MOTHER MAHALAKSHMI OF KOLHAPUR

A QUEER UTSAV

Another interesting temple festival is that the Utsavamurthi is taken out on the Aswini Sukla Panchami in procession to a small temple called Temblai, lying at about five kilometers away to the main temple. It has a story interesting. The Temblai, according to legends is the younger sister of Mahalakshmi. Due to sonic minor misunderstanding over a trifle, there ensued a quarrel between the sisters, and so she left home and settled down permanently here in a separate mandir. Out of boundless love for sister, Ambabai visits Temblai every year on the fifth day of the Aswni. Would not the genuine affliction cross the emotional floods? Anger does not taint the affection at any time.

Among the many unique features found is that there are no annual festivals as such, though on auspicious occasions like Navaratris etc. huge crowds overflow the courtyards. The temple is otherwise crowded everyday as a matter of fact; for, according to the customs of Maharashtra, people in large numbers and families with kith and kin visit this place several times a year, either to redeem the vows taken on auspicious occasions, or make petitions for Mother's mercy whenever any Subhakarya is undertaken.

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