MOTHER MAHALAKSHMI OF KOLHAPUR

A little further up is located the, central hall, housing all the three shrines dedicated to the august deities. The image of Mahalakshmi popularly known as Ambabai is installed on a high pedestal under an imposing done. To its north and south are installed the images of Mahasaraswathi and Mahakali in separate shrines. There are a large number of Parivara devatas installed in several prominent places in the campus in minishrines and beautiful pavilions. As this All-merciful Mahalakshmi played host to several gods and goddesses by accommodating them in appropriate places, she lifts the souls of the visitors of all faiths beyond description. The images of Siddhi Vinayak, Navagrahas, Mahishasura Mardini, Vithal Rukhmai, Radhakrishna, Rama-Lakshmana Sita, Siva, Datatreya, Surya, Seshasayi, Kalabhairav, Tuljabhavani, Kankabhairava are only a few among several others fittingly enshrined in grand cells with arcades. The ace sculpture of the figures in graceful poses and right proportions greatly heighten their glory and beckon attention. The garbhagriha is two storeyed, the lower one for Mother Mahalakshmi and the upper one for Lord Siva and Nandi. The niches facing the three cardinal directions are housing the idols of Venkatesh, Kalyani and Gowri Shankar.

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