Talk:Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur

A copyvio notice was slapped on this page while I was editing what looked like an earlier cut and paste job. In any case, I've put my edit on the alternate page. Bambaiah 07:21, Jun 18, 2005 (UTC)

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First buy a saaree for your sister/mother/wife/daughter/daughter-in-law when going to Mahalakshmi temple. Take this along with the invoice showing price tag to Mahalakshmi temple & surrender it before shree mahalaxmis idol

There are four entrances to the temple from North East West South.

The temple has 3 main gopurams. The main godess is below the gopuram. She stands facing west. On her left (south gopuram) is Saraswathi. Outside on the east of Saraswathi is Sani temple. Below north gopuram is Mahakali.

There are idols of Mahalakshmi, Saraswathi, Kaali, Ganesh, Shiv Ling, Krishna, Shani and other gods in the main temple. Do not miss to touch your head on the glass covered sri yantra (looks like a lotus). This sri yantra is near kaali temple. There are a dozen recent temples in the inner periphery of the temple. There is nara simha idol on the left of west entrance. Tirupathi balaji is facing north entrance. Visit him before going in to see his wife.

Shivling is above godess Mahalakshmi is a secret chamber. The staircase leading to this chamber is always locked. The entrance to this is on the north side inside the temple opposite Mahakali idol. This is opened between 5:40 a.m. and 5:55 a.m. IST.

Be present for the first kakad aarati at 5:00 a.m. to get front seat on the floor before Mahalakshmi. Then you shall have the best darshan. The morning aarati is slow and melodious. It will entail getting up at 4 a.m. taking bath in the hotel and rushing to the temple. Be patient when sitting there. Pray. The first aarati will start around 5:30 a.m.

Then the priests, the guy with the small gong and the guy with the kakad (hand held fire torch) will move on to the rest of the gods in the temple to do aarati. You have to walk fast with them to catch the full experience of aarati. The next aarati is to Saraswathi on the south side gopuram. Then is Maha kali. Then they will climb up to the secret chamber. Run along and have the best aarati darshan of shiv ling. This shiv ling is small (8 inches) and just above mother Mahalakshmi.

There are aaratis done to Krishna, Ganesh and other idols inside the temple. Walk fast with the priests and you may get the best darshan.

Maha Pooja. This is only for male persons. Female persons cannot do this. You can get a ticket for Maha Pooja from authoriez worshipper/ shree poojak/ priest or the official ICICI bank counter for Rs. 151. Give your saaree and say you want it back or not. The maha pooja batches are at 8, 10 and 11:30 a.m. The last batch is more special. Do not worry if there is even one hour delay. Wait. Dress up in dhoti from home. If you forgot to bring dhoti, there are dozens lying around there which you can use. Those worried about freshness of these dhoti should bring their own from home or local shop. These are brightly coloured dhotis. If you need help ask for how to wear these.

Pancha amrit here is made of milk, yogurt dahi, ghee, sugar and honey. In south india pancha amrit is made of banana etc.

Buy tickets for lunch prasad for your family (Rs. 10 each).

The priest will come and take the batch of maha pooja persons inside. The pooja takes 1 hour. The 11:30 batch get to pour pancha amrit on the main stone maha lakshmi's feet. About 100 cc in a silver bowl. Another bowl on the head of the procession idol mahalakshmi. You also get a chance to touch your head on the feet of the main mahalakshmi idol. You have to climb and stand on her side so that others in queue do not miss their darshan. You get 10 seconds with the godess. Do not waste these few seconds in other thoughts. Pray. Ask for solutions to your finance, family and other problems. She will grant you all then.

This works. Do not worry about the idol being stone. Do not think of the pooja vidhaan being not up to mark. It is done traditionally for hundreds of years here. Over 1300 years. Do not worry that you are not very religious. It does not matter. When you touch your head to her feet all is forgotten and your wishes are all granted. It is like magic. This is the power of mother maha lakshmi.

After end of your maha pooja go out and wait for the priest. Give him Rs. 100 as dakshina. Have simple prasad lunch with family. Give Rs. 100 to the cook and others who maintain the kitchen. Put some money in the anna dhaan petti in this counter. Then buy back your saaree for half its price. Let your relative wear it on auspicious days. Come back to repeat all this when your wishes are being fulfilled. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 203.110.216.175 (talk) 01:18, 24 March 2008 (UTC)

Is Kolhapur ambabai mahalaxmi, a wife of Vishnu or shiva
Ambabai is amba..as well as mahalaxmi.. mahalaxmi means wife of Vishnu ? No.. The "power " required to aquire Laxmi, the Godess of wealth, is mahalxmi.. that "power" is subset of adeemaya. Parvati..wife of Shiva Same is true about maha kali..maha sarasvati.. .

Next..evidences that the kolhapur diety is wife of Shiva..mother of Ganesh. Ganesh idol inside ,+ infront of amba. .. nandi and shiv ling above the diety head..on upper floor ..are the evidences to stop calling mahalaxmi as a wife of Vishnu. Niteen kumbhojkar (talk) 07:05, 5 September 2022 (UTC)


 * True I agree, The Durgā Saptaśatī's Prādhānika Rāhasyaṃ states the Kolhapur Ambābāī's Appearance, "Mātuluṅgaṃ gadā kheṭaṃ pānapātraṃ cha bibhratīṃ, Nāgaṃ liṅgaṃ cha yoniṃ cha bibhratī nṝpa mūrdhanī!" She's carrying Mātuluṅgaṃ (Citroen fruit) a Gadā( a mace),a kheṭa (a shield) Pānapātra (a drinking bowl), and Nāga, Liṅgaṃ and Yoniṃ carrying on her head is Śṛī ĀdīParāśakti Karveernivāsinī Mahalakśmī Ambābāī herself. Please can you correct the Information... Atleast discuss the missinfo!!! Mihirpatil11 (talk) 16:26, 25 June 2023 (UTC)