Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur – History

Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur – History

The Temple was hidden among the forests unknown to the outside world.  Eventually, the Konkan King Karnadeo cleared the forest and discovered the Temple’s existence in 109 AD. The temple was believed to be built by Chalukyan dynasty in the 7^th century CE. However, an earthquake in the 8^th century destroyed most of the ancient structure. Some portions survived and can be seen till date. King Gandaraditya of the Shilahara dynasty (11^th century) built the circumbulatory. He also built the two shrines dedicated to Goddess Mahakali and Maha Saraswathi.

It is believed that the Matulinga installed on the second level of the main sanctum was installed during the Yadava reign. It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya visited this Temple. The Southern gate & Adibaleshwar Temple were built during the reign of Raja Jaysing & Sindhava (1178 – 1209 CE). Yadav King Tolum built Mahadwar and offered jewels to Devi in1218 CE. The Kurma Mandap and the Ganapati Chowk is believed to have been built by the Yadava dynasty.

This temple had fallen out of worship and the image of the Goddess was housed elsewhere after 12^th Century CE due to Muslim invasions. During the rule of Sambhaji (1712–1792), Narhar Bhat Shastri had a dream about the location of idol to Sambhaji. Sambhaji started a search believing Shastri dream. The idol was found in a house in Kapila Teertha Market in the city. According to Sambhaji's letter dated 8 November 1723, Sindhoji Hindurao Ghorpade of Panhala installed the idol again on 26 September 1712 (Monday, Ashwin Vijaya Dashami). Then on, Kolhapur became famous.

The Garuda Mandap was built under Daji Pandit between 1838 – 1843. The Eastern entrance of the Temple Complex has an inscription dating back to the Maratha reign in the 18^th century. It states that renovation work was carried out by the Dabhade and the Gaikwads who were ruling the area at that time. In 1941, Shrimant Jahagirdar Babasaheb Ghatge installed the idols of the nine planets in the Navagraha Temple. The deity began to deteriorate due to Abhishekas. Shankaracharya of Sankeshwar got it repaired.

It was again installed at the hands of Kolhapur Shahaji Raje in 1954. The five domes or spires were constructed comparatively recently by Sri Shankaracharya of Sankeshwar in the 19^th century. The Temple is currently managed / administered by Devasthan Management Committee, Western Maharashtra, Kolhapur appointed by law and judicial department Bombay, Govt. of Maharashtra. It's Govt. Notification Registration no. is KA 1493.