Mahalakshmi Devi
(7th Shaktipeeth)
Mahalakshmi Bhidaadevi
Karaveera pursthitaa
Purushaardha pradhaamaataa
Sampoornaamruta varshini
Brahma performed Yaga to please Sakthi and Siva to request Sakthi in creation of Universe. Sakthi separated from Shiva emerge in the form of Sati and helped Brahma in creation of universe. Brahma sought to give back Sati to Siva. Daksha, son of Brahma performed Yagna with an intention to get Sati as his daughter. Sati born to Daksha and in due course she wanted to marry Shiva. At that time Brahma saw Prudhvi with bad intention and Shiva cut the fifth head of Brahma with his trident. Daksha got angry and withdrawn marriage of Sati with Siva. But Sati attracted with Shiva and married him. Daksha got hatred on Shiva.
Daksha intended to perform Nireeswara Yaga and invited all the Gods except Siva and Sathi in Kailas. Shiva warned Sati not to participate in the Yaga in the absence of invitation. Sati has gone to Yaga with Nandi and other followers. Sati started yoga which is not possible to the Yogis moving her five elements from their origin. Fire erupted from her grave status of body and she self immolated in the fire.
Enraged to the death and insult of Sati, Shiva in meditation got angry and performed Tandava Nruthya. Shiva has cut some hair from his head in Tandava and thrown on earth. The piece of hair burned and Veerabhadra born with thousand hands, and black body. Veerabhadra is so horrible with three angry eyes, Trident and other weapons in the hands along with skulls in the neck. Siva ordered to destroy the Yaga. Veerabhadra with skulls in his neck destroyed the Yaga and Lord Vishnu opposes him using Sudarsana Chakra. But Veerabhadra swallowed the Chakra and Vishnu given way to take revenge on Daksha. Veerabhadra killed Daksha and returned to Kailash. Daksha was given re-birth after affixing the head of a male goat to the body of Daksha.
Mahalakshmi Devi Sakthi Peeth
The eyes of Sathi fallen in the 7th Sakthi Peet and the holy place became famous as Maha Lakshmi Sakthi Peet of Kolhapur. The temple of also known as Ambabai is located on the banks of Pancha Ganga River in Kolhapur of Maharashtra State. Maha Lakshmi also called as Ambabai. Thousands of Devotees visit this historical temple every year to praise the Goddess for fulfillment of their desires. Kolhapur became famous as an spiritual center because of the Maha Lakshmi Temple. It is believed that the temple developed 1200 years back by the Yadava Kings. The interesting fact is that the temple constructed in a manner that the golden rays of the sun will touch the Maha Lakshmi in specified dates. Thousands of local people as well as from other states of India will come during Navaratri and other festivals. Maha Lakshmi idol engraved on a black stone of 3 feet height appear with four hands and a Crown made with 40 kgs of Diamonds on a stone pedestal.
Sri Yantra engraved on the wall of the temple. The vehicle of the Goddess and Lion statue made with stone will appear on the back side of the Goddess. The image of Sesha Nagu, the bed of Vishnu will be on the Crown. The Goddess bear four well noted things in her hands. She catches Malunga (Fruit) in the Right bottom hand and a pot in her Left bottom hand. The other God and Goddess face in their pictures generally facing east and the face of this goddess face west. An opened small window will be to the wall on western side. There are Navagraha, Mahisasura Mardhani, Vital, Shiva, Vishnu, Tulja Bhavani and other idols in the temple complex. Some idols are ancient of 900 hundred years ago and some are newly established subsequently. There is a pool near the temple named Manikarnika and Visweswar Mahadev statue is on the shore of the pool.
The Sun pays his homage to Maha Lakshmi for three days in a year in view of Rath Saptami Every year Sun Rays will directly flow directly on the Goddess Maha Lakshmi for three days from January 31 and November 9. The rays will flow to the feet on 31st January and November 9, to the chest on 1st February and November 10 and to the entire body on February 2 and November 11.
The temple constructed in an spacious premises with highest compound wall. The temple in the middle is a fantastic art work with beautiful idols. The sanctum facing west and in front there is one hundred feet porch. There is a narrow way around the temple. There will be the idol of Mahalakshmi in sitting position on the two feet pedestal existing on the six feet square high flat farm. Kolhapur is the holly place to the local people of Maharashtra and they called the goddess as ‘Ambabai’. The goddess festive figure takes away on procession to the temple of goddess Temblayi on the eastern side to the temple.
Sage Agastya is a great Shiva devotee and used to visit Varanasi every year for the darshan of Viswanath. Agashtya felt it will be hurdle to visit Varanasi in old age and made yoga. Shiva appeared and asked his boon. Agashtya expressed his inability to visit Varanasi every year and requested nearby place equivalent to Varanasi. Shiva told that Kolhapur in which Mahalakshmi is equivalent to Varanasi and the darshan of Maha Lakshmi gives equal meritorious virtue. It is revealed that Agashtya visited and worshipped Maha Lakshmi and Atibaleswara Swamy and sanctified with the darshan. The city primarily notified as Karaveerapura and changed to Kolpoor, Kolgiri and Coladagiri. Kolha means valley and pur means Town and named Kolhapur. Kolhapur developed in the reign of Shivaji.
It is believed that the devotees making chant of Sarva Devakrutha Lakshmi in hard number as per their age for 41 days and offer cow milk sweet made with rice on every Friday will be freed from their hurdles in life and secure wealth. The unmarried bridegrooms will get beautiful and positive bride. Archana will be performed five times daily.
Mahalakshmi devi Temple Timings
The schedule of the temple is opening of Temple 6-00AM, Main Arati 7-00AM, Evening Arati (Dhoop Arati) 6-30PM and Arati 7-30PM, Shejarati 10-00PM. Daily Naivedya 12-00Noon, Daily Pooja Maha Pooja, Abhisek, Archana.
