Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple History Legend Miracles

Know the details about the Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple History Legend Miracles, Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple History, Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple

Shri Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple is situated in the city of Kolhapur, Maharashtra, on the banks of the Panchganga River, approximately 249 kilometres south of Pune. Several people refer to the deity Goddess Mahalakshmi here as “Ambabai,” hence the temple is also known as Shri Kollur Ambabai Temple. In many Puranas of Hinduism, the temple is mentioned. The temple is regarded as the most sacred residence of goddess Lakshmi in the world, making it the one and only pilgrimage site dedicated to goddess Lakshmi.

Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple History Legend Miracles

Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple History:

One day, a sage by the name of Bhrigu visited Vaikuntha and observed Vishnu sleeping, too preoccupied with his wife to notice him. As a result of his anger, he kicked Vishnu in the chest. Vishnu apologised to keep the peace, but Lakshmi did not appreciate her husband’s apology, as he had committed no wrongdoing. She fled Vaikuntha and descended to earth, where she found refuge at Karvirpura, which is now Kolhapur, Maharashtra. She assured the locals that so long as she is worshipped, their lives would be prosperous. Vishnu pursued his wife to the planet, but she refused to return to Vaikuntha. Therefore, he waits on the southern Tirupati hills for her to cool down and alter her mind. This tale links the well-known Vaishnava shrine of Andhra Pradesh to this Shakta shrine in Maharashtra.

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The Kolhapur Mahalakshmi temple is intimately associated with the Tulja Bhavani temple in the Maharashtra district of Osmanabad. According to legend, Bhavani, a local variant of Durga, appeared in Shivaji’s dream, presented him a sword, and motivated him to battle the Mughals and establish the Hindu Maratha kingdom in the 17th century. After the death of Chattrapati Shivaji, succession disputes between his two sons, Sambhaji and Rajaram, resulted in the establishment of two branches of the Bhonsale royal family: one in Satara that patronised the temple of Tulja Bhavani and the other in Kolhapur that re-established the temple of Mahalakshmi in the 18th century (the image has been kept in hiding to protect it from Mughal invaders). Without the favour of the lion-riding Goddess, there can be no king, according to Indian tradition.

Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple Legend and Miracles:

• Kolhapur Ambabai is Bhagvan Venkateshwar’s wife. Mahalakshmi descended to Kolhapur and adopted this shape after Maharishi Bhirgu kicked Narayana.
• It is required to visit the Kolhapur Ambabai Temple after visiting Venkateswar swamy; else, the journey is deemed insufficient. For the convenience of worshippers, the Haripriya express, also known as the Mahalakshmi express, operates between Thirumala and Kolhapur. It is thought that pilgrimages to these temples aid in attaining moksha.
• She is venerated in the Ashtalakshmi forms
• In contrast to the majority of Hindu religious images, which face north or east, the god faces west (Pashchim). The reason why she looks west is because she is Ksheerabdhi Kanya (daughter of the ocean) (Arabian sea).
• Kolhapur is the residence of Lakshmi devi; wherever Lakshmi goes, Hari is present. It is stated that Lakshmi and Vishnu will never leave the Karveer region, not even during the time of Mahapralayakala (where the whole world is supposed to drown in water). The Karveer region is perpetually blessed and is considered to be held by Mother Jagadamba’s right hand; therefore, it is impervious to destruction. As the residence of his consort Lakshmi, Bhagwan Shri Vishnu himself cherishes this location more than Vaikuntha.
• Five Hemad-style caps and a Garud Mandap are present. A panel of sixty Jain Tirthankaras is carved within Sheshashayee Vishnu, an octagonal edifice located at the eastern gate.
• Kallur Mahalakshmi – Kallur (Manvi taluk) is a village located approximately 21 kilometres from Raichur (Karnataka). This location is known as the second Kolhapur. There are statues of both Lord Venkateshwara and Mahalakshmi in the temple. The fact that Srinivsa and Lakshmi (husband and wife) are located in the same temple is of immense significance.
• In general, adherents of the Madhava parampara sect worship Venkateshwar Vishnu bhagwan and Kolhapur Ambabai Mahalakshmi. In the temple, the goddess herself had appeared.
• Kolhapur Ambabai is mentioned in Padma puran, Skand puran and Devi bhagvat puran. Kolhapur is also known as Shri pith since Shri devi resides there.
• Mahalakshmi slew the demon Kolhapur and granted his dying wish. Kolhasura recognised his death was imminent and hence prayed to Lakshmidevi: “Oh Mother of the world! (Jagajjanani), I beseech You to call this kshetra Kolhapura; Consequently, she became known as Kolhasur Bhayankari. In the form of a pig, a formidable Asura terrorised the three worlds. Since killing that demon, the goddess has resided in the lovely city of Kolhapur. Karveer Mahatmya is a crucial scripture for Amba bai worshippers since it recounts her tale, which is described in Padma Puran and Skand Puran.
• It is thought that the idol is beyond 5000-6000 years old.
• Every year, TTD offers a saree to Venkateshwar’s wife.