Mahalaxmi temple Kolhapur

In India, there are 52 Shakti Peeth temples. Mahalaxmi temple Kolhapur is one of them. Shakti Peeth temples are the form of the goddess Sati. Sati is the wife of Lord Shiva. Kolhapur Mahalaxmi is also known by the name Ambabai. In India, Ambabai is worshiped as a kuldaiwat of many families.  

Mahalaxmi temple Kolhapur is built by the Karnadeva in 700 AD. The architecture of the temple belongs to the Chalukya Empire. The 40 kilograms and the height of 2 feet (0.61 m) 9 Inches idol of the Kolhapur Mahalaxmi is built with sandstone. Kolhapur Mahalaxmi has Eight hands and she faces west. From 31 January to 2 February and 9 November to 11, the sun's rays are coming from a Mahadwar fall on the goddess's face. In Kolhapur, these days are celebrated like a festival known as Kirnotsav.  

The beautiful architecture of the Mahalaxmi temple Kolhapur attracts the devotees the most. The Mahalaxmi temple walls have a beautiful carving of flowers, dancing nymphs (64 yogini), and Shree Yantra. 

The Mahalaxmi temple Kolhapur is divided in 4 parts 1) Rang Mandap 2) Kurma Mandap 3) Ganpati Chowkk 4) Garud Mandapa 

Where the first part of the temple is called Rang Mandap and it is from here that we can see the face of the Goddess and have a closer look at her. Then Kurna Mandap is the second part of the Mahalaxmi temple. Kurna means turtle, the idol of the turtle is sitting at this place of the temple. Kurn mandap is also called Shankhatritha mandap, because at this place tirtha is sprinkled on a devotee with a shankha. 

Ganpati Chowk is the third part of the Mhalaxmi temple. In Ganpati Chowk, there is an Idol of Lord Ganesha and Rishi Agasti. During Yadav dynasty king Singhan built a Kurma Mandap and Ganpati chowk. The place from Mahalaxmi Garbhagruha to Ganpati Chowk is made with black stone and in the Maratha period, further temple construction is done with wood.

Daji Pandit built Garud Mandap in 1838. Garud Mandap is the outermost hall of the Mahalaxmi temple Kolhapur. 

Mahalaxmi temple Kolhapur opens at 4 pm. Padya Puja, Mukha Puja, Kakad Aarti, Morning Mahapuja, Afternoon Mahapuja, Alankar Mahapuja, Dhuparati, and Shejarti are performed throughout the day for Mahalaxmi goddess. Navrati, Ashtmi, Navmi are the biggest festivals of Mahalaxmi temple Kolhapur.