History:

is an ancient temple devoted to the Hindu goddess Mahalaxmi located in the small town of Kolhapur, Maharashtra. It is one of the Shakti Peethas, located on the banks of the Panchaganga River, and is one of the most important and ancient temples in the state. The temple is said to have been built out of black stone in the 11th century by king Bhoj, as a dedication to the reigning deity of Kolhapur, Mahalaxmi. The temple is renowned for its rich architecture, magnificent sculptures, and elaborate artwork. According to legend, the main deity was installed by Parasuram and consecrated by Shri Janardan Swami. The temple has been rebuilt several times over the centuries and the present structure dates back tothe early 20th century. The temple also houses the Paduka of Shri Raghavendra Swami, which is highly revered by devotees of Lord Vishnu. The temple attracts thousands of devotees from all corners of the country. During the festival of Laxmi Pujan, the temple is abuzz with activity and celebrates the worship of Mahalaxmi. Notable festivals celebrated at the temple include Navaratri, Dussehra, Maha Saptami, Janmashtami, Deepavali, and Lokamanya Tilak Jayanti. Devotees believe that Mahalaxmi bestows wealth and good fortune on those who pray and seek her blessings at the temple. It is one of the best temple in Maharashtra which you must visit.

Facts:

1. The Mahalaxmi Temple in Kolhapur is one of the most revered Shiva temples in India and one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. 2. The idol of the Goddess Mahalakshmi is believed to be Swayambhu, which means self-emerged from the earth. 3. The Mahalakshmi Temple is one of the ‘Ashta Vinayak’ shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesha. 4.This temple is highly revered in Maharashtra and is visited by lakhs of devotees and pilgrims every year. 5. The Mahalaxmi Temple is more than 1000 years old and originally built by Dhodhoba, a descendant of Yadava kings. 6. It has been rebuilt many times and is now a huge complex with four gateways and four towers at the four corners. 7. The Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur had a major renovation of the temple in the 18th century. 8. According to Shiv Mahapuran, the Mahalakshmi Temple is the abode of Goddess Mahalaxmi and Lord Vishnu. 9. Inside the temple, there are shrines of several other gods such as Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Lord Saraswati, Lord Ganesha, Navagrahas, and other Gods. 10. Most importantly, there are arrangements to worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati separately. 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:

Shri Mahalaxmi Temple in Kolhapur, Maharashtra follows the traditional mode of worship. The devotees offer prayers and pujas to Shree Mahalaxmi by performing the traditional Mahalaxmi puja and Abhishek which includes offering flowers and fruits to the deity. Apart from this, devotees also recite hymns, offer mantras and chant shlokas dedicated to Goddess Mahalaxmi. Every day, special pujas and rituals are held in the temple in the morning and evening constituting of Aaratis (devotional songs) and offering of coconuts and flowers to the deity. Moreover, devotees can also chant different Mahalaxmi mantras such as ‘Om Sreem Hreem Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namaha’ or ‘Laxmi Vardaanam Dehi Cha Sarva Siddhim Dehi Mey’ during the puja. This most visited temple in Maharashtra

Opening Timing:

The Shri Mahalaxmi Temple in Kolhapur, Maharashtra opens daily at 4:00 am and closes at 10:00 pm. top temples in Maharashtra

How to reach:

The Shri Mahalaxmi Temple in Kolhapur is easily accessible from different parts of Maharashtra. By Air: The nearest airport to Kolhapur is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, located around 300 km away. From there, one can take a cab or bus to Kolhapur. By Train: Kolhapur is directly connected to other major cities by the Indian Railways. The Shri Mahalaxmi Temple is just 2.6 km away from the Kolhapur railway station. By Road: Regular buses are available from Mumbai, Pune, and other parts of Maharashtra. You can also take a taxi or self-drive to Kolhapur. The temple is 2.4 km away from the central bus station in Kolhapur. famous temples in Maharashtra