But
she has taken her scat on earth in Kolhapur in the state of Maharastra. Ever
since the day of her descent, she made this holy place as her permanent abode
and started demonstrating of her lilac that have been luring devotees over
centuries. On account of her settlement, this place acquired many sacrosanct
features that attracted global attention. Its plus points are numerous - it is
one of the premier Sakthipithas to begin with; it gave asylum to other religions
like Jainism and Buddhism that flourished side by side happily and amicably
without crossing swords on any occasion; it is this temple that attracted
Vaishnavate saints, like Jnaneswar, Namadev and sage Parashar; it is the family
deity of illustrious Eknath Maharaj; it was the capital of Shilharas for nearly
300 years; it was the image of this Goddess replaced by Shambaji; it served as
the capital for the descendants of Chatrapati Shivaji and Bhosales; it was this
place, declared greater than Kashi by Lord Vishnu.
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