Temple Timings

About the Temple

Shri Mahalakshmi Temple in Kolhapur is the most popular historic temple dedicated to Goddess Mahalakshmi.

Locals worship the Goddess as Ambabai.

It is one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peetas listed in the Skanda Purana.

The vivacious murti of Goddess Mahalakshmi is mounted on a stone platform.

The crown is made of gemstone and weighs about 40kgs, she stands 3 feet tall and is carved in a black stone.

Behind the statue, Lion, the goddess’ vahana, stands chivalrous with a mace, shield, panapatra, and a matulinga fruit in her crown.

The deity is situated facing the west, while most sacred deities face north or east with a small opening like a window on the western side of the temple.

Rays of the sun setting directly fall on the goddess for 3 days around the 21st of March and September and are considered an auspicious day for celebration.

The Mahalakshmi “Shri Yantra” is carved on the stone walls of the temple. It is fully covered with glass and is accessible to devotees to view and offer haldi, kumkum, and flowers.

At present

There are 5 main temples and 7 deepamalas, around 35 temples of various sizes, and 20 shops, the temple bestows a Garud Mandap, and 5 Hemad-style tops.

A Brief into Ancient History

It is a popular belief that the kings of Kamadeo, Chalukyas, Shilahara, Yadavas of Devagiri, and many more frequently visited the temple.

 Karnadeo cut out the forest area and brought the temple to light, but a recurrent earthquake sank down the temple in 109 CE.

In the 9th century, Gandavadix extended the temple by building a Mahakali mandir.

In the year 1178-1209, Raja Jaysingh and Sindhava, South Gate, and Atibaleshwar temple were also built on the premises.

Later in 1218 Yadav King Tolum built Mahadwar and offered jewels to Maa Mahalakshmi, Shilaharas built Sarasvati mandir.

The temple was fixed up later, during the Marathas’ rule, and the idols got a new look.

During the Mughal reign, the worshippers had hidden the idol for protection, and Chhatrapati Maharaj later found the location foreseeing it in his dream.

Likewise, the idol was found in a house in Kapila Teertha market in the city, on Ashwin Vijaya Dashami day, Sindhoji of Panhala installed the idol in 1712 on 26th September.

This proceeded with frequent poojas, and devotees grew in number, the Devi became the main deity of Maharashtra.

The idol was damaged by continuous abhishekam, which was fixed by Shankaracharya of Sankeshwar.

After that, the vajra lep and sacrifices were performed, and Shahajee Raje of Kolhapur installed it in 1954.

This ancient temple belongs to the Chalukya empire built in the 7th century by Karnadeva.

The temple’s most distinctive feature is its elegant white gopuram, which was constructed in Hemadpanti style.

About Shri Yantra

The mystical Shri Yantra, also known as the Shri Chakra, is a nine-triangle grid.

The upper 4 representing Shiva, 5 downwards representing Shakti, and a center point called Bindu.

All the triangles are centered by concentric circles composed of 8 and 16 lotus petals, which form a reproductive vital force.

The shri chakra layout represents a temple with 4 doors open to the entire universe, framed by the broken lines of an earth square.

This is a combination al representations of the cosmos and the human body.

Other Deities in the Temple

Several other shrines on the temple premises are

• Navagrahas
• Mahishasuramardini
• Vittala-Rukmini
• Shiva
• Surya Deva
• Vishnu
• Bhavani, and others.

You can also find a temple tank called “Manikarnila Kund”, on the bank of this is another deity, Visweshwar Mahadev

Also located in the courtyard is the temple tank “Manikarnika Kund”, on whose bank is another shrine to Visweshwar Mahadev.

Festivals Celebrated

As mentioned Kiranotsav followed by Ratotsav is celebrated in the temple as the most memorable festival in Kolhapur.

Shardiy Navratra

Starting from Ghatsthapana to the last day of Navarathri called Dashami, puja to Mahalakshmi is carried out from 8.30 am to 11.30 am.

Lalitha Panchami

This is the 5th day of Navarathri on which special abhishekam is done to the goddess at 7 am and 10 am.

Ashtami

Nagar Pradarshana takes place after which arti is done to Ambabai at 8.30 am and 11.30 am,

Navami

The 9th day of Navarathri is celebrated with a local procession, and arti is followed.

Vijayadashami

The main festival celebrated with a shalu ritual offered to a goddess gifted by Tirumala Tirupati temple, AP.

The city procession of the goddess takes place and it’s followed by a traditional pooja.

Along with these Karthik Snan, Tulsi Vivah, Varamahalakshmi Vratham, and Tripuri Pournima are celebrated yearly.

Daily Rituals to Maa Lakshmi

PS: the above-mentioned timings are subject to changes on special days like lunar and solar eclipses/full moon and Amavasya

Pooja seva service and Pricing

Dress Code & Temple Rules

To be followed on temple premises.

• Devotees are expected to not be in shorts or miniskirts but to be in full-length clothing. 
• Avoid using mobile phones usage and outside food.

How to Reach Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple

As a land of magnificent temples, Kolhapur attracts devotees religiously from every corner of the world with astonishing connectivity through air, road, and train.

1. By Air: Kolhapur has no direct connection with commercial airlines, but the nearest civil airport is in Pune.

The airport in Pune connects to all major Indian cities via all domestic airlines, and post-arrival passengers can hire a local cab or taxi to reach their respective destinations in Kolhapur.

Alternatively:  Kolhapur also has its own airport located in Ujlaiwadi, well connected to the Mumbai International Airport, you can make use of that facility as well

1. By Road: Kolhapur comes on NH 4 which interconnects Mumbai and Bangalore, this location is well served by a handful of buses commuting to nearby cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Bangalore.

1. By Train: Kolhapur Railway station (Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus) is located at a 5km distance from the city center.

There are frequent train services across major cities like Tirupati, Ahmedabad, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, and Satara to Kolhapur.

How to book pooja and other seva services

Devotees who are willing to book pooja and other seva services can avail online modes of payment i.e Netbanking/ Bhim UPI / Cheque on the given account mentioned on the official website 

If you are not present physically during the pooja/abishekam, prasad of the same will be sent by post or couriers to the address mentioned during booking.

Accommodation (Lodging and Boarding facilities in and around the temple)

#1. Shri Mahalakshmi Dharmashala: With many devotees flocking in to get the blessing of Shri Mahalakshmi, Dharmashala provides numerous facilities for the convenience of the devotees at fair prices.

It is located 1.2 km from Kolhapur Railway Station & 9 km from Kolhapur Airport

A variety of rooms are available at very reasonable prices as mentioned below.

Other Facilities

• • AC, Non-AC Rooms, and Common Hall.
  • 24 Hours Room Service.
  • Hot and Cold Water are Available for Bathing.
  • Purified drinking water.
  • Available Hot and cold beverages.
  • Locker System Available for Tourists.

• Wi-Fi Facility Available.

FAQ

• What rules apply to the Mahalaxmi Temple?

You will be checked and your bags will be inspected for any suspicious items before you enter the shrine. 

• can we take photos in the Mahalakshmi temple?

 There is a stringent no-photography policy in place. 

• Is there facilty to keep our belongings in the Temple?

There are no specific shoe racks here, so check your shoes with the flower vendors, also devotees are responsible for their valuable belongings in temple premises…