#5# Temple # Mahalakshmi Temple (Kolhapur):

 Mahalakshmi Temple (Kolhapur):

MightyHikers

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj & Chhatrapati Shambhaji Maharaj ki jai.....

LOCATION: 377 kms from Mumba, 234 kms from Pune . Best time to visit: Any time throughout year.
Ambabai Temple (also known as Mahalaxmi Mandir) is an important Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, who resides here as Supreme Mother Mahalakshmi and is worshipped by locals as Ambabai.

The temple belongs architecturally to the Chalukya empire and was first built in the 7th century. The temple is referred to in multiple Puranas. There is evidence to show that the Konkan king Kamadeo, Chalukyas, Shilahara, Yadavas of Devagiri dynasties visited this city. Adi Shankaracharya also visited. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj ruled this area and they also visited the temple regularly.

In the 8th century, the temple sank down due to an earthquake. In the 9th century, Gandavadix (King) extended the temple by building Mahakali Mandir. During 1178–1209, in the reign of Raja Jaysing and Sindhava, South gate and Atibaleshwar Temple were built. In 1218, Yadav king Tolum built Mahadwar and offered jewels to Devi.

It is not surprising that even the rays of a setting sun pay homage to Goddess Mahalakshmi Ambabai as the life of a human being revolve around illumination and prosperity. But it is the wonder of wise architects who built the temple of Mahalakshmi at Kolhapur that the rays of the setting Sun, bow at the feet of the Goddess through a window, for a while before vanishing.

It is the architect's excellence which was done more than 1000 years ago, on 6 days from January 31st to February 2nd and November 9th to 11th, the rays of the sun coming from the Mahadwar fall directly on the face of the goddess Mahalakshmi. These days are celebrated as Kironotsav in Kolhapur Shakti Peeth temple.