Deer Sanctuary
Kalammawadi Dam
Radhanagari Dam
Kailasgad Chi Swari Mandir
Gaganbawada
Vishalgad Fort
Amboli
Dajipur
Amba Ghat
Chandrakant Mandare Art Gallery Museum
Sathmari
Khasbag Maidan
New Palace Museum
Rankala Lake
Panhala Fort
Siddhagiri Museum
Town Hall Museum
Shalini Palace

How to Reach Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple:

By Air:
Pune International Airport is 244 km and Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is 382 km are the nearest Airports are to Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple. One can either take a train or bus to reach Kohlapur from Mumbai and Pune.

By Rail:
Kolhapur is nearest Railway Station is just 3 km, there are frequent trains from Mumbai to Kolhapur.

By Road:
Kolhapur is 375 km from Mumbai, 230 km from Pune. Kolhapur lies on the NH 4 between Bangalore and Pune.

Kolhapur Mahalaxmi Temple Address:

Mahadwar Road,
B Ward, Shivajipet,
Kolhapur,
Maharashtra – 416012.
Phone: 0231 254 1779
Mahalaxmi Devasthan Committee, Phone – 0231-2626147
Shree Mahalaxmi Temple Office, Phone – 0231-2541779
Shri Dhanaji Jadhav, Mobile-9723791011
Fax: 0231-2626750
Email ID: dmckolhapur@gmail.com