51 Shakthi Sthalam/Shakthi Peedam !! Sri Mahalakshmi Temple , Kolhapur !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!
 
 
 
Jai Ambey Ma !!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sri Mahalakshmi Temple is one of the 51 Shakthi Sthalam/Shakthi Peedam located on the river banks of Pancha Ganga which is positioned on the Sahyadri Mountain Range in Kolhapur District, Maharashtra.  This is one of the oldest temples of Shakthi built during the 12th century by the Kings of Chalukya Dynasty.  This temple is famous for its exquisite architectural and sculptural work.  There are four entrances to this temple known as Maha Dwar/Paschim Dwar, Uttar Dwar, Purva Dwar and Dakshin Dwar respectively.  This temple also enshrines Lord Athibaleshwar /Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesha, Lord Vittal, and Lord Dattathreya.  It is considered that dharshan of Lord Balaji of Tirumala is incomplete without visiting the temple of Goddess Sri Mahalakshami/Ambabai in Kolhapur.
 
 
Presiding deity – Sri Mahalakshmi/Ambabai
 
Theertham – Manikarnika Kund
 
Sthalavruksham - Banyan
 
Sannidhis – Lord Ganesha, Lord Nandikeshwara, Linga, Goddess Sri Mahakali, Goddess Sri Maha Saraswathy, Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi, Navagraha, Lord Surya, Vittal Rukmayi, Goddess Sri Mahishasura Mardhini, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Tulja Bhavani, Vishveshwar Mahadev, Goshtamurtham – Lord Balaji, Goddess Karthyayani, Gouri Shankar,
 
Festivals – Car Festival/Rathostav in the month of April, Navaratri, Kiranotsav, Diwali
 
 
The legend has that Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi defeated the demon Kolhasura and his pride.  He turned out a devotee of Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi and a built a temple to worship.  The most pleased Goddess blessed Kolhasura and declared that the sacred land would be known after his name.  Thus, this place has got its name ‘Kolhapur’.



Another legend has that there was a time the Mount Himalaya and its surroundings were under the abstract control of the demons.  They harassed the life of deities and sages, they all appealed to Lord Vishnu.   As instructed by Lord Vishnu, all the spiritual energies of the deities turned into a flame and as desired by the deities and Sages Goddess Sri Sati was rose from the flame and she was brought up by Daksha Prajapathi.  Later, she married to Lord Shiva against the will of her father.

 

A Grand Yagna was conducted by Dakshaprajapathi ended in disaster, his own daughter Goddess Sri Sati had to sacrifice her life in the sacrificial fire. This catastrophic incident brought trepidation amongst the deities. Inconsolable Lord Shiva carried the lifeless body of Goddess Sri Sati and wandered on the Earth for several years. The functions of Trinities to protect the Universe were shattered. All the deities were frightened about the terrible consequences and appealed to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu’ dice chopped off the lifeless body of Goddess Sri Sati into several parts to diffuse the grief of Lord Shiva and each part fell into the different parts of the Earth. The places where the body parts of Goddess Sri Sati fallen on the Earth were turned into ‘Shakthi Sthal/Shakthi Peedam’.  This is the sacred place where the eyes of Goddess Sri Sati has fallen on the Earth.


 
This temple remains open from 4.30 AM to 1.30 PM in the mornings and 4.00PM to 8.00PM in the evenings. 
 
 
 
Jai Ambey Ma !!
 
 
 
Jai Sriman Narayana !!

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