| Temples & Legends Of
Maharashtra |
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| Temples & Legends Of
India |
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KOLHAPUR-MAHALAKSHMI |
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| Once inside the
Mahadwara, on either side of which are a number of dipmalas, one comes upon a large open
hall of timber construction. The huge square pillars and foliated arches in wood are
characteristic of Maratha temple architecture. The Mandap is known as Garuda-mandap and
was constructed during the eighteenth century. An image of Garuda, the
vahana of Vishnu, is housed in this mandap so as to face the goddess. Adjoining it towards
the east is a small mandap of stone construction. It is built on a raised plinth. An image
of Ganesh nearly four feet in height stands in the centre facing the goddess. Further to
the east of this Ganesh-mandap is the central hall in which all the three shrines of the
crucifix open. The entrance to each is preceded by a small mandap. In the central shrine,
facing the west, stands the Mahalakshmi. The northern shrine is occupied by Mahakali, the
southern one by Mahasaraswati. Of these, the temples of Maha lakshmi and of Mahakali are
structurally and architecturally akin to each other; while the third one though occupying
a very logical position in the architectural scheme, greatly differs in its general
treatment, This is, in all probability a later substitution for an earlier one standing on
the same spot. |
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