Sunlight Adorns Goddess Shri Mahalaxmi in Kolhapur

Sunlight Adorns Goddess

Shri Mahalaxmi in Kolhapur

Have you been to the Shri Mahalaxmi temple in Kolhapur? If you haven’t, I will tell you amazing facts that will compel you to visit the holy shrine of the goddess. Lets start with the geography of the temple. It is located in the Kolhapur district of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It rose to fame as one of the Shakti Peethas. History says it was built during the Chalukya period. The image of Shri Mahalaxmi [also called AmbaBai] carved on black stone stands three feet tall.

Here goddess Mahalaxmi is offered worship, five times a day. Starting from the waking with the kakada torch and 5 am and ending with the Shejaraati pooja in the evening. Another fact that remains unknown to the world is that the deity in the form of with the four arms is carved on the precious gemstone which is 5000 - 6000 years old and weighs 40 kilos.

Let us now understand the specialty of the Shri Mahalaxmi temple in Kolhapur. If you visit this temple during March to September, you will witness the beauty of goddess Shri Mahalaxmi. The Kirnotsav celebration as it is called, is a period of three days in all the months starting from the 21st. The sunlight from the window projects the goddess Shri Mahalaxmi in a divine beauty that will take you by surprise. The sun first bathes the feet of the goddess on 31st January and 9th November. This is followed by the warmth of the sunlight on the chest of the goddess on 1st February and 9th November and finally the sunlight brightens the entire body of goddess Shri Mahalaxmi on 2nd February and 11th November. So pack your bags and get ready to witness this auspicious form of goddess Shri Mahalaxmi.

-Kruti Beesam