| Temples & Legends Of
Maharashtra |
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| Temples & Legends Of
India |
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KOLHAPUR-MAHALAKSHMI |
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| Leaving the
prakara and returning to the central shrine, an extremely noteworthy fact is, that
although it is Mahalakshmi that is the chief deity, the tirth as anciently known consists
of four elements. They are, the Mahalakshmi, the Mahakali, the Niahasaraswati and Kanka
Bhairav. Saraswati Purana, dating back to the thirteenth century A.D. mentions that
Solanki Jayasimha Siddharaj of Anhilwad (1093-1142 A.D.) erected at his capital, on the
lake Siddha Sarovar, a pith which was expressly a copy of the one at Karvir. This pith
consisted of Mahalakshmi, Mahakali, Kolla and Kanka-Bhairav. Mahalakshmi the chief goddess
was to the east, Kolla to the north. The present Mahasaraswati,it seems, occupies the
place of the Puranic Kolla and was known by that name. Kanka Bhairav is nowhere in the
immediatevicinity of the present shrine. But the Ranka Bhairav near the Rankala lake is
identified by scholars with the ancient Kanka Bhairav. A similar replica of the Kolhapur
pith was established at Dodda-Gaddavlila, although in place of Mahasaraswati there is
Vishnu and BhutaDath for Bhairav. At Gorepalle in Andhra also is there such a pith. No
better evidence of the high esteem in which this particular deity was regarded during the
early medieval ages is required. The devotees not only came to visit the Goddess at her
own habitat, but installed her replicas, tried to recreate the pith, so as to be
constantly in her presence. |
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