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Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur

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Ambabai Temple of Mahalaxmi
Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur is located in Maharashtra
Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur
Location in Maharashtra
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictKolhapur
DeityMahalakshmi
Festivals
Governing bodyPaschim Maharashtra Devasthan Samiti
Location
LocationBhavani Mandap, Mahadwar Road, Kolhapur
StateMaharashtra
CountryIndia
Coordinates16°42′00″N 74°14′00″E / 16.70000°N 74.23333°E / 16.70000; 74.23333
Architecture
StyleHemadpanti architecture
CreatorKarnadeva, Chalukya Empire
Completed7th century CE
Website
www.mahalaxmikolhapur.com

Mahalakshmi Temple (also known as Ambabai Mandir) is an important temple and shakti peeth dedicated to Goddess Mahalakshmi. It has ancient Jain Tirthankar idols carved at the temple gate and in the inner sanctum. According to historian and scholar Paul Dundas, it was originally a Jain temple, which was later converted during religious tensions in around 12th century.[1] According to Hindu beliefs, Goddess Mahalakshmi is the consort of Maha Vishnu and it is one of shakta pithas in India. It is believed by Hindus that Mahalakshmi had appeared to kill demon Kolhasur here.[2]

History

The temple was built by the Chalukya king Karnadeva in 634 CE.[3] According to scholar and historian Paul Dundas, this temple was originally a Jain temple dedicated to the 8th Tirthankar, Chandraprabh Bhagwan, which was converted to Goddess Mahalakshmi Hindu shrine in medieval era.[1]

The central icon of the goddess
Idols of Jain Tirthankars in Kayotsarg meditation posture carved on walls of inner sanctum of temple

Description

Shri Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur.

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. Furthermore, 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.[4] Professor Prabhakar Malshe says, "The name of Karaveera is still locally used to denote the city of Kolhapur".[5] It is considered one of the three and a half Shaktipeetha's in the Shakta tradition.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 Dundas, Paul (2002). The Jains (2nd ed.). Routledge. p. 129. ISBN 9780415266055.
  2. ↑ "All about 18 Astadasha Shakti Peethas— holy abodes of Shakti". The Times of India. 16 October 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  3. ↑ Amar Nath Khanna (2003). Pilgrim Shrines of India. Aryan Books International. p. 141. ISBN 9788173052385.
  4. ↑ "Temple History – Mahalaxmi". Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  5. ↑ Prabhakar T. Malshe (1974). Kolhapur: A Study in Urban Geography. University of Poona. p. 3.
  6. ↑ Mittal, Sumeeti (16 April 2024). Shiv Shakti. Notion Press. ISBN 979-8-89322-723-9.
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