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Unlike most of the tirths, there are no professional upadhyayas or pandyas, professional hosts, who would entertain a pilgrim. But some of the ‘pujaris,’ regular priests of the devi, do accommodate visitors. In addition, a number of good guest-houses are there, and a pilgrim would find little difficulty in finding some suitable accommodation. Taxis and horse-drawn tongas provide the local transport needed. The town is situated on the banks of the Pancha ganga river and is literally littered with temples, ancient, medieval and modern. The giant structure of the Mahalakshmi shrine is the focal point of all attraction and devotion.
Modern houses crowd all around the ‘prakara’ of the shrine. It is practically hidden off by them. And not till one enters the courtyard through the lofty arches of the gateways that the grandeur of the concept is evident. At though greatly altered in comparatively recent times, the original architectural concept continues to be strikingly impressive. The shrine is crucifix on plan and is surrounded by a spacious courtyard. The western gateway is the main entrance, known asMahadwara. On either side of the road leading up to the Mahadwara are small shops offering flowers, kumkum, gulal, coconuts, pedhas and chane and sundry other substances used either in the worship of the deity or commonly presented to it.
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