| Temples Of Maharashtra |
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| Temples Of India |
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KOLHAPUR-MAHALAKSHMI |
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| On all these
occasions the image is clad in very rich clothing and is decked out with various
ornaments. The goddess has numerous precious ornaments in gold, pearl and stones.
They are of the traditional Marathi pattern consisting of kundals, pimpalpans,
chinchpetya, kantha and so on. Extremely valuable mukuts adorn the divine head on festival
occasions. No hard and fast rules exist regarding the timings of visiting the shrine.
Everybody is allowed to go to the temple from five in the morning when the Kakadarati
takes place to ten in the evening when the shejaarati is performed. Only when the
mahanaivedya is being presented is the goddess shut off from public view by a screen. This
is a precaution against any evil eye falling on the offerings to the devi. Recently a rule
is introduced by the management to the effect that for two hours in the evening, from five
to seven, on Tuesdays and Fridays the temple is open only to female visitors. But this is
a regulation arising out of practical considerations of convenience. No restrictions based
on ritualistic ground are imposed here on the darshan. People are constantly trickling in
and out, and at all the three times of worship, kakadarati, afternoon worship, and
shejaarati a good number of people are present. Visitors come from near and far and in
addition there are regular local visitors. |
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