About Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur
The seventh peetha of the Ashtadasha — Sati's three eyes fell here — and one of the three-and-a-half (Sade Teen) Shakti Peethas of Maharashtra. The 7th-century Chalukyan temple in central Kolhapur enshrines a 1.2-m black stone Devi adorned with gold; the Kirnotsav festival sees the setting sun illuminate the deity directly through the entrance for three days each year.
History
Mahalakshmi (locally called Ambabai) is worshipped at Kolhapur as Adi Shakti in her saumya (benign) form — the consort of Vishnu, granter of wealth and prosperity. The 1.2-m black stone idol is unique: she holds a matulinga (citron), a mace, a shield and a panapatra (cup of elixir), with a five-hooded serpent overhead — iconography distinct from any other Mahalakshmi shrine. The original temple is 7th-century Chalukyan; the 22-m shikhara was added by the Yadavas in the 13th century, and the present complex was extensively restored by the Maratha rulers Shivaji and Shahu in the 17th–18th centuries. The Kirnotsav (festival of rays) is the temple's signature phenomenon: due to the precise east-facing alignment of the sanctum, sunlight enters straight through the front doorway and illuminates the goddess's feet on day one, her chest on day two, and her face on day three — happening twice annually, around 31 January – 2 February and 9–11 November. Kolhapur is one of the Sade Teen (three-and-a-half) Shakti Peethas of Maharashtra; the others are Tuljapur (Bhavani), Mahur (Renuka), and the half-peetha at Saptashringi. Stotram name: 'Kolhapure Mahalakshmi'.
Best Time to Visit
October to March
Entry fees in your currency
- Mukh Darshan / Quick Queue₹100$…
- Maha-abhishek (Tue/Fri/Sun)₹500$…
- Sahasranama Archana₹251$…
- Kirnotsav reserved viewing₹250$…
Live INR rates, refreshed hourly. Confirm at the gate counter — entry fees may have changed since this page was updated.
Entry Fee · Tickets
How much does it cost to visit Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur?
Free general darshan. Special / Mukh Darshan paid separately.
- Mukh Darshan / Quick QueueSkip-the-line through the southern entrance₹100
- Maha-abhishek (Tue/Fri/Sun)By appointment, includes tour of the sanctum₹500
- Sahasranama Archana1,008-name puja with priest₹251
- Kirnotsav reserved viewingJanuary and November windows; book online 30 days ahead₹250
- Open 4:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. — one of the longer-hour temples in the country
- Mobile phones not permitted inside the sanctum
- Friday and Tuesday see queues of 1–3 hours
- Modest dress; saree, salwar-kameez or dhoti recommended
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Travel Tips
- Kirnotsav darshan tickets fill within hours of release on the temple's mahalaxmikolhapur.com — book 30+ days ahead
- The Vande Bharat from Mumbai (CSMT to Kolhapur) is the fastest rail option — 8 hours; flights operate from Mumbai and Bengaluru
- Combine with Jyotiba Wadi Ratnagiri Temple (18 km) — the goddess's brother shrine — and the Panhala Fort (20 km, Shivaji's monsoon capital)
- Tulja Bhavani at Tuljapur (270 km, the second Sade Teen Peetha) and Renuka at Mahur (440 km, the third) make a 5-day Sade Teen yatra
- Friday and Tuesday are the goddess's days — extra processions, longer queues; weekday morning visits are calmest
Temples & Heritage Sites
- Jyotiba Wadi Ratnagiri Temple — the goddess's brother, 18 km
- Tryambuli Temple — Mahalakshmi's daughter, 5 km
- Panhala Fort — Shivaji's hill fort, 20 km
- Tuljapur Bhavani — second Sade Teen Peetha, 270 km
How to Reach Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur
Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur is located in Maharashtra, India at coordinates 16.6918°N, 74.225°E. You can reach Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur by air (nearest airport in Maharashtra), train, or road. Use YatraJunction's free fare calculator to compare live train, bus and flight prices, and to build an AI-powered itinerary tailored to your budget and travel dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best time to visit Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur?
- The best time to visit Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur is October to March.
- What are the top travel tips for Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur?
- Kirnotsav darshan tickets fill within hours of release on the temple's mahalaxmikolhapur.com — book 30+ days ahead. The Vande Bharat from Mumbai (CSMT to Kolhapur) is the fastest rail option — 8 hours; flights operate from Mumbai and Bengaluru. Combine with Jyotiba Wadi Ratnagiri Temple (18 km) — the goddess's brother shrine — and the Panhala Fort (20 km, Shivaji's monsoon capital). Tulja Bhavani at Tuljapur (270 km, the second Sade Teen Peetha) and Renuka at Mahur (440 km, the third) make a 5-day Sade Teen yatra. Friday and Tuesday are the goddess's days — extra processions, longer queues; weekday morning visits are calmest.
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