Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur

Mahalakshmi Temple (also known as Ambabai Mandir) is an important Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, who resides here as Supreme Mother Mahalakshmi and is worshipped by locals as Ambabai. Goddess Mahalakshmi is the consort of Lord Vishnu. It is customary among Hindus to visit Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple and Padmavathi Temple as a yatra (pilgrimage). It is believed that visiting these temples as a pilgrimage helps achieve moksha (salvation).[1]

Mahalakshmi temple of Kolhapur
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictKolhapur
DeityMahalakshmi (Lakshmi)
FestivalsKirnotsav, Rathotsav, Lakshmi Puja, Lalita Panchami, Navratri, Diwali, Varalakshmi Vratham
Governing bodyPaschim Maharashtra Devasthan Samiti
Location
LocationBhavani Mandap, Mahadwar Road, Kolhapur
StateMaharashtra
CountryIndia
Location in Maharashtra
Geographic coordinates16°42′00″N 74°14′00″E
Architecture
StyleHemadpanti architecture
CreatorKarndeva, Chalukya Empire
Completed7th century CE

Description
Shri Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur.

The temple of the goddess Mahalakshmi was built by karndeva in 634 CE Chalukya reign. Mounted on a stone platform, the murti of the crowned goddess is made of gemstone and weighs about 40 kilograms. 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 a five headed snake. Further, she holds a Matulinga fruit, mace, shield and a pānapātra (drinking bowl). In Lakshmi Sahasranama of Skanda Purana, Goddess Lakshmi is praised as "Om Karaveera Nivasiniye Namaha" means "Glory to the Goddess who lives in Karaveera" and as "Om Sesha Vasuki Samsevyaa Namaha" means "Glory to Goddess who is served by Adi Sesha and Vasuki". They are the 119th and 698th names of Lakshmi in Lakshmi Sahasranama. This is also the description mentioned in the Rahasya of Devi Mahatmya.[2] Professor Prabhakar Malshe says, "The name of Karaveera is still locally used to denote the city of Kolhapur".[3] Unlike most Hindu sacred images, which face north or east, the deity faces 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-Rukmini, Shiva, Vishnu, 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 another shrine to Visweshwar Mahadev.

History

The temple belongs architecturally to the Chalukya empire and was first built in the 7th century.[4] The temple is referred to in multiple Puranas. There is evidence to show that the Konkan king Kamadeo, Chalukyas, Shilahara, Yadavas of Devagiri dynasties visited this city. Adi Shankaracharya also visited. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj ruled this area and they also visited the temple regularly.

The central icon of the goddess

In 109 CE, Karnadeo cut off the jungle and brought the temple to light. The existence goes back to the 8th century, according to Bhandarkar and Khare. Itihāsa Chakra indicates that the temple dates back to Mahājanapadā times. In the 8th century, the temple sank down due to an earthquake. In the 9th century, Gandavadix (King) extended the temple by building Mahakali Mandir. During 1178–1209, in the reign of Raja Jaysing & Sindhava, South gate & Atibaleshwar Temple were built. In 1218, Yadav king Tolum built Mahadwar and offered jewels to Devi. Further, Shilaharas built Maha Sarasvati Mandir. He being a Jain, got 64 idols carved. It is possible that a new idol called Padmavati was installed at that time.Historian Paul Dundas in his book The Jains[5] mentions that Mahalaxmi temple Kolhapur was a Jain temple.[6][7] Sheshashayee Vishnu which is an octagonal structure closer to the eastern gate has a panel of 60 Jain Tirthankaras carvings.[8][9] Jains worshipped the idol in the temple as Padmalaya or the abode of Padma or Padmavati, an epithet of Goddess Lakshmi.[10] Further, in Chalukya times, Ganapati before the temple was installed. In the 13th century, Shankaracharya built Nagar Khana & Office, Deepmalas.

Later during the time of Maratha Empire, the temple was repaired. Though many invasions over this part of India have caused some damages of the beautiful idols which are all around the temple.

During Mughal reign, the worshippers had hidden the idol for protection. During(Chhatrapati Sambhaji II's Reign, Narhar Bhat Shastree had a dream by goddess Mahalakshmi informing him of her location, which he told to Chhatrapati.. Believing Sangavakar's dream, Chhatrapati Sambhaji started a search. This idol was found in a house in Kapila Teertha Market in the city. According to Chhatrapati Sambhaji's letter dated 8 November 1723, Sindhoji Hindurao Ghorpade of Panhala installed the idol again on 26 September 1712 (Monday, Ashwin Vijaya Dashami). The number of devotees grew, and in due course of time, the Devi became the Deity of Maharashtra. The deity began to denude due to Abhishekas. So the then Shankaracharya of Sankeshwar got it repaired. After Vajralep & sacrifices, it was again installed by Shahajee Raje of Kolhapur in 1954. There are 5 main temples and 7 Deepamalas now. Around are 35 temples of various sizes and 20 shops. There are 5 Hemad-style tops and a Garud Mandap. Sheshashayee Vishnu which is an octagonal structure closer to the eastern gate has a panel of 60 Jain Tirthankaras carvings.

Worship

Worship services are offered each day throughout the year. Daily schedule is as follows:[11]

NumberEventTiming
1Opening of the Temple4:30 a.m
2Kakad Aarti (The Morning Aarti)4:30 to 6:00 a.m
3Morning Mahapuja8:00 a.m
4Naivedya (Offering of Holy Food)9:30 a.m
5Madhyan Aarti (The Afternoon Aarti)11:30 a.m
6Alankar Puja1:30 p.m
7Dhoop Aarti (The Evening Aarti)8:00 p.m
8Shej Aarti (The Night Aarti)10:00 p.m

Special Events: A festival image of the deity is taken out in procession around the temple courtyard each Friday, and on full moon days.

Festivals

Kirnotsav celebrations

Kirnotsav (lit. festival of Sun Rays) is celebrated in the Mahalakshmi Temple at Kolhapur when the rays of the sun fall directly on the deity at the time of sunrise. It is said that the Sun god pays his homage to Mahalakshmi Ambabai for three days in a year. In January the Sun is in the sign of Capricorn (Shravana nakshatra) transiting between 17th, 18th, and 19th degree; while in November, Sun transits through the 24, 25, and 26th degree in the sign of Libra (Vishaka nakshatra). This is not aligned to any specific tithis, since Lunar Calendar needs adjusting every few years and every year aligns to different Tithi. It is also not aligned to Uttarayan/ Daskshinayan of Sun's movement since it is 9 months apart.

  • 31 January & 9 November: Sun rays fall directly on the feet of the deity.
  • 1 February & 10 November: Sun rays fall directly on the chest of the deity.
  • 2 February & 11 November: Sun rays fall directly on the entire body of the deity.

It is not surprising that even the rays of a rising sun pay homage to Goddess Mahalakshmi Ambabai as the life of human being revolves around illumination and prosperity. But it is the wonder of wise architects who built the temple of Mahalakshmi at Kolhapur that the rays of the rising Sun, bow at the feet of the Goddess through a window, for a while before vanishing. It is the architect's excellence, which was done more than 1000 years ago, and can still be observed. This special event is celebrated by thousands of people as Kiranotsav.

Lalit panchami

Every year during Navratri, on the fifth day of Lalitapanchami, a palkhi procession is taken from the Mahalaxmi temple to Temblai mandir at Temblai hill.

References
  1. Stephen Knapp (1 January 2009). Spiritual India Handbook. Jaico Publishing House. p. 169. ISBN 9788184950243.
  2. "Rahasya Thrayam I- Pradhanika Rahasyam - Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia". www.hindupedia.com. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  3. Prabhakar T. Malshe (1974). Kolhapur: A Study in Urban Geography. University of Poona. p. 3.
  4. Tate, Karen (2005). Sacred Places of Goddess: 108 Destinations. CCC Publishing. p. 197. ISBN 9781888729177.
  5. Dundas, Paul, 1952- (2002). The Jains (2nd ed.). London: Routledge. ISBN 0-203-39827-0. OCLC 252916273.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. Dundas, Paul (2002). The Jains. Psychology Press. ISBN 978-0-415-26606-2.
  7. Kumara Choudhry. The Jains Library of Religious Beliefs And Practices Paul Dundas Routledge.
  8. "Inside Temples". mahalaxmikolhapur.com. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  9. Goyal, Anuradha (10 June 2019). "Mahalakshmi Temple - Jewel Among Kolhapur Temples". Inditales. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  10. "Jains - The Gazetteers Department - KOLHAPUR". Government of Maharashtra.
  11. "Mahalakshmi Kolhapur Daily Schedule".
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