History:

is one of the shaktipeeths where the body parts of Sati-Devi fell when Shiva carried around her body. It is one of the four Shakti Peethas which are considered to be very auspicious and powerful in Hinduism. It is situated on the banks of river Panchaganga in Kolhapur city, in Maharashtra. The main shrine is of Goddess Mahalakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity and fortune. The temple is also known for its bronze idols, including those of Ganesh, Vishnu and Shiva. The temple is historically important and is visited by devotees from all over India, for both religious and historical reasons. It is one of the best temple in Maharashtra which you must visit.

Facts:

1. The Mahalakshmi Temple of Kolhapur, Maharashtra, is a revered shrine dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Mahalakshmi, or Goddess Laxmi. 2. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas of India and is believed to be around 1,400 years old. 3. According to legends, the right-half of Goddess Sati is believed to have fallen at the site of this temple during Shiva’s ‘Tandav’. 4. The temple is known for its four-storied Gopuram adorned with sculptures of many Hindu gods and goddesses. 5. Peethadisha (chief of the shrine) of the temple is Goddess Mahalaxmi herself. 6. It is the symbol of women power and has served as an inspiration for women to stand up and fight for their rights. 7. The worship in the temple is done according to the ‘shastra marga’, or path of scripture. 8. Each day, there are five ‘Aarati’ (worship with lighted lamps) ceremonies in the temple. 9. On special occasions and festivals like Navaratri, the temple becomes the host of a myriad of devotees. 10.The Mahalakshmi Temple is also a part of the renowned Kolhapur Chhatrapati Shahu Museum. Here are some facts about the Maharashtra temple.These facts will help you understand why it is oldest temple list of the best temples in Maharashtra

Worship Method:

The worship of Mahalaxmi Temple in Kolhapur, Maharashtra follows the traditional Hindu rituals established by the Vedic Yajna (sacrifice) system. Each day of the week has a specific ritual associated with it. The main pooja items used for the daily poojas are fruits, flowers, coconuts, incense, kolhapuri javar, ghee, oil, which are placed in a plate or in a pooja thali. The prasad is distributed to devotees after the worship. The most important part of the worship is the aarti and bhajans sung in the temple. In addition, thousands of devotees visit the temple every year and perform pooja rituals throughout the year. The temple is also annually visited by the local Levite families during the religious festivals of Navaratri and Diwali. This most visited temple in Maharashtra

Opening Timing:

The Mahalaxmi Temple in Kolhapur, Maharashtra opens at 5:30am and closes at 10:00pm daily. top temples in Maharashtra

How to reach:

The easiest way to reach the Mahalaxmi Temple in Kolhapur is by air. The nearest airport is the Kolhapur Airport which is located around 9km from the temple. There are regular flights from major cities in Maharashtra to the Kolhapur Airport. Another option is to reach the temple by train. The Kolhapur Railway Station is the nearest station to the temple, which is around 6km away. There is a regular network of trains connecting major cities and towns of India to Kolhapur. You can also reach the temple by bus. Kolhapur is well connected to other nearby cities and towns by road. There are regular bus services from various parts of Maharashtra as well as rest of the country. famous temples in Maharashtra