The Shri Mahalakshmi Temple of Kolhapur is one of the Shakti peetha located in Maharashtra. The various puranas of ancient India, have listed 108 shaktipeethas where Shakti (the goddess of power) is manifested. Amongst these Shri Mahalakshmi of the Karveer area (the area where the present town of Kolhapur is located), is of special significance.
Mahalakshmi temple kolhapur is one of the six sites of Shakti, where one can get both fulfillment of desires as well as salvation from them. It is therefore considered of even greater significance than Uttar Kashi, the place where one prays for salvation.
Shri Mahalakshmi is the consort of Shri Vishnu and it is said that both reside in the Karveer area eternally. HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE The architectural structure of the temple, shows that it may have been built during the Chalukya reign i.e. around 600 to 700 A.D. DESCRIPTION OF
The idol of Goddess Karveernivasini is made of gemstone. It weighs about 40 kilos. A stone lion stands behind the statue. The goddess has four limbs. The head has a crown and the Sheshnag (the mythical serpent of Shri Vishnu)is on it.