Kaveer Nivasini-Mahalaxmi Temple, Kolhapur, Maharashtra
June 29, 2008
Goddess Laxmi is the consort of Lord Vishnu. The word Kaveer Nivasani signifies that goddess Mahalaxmi resides in the place called Kaveer located in Kolhapur. Kolhapur is the southernmost district of the state of Maharashtra, situated at the banks of river Panchganga. This place is also referred to as Dashin Kashi.
There are other well-known temples in this area of the Mother goddess which includes goddess Bhavani at Tuljapur, goddess Mahamaya Renuka at Mahur, goddess Jagadamba at Saptshringi. Several significant temples are located at Ambe Jogai and Aundh.
This place turned into a holy site after Lord Vishnu in the form of Mahalaxmi destroyed the demon Kolhasura. The spot where he died turned into a place of pilgrimage or thirtha. People from all over India come here to seek blessings from Goddess Mahalaxmi.
The temple’s structure is typical of the Maratha grandeur with pillars and carvings depicting figurines of dancers and musicians. These engravings date back to the 19th century. Goddess Mahalaxmi’s form is carved from black stone which is 3 feet in height. She resides on an intricately carved silver throne as shown in the picture.
Above this sanctum, there is a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and his mount, Nandi, the bull. The courtyard houses shrines of various other deities like Navagrahas (9 planets of the solar system), Mahishasuramardini (This is another form of the Goddess Durga), Lord Vitthal and his consort Rakhmai, Godess Tulja Bhavani and so on. The courtyard has a magnificent tank called Manikarnika Kund and near it is a shrine dedicated to Vishweshwar Mahadev.
Prayers are held daily, five times a day. Celebrations are conducted in grandeur as many devotees come here to seek blessings and to get their wishes fulfilled.
Mahalaxmi Mantra – Mahalakshmi Ashtak Strotra
Namastetu Mahaamaaye Shree peetthey Surpoojitey
Shankha chakra gadaa hastey
Mahaalaxmi Namostutey
With humility I bow down to Mahamaaye who is the Goddess of fortune and worshipped by the Devas,
I bow down to Her:
O MahaLaxmi, who holds the conch, disc and mace,
I may my obeisance to Her.
Namastey Garooda roodhey
Kola asura bhayankari
Sarva paapa harey Devi
Maha Laxmi Namostutey
You ride the Garuda,
And Your form creates a terror to the demon Kola:
O Goddess Mahalaxmi, You are the remover of all miseries,
I pay my obeisance to you.
Sarvagyey Sarvey-Varadey
Sarva-dushta Bhayankaree
Sarva-dukha harey Devi
Mahalaxmi Namostutey.
You know everything,
You are the giver and fulfiller of all boons,
A terror to all the wicked,
Remover of all sorrow,
I pay my obeisance to you.
Sidhee- Budhee pradey Devi,
Bhukti Mukti pradaayanee,
Mantra-Moortey sadaa Devi,
MahaLaxmi Namostutey.
O Devi, You endow us with intelligence and success,
And the bestow us with worldly enjoyment and liberation,
You are present in all forms
I pay my obeisance to you..
Aadi-Anta rahitey Devi,
Aadi- Shakti Maheshwari,
Yogajey Yogasambhutey,
MahaaLaxmi namostutey.
O Goddess Maheshwari, who has no beginning or end
You are the primeval form of energy,
Born of Yoga,
O MahaLaxmi, I pay my obeisance to you.
Sthoola Sukshma Mahaa roudrey
MahaaShakti Mahodarey
Mahaa paapa harey Devi,
MahaaLaxmi Namostutey
O Goddess MahaLaxmi, you represent both gross and subtle nature,
You are invincible, the provider and protector
And the remover of all sins,
I pay my obeisance to you.
Padma Aasan Sthitey Devi,
Para Brahma Svaroopini,
Parmeshi Jagan Maatar,
MahaLaxmi Namostutey.
O Goddess who is always seated on the Lotus,
Who represents the entire Supreme Brahman,
You are our great mother of the universe,
O MahaLaxmi, I pay my obeisance to you.
Shwet Aambar dharey Devi,
Nana Alankaara Bhooshitey,
Jagat Sthitey Jagan Matar,
MahaLaxmi Namostutey.
O Devi, You are dressed in white garments,
and bejewelled with numerous ornaments,
You are the mother of the universe,
O MahaLaxmi, I pay my obeisance to you.
©Nayna Chakrabarty, 2007-2008. All Rights Reserved.
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The place & the deity should be rightly called “Karaveerapura” & “Karaveera Nivasini” respectively. It is believed that this place was full of “Karaveera Pushpa (flower)” plants & hence the name. The karaveera pushpa (sanskrit) is called the Arali Pushpam in Tamil language, & I have no equivalent words in other languages.
There is also a legend that Agastya Muni (Sage Agastya) visited this temple & recited the ashta lakshmi stotram.
Kolhapur has a special place of significance to the Dasara’s. Many dasas have composed and sung songs on Goddess mahalakshmi. The most important one being the Mahalakshmi Stuti in sanskrit “Jayakollapura nilayae”