Shakti PeethaShakti
Alopi Devi Mandir
📍 Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
A unique Shakti Peetha in Prayagraj where no idol is worshipped — only a wooden cradle (doli) over the spot where the last part of Sati's body is said to have vanished (alop).
The ancient Ambabai temple of Kolhapur, revered as a Shakti Peetha and one of the great abodes of Goddess Mahalakshmi in western India.
Primary Deity
ShaktiLocation
Kolhapur, Maharashtra
Pilgrimage Circuit
Shakti PeethaBest Time to Visit
October to March; Navratri and the Kiranotsav days (around late January and mid-November) are especially auspicious.
Significance
Kolhapur's Mahalakshmi is counted among the Shakti Peethas and is one of the six great abodes (nivasa-sthana) of the goddess in the Puranic tradition, believed to be a place where the Mother resides permanently. It forms an important pilgrimage together with Tuljapur and other Devi shrines of Maharashtra. Navratri and the Kiranotsav are celebrated with great splendour.
About
The Mahalakshmi (Ambabai) temple of Kolhapur, built by the Chalukyas around the 7th century in the Hemadpanthi style, enshrines a black-stone image of the goddess adorned with a crown and holding symbols of her power. A remarkable architectural feature is the Kiranotsav, when the setting sun's rays fall directly on the deity through the western doorway on specific days each year. The temple is a masterpiece of carved stone with a richly decorated mandapa, and it lies at the heart of the historic city of Kolhapur. Devotion here is intense, with the goddess worshipped as the consort of Vishnu and the mother who never leaves her devotees.
Part of the Shakti Peetha
The Shakti Peethas are revered shrines marking the places where parts of Goddess Sati's body are believed to have fallen. Each embodies the divine feminine energy (Shakti). This temple is one of the 45 sacred sites of the Shakti Peetha.
Other temples in this circuit
🛕
Shakti PeethaShakti
Ambaji Temple
📍 Banaskantha, Gujarat
One of the 51 Shakti Peethas, revered as the place where the heart of Goddess Sati fell, near the Gujarat–Rajasthan border. It is among the most visited pilgrimage sites in western India.
🛕
Shakti PeethaShakti
Attahas Fullara Temple Labhpur
📍 Birbhum, West Bengal
A Shakti Peetha at Labhpur in Birbhum where the lips of Sati are said to have fallen, with the goddess worshipped as Fullara amid a serene grove and sacred tank.
🛕
Shakti PeethaShakti
Bahula Temple Ketugram
📍 Purba Bardhaman, West Bengal
A Shakti Peetha at Ketugram on the banks of the Ajay river where the left arm of Sati is said to have fallen, with the goddess worshipped as Bahula.
Shakti PeethaShakti
Bakreshwar Temple Birbhum
📍 Birbhum, West Bengal
A Shakti Peetha in Birbhum where the space between Sati's eyebrows is said to have fallen, famous also for its cluster of hot springs. The goddess is worshipped as Mahishamardini.
Shakti PeethaShakti
Bargabhima Temple Tamluk
📍 Purba Medinipur, West Bengal
The Vibhash Shakti Peetha at ancient Tamluk (Tamralipta) where the left ankle of Sati is said to have fallen, with the goddess worshipped as Kapalini (Bhimarupa).
🛕
Shakti PeethaShakti
Bhramari Devi Temple Jalpaiguri
📍 Jalpaiguri, West Bengal
The Tristrota Shakti Peetha at Boda near the Teesta river in North Bengal, where the left leg of Sati is said to have fallen, with the goddess worshipped as Bhramari.
Shakti PeethaShakti
Biraja Temple Jajpur
📍 Jajpur, Odisha
The Girija (Biraja) Shakti Peetha at Jajpur on the Baitarani river, where the navel of Sati is said to have fallen. The goddess is worshipped as a two-armed Mahishamardini piercing the buffalo demon.
🛕
Shakti PeethaShakti
Brijeshwari Temple
📍 Kangra, Himachal Pradesh
An ancient and much-plundered Shakti Peetha in the Kangra Valley, revered as the place where the left breast of Goddess Sati fell. It has been rebuilt many times through a turbulent history.
Shakti PeethaShakti
Chintpurni Temple
📍 Una, Himachal Pradesh
A much-loved Shakti Peetha in the Una hills where Sati's forehead is said to have fallen. Its name means 'she who fulfils all worries and wishes' (chinta).
Shakti PeethaShakti
Danteshwari Temple Dantewada
📍 Dantewada, Chhattisgarh
A revered Shakti Peetha in the forests of Bastar at the confluence of the Dankini and Shankini rivers, where a tooth of Sati is said to have fallen. Danteshwari is the presiding goddess of the old Bastar kingdom.
Shakti PeethaShakti
Devi Talab Mandir Jalandhar
📍 Jalandhar, Punjab
The Tripurmalini Shakti Peetha of Jalandhar, built around an ancient sacred tank (talab), where the left breast of Sati is said to have fallen.
Nearby Temples
Mangeshi Temple
📍 Ponda, Goa
The largest and most visited Hindu temple in Goa, dedicated to Lord Manguesh (a form of Shiva). Its gleaming white deepstambha (lamp tower) is a signature of Goan temple architecture.
Vitthal Rukmini Temple Pandharpur
📍 Pandharpur, Maharashtra
The spiritual heart of Maharashtra's Warkari tradition, where Lord Vitthal (Vithoba) stands arms akimbo on a brick beside his consort Rukmini on the banks of the Chandrabhaga.
AshtavinayakGanesha
Morgaon Ashtavinayak Temple
📍 Morgaon, Maharashtra
The first and foremost of the eight sacred Ashtavinayak Ganesha temples of Maharashtra, where the Lord is worshipped as Mayureshwar, seated upon a peacock.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which deity is worshipped at Mahalakshmi Temple Kolhapur?
Mahalakshmi Temple Kolhapur is primarily dedicated to Shakti.
Where is Mahalakshmi Temple Kolhapur located?
Mahalakshmi Temple Kolhapur is located in Kolhapur, Maharashtra.
What is the best time to visit Mahalakshmi Temple Kolhapur?
October to March; Navratri and the Kiranotsav days (around late January and mid-November) are especially auspicious.
Which pilgrimage circuit does Mahalakshmi Temple Kolhapur belong to?
Mahalakshmi Temple Kolhapur is one of the 45 temples in the Shakti Peetha.
Why is Mahalakshmi Temple Kolhapur significant?
Kolhapur's Mahalakshmi is counted among the Shakti Peethas and is one of the six great abodes (nivasa-sthana) of the goddess in the Puranic tradition, believed to be a place where the Mother resides permanently. It forms an important pilgrimage together with Tuljapur and other Devi shrines of Maharashtra. Navratri and the Kiranotsav are celebrated with great splendour.
Affiliate disclosure: Sanatan Hindu participates in the Amazon Associates Programme and the CueLinks affiliate network (Myntra & Flipkart). This page contains affiliate links, if you click and buy, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure.
Shop Samagri on Amazon.in
Clicking opens Amazon.in. Prices and availability may vary.
Browse all pooja itemsAmazon Associates tag: geekydevelope-21
Shop Pooja & Festive Essentials on Flipkart
Diyas & LightsHome MandirBrass IdolsPooja ThaliRangoli ColoursToran & DecorGift HampersReligious Books
Clicking opens Flipkart via our affiliate link. Prices and availability may vary.
Shop on FlipkartCueLinks Publisher: 300371
Shop Festive Wear on Myntra
SareesLehenga CholiKurta Sets (Women)Kurta-Pajama (Men)SherwaniMangalsutraTemple JewelleryKids Festive Wear
Clicking opens Myntra via our affiliate link. Prices and availability may vary.
CueLinks Publisher: 300371