Mahalakshmi Amma of Kolhapur, కొల్హాపూర్ మహలక్ష్మి అమ్మవారు, कोल्हापुर की महालक्ष्मी अम्मा

#Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Ammavaru

#Kolhapur Goddess Mahalakshmi is one of the Ashtadasha Shakti Peethas. It is said that Sati Devi took her Nayanaya in this place.

In #Hindu tradition, there are very few people who do not worship Goddess Lakshmi, but there are few separate temples in our country for Sri Mahalakshmi, who are worshiped by so many people.

Kolhapur temple is the most important among the temples dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.

#Just as Kashi is an unmukta kshetra for Lord Shiva, it is an unmukta kshetra for Sri Maha Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Just as Lord Shiva lifted the town of Kashi with his trident and saved it, Mahalakshmi lifted and saved this area with her arms.

#That is why she is called Karaveera Mahalakshmi. #Kolhapur Mahalakshmi is the most sacred place of pilgrimage for Maharashtrians. They call Amma as ‘Ambabai’.

#Agastya Mahamuni was a staunch devotee of Shiva. Every year Kashi used to visit Vishwanath.

Why To Visit Temple –  గుడికి ఎందుకు వెళ్ళాలి ?

#However, in his old age, Agastya found it difficult to visit the distant Kashinagara and did penance for Ishvara.

#Shiva appeared and asked you for a boon. Agastya said that he could not visit Vishwanath in Kashi every year due to old age and asked that if Kashi would show him a place instead, he would visit Lord Shiva there.

#Kolhapuram is a city of equal importance to Kashi and he said that a visit to the place where Goddess Shri Mahalakshmi is standing there would be as rewarding as visiting him in Kashi.

# According to another story, Mahalakshmi, who could not bear the humiliation of Bhrigu Maharshi, left Vaikuntha and settled in Kolhapur in the Sahyadri mountains. Shankaracharya visited this temple and established Sri Chakra here.

#Later Vidya Shankara Bharati recognized the uniqueness of this area and built a Math here. It is believed that Dattatreya used to give alms here every afternoon. #He has a temple here as a symbol of that.

#In the sanctum sanctorum, the idol of Mahalakshmi Devi is facing the south direction. Weighing around 40 kg, this Goddess idol is glittering with Vajra, Vaidhurya, Gold, Silver and jewels. #Mahalakshmi has a lion sculpture behind it. This four-armed goddess is seen holding a sword in one hand, a fruit in one hand, a pot of water in the other, and a lotus in one hand.

Brahma Muhurtam, *బ్రహ్మా ముహూర్తం* , *ब्रह्म मुहूर्तम्*

#2, 3 times a year for 3 days at sunset, the sun’s rays touch Amma’s face through a small window in the western direction. Devotees come in large numbers for this special darshan.

#Though this temple belongs to Goddess Mahalakshmi, women are not allowed to worship in the sanctum sanctorum. What is strange here is that during Kumkum Puja, Abhishek men can sit in the sanctum sanctorum with a silk tie.

#Special pujas are performed here during Navratri in the months of Shravana and Ashvayuja. #Devi Vooregimpu Utsavs are held on the occasion of Devi Navratri. #During this time a large number of devotees come from different parts of Maharashtra as well as other parts of the country. Devotees believe that those who worship Goddess Mahalakshmi will get rid of all their sins and fulfill all their wishes.

#Mahalakshmi temple complex has seven lamp pillars.#These lamp pillars are the main attraction of this temple.

#When the lamps in these lamp posts are lit, the entire temple premises are filled with light.

#Mahalakshmi in the past many sages and sages did penance and died. #Sthalapurana says that there were 88 thousand sages under the rule of Vasishtha Maharshi.

# First only Mahalakshmi was enshrined. Later in the 11th century during the reign of Gandaraditya, repairs, circumambulation, Mahakali and Mahasaraswati were done. Mahalakshmi Yantra is installed between Moolavirat and Mahakali. As there is a glass plate on it, it is possible for devotees to see it. Shri Matre Namah

#Sarvojana Sukhinobhavat